Best Family Vacations in New York State

Rain showers, spa robes, complimentary bicycles

Considered one of the best resort hotels in the country by travel industry insiders, The Lake House on Canandaigua puts the finest of the Finger Lakes within reach. Rooms and suites have hardwood floors, crisp white linens, and thoughtful touches like soaking tubs and Adirondack chairs on the private balcony. 

A private lakefront beach offers swimming and access to watercrafts, including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Additional complimentary daily activities may include a restorative yoga session, sunset boat cruise, and evening fire pit with s'mores. Parents can unwind with a soak in one of the private barrel saunas that line the creek or schedule an herbal massage while the kids are entertained at the daily kids’ club offered by staff. 

On-site, the Rose Tavern serves a rustic American menu that highlights seasonal ingredients of the Finger Lakes region. For something more casual, guests can also head to the Sand Bar for foods like lobster rolls and fries and pair it with something on their extensive beer and wine list. 

The hotel also has curated experiences designed by local experts. You can find everything from an afternoon of creating wood-burned art while sipping on a flight of whiskeys right at the hotel or venture off the property for an outdoor concert at CMAC performing arts center.

Indoor water park, various outdoor activities like a winter skating rink and rock climbing tower

This all-inclusive Hudson Valley family resort offers so many fun activities, the hardest part is choosing. Will it be horseback rides, river tubing, banana boat rides, swimming in the pool, or taking on the cousins in a family game of laser tag? Since Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is all-inclusive, there’s room to test them all out. The busy activities schedule gives parents a chance to relax. At night, the Silverado Saloon hosts magic shows, comedians, live music, and circus performers. 

Rooms are on the simple side with timber-framed bunks for the kids, but they're comfortable. You'll sleep well on the plush bed.

Pontoon fishing with free equipment and bait, water skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides

Families come to Ridin-Hy Ranch Resort in the Adirondacks for horseback riding and return year after year for the friendly community aspect and adrenaline-boosting activities. 

Lodge-style accommodations are rustic, as you might expect. The natural pine walls and floral bed covers can feel a bit austere, but you're not there to spend time inside, and Ridin-Hy offers more than enough activities to make up for it. 

Repeat guests rave about the riding trails, fishing, and snow machine rentals. For rainy-day entertainment, choose between the arcade, the hot tub, and the indoor swimming pool. Nightly entertainment options include comedy shows, a wine and cheese party for adults, and s'mores around the fire pit.

Water sports rentals, golf cart rentals, outdoor setup for games

Located 7 miles north of Lake George, Adirondack Safari offers two, four or six-person canvas tents. The tents come with everything you need for a relaxing stay: beds, bedding, a charcoal grill for cooking, a fire pit for roasting s'mores, and zero gravity chairs for kicking back. Rent river tubes for a lazy river float, play lawn games, see an outdoor movie, or enjoy live entertainment from bands and Native American performances. The experience is unique and considering what you get, it's a great value stay.

Horseback riding, heated indoor pool, private lake, Junior naturalist children’s program, daily mountain bike tour for older teens.

Mohonk Mountain House is a historic resort set atop the Shawangunk Ridge with views of the nearby Catskill Mountains and a network of hiking trails that also double as winter cross-country ski tracks. The location is unbeatable, set amid a private nature reserve with access to rock climbing, hiking, golf, disc golf, and mindfulness activities. Schedule a spa day while the kids are taking part in scheduled programming or spend the day rock scrambling your way through the Labyrinth followed by a dip in the lake beach. 

Rooms have nice amenities, like wood or gas fireplaces, but the furniture and floral drapery can feel dated. Meals are included, as is nightly entertainment.

Private lakefront beach, full kitchens, game room for rainy days.

Set on Otsego Lake a short drive outside of Cooperstown, home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bayside Inn & Marina offers a blend of rooms and cottage-style accommodations. Rooms are basic yet comfortable; seasonal-use cottages come with full kitchens, charcoal grills, cable television, and all the essentials. One of the cottages is ADA handicapped-accessible.

The real draw is the waterfront, which has a roped-off swimming area for children. Borrow a kayak or canoe to use free of charge, set up a croquet course on the lawn, or head to nearby Glimmerglass State Park for swimming, fishing, hiking, and other activities.

Spa program, bowling alley, movie theater.

While Lake Placid shines in winter, thanks to a strong winter sports community, The Whiteface Lodge is a great stay in any season. From November to late March, you can enjoy a full-size outdoor ice rink right on the property — free skate rentals are also available. Nearby, there is a myriad of options for every winter sport like skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and even sleigh rides. During the summer, you can fish from the stocked pond, enjoy s’mores by the campfire, or relax by the pool. Beyond the ski slopes of nearby Whiteface Mountain, you can go ice skating on a private rink.

A typical one-bedroom suite accommodates four. There's a gas fireplace for chilly winter nights and a private outdoor balcony for summer visits. Family groups can rent two- or three-bedroom suites for more bedrooms and common spaces. The style is rustic with exposed wood and natural art. 

While suites include kitchen facilities, you'd be remiss to skip the multiple dining options onsite, which range from a private Lake Placid beachfront facility to a complimentary shuttle ride away or Kanu, local Adirondacks cuisine served alongside peak views. Don't miss a visit to The Spa at Whiteface Lodge, considered one of the 100 best spas in America. In addition to saunas and hot tubs perfect for apres-ski, you can enjoy a massage or an Arnica gel recovery wrap for stiff muscles.

Family package deals include special activities for kids, indoor pool, spa

 Walkable to Times Square and Central Park, The Peninsula New York has apartment-style rooms and suites perfect for families. Even the smaller rooms have separate seating areas and windows that let in natural light. The Peninsula makes a great home base for exploring the city, but make time for the indoor pool or treat yourself to a spa afternoon and book a facial using Biologique Recherche products. The current family special, Camp Peninsula, comes with a scavenger hunt, an in-room tent, and other child-friendly activities.