Family resorts in New York: Top 11 places for the most fun vacation with kids

If you're planning a fun vacation with the whole family, the best family resorts in New York City and beyond are a great choice, offering a variety of leisure options for guests of all ages. While organizing a vacation with children in a busy metropolis can be a real challenge, the following selection will make it much easier. From the Catskills to the Poconos, family-friendly New York resorts that are easily accessible from the city will ensure a comfortable and fun vacation that will leave you with many pleasant memories.

Kartrit Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Located two hours by car from the state capital in Monticello, The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark boasts the region's largest indoor waterpark, a favourite pastime for children and adults alike. Slides as long as 42 feet, a lazy river, and many other attractions await guests at the newly opened state-of-the-art location.

In addition, the top family-friendly resort in New York City constantly organizes interesting events, such as workshops, crafts, bingo, and much more. The spa centre on the territory of the complex is also worthy of attention as it offers massages and beauty treatments not only for adults but also for children, so it is a great option to spend time together not only in the water park but also for calm relaxing activities.

Villa Roma Resort

This family-friendly New York City resort is located in the beautiful Catskills region, less than three hours from the city. Villa Roma Resort offers a wide range of amenities for guests of all ages, from toddlers to adults. For example, when the weather permits, you can go fishing, swim in one of the two heated outdoor pools, compete in an adrenaline-pumping go-kart race or show off your golf skills. Younger guests will have fun in the treasure hunt area, a splash zone. The hotel also offers access to a gym and water slides. In winter, the main attraction of Villa Roma Resort is a ski area with two slopes, a school for beginners and even a tubing run. If necessary, you can rent equipment (snowboards, skis, shoes, etc.). After outdoor activities, spend time playing a game of bowling at the eight-lane bowling alley.

Rocking Horse Ranch

No matter the season, Rocking Horse Ranch offers adventures for the whole family. The resort is all-inclusive, so parents don't have to worry about a thing. Some of the main activities available to guests include

• water slides, which are available in summer;
• sledding and skiing in winter;
• kayaking;
• a year-round water park with a water temperature of 30 degrees Celsius.

Depending on the time, the resort also organizes festive performances and various events for the whole family. The Longhorn restaurant is staffed by graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, and you can not only enjoy delicious food but also order lunch with the favourite cartoon characters of your children.

Accommodation prices vary depending on the room configuration and number of guests, and the ranch constantly offers exclusive deals, so your vacation may turn out to be cheaper than you expected.

Country Place Resort & Zoom Flume Water Park

One of the most fun resorts in New York City also includes a large Zoom Flume water park. The Country Place Resort is located in East Durham, a 2.5-hour drive north of the state capital. The resort offers many deals for families. Package tours include delicious home-cooked meals, access to the water park, and organized activities in addition to accommodations. Be prepared for active kids who won't want to leave Thrill Hill, Typhoon Twister, and other family-friendly water rides.

CoCo Key Water Resort

CoCo Key Water Resort is among the top 11 family resorts in New York. Despite the fact that it is located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, it can be reached by car in less than two hours. The complex offers unlimited entertainment for every taste, especially within the water park:

• Shark Slam, a four-storey slide;
• Barracuda Blast, a winding ride;
• Lily Pad Adventure, a pool with entertainment for children and adults.

For the youngest guests, there is a special Dip-In zone with children's slides and even a miniature bungee.

Crystal Springs Resort

Crystal Springs Resort is located an hour and a half drive from New York City, offering a large number of activities for children and adults in a large, extensive area. The resort features seven indoor and outdoor swimming pools, so you can spend time by the water regardless of the weather outside. While the kids are having fun, parents can relax at the bar with a cocktail in hand or order a massage or other treatments at the on-site spa. There is also a golf course nearby.

After a day filled with fun, stop by Smokey's Tavern for a pizza or burger bite. In the morning, head to Kites Restaurant for breakfast to get enough energy to hike the Canal Road section of the Appalachian Trail before heading back to town.

Ridin-Hy Ranch

One of New York's top family-friendly resorts is surrounded by the majestic Adirondack Mountains, providing guests with the peace, fresh air and amazing views they desire. Ridin-Hy Ranch offers a variety of accommodation options depending on your preferences and the number of people in your company. For example, you can choose to stay in an apartment in the main building or choose one of the individual houses scattered around the grounds or by the lake. Whichever choice you make, you'll be minutes from the private beach and the heated indoor pool, which is open all year round.

The activities offered by the hotel in Warrensburg include:

• fishing on Sherman Lake;
• boating and water skiing;
• open-air movie nights;
• campfire parties;
• various sports, such as tennis, archery, kickball, etc.

A special feature of Ridin-Hy Ranch is the opportunity to sign up for horseback riding lessons or book a guided walk along various routes. Even younger guests can ride ponies and get to know them better.

Mohonk Mountain House

For those who enjoy mountain vacations, Mohonk Mountain House is the perfect choice. It is an idyllic family resort in New York State with affordable prices and a rich history. Mohonk Mountain House was opened in 1869 as an inn with ten rooms, but over time, the complex expanded and developed. No wonder five presidents of the United States have stayed here.

Special attention should be paid to the resort's kids' club, where children can have fun exploring the tracks of local animals and birds while parents enjoy relaxing treatments at the spa. The hotel offers activities for all seasons: in the warmer months, guests can go mountain biking or play tennis, and in the winter, they can go cross-country skiing on special trails, enjoy the views of the Catskill Mountains, or play broomball on the ice rink.

Canoe Island Lodge

Located in Diamond Point, Canoe Island Lodge is the perfect place for a family vacation with children in New York. The complex is open from June to mid-September, offering the best opportunities for a fun-filled vacation on the shores of Lake George, away from skyscrapers and smog.

The accommodation options include cottages, log cabins and chalets located along the pristine waterfront, so it's a great choice for those families looking to spend their vacation in nature. The key advantage of the complex is the lake, so there is a large number of water activities available for guests, including:

• wakeboarding;
• water skiing
• sailing competitions;
• fishing;
• canoeing and boating.

The resort also offers other activities not related to water, such as treasure hunts, sand castle competitions, flag capture, and numerous master classes. In any case, neither adults nor children will be bored.

Great Wolf Lodge

An ultra-modern water park with roller coasters, water slides, swimming pools and other attractions, as well as various recreation areas, make Great Wolf Lodge a great place for a family vacation in New York. After water activities, you can play mini-golf or watch a movie in the Howly Wood XD Theatre, and parents can spend time in the Elements Spa.

Woodlock Pines Resort

For the best family vacation in New York City, check out Woodloch Pines. This all-inclusive resort attracts numerous travellers both in summer for a vacation on the picturesque lakeside and in winter thanks to its ice rink, snow tubing, and warm indoor water park. Woodlock Pines also organizes seasonal events to make your stay even more interesting and fun. Accommodation prices vary depending on the time of year and the number of people in the company, so you're sure to find the best option.