10 Best Family Resorts close to Jersey City

Be it a long break or a weekend getaway, the aim is to make the most of it, no matter what time of the year it is. If you are planning a family holiday anytime soon, here is a list of 10 family-friendly resorts packed with plenty of fun stuff for all age groups. And they are less than a 3-hour drive from Jersey City. So read on, and hit the road. 

Crystal Springs, Hamburg, NJ

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Located in the Skylands region of Northern New Jersey, Crystal Springs Resorts has 6 golf courses in the vicinity. It is scenic yet packed with modern amenities for a comfortable stay at its two properties – Grand Cascade Lodge and Minerals Hotel. With an indoor and outdoor pool and also a heated snow pool, you can enjoy swimming all year round. It has several activities for groups, individuals, and children within the resort or nearby.

Axe throwing and gaming arcades can be enjoyed irrespective of the weather. There are also seasonal yet engaging things to do for children.

In winter, you can hit the slopes at the Mountain Creek ski resort which is just a short drive from Crystal Springs. It has snow tubing, snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing amongst other winter adventures.

In summer, you can choose from pony and horseback rides, goat yoga, exploring nature trails, marshmallow roast and even visit the winery nearby

The Grand Cascades Lodge has 8 restaurants on-site with cuisine choices including American, Italian, farm-to-table gourmet meals, and quick bites. Additionally, Minerals Hotel has restaurants offering plenty of food options.  

Camelback Resort, Tannersville, PA 18372

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Situated in the Poconos Mountains, Camelback Resort has cozy suites with up-to-date facilities for different group sizes. There is a wide choice of things to do when you visit here. It has indoor and outdoor water parks, outdoor mountain adventures, and ski slopes.

In winter you can do skiing or snow tubing, snowboarding and even take ski lessons. Options like indoor rock climbing, a rope course, and a games arcade are available all year round. Also, the indoor waterpark is a good option when the outdoor is off-limits due to the weather.

In summer, there is a zip line, a mountain coaster, tree top rope walking/obstacle course, and Ultimate Terrain Vehicle rides.

On the food front, Camelback has a wide variety of outlets spread across the resorts, waterparks, and ski slopes including offering Italian, American, and Grill delicacies. You can also choose from pizza, quick bites, and snacky food trucks that are open seasonally. 

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY

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Mohonk Mountain House is a National Historic resort founded in 1869. The Victorian Castle Resort in Hudson Valley is by Lake Mohonk amidst an expansive forest. The accommodations here include rooms, suites, and private cottages ideal for retreats and large groups. The resort boasts an award-winning spa.

This resort offers an inclusive stay- meals, activities and entertainment. Based on the age group, children can participate in fish feeding, rock climbing, canoeing, and even bike tours. For adults, there are lake activities, golfing sessions, and seasonal entertainment that are part of the package.

During winter, you can go ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or hiking on guided winter tours.  Additionally, you can plan a visit to the Barn Museum, guided history tours, or enjoy the indoor heated pool,

In summer, you can enjoy row boating, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boating. There are also pony/horseback rides and mule-drawn carriages to explore mountaintop vistas. The resort also has nightly entertainment and fun things like family bingo, s’mores campfire, and crafts for children.

You can have meals at the designated dining areas. The resort also has weekend brunches and a vintage soda fountain. With advance notice, the resort can accommodate any special dietary requirements. In true Victorian tradition, Mohonk Mountain House has a dress code policy for dining and expects diners to avoid flip-flops, athletic wear, and beach wear.

 

Kalahari Resorts, Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania

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Kalahari Resorts in Poconos is a good option for a short getaway. Accommodations here range from single-room suites to 5-bedroom suites and access to their popular water parks is included in the stay.

The indoor and outdoor waterpark and games arcade are a big draw for children as well as adults. You can also enjoy mini bowling, mini golf, an escape room, and a 7 D Motion theater for AI/VR experiences.

In winter, apart from the indoor waterpark, you can drive just 5 miles for some snow sports at the Camelback ski resort. In summer you can access the outdoor water park and tree-top adventures.

For meals at Kalahari resorts you can choose from Italian, Mexican and, American cuisines, The resort also has fast food, a dessert bar and, a café for a quick meal.

Rocking Horse Ranch Highland, NY

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Rocking Horse Ranch offers all-inclusive stays with a horde of fun things in the resort for all age groups. The rustic lodge-like suites come with modern amenities. The resort features a wildlife exhibit, a private lake, a gaming arcade, and several sports facilities including a softball field and a basketball court.

All indoor and outdoor activities on site are included in the stay. The resort has nightly entertainment for families, shooting, and archery amongst other things to do. It also has riding and horseback adventures seasonally. You can sign up children- newborn to age 12- for the age-specific day camp sessions for an additional fee.

During winter, the resort offers snow tubing, skiing, and ice skating. Additionally, the indoor water park and hot springs are accessible too.

