As the country continues to reopen through the summer, it’s not too late to plan a safe family getaway at one of these Northeast resorts. After months of stress and uncertainty, these resorts are ready to help you take a step back and relax. From adventurous outings to luxury spas to downtime by the pool, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite vacation spots to get away with the kids.
Most importantly, these resorts have new policies in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Like New Jersey, some states have placed restrictions on out-of-state travelers, especially from states with high rates of COVID-19. Make sure to check these restrictions before you book your trip. Remember that all amenities and activities are subject to change due to the pandemic so be sure to call for the latest information on each destination.
NEW JERSEY
Crystal Springs Resort
Hamburg
This North Jersey getaway is home to two hotels, two spas, six golf courses and is perfect for couples or the whole family. Free activities and amenities include an outdoor pool and spray park, glow-in-the-dark golf, pony rides, and a daily marshmallow roast. There’s more that can be added on like boating on the 100-acre Mountain Top lake, goat yoga and family golf. The six golf courses, plus an indoor golf simulator and a “FootGolf” course, are a golf lover’s dream. Dining options include outdoor seating and take-out menus. Near the resort, you can sign up for a fly fishing course or head to the local Legends Riding Stable to take a leisurely trail ride.
Crystal Springs Resort has adopted the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s “Stay Safe” health and safety program. This includes a thorough cleaning of guest rooms before arrival, limiting housekeeping to trash pickup and replenishment of toiletries and sanitizing equipment used in guest activities between guests. Face coverings are required while indoors and outdoors when six feet cannot be maintained and hand sanitizing stations have been installed. A virtual concierge service has been created to limit contact and can be accessed via text.
Wave Resort
Long Branch
If you’re looking for an easy, local getaway, Wave Resort is a new addition to the Jersey Shore and is located right on Long Branch’s beachfront. Resort amenities include an outdoor pool, luxury spa and blow bar and pre-planned activities for the kids. Guest rooms feature a terrace to lounge around in and dining experiences include everything from grab-and-go to fine outdoor dining. Wave Resort is located in the heart of Pier Village so there’s no shortage of things to do outside the resort: the Long Branch Boardwalk, the Whitechapel Projects restaurant and brewery, shopping and, of course, the beach itself are all steps away.
Wave Resort has new protocols to keep both staff and guests healthy. When arriving at the resort, guests will be asked to wear face coverings and use hand sanitizers. Communal spaces are being cleaned at an increased frequency with a focus on high-touch areas and objects like room keycards, fitness equipment and counters. In the rooms, bed linens will be changed and washed daily and high-touch objects are being cleaned with industry-leading products. For full details of Wave Resort’s Health and Sanitation Guidelines, click here.
NEW YORK
High Peaks Resort
Lake Placid, NY
High Peaks Resort is a getaway for the whole family—including four-legged members. This dog-friendly resort is located on Mirror Lake in downtown Lake Placid. Boating on the lake is a must with kayaks, rowboats, standup paddleboards and paddle boats available to rent. There are two outdoor and two indoor pools between the resort’s three hotels, so you can swim rain or shine. The spa and salon are reopening with limited hours and services; more services will be available at a later date. Lake Placid itself offers no shortage of things to do: take a traditional hike or try riverwalking, get a unique view of the Adirondacks on a zip line trip or fly through the mountains with the Adirondack Flying Service. For a more relaxed experience, head to the Wild Center to get a look at the local wildlife and stay tuned for news about the Olympic Museum’s reopening sometime this summer.
High Peaks Resort has introduced new Cleanliness & Distancing Standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The frequency of communal area cleaning and disinfection has been increased with a focus on high-touch areas like elevator buttons, door handles and seating areas. Resort rooms will be thoroughly cleaned between guests and sealed after cleaning until the next guests arrive. Restaurants and bars have reduced capacity limits and markers have been placed to direct social distancing.
Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, NY
This resort provides both a history lesson and a vacation—it’s located in a Victorian castle situated in the Hudson Valley. A National Historic Landmark, the resort is surrounded by 40,000 acres of woodland and boasts an award-winning spa, 85 miles of hiking trails and farm-to-table dining choices. There are programs designed for both kids and teens; the Teen Program offers hikes, tomahawk throwing and nightly movies and games while the Junior Naturalist program lets kids ages 4 to 12 get up close with nature. On Lake Mohonk, there’s boating and swimming. If the history of the resort intrigues you, take a history tour or download an augmented reality app for an immersive experience. Adults can get a spa treatment or choose from a range of yoga classes and meditation sessions. A special deal available in late August is the Art of Nature Awareness Week which features instruction from Mohonk’s naturalist in nature observation, survival skills and more.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, all guests will have their temperatures checked before entering the resort and will be asked to fill out a wellness questionnaire prior to arrival. Guests will also be required to wear face coverings while in public areas. Mohonk Mountain House has formed a team of “touchpoint cleaners” that sanitize high-touch areas throughout the day. Daily housekeeping and nightly turndown will be available upon request only. Here’s everything that Mohonk Mountain House is doing to keep visitors healthy.
The Otesaga Resort Hotel
Cooperstown, NY
Take in the stunning scenery of Lake Otsego at this 110-year-old lakeside resort. Situated to take in gorgeous views of the lake, the resort is home to the award-winning Leatherstocking Golf Course. The 18-hole course is located on the edge of the lake and even includes shots across the water and an island tee. Bring your own canoe, kayak or paddleboard for a day on the lake; the resort offers a private dock and on property equipment storage. There are serene walking and jogging trails spread around the resort and town to enjoy. You can also explore Cooperstown, home to the recently-reopened National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Historic Hyde Hall, Brewery Ommegang and much more.
The Otesaga has started a CARE—Clean And Responsible Environment—initiative based on guidance from the CDC and New York State’s Department of Health. The resort has temporarily closed the spa, swimming pool and fitness center and boat rentals are unavailable until further notice. The golf course requires reservations and tee times have been spaced to 12 minutes to reduce crowding. New cleaning procedures include an increase in the frequency that public spaces are cleaned, sanitizing all tables, chairs and settings in the restaurant between guests and guest rooms will be sealed after cleaning until guests arrive. Upon check-in, guests will be provided with a Personal Care Kit that includes hand sanitizer, bottles of water, sanitary wipes and masks (if needed).
The Sagamore Resort
Bolton Landing, NY
https://www.instagram.com/p/B69IZLjo0yG/
Situated on the edge of Lake George, this resort has been voted by Travel + Leisure as one of the Northeast’s top resorts and it’s easy to see why. The Sagamore Resort has classic resort activities like an 18-hole golf course, tennis and both pool and lake swimming. At The Rec Center, there’s lots to do, like climbing the rock wall or playing a round of mini-golf. The Rec Center also hosts the Kids Club, for kids ages 4 to 12, which organizes sports, arts and crafts, educational opportunities and more. The Sagamore Resort also offers babysitting services. The whole family can hop aboard The Morgan, a replica 19th-century boat, for a scenic cruise around Lake George. Other resort amenities include a luxury spa that features hydrotherapy and a range of dining and bar options that are sure to please. The surrounding area boasts beautiful boating, fishing and hiking locations. Adirondack Ranch offers horseback riding adventures and the Hudson River is the perfect place for a 17-mile white water rafting trip.
Following New York state COVID-19 guidelines, all guests over the age of two are required to wear face coverings when social distancing is not possible. The resort has installed hand sanitizing stations and signage informing guests of health standards. The amount of staff members entering guest rooms for in-room dining and housekeeping has been limited and shared-use items that cannot be cleaned between guests have been eliminated and replaced with alternatives where possible. Here are the full details of The Sagamore Resort’s COVID-19 policies.
PENNSYLVANIA
Skytop Lodge
Skytop, PA
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBdqBe9lqKB/
Located on 5,500 acres in the scenic Pocono Mountains, Skytop Lodge is sure to bring both adventure and relaxation to any vacation. Unwind on the shore of Skytop Lake, soar through the trees on a 3,000-foot Treetop Adventure Course or take aim with ax throwing. Don’t forget to take in the beautiful views that can be found while boating on the lake or riding down a biking trail. Swimming is a must with an outdoor pool, indoor pool and lake to choose from. Classic lawn games and an award-winning golf course are also available. The Nest, Skytop’s spa, is open and offering spa favorites from body scrubs and wraps to manicures for the whole family. Nearby are the Outlets at Tannersville for some retail therapy and just 45 minutes away are the Bushkill Falls, dubbed “The Niagara of Pennsylvania.”
Of course, new health and safety standards have been put into practice. Plexiglass shields are in place at all transactional areas. Some services, including valet, are temporarily unavailable while others, like the fitness center, pools and shuttle services, have limited availability. Guests rooms, public spaces and other high-touch areas will be deep cleaned following CDC and EPA guidelines. In-restaurant dining will resume on July 19 with reduced capacity.
