The Spread:
"Go jump in the lake" has been a favorite summer rallying cry at Mohonk Mountain House, near New Paltz, New York, since its founding in 1869. With towers, turrets, and a cliffside setting overlooking a pristine lake, the 261-room stone and wood structure has a Victorian castle-like look set within 2,200 forested acres of the Shawangunk Mountains. Located 90 miles north of New York City, the resort, replete with wood-paneled parlors, oak rockers, Mission-style tables, and hundreds of fireplaces, is a national historic landmark.

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In winter, snow-dusted Mohonk exudes a fairytale feel, with families enjoying old-fashioned fun like cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.

Why Families Love It:
With the August 2005 debut of the 30,000-square-foot spa, families enjoy splashing in the indoor pool, while grownups take advantage of massages and cardiovascular workouts in the gym. Most families, however, boost their heart rates the old-fashioned way—by playing outdoors, whether hiking on the 85 miles of trails, horseback riding, or swimming in the lake.

From mid-June through Labor Day and during major holidays, the complimentary Kids' Club program for ages two to 12 operates daily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children make crafts, hunt for frogs, swim, learn orienteering, and practice their swings at tennis and golf clinics. In summer, four- to 12-year-olds also enjoy stargazing, crafts, and movies from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The rest of the year, the Kids' Club operates on Saturdays and half-days on Sundays.

Mohonk's rates include three meals daily, afternoon tea, and most activities. At select times, for various school vacation weeks, kids stay free or receive discounts. More than 40 themed weekends on such topics as gardening, jazz, wine, swing dancing, and cooking entice adults.

Special Activities & Events:
Mohonk is famous for its rock scrambles—the art of climbing over and around ledges and rocks and wriggling between boulders. A favorite trail takes you through Lemon Squeeze en route to Sky Top Tower for a sweeping view.