Top Cozy Resorts near NYC Perfect for Kids and Winter Fun

Crystal Springs Resort offers tropical vibes indoors with plenty of seasonal fun outside, too. Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort
Crystal Springs Resort offers tropical vibes indoors with plenty of seasonal fun outside, too. Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort
1/22/26 - By Diana Kim

Winter can be a magical season with holiday activities, frost-dusted landscapes, snowy activities, and relaxing fireside with a cup of hot cocoa. Families seeking a winter getaway with kids that's relatively close to NYC have lots of options. We've rounded up the 14 best winter retreats and resorts that are 4 hours or less from Midtown Manhattan by car.

For each winter getaway, we've highlighted why families love to go during the winter, kid-friendly amenities, and types of winter activities each resort or destination offers. From ski resorts in the Hudson Valley to all-inclusive winter resorts in the Poconos, you're sure to find the perfect winter getaway for your family.

If you're looking specifically for ski resorts near NYC, check out our guide to the best family-friendly ski areas near NYC and our comprehensive Guide to Skiing and Snow Sports, which offers more options in the tri-state area, New England, and even California. And, don't forget to check our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for all the information, tips, and advice you need when it's time to plan your family's next trip—no matter the season.

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Cozy winter weekend getaways from NYC: Girl ice skating at Mohonk Mountain House
Mohonk Mountain House offers an activity-packed schedule with options like winter hikes, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more. Photo by Jordana Drell Herman

Best Cozy Winter Hotels near NYC for Families

1. Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz, New York

Why families love itMohonk Mountain House is a historic Victorian castle resort surrounded by acres of forest, and it offers a mix of family-friendly activities, delicious food, and engaging programming.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool, sledding, kids' club, kids' buffet
Nearby activities: Explore the town of New Paltz with its quaint shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Winter highlights: Winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, cozy bonfires, ice skating, snow tubing, hot cocoa
Insider tip: Sign up in advance for the kids' club and check the daily calendar for scheduled activities.

2. Rocking Horse Ranch – Highland, New York

Why families love it: This year-round, all-inclusive family resort makes it easy for everyone in the family to have winter fun.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, and teens
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool and water park, bunk beds, game room, babysitting, play room, entertainment
Nearby activities: Ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad in nearby Kingston, which offers fun seasonal excursions, including a popular annual Polar Express complete with elves, hot cocoa, and storytime.
Winter highlights: Enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink, sip hot cocoa by the fire, and get pulled in a horse-drawn sleigh. It's also the perfect spot to try skiing or snow tubing.
Insider tip: If you don't want to drive, the resort offers a complimentary shuttle that picks up and drops off at the Poughkeepsie Metro-North station.

3. The Roxbury – Roxbury, New York

Why families love it: You won't find a more magical and unique property in the Catskills than The Roxbury, where each room boasts a whimsical thematic design.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 3 hours
Best for ages: Kids, teens, and multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Kids get a kick of the eclectic, enchanting design elements. The hotel feels like something out of a fantasy. There are suites with multiple bedrooms and kitchens.
Nearby activities: The historic town of Roxbury is fun to explore and easily walkable. Mini day trips from the area include Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame, an hour away.
Winter highlights: Hiking trails, fire pits, fireplaces
Insider tip: All the rooms are unique, but if you have kids who love fairy tales, book Cinderella's Gown suite.

Cozy winter weekend getaways from NYC: Double room at Winter Clove Inn & Resort
Snuggle under a cozy quilt at Winter Clove Inn. Photo courtesy of Winter Clove Inn via Instagram

4. Winter Clove Inn & Resort – Round Top, New York

Why families love it: As an all-inclusive resort, Winter Clove makes it easy to enjoy a family winter getaway with loads of seasonal activities and great kid-friendly amenities.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 1/2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool, bowling alley, game room
Nearby activities: The resort is next to Windham and Hunter Mountain for skiing and snowboarding.
Winter highlights: Cross-country skiing, sledding, winter hiking, bonfires for s'mores
Insider tip: Choose from rooms in The Main Inn or The Oaks Lodge, which feature traditional hotel rooms and suites, or choose to book The Carriage House, a three-bedroom suite with a small sitting area—it's also the only accommodation with its own television, as most rooms are TV-free.

5. Villa Roma – Callicoon, New York

Why families love it: Nestled against a scenic, snow-blanketed backdrop of the Catskill Mountains, Villa Roma offers something for everyone with lots of winter activities.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 1/2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool, sledding, game room, winter programs, bowling, bouncy houses, rock-climbing walls, indