In my two decades of traveling across the globe (and as a mom myself), I know how important it is to find the right hotel for your family. My favorite family hotels offer the perfect balance of convenient amenities, kid-friendly activities, and easy access to outdoor adventures. However, many travelers aren’t aware that planning a vacation with the kids doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal.
These top resorts around the world are the perfect accommodation choice for a family getaway, offering perks for everyone in the group. While the kids are enjoying a day of fun activities at on-site kids’ clubs and water parks, parents can unwind on a pampering spa day while on-site restaurants cater to family meals.
Take the stress out of travel planning by choosing one of these top kid-friendly resorts in the world.
Beaches Negril - Negril, Jamaica
Located on Jamaica’s beautiful Seven Mile Beach, Beaches Negril is a highly-rated family-friendly property that was designed with kids in mind. An expansive property with a kids’ camp, teen hangout area, and water park, breakfasts with Sesame Street Characters are a hit. A teen nightclub and self-service ice cream will keep the older one’s happy, while bonfires on the beach, talent shows, and a mini-golf course are perfect family activities. Parents will be happy with the resort’s beautiful ocean view rooms and access to the white sand beaches with bright blue waters and can indulge in pampering services at the on-site Red Lane Spa. Outdoor activities are also popular here, as the parasailing, kayaking, and snorkeling trips are top-notch.
Key Amenities:
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Programs for kids and teens, including a teen nightclub, a kids club, and character breakfasts
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A sprawling waterpark with slides, whirlpools, and a lazy river
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Day and night entertainment including live shows
8M77+H2C Long Bay, Norman Manley Blvd, Negril, Jamaica— +1 888-232-2437
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa - Oahu, Hawaii
One of Hawaii’s most famous family-friendly resorts, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is located on a lush 642-acre property near the top attractions in Oahu. Offering everything you’d expect from a Disney resort, service here is impeccable, in addition to an array of food choices and a priority on keeping the kids happy. The crown jewel is the resort’s sparkling pool, where a lazy river, two water slides, a man-made reef, and a lagoon keep both the kids and adults entertained. Guests are greeted by Disney characters roaming the grounds and ready to pose, especially at the Disney character buffet breakfast daily, while kid-friendly dance parties and daytime activities are also popular. Bright and spacious rooms feature kitchenettes, while an upgraded room includes a full kitchen and washer/dryer.
Key Amenities:
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Access to a splash zone, lazy river, water slides, and a snorkeling reef
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Character meet-and-greets and breakfasts
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Spacious rooms featuring kitchenettes
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Daily daytime activities, including kid-friendly dance parties
Beaches Turks & Caicos - Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
With multiple pools, a water park, a shopping center, and a spa complex, Beaches Turks & Caicos is a popular all-inclusive getaway. Nestled on 65 acres on Grace Bay, this all-inclusive resort caters to families with its wealth of activities to choose from. Here guests will find a Sesame Street Camp, a Martha Stewart Crafts Studio, a 45,000-square-foot water park, an Xbox games garage, and a DJ-spinning academy that will keep the kids engaged. Parents will love the long list of restaurants and bars and luxury day spa with its his and hers sauna and steam rooms, which are sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated. Spend your day kayaking, windsurfing, and snorkeling, and take comfort in the resort’s range of remodeled rooms with king-size beds and furnished balconies.
Key Amenities:
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Activities for all ages, including Sesame Street Camp, an Xbox Play Lounge, and a teen disco
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Home to a 45,000-square-foot water park and ten pools
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Luxury day spa with his and hers sauna and steam rooms
Lower Bight Rd, The Bight Settlement TKCA 1ZZ, Turks and Caicos Islands— +1 888-232-2437
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort - Orlando, Florida
Located at the gates of Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a dream come true for many. At this top-rated Orlando resort, you’ll find award-winning services with an abundance of activities to keep busy, as the resort is home to multiple restaurants and bars, a 13,000-square-foot spa and its own 18-hole golf course. While the biggest highlight is its easy access to the theme park action in Orlando, kids will also delight in its over-the-top pool, which includes a 242-foot-long waterslide, lazy river, and splash pad in addition to the rock climbing wall and kids’ camp. Disney character breakfasts are standard, in addition to complimentary shuttles to the parks. After a day of enjoying the Florida sunshine, guests can unwind in guest rooms featuring large soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs, and plush bedding.