In summer, choices include mountain tubing, water sports on the private lake, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and mini golf amongst other things.

Food is included in the fare and the resort is equipped to handle special dietary needs and requirements. From popular breakfast staples to salads for lunch to rotating a-la-carte menu for dinner, meal choices are extensive.

Kartrite Resort, Monticello, NY

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Located in the Catskills, Kartrite Resort boasts the largest indoor waterpark in New York. The two or three-bedroom suites come with complimentary passes to the waterpark.

The indoor waterpark and gaming arcade are fun for all age groups. Adventures like rock climbing, escape room, rope course, and zip lines are available all year round. Additionally, it has movie nights, family games sessions, magic shows, s’more by the firepit, and scheduled art and craft sessions for children

During winter, Kartrite organizes seasonal activities like snowball fights and building a snowman amongst other things.

In summer, you can go hiking on any of the six trails around and even join in planned outdoor fun and games for the family.

Restaurants at Kartrite offer a variety of options suitable for all tastes. Popular choices like pizza, pasta, burger, steak, and fries are likely to satiate the appetites of both adults and children.

Great Wolf Lodge, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

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Great Wolf Lodge, nestled in Pocono Mountains has contemporary and rustic suites with modern comforts. With its natural surroundings and structure, the resort exudes a cabin-like feel.

The indoor waterpark has rides and slides for all age groups throughout the year. Gaming arcade has options to entertain both children and adults. Additionally, the resort has indoor immersive experiences including gemstone mining, a mirror maze, a bowling alley, and glow golf.

There are also art and craft-based sessions, storytime, and build-a-bear workshops to keep the younger guests engaged.

The resort is close to Camelback Mountain making it a popular destination in winter.  Seasonally, the resort also has holiday and snow-themed activities for families to enjoy

During summer, you can enjoy tackling the rope course or taking a dip in the outdoor pool. There is also an outdoor park with family games.

On the food front, restaurants here have pizzas, burgers, grilled delicacies, and BBQ options. There is a Dunkin Donuts located within the lodge and also a grab-and-go style café for a quick meal. 

Skytop Lodge

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This Pocono property by the Skytop Lake has both suites and cottages on four separate accommodation offerings with mountain or golf course views. It is an ideal getaway for families and groups that like being outdoors. 

The resort has rifle shooting, axe throwing, archery lessons, a high rope-zip line obstacle course, and an indoor pool accessible in all seasons.

During summer you can pick from a host of things to do including golf, hiking, lawn bowling, swimming in the outdoor pool, biking and paintball. Boating and Kayaking on Skytop lake are other popular summer activities.

In colder weather, you can choose from snow tubing, skiing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing on Skytop Mountain. Some other things that you can avail of include estate tour hayrides, campfires with marshmallow roasting, and seasonal family entertainment.

The restaurants at Skytop Lodge offer varied food options including bistro-style cuisine, contemporary Italian food, gourmet meals with locally sourced ingredients, and quick bites. There is also a café and lounge for drinks. 

Woodloch Pine Resort, Hawley, Pennsylvania

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Woodloch Pine resort in Pocono mountains has numerous things to do and amenities included in regular stay packages. Accommodation choices include hotel-type suites, and one and two-bedroom suites.

The resort has an active schedule of fun and games running throughout the year. It also includes seasonal and themed sessions to be enjoyed as a group.
The property has plenty of options for ages 10 and under including an Art and Craft Room, and a Kids Club with age-appropriate things to do. There is also an indoor playground as well as kid-size indoor and outdoor pools

Another feature of the inclusive package is the entertainment like a magician, theme shows and variety shows to name a few.

During summer you can pick from Adventure Playground, archery, wall climbing, disc golf, bumper boats, go-carts, boating, water skiing

In Winter you can enjoy Ice Skating, Synthetic, snow tubing, and winter Olympics family games.

As a part of the inclusive package, meals are served in the three dining areas of the resort comprising of locally sourced fresh produce. Popular and gourmet choices are available for varied tastes. 

Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon, New Jersey

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Situated at the base of Vernon Peak, Mountain Creek Resort has studio, one and two-bedroom suites with kitchens.

In winter, the resort offers skiing and snowboarding. Ski slopes here have options for all skill levels and on-site training sessions as well.

During summer, you can enjoy the outdoor waterpark, mountain biking, zip tours, an alpine mountain coaster, a tree-rope course, and golf. If you wish to enjoy the local Sussex County attractions, there are hiking trails, horseback riding, and skydiving amongst other things.

The resort has five food outlets including a Biergarten spread between the South Lodge and Red Tail Lodge. They serve staples like American-style BBQs, burgers, pizza, wood-fired dishes, and flatbreads amongst other things.


Author Bio:

Hiral Sachde is a content writer, journalist, entrepreneur, mother of two, and JC resident. She likes reading, music, and meditation. She also enjoys traveling.