From Maine to Montana, these outstanding resorts offer fun options for both kids and adults
All-inclusive family vacations are a top choice for parents planning family travel and multi-generational family vacations. These getaways are easy to plan and hassle-free, with rates including accommodations, meals, and a wide variety of activities for all ages and interests.
While vacation planners often assume that every all-inclusive vacation involves an international trip to Mexico or the Caribbean, that’s not the case. There are a number of outstanding family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, dude ranches and lodges located throughout the United States.
Locations include beachfront properties, lake resorts, desert retreats, secluded islands and mountain getaways. Some are open seasonally from late spring through fall, while others cater to families year-round. If you’re looking for a fun-filled vacation destination for your next family road trip, here are a few of the best all-inclusive resorts in the United States to consider.
Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Florida
Club Med is one of the best known all-inclusive brands in the world. This unique Caribbean-style property set alongside the St. Lucie River knows how to please its guests with specially designed deluxe family rooms, a wide variety of included land and water sports, all-day dining and an open bar and entertainment.
Set along Florida’s St. Lucie River, Club Med’s Caribbean-style all-inclusive property caters to families with fun activities for guests of all ages. Photo courtesy of Club Med
The Flying Trapeze School and Club Med sport Academies here are popular. Club Med Sandpiper Bay offers excellent free kids and teens programs for children 4 to 17 years of age, as well as a nursery for little ones ages 4-23 months old and a tots program for 2-3-year-olds at an additional charge.
Flathead Lake Lodge, Montana
For 75 years, this family-owned and -operated, all-inclusive dude ranch has been delighting families seeking a wide selection of unlimited water sports, horseback riding, guided hiking and mountain biking, tennis, fully inclusive kids & teens programs, and other activities. Situated on 30-mile-long Flathead Lake, the 2,000-acre property includes water skiing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and lake cruises as part of its all-inclusive water sports programs. Flathead Lake Lodge rates include accommodations, meals and all on-site ranch activities. The ranch is a 45-minute drive from Glacier National Park, providing additional opportunities to enjoy nature’s splendor.
The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
Located on private Little St. Simons Island, this special all-inclusive resort accommodates only 32 overnight guests and is a paradise for families and nature lovers. The secluded 11,000-acre barrier island provides an intimate nature sanctuary filled with abundant wildlife, seven miles of white sand beaches, maritime forests and marshlands. Rates at The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island include three full meals each day, non-alcoholic beverages, unlimited island activities and use of recreational gear, daily naturalist-led outings, and boat transfers to and from the island. A Junior Naturalist Program for children is also offered during the summer.
Woodloch Resort, Pennsylvania
Nestled on Lake Teedyuskung in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, this four-season resort has been owned and operated by the Kiesendahl family for over 60 years. The focus at Woodloch Resort is on reconnecting and making great family memories together, earning this property one of the highest repeat guest rates in the industry. Set on over 1,200 acres, Woodloch’s inclusive rate plan includes accommodations, three daily meals, nightly entertainment, and an array of included activities including swimming, boating, waterskiing, hiking, biking, tennis, bumper cars, go-carts and snow tubing during the winter months. In addition to resort rooms, large multi-bedroom luxury homes are available.
White Stallion Ranch, Arizona
Owned and operated by the True family for over 50 years, White Stallion Ranch is set on 3,000 acres of unspoiled Sonoran desert bordering Saguaro National Park West in Tucson. Rates at White Stallion Ranch include three meals daily, select beverages, all horseback riding excluding lessons, hiking, a weekly ranch rodeo, swimming, tennis, evening entertainment and a wide variety of other programs.
Set on 3,000 acres of unspoiled Sonoran desert, Arizona’s White Stallion Ranch offers families a traditional dude ranch vacation filled with horseback riding and activities. Photo courtesy of Nancy Schretter
Families can enjoy scenic trail rides, team cattle penning competitions, rock climbing, fat-tire e-biking, shooting, visits to the ranch’s petting zoo and watching movies in the ranch’s 27-seat movie theater.
