family summer – From a 19th-century castle near New York to glamping on 37,000 acres in Montana, here are ten family-friendly summer resorts across the United States—complete with what each stay offers and the basics on how to book.
Summer vacations in the U.S. can be a puzzle: there are theme-park style weekends, beach escapes, mountain escapes, and everything in between. The hard part isn’t finding options—it’s picking one that can actually hold a family together for a full trip.
These ten resorts and hotels are built for summer energy, with activities that don’t feel like chores and amenities that help parents breathe. And yes, every one of them has you covered on the kind of summer memories that usually come only after you’ve decided to “just go.”
Mohonk Mountain House, about 90 miles outside New York City, is a fairy-tale castle on 40,000 acres of forest. The property was originally built in 1869. and in summer it turns into a full-family playground—canoeing and swimming in Lake Mohonk. archery and ax-throwing. hiking and horseback riding. plus outdoor movies. campfires and concerts. Stays include three meals daily, afternoon tea and cookies, and most activities. Alcohol is an extra cost. There’s also a kids club with plenty of activities so parents can take a little time for themselves.
In summer, rates at Mohonk Mountain House are easily more than $1,000 per night for two guests. Kids stay for free, but you need to call to take advantage of the offer and hear the terms and conditions.
About 20 miles outside Austin in Texas Hill Country. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is a Category 6 World of Hyatt property built around water and outdoor play. Families can float around a winding lazy river. zoom down waterslides. or escape to an adults-only pool for a quieter stretch. The resort also includes an 18-hole golf course, plus horseback riding, zip lining, archery, fishing and trap shooting. Dining is a mix of options including an upscale farm-to-table restaurant. a modern steakhouse. an intimate 10-seat sushi counter and an ice cream saloon.
Nightly rates at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa run between 20,000 and 40,000 points per night. Cash rates fluctuate throughout the summer and can be found for as low as $307 per night.
In Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge sits near the 10,000-acre Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. Its summer season runs from May through September. and the calendar fills up with miniature golf tournaments. concerts and family campfires. Guests can also get active with sand volleyball, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and swimming in the pools or lazy river. There’s even a theme park with go-karts, bowling, a ropes course and more. If your crew still has energy. the lodge offers the option to rent a boat to cruise around the lakes or sign up for wakeboarding lessons. and there’s a fireworks show to cap the day.
Big Cedar Lodge offers accommodations ranging from glamping tents to full-size cabins. Cash rates are around $300 per night for off-property “camp huts” and can reach $1,000 per night for large cabins.
On Mackinac Island in Michigan. the Grand Hotel—known as “America’s Summer Place”—leans into a slower pace where history is visible at every turn. Cars aren’t allowed, and horse-drawn carriages are the norm. Each room is different from the next. and guests can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. walking through lush gardens. horseback riding. tennis and golf. The hotel’s pool and pool house recently underwent a $10 million renovation. The Woodlands Activity Center features a minigolf course, a nature center and even BMX trails. With 13 on-site restaurants and bars, there’s plenty to keep everyone fed.
Summer rates at the Grand Hotel start around $399 per night, but they fluctuate significantly throughout the summer.
Up in New Hampshire, Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa sits among 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest. Summer here is about movement: fly-fishing. horseback riding. mountain biking. guided rock climbs. and the chance to soar across New England’s longest zip line. The resort also has an 18-hole golf course and a disc golf course. For views. guests can ride a gondola. and there’s “The Cog. ” described as the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world.
Rates at Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa start around $340 per night.
For a Southwest take on summer favorites. Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe. New Mexico. offers a luxurious base with adventure just outside the door. The property features a traditional kiva fireplace. but it’s the activities that pull families in—rafting on the Rio Grande. mountain biking. and fly-fishing. For a calmer pace. guests can book a chocolate-tasting class or an alfresco art class. join a mindfulness session outside. or take a leisurely hike. Kids ages 4 to 12 can explore through Camp Manitou, which offers skill-building activities and crafts.
Summer room rates at the Auberge-affiliated Bishop’s Lodge start at $551 per night.
Sonora. Texas is the setting for The JL Bar Ranch. Resort & Spa. an elegant. intimate stay with just 16 rooms and 16 cabins. Adults can head to the spa, but the ranch’s activities are the main event. Guests can learn how to ride a horse, then join a traditional cowboy cookout. There’s also a bike for a trail ride, an infinity pool to cool off, and karaoke night. Off the resort grounds, families can explore the Caverns of Sonora.
Room rates at The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa start at $433 per night, with bookings requiring a two-night stay.
Carmel Valley Ranch in California is an all-suite resort set on 500 acres outside Carmel Valley. It’s part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. and the options run from tennis and golf to experiences like beekeeping and falconry. Guests can hone archery skills, meet local artisans, and spend time with ranch animals like alpacas and goats. The resort is also a launch point for exploring the local wine region. or you can settle in around a fire pit for s’mores. It works for families, and it’s also described as an adults-only getaway.
Carmel Valley Ranch is a Category 8 World of Hyatt resort. Standard award nights are available for between 35,000 and 75,000 points, while cash rates start at $389 per night.
If you’d rather keep things cooler. Cliff House Maine is perched on a rocky stretch of Cape Neddick. with ocean views that frame the whole experience. Families are invited to explore on-site activities, plus nearby outdoor experiences both on and off the water. Inside, there are chic rooms, suites and cottages, along with indoor and outdoor pools and a cinema. The wildlife center offers animal learning, and there are arts and crafts classes. For a classic Maine evening. guests can enjoy a Maine lobster bake. then gather by a fire pit while listening to the waves.
Rates at Cliff House Maine start around $559 per night.
Finally, Paws Up Montana is described as one of the most glamorous glamping resorts around, set on a 37,000-acre ranch. Families can choose from luxurious glamping tents and cabin-style homes with space for everyone, but the resort nudges you outdoors. Guests join a cattle drive. ride all-terrain vehicles. go fly-fishing. horseback riding. and can even take a hot air balloon ride to see the scenic vistas. Rates at Paws Up cover three meals daily (including select alcoholic beverages) as well as many—but not all—activities.
Availability for the remainder of the summer ranges from nearly $3,000 per night for a tented accommodation to about $6,000 a night for a multiroom house or cabin. Those rates are inclusive of two adults and two children.
The common thread across all ten stays is the same: summer isn’t something you schedule around—it’s something the property hands you by the hour, with enough variety to keep kids busy and parents interested, too.
summer resorts family travel United States Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa Mohonk Mountain House Big Cedar Lodge Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Omni Mount Washington Resort Bishop's Lodge The JL Bar Ranch Carmel Valley Ranch Cliff House Maine Paws Up Montana
Axe-throwing at a family resort? Interesting.
So it’s like a castle near NYC but also glamping vibes? I just wanna know the price lol. 90 miles outside NYC sounds doable though.
I’m confused, it says built in 1869 and then like canoeing and archery?? Didn’t know they could still do that stuff. Also “outdoor movies” in summer is cool but are they kid-friendly? Seems like every resort is trying to be a theme park now.
Montana with 37,000 acres is wild, but I bet that’s like mostly nothing and they still charge the same. Families “breathe” amenities… okay sure. I read somewhere hotels are cutting stuff and raising prices so hopefully these aren’t the same scam. Also ax-throwing sounds dangerous, like the adults will get distracted and then somebody’s kid falls or whatever.