Mohonk Mountain House

"There's a Victorian castle in the Hudson Valley. Really. It was built in 1869, sits on 40,000 acres of protected land, overlooks a glacial lake, and has 85 miles of trails. The castle is also an all-inclusive resort called the Mohonk Mountain House. The Mohonk Mountain House is hidden near the base of the Catskill Mountains. A long driveway winds up to the grand resort, where there are nearly 300 rooms and suites. They're classically decorated with wood paneling, antique-style furniture, and small bathrooms. Some add balconies with rocking chairs or wood-burning fireplaces. You won't be spending much time indoors, though. In addition to hiking, archery, kayaks, paddle boards, pickleball, rowboats, swimming, tennis, and tomahawks (to throw) are available. Cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and snow tubing are added during the winter. There's a spa with a large indoor pool. Fireplaces and decks (with more rocking chairs) are perfectly positioned to enjoy the view. While food--from lake-view breakfasts to picnic lunches to afternoon tea and cookies to farm-to-table dinners--is always available. There's also an old-fashioned soda fountain and a practically hidden bar for cocktails and local microbrews. Note: You'll either love it or hate it at the Mohonk Mountain House. This is definitely a family resort. Many have been coming here for generations, and not much has changed during that time. After days full of outdoor activities, nights are very quiet. Location: 2 hours from NYC Style: Victorian castle resort Vibe: classic hotel rooms"

"I used to come here often with my parents. Really wonderful place for a weekend away. Think: cozy Catskill Dirty Dancing Kellerman’s vibes. ($$$ - nice for a romantic anniversary weekend.) Beautiful lake with swimming and water sports in summer. Outdoor ice skating and hot chocolate in winter. Private hiking trails. Games. Beautiful spa. Tons of dining options. Coziest common areas. Ugh. Love this place. "

"1) Day hike: pay to park and hike all day. Can grab lunch. 2) Book Spa Day: get to use all facilities ( hike in morning and spa in afternoon) 3) Weekend getaway: super romantic and relaxing spot. Main dining reserved for overnight guests food was excellent. Activities for all seasons "