Key Amenities:
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Easy access to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and complimentary shuttles to the other parks
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Pool with 242-foot-long waterslide, lazy river, and splash pad
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Kid-friendly amenities like kids’ camp, a rock climbing wall, and character breakfasts
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Home to a 13,000-square-foot spa and 18-hole golf course
10100 Dream Tree Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836, USA— +1 407-313-7777
Hyatt Ziva Cancun - Cancun, Mexico
One of the best all-inclusive resorts for families in the Caribbean, Hyatt Ziva Cancun does not disappoint. Adding to its easy access to two white-sand beaches are three on-site infinity pools, extensive spa facilities, and a variety of dining choices. A kids’ club with a pool and water play area is a perfect daytime activity for the little ones, while adults can explore some of Cancun’s most popular nightlife spots within walking distance from the resort. Here guests will find stylish rooms with modern amenities, while furnished balconies are perfect for soaking in the magnificent sea views. Although multiple restaurants, lounges, and bars offer guests a slew of memorable choices in regards to eating and drinking, it’s the on-site dolphin habitat that is the real treat, as guests have the chance to swim with these gentle creatures and create long-lasting family memories.
Key Amenities:
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Opportunity to swim with the dolphins at the on-site dolphin habitat
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Multiple pools, including a kids’ pool and water play area
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Stylish rooms with furnished balconies and sea views
Blvd. Kukulcan Mz 51-Lt 7, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico— +52 998 848 7000
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach - Freeport, The Bahamas
One of the best resorts for families in the Bahamas, Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach is an all-inclusive resort on the south shore of Grand Bahama Island. It spans 26 acres of land and is a great island paradise for families. It offers a kids’ club, land and water sports, theme nights, and many entertainment options. For little travelers, there are children’s activities, a children’s play area, and a children’s pool. There are spacious guest rooms at the resort that have balconies and terraces so that you can enjoy the views. Other offerings at this hotel are tennis courts, a fitness center, ocean-front trapeze classes, and free Wi-Fi.
Key Amenities:
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Spacious guest rooms with balconies or terraces
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Kid-friendly amenities including a kids’ club, play area, activities, and a kids’ pool
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Access to tennis courts, a fitness center, entertainment, and land and water sports equipment
Churchill Drive, Doubloon Rd, Freeport, The Bahamas— +1 242-373-4000
Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Boasting an impressive amount of rooms and the largest casino in the Dominican Republic, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is one of the best resorts in Punta Cana. Guests are spoiled for choice in how they want to spend their vacation, as this all-inclusive property offers multiple pools, restaurants, bars, a luxurious spa center, and an 18-hole Nicklaus-designed golf course. The on-site kids’ club has daily activities such as face painting, Spanish lessons, and cooking classes, while an arcade room is set up for the older kids. A children’s pool with waterslides, a lazy river, and a mini-golf course will have kids coming back for more, and after a day at the beach or exploring the property, find respite in one of the spacious rooms with rock ’n’ roll decor, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges.
Key Amenities:
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Home to the largest casino in the Dominican Republic, an 18-hole golf course, and spa center
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Kid-friendly amenities like a kids’ club, daily activities, an arcade room, and mini-golf
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Children’s pool with waterslides and a lazy river
Km 28, #74, Blvd. Turístico del Este, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic— +1 809-687-0000
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi - Malaysia
Creating the perfect balance of keeping both the kids and adults happy, the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is filled with luxurious beachfront villas. A tropical property on a private one-mile-long beach, ample on-site facilities keep families entertained. From kids’ pools, pony rides, rock climbing, and an educational discovery center to adult-centered amenities such as beach dinners, waterside cabanas, and spa services, families are truly cared for. Relax in one of the luxury pavilions or villas, where furnished verandas feature garden or sea views and plunge pools add a luxurious touch. Bike tours through a village and rice paddies can be arranged with the resort, in addition to a day trip to the nearby Durian Perangin Waterfall and famous Kilim Karst Geoforest Park.
Key Amenities:
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Kid-friendly amenities like kids’ pools, rock climbing, and an educational discovery center
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Parent-friendly amenities like beach dinners, waterfront cabanas, and spa services
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Option to book local tours and day trips to local attractions
Jalan Tanjung Rhu, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia— +60 4-950 8888
LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort - Gunzburg, Germany
The perfect retreat for LEGO fanatics, LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort allows you to be a knight or princess at an elaborate adventure park. A castle-themed property decorated with LEGO models and castle rooms, it is ideal for those wanting to explore the LEGOLAND Park, only a 5-minute walk away. It’s here that you can choose from a variety of interesting accommodations choices, from castles and themed cottages to camping barrels and a campsite. Pirate, knight, and adventure-themed rooms feature flatscreen TVs, but it’s likely you’ll want to indulge in the resort’s 18 playgrounds, high ropes course, mini-golf, and bowling center while you’re there. After a day of adventure, the Jungle Buffet Restaurant, Round Table Restaurant, and Steak House offer guests plentiful choices when it’s time to refuel.
Key Amenities:
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A five-minute walk from LEGOLAND Park
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Unique accommodations, including castles, themed cottages, camping barrels, and campsites
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Access to playgrounds, ropes courses, mini-golf, and bowling on-site
JA Palm Tree Court - Dubai, Emirates
Families will find a ton of amenities to suit their needs at JA Palm Tree Court, where beautifully landscaped grounds are nestled amongst a private beach area. Located in Dubai within Jebel Ali Golf Resort, the resort offers multiple restaurants, bars, and swimming pools in addition to a golf course and private beach with watersports rentals. Its CoolZone and ChillZone is designed for kids and teens in mind, while horse rides, an inflatable on-water obstacle course, and in-room Playstations are also available. Massive suites are adorned with modern comforts, such as desks, flat-screen TVs, and game consoles, while plush king-size beds and high-end toiletries ensure that guests are feeling pampered.
Key Amenities:
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Multiple restaurants, bars, and swimming pools
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Access to a golf course and private beach with watersports rentals
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Spaces for kids and teens, plus amenities like an overwater obstacle course and in-room Playstations
Ozen Life Maadhoo - Maadhoo Island, Maldives
Ozen Life Maadhoo is a Maldives resort that welcomes families with children. It is a five-star resort with 94 villas and one exclusive residence. You’ll enjoy an idyllic stay in the Maldives in your tranquil beachfront villa as you feel the sand between your toes. It has been recognized as one of the safest resorts in the Maldives and has a kids’ club with a natural saltwater pool. The kids’ club has table tennis, darts, a sandpit, and other activities. Children under four must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and babysitting is offered for an extra cost. At this resort, there is also an overwater gymnasium with lagoon views, an oceanside tennis court, complimentary snorkeling equipment, and opportunities for fishing excursions. You’ll also have exceptional dining experiences at multiple restaurants and bars right on the property.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in beachfront villas
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Kids’ club with table tennis, a sandpit, and other activities
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Home to an overwater gymnasium, oceanside tennis court, and a natural saltwater pool
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Complimentary snorkeling equipment included in your stay
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO Maadhoo Island South Malé Atoll Maadhoo Island, 20094, Maldives— +960 400-2222
Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake - South Casco, Maine
However, not all family resorts are in the tropics, and Midgis Lodge is a great example of this! A popular all-inclusive resort in the U.S. for families, Migis Lodge offers lakefront lodging in Maine and has eight spacious rooms in the main lodge and a private cottage. You’ll have lake views from your own porch here and can enjoy an inclusive vacation experience with all meals and most activities at the per-person rate. Kids love it here because there is a kids’ camp for children ages four to six and an adventure camp for children aged seven and older. Children’s programming is included in the rates and often includes nature walks, arts and crafts, and other activities with energetic counselors.
Key Amenities:
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Spacious rooms feature lake views and private porches
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Children’s programming, meals, and activities included in the rate
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Kids’ camp for children ages four to six
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Adventure camp for children seven and older
30 Migis Lodge Rd, South Casco, ME 04077, USA— +1 207-655-4524
SeaWorld Resort - Gold Coast Queensland, Australia
SeaWorld Resorts are fun for the whole family, and there is a great one to visit in Australia. This is the only theme park resort in Australia and on the Gold Coast. There are lots of kids’ activities right at the resort, such as spooky nights in the fall, LED light shows with SpongeBob, opportunities to meet Nickelodeon characters, and a kids’ zone. The kids’ zone is an unsupervised play space where children can play while they are accompanied by their parents. Other features of the resort are a massage and beauty salon, fitness center, water park, daily cruises, and marine park.
Key Amenities:
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Kids’ activities and amenities, including a special kids’ zone and character meet-and-greets
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Massage and beauty salon, plus a fitness center on-site
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Heated lagoon-style pool with a waterfall
Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217, Australia— +61 1300 139 677
LEGOLAND Hotel - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
There are several LEGOLAND hotels around the world, including this one in Dubai. The rooms here are decorated with bright graphics, LEGO models, and separate sleeping areas for kids and adults. The resort offers treasure hunts, bricks to build with, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. For large families, there is the option of renting a suite that can sleep up to four adults and four kids.