Mohonk Mountain House, New York
Located just 90 miles from New York City, this spectacular cliff-top Victorian castle overlooking Lake Mohonk is a year-round family favorite. Owned and operated by the Smiley family since 1869, Mohonk Mountain House provides guests with inclusive vacations featuring three meals daily, afternoon tea, most non-alcoholic beverages, and a wide variety of activities including lake and indoor swimming, boating and fishing, hiking on 85 miles of trails, archery, golf, tennis, basketball, family activities and crafts, daily kids and teens programs and a Junior Naturalist program for kids. During the winter months, families can take part in included activities such as ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Mohonk Mountain House, a spectacular cliff-top Victorian castle overlooking Lake Mohonk, is a year-round favorite for all-inclusive family vacations. Photo courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House
Grand Hotel, Michigan
Opened in 1887 and accessible only by ferry or plane, this well-known hotel is located on historic Mackinac Island overlooking the lovely Straits of Mackinac. The Grand Hotel is open seasonally from June through October and is known for catering to families and multigenerational groups. Motorized vehicles are banned on the island and families often enjoy riding bikes on Mackinac Island’s extensive network of paved and natural trails. The resort offers a wide array of family-friendly activities including tennis, golf, croquet, bocce ball, visiting the Grand Hotel’s horses at the stables, and swimming in the 220-foot-long Esther Williams Swimming Pool. The Grand Hotel’s Full American Plan rates include three meals daily and special discounts are also available during Family Added Value Days in July and August. Children 9 years of age and younger stay free.
The Tyler Place Family Resort, Vermont
For more than 85 years, the Tyler family has been offering stellar American summer camp-style family vacations for guests of all ages. Set on Lake Champlain in northern Vermont, the 165-acre all-inclusive resort caters to families and multigenerational groups with an exceptional mix of daily programming for babies and toddlers, kids, teens and adults. In addition to daily meals, rates at The Tyler Place Family Resort include a wealth of sports and family activities such as biking, tennis, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, trampolines, mini golf and disc golf, hiking, arts and crafts, excursions and workshops. Accommodations at The Tyler Place include private cottages and suites designed to fit families of all sizes.
Vista Verde Ranch, Colorado
Families will fall in love with this secluded AAA Four Diamond Rocky Mountain playground located near Steamboat Springs. Both summer and winter are popular times for families to visit. During the summer months, horseback riding and outdoor activities such as fly fishing, mountain biking and hiking reign supreme.
During the winter months, all-inclusive Vista Verde Ranch
turns into a snowy wonderland filled with fun family
adventures and Western hospitality. Photo courtesy of Nancy Schretter
Outstanding kids, tweens and teens programs are offered as well. During the winter months, Vista Verde Ranch turns into a fairytale wonderland filled with snow and fun family adventures. It’s a magical time to visit. Families can enjoy tubing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Migis Lodge, Maine
Migis Lodge has been catering to generations of families since 1916. Set on 135 pine-forested acres fronting Sebago Lake, this secluded family-owned and -operated resort’s Full American Plan includes accommodations in lodge rooms or private cottages, three daily meals, gratuities, and a wide variety of activities including swimming, sailing, canoeing and kayaking, waterskiing, rowing, tennis, fishing and wellness classes. The excellent staff at Migis Lodge finds plenty of fun, exciting activities for kids and teens to enjoy. During this year’s season, limited private sitting will replace the property’s traditional two Kids’ Camps and its supervised dinner program for children. Family-style dinners can be delivered to guests’ private cottages as well.
Nancy Schretter
Nancy Schretter has been a leader in family and multigenerational travel for more than 20 years, covering these topics for her own publications as well as for leading magazines, newspapers, television and radio programs, and online travel sites. She is also a consultant and frequent speaker at travel industry conferences and events.