Woodloch Resort
Hawley, PA
Woodloch lies on 1,500 acres with dozens of resort amenities and unique experiences to make vacation memorable. Kids can play in one of two, large schoolyard-style playgrounds, hang out in the Indoor Splash Zone that features a “double corkscrew” slide and “Superdome” or take a ride on the Kiddie Carts. Adults might enjoy a la carte spa treatment options, taking a paint & sip class and trying out forest bathing (offered once a month). Mini golf, batting cages, escape rooms and the six-sided, 30-foot rockwall are sure to please the whole family. Meal plans are available to make feeding the family easy. Not too far from Woodloch, more fun adventures are waiting: the Dorflinger Glass Museum, rafting and fishing locales and more are nearby!
Woodloch has created a new department to oversee the safety of guests and staff and the prevention of illness. Housekeeping Safety Inspectors will certify that all rooms have been cleaned and seal them until guests arrive. High-touch areas and public spaces are being frequently cleaned and the resort is continuing to add technology that will limit contact. Guests will have their temperatures checked upon arrival and are asked to wear face coverings when indoors or when outdoors and unable to maintain six feet between groups. Daily in-room housekeeping is not available. Certain amenities, including water skiing and zip lining, are temporarily unavailable and others require advanced registration. Click here to view a full list of Woodloch’s health and safety procedures.
VERMONT
*Editors Note – Vermont has some restrictions on travelers from certain areas, especially those with high active cases of COVID. Here is a map which gives you a sense of the restrictions. There is a quarantine requirement if someone is coming from a county with more than 400 active cases, which includes most counties in New Jersey: 7-day quarantine at home, followed by a negative COVID test, and travelers have to sign a form on arrival at the resort for the state of Vermont attesting their compliance.
Smugglers’ Notch
Jeffersonville, VT
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3XRC5DcRH/
Smuggler’s Notch is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise! Hop aboard a canoe, kayak or paddleboard and boat down the Lamoille River on a solo or guided trip. Prefer to stay on land? Visit the Mountainbike Center to rent a bike and ride through the three-acre skill park. Take a guided walk, head out on an all-day hiking adventure, or even meet a llama on a Llama Trekking hike and picnic on one of the beautiful trails. Beat the summer heat with five heated pools and three waterslides. Kids and parents alike can enjoy the FunZone 2.0, a 26,000 square-foot indoor playground with mini-golf, ping-pong, bubble hockey and more. Outside of the resort, the Jeffersonville area is full of dining and shopping options. There’s also a nearby golf course, the Boyden Valley Winery, and Lake Champlain is within an hour’s drive.
Smuggler’s Notch has enhanced cleaning policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19: hand sanitizer stations and social distancing signage has been installed, the frequency of cleaning in public spaces has been increased and high-touch areas in guest rooms and public spaces are a focus of cleaning procedures. Guests are encouraged to wear cloth face coverings when applicable and maintain six feet between fellow guests. Massages are not being offered at this time and the resort’s summer camp offerings for kids have been cancelled.
Topnotch Resort
Stowe, VT
Located on a 120-acre wooded estate, Topnotch Resort is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and foodies. There’s plenty of hiking and an impressive list of local food and craft beer the area is known for. Visit the Equestrian Center to venture out on a trail ride or get in some much-needed relaxation at the Topnotch Spa with massages, facials and more. Topnotch Resort is ranked as one of the Top Ten US Tennis Resorts by Tennis Magazine and the Tennis Academy hosts over 30 programs designed for all ages and experience levels. Kids can hit the trails with bike rentals or join the Junior Tennis Academy and there are plenty of activities for teens, too. The surrounding area also has lots to offer: visit the nearby Ben & Jerry’s Factory, the Echo Center (a lake aquarium and science center), the Rock of Ages Granite Quarries and more.
Topnotch Resort has created new cleanliness and distancing standards to protect guests’ health. These standards include increased cleaning of communal areas with an emphasis on high-touch surfaces, the addition of signs and markers directing guests on physical distancing and the reduction and reconfiguration of seating spaces at the restaurants, bars and pools. Guest rooms are sanitized with particular focus on high-touch surfaces and excess items, including hangers, pillows and blankets have been removed from rooms but can still be requested.