Key Amenities:
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Steps from LEGOLAND theme park
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Rooms feature LEGO models and separate sleeping areas for kids and adults
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Frequent interactive LEGO experiences, including in-room treasure hunts and brick play
Parks & Resorts - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates— +971 4 820 3123
The Royal at Atlantis - Bahamas
Considered one of the best family resorts in the Bahamas, The Royal at Atlantis boasts beautiful architecture and a water park that the entire family can enjoy. With three nearby beaches, multiple pools, and a long list of restaurants as well as a casino, this property is like its own city. With a rock climbing wall, aquarium, dolphin habitat, and movie theater, kids will never say they are bored here. Pool hopping is a favorite pastime, as kids will enjoy the waterslides and fountains at the Ripples Pool, Mayan-themed Splasher’s Island, and the giant fountain at the Poseidon Pool. Wrap up your day of outdoor adventures in one of the resort’s cozy guest rooms, where flat-screen TVs, complimentary toiletries, and comfy beds ensure a peaceful night of sleep.
Key Amenities:
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Steps from three different beaches
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Multiple pools featuring waterslides and fountains for the kids
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Home to unique features like a dolphin habitat, movie theater, aquarium, and rock climbing wall
1 Casino Drive, Paradise Island, The Bahamas— +1 242-363-3000
Grand Velas Riviera Maya - Quintana Roo, Mexico
You can bring the kids along to the Grand Velas Riviera Maya, which offers an all-inclusive resort stay experience. For family fun, you can stay in one of the spacious suites with sitting areas, jacuzzi tubs, and home-style amenities. There’s a kids’ club here that welcomes kids from ages four to 12 for supervised fun. You can also spend your days here on a snorkeling or kayak tour, playing beach games, going for bike rides, and swimming with dolphins. There’s also a teens’ club here for guests ages 13 to 18 that offers cool activities with no parents around.
Key Amenities:
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Both a kids’ club (ages 4-12) and a teens’ club (ages 13-18) on-site
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Spacious suites featuring sitting areas, jacuzzi tubs, and home-style amenities
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Access to experiences like snorkeling, kayaking, bike rentals, and swimming with dolphins
Suvretta House - St. Moritz, Switzerland
For your next European adventure with family, consider staying at the Suvretta House. This resort has a kids’ club, as well as a children’s restaurant program with a kids’ menu, and also a children’s ski school. Multisport activities are offered for children ages six to 14 to try out up to 10 different sports, while a biking-specific program is also available in the summer. For over 100 years, this resort has been welcoming guests and has been a special place to celebrate holidays.
Key Amenities:
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Home to a Sports & Pleasure Wellness Club with multisport activities for kids ages 6 to 14
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Kiddy Club is staffed with trained kindergarten teachers
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Children’s ski school and kids-only restaurant on-site
Via Chasellas 1, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland— +41 81 836 36 36
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa - Fasmendhoo Island, Maldives
Families enjoy staying at the Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, which welcomes couples looking for romance and families seeking a more playful experience. There are several great restaurants on-site and beach and water villas with pools. You can book an interconnecting room for your family and also have Wi-Fi and room-controlled air conditioning to stay comfortable. The resort is in the northern part of the Maldives archipelago and is all-inclusive with villas – some of which are on the island and the rest on the sea. Check out the family special that includes a “mommy and daddy’s couple massage” or family cooking class.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in beach and overwater villas with pools
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Option to book interconnecting rooms
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Several great restaurants on-site
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Family packages that include things like family cooking classes and mommy-daddy massages
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya - Cancun, Mexico
Another option is to stay at the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya with your kids and treat them to a vacation they’ll never forget. The resort has a waterpark, themed experiences, and a beach. There are oceanfront swim-up suites designed for families and over 20 slides at the waterpark. In addition to the offerings for kids, this resort has 280 suites, six restaurants, three bars, an oceanfront pool, and a spa.
Key Amenities:
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Option to book oceanfront swim-up suites designed for families
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Multiple restaurants, bars, and pools on-site, plus a spa
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Home to a waterpark with more than 20 slides
Skytop Lodge - Skytop, Pennsylvania
Just a couple hours’ drive from New York City and Philadelphia, Skytop Lodge sits in the rolling hills of the Pocono Mountains. One of the best resorts in the Poconos for families, it’s a great place to reconnect with nature and each other in a beautiful outdoor setting. This resort, which has hosted families since 1928, is full of historical charm, manicured gardens, and delectable cuisine. Quench your thirst for adventure and introduce your kids to sports like skiing, ice skating, golfing, hiking, fishing, and swimming. Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are available for rental, and so are mountain bikes and stand-up paddleboards. The resort’s Adventure Center will keep your teenagers entertained with everything from zip lines, laser tag, skeet shooting, and dog sledding.
Key Amenities:
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Near lakes, ski slopes, and hiking trails for easy access to outdoor adventure
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Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, mountain bikes, and stand-up paddleboards available for rent
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Home to an adventure park with zip lines, laser tag, and skeet shooting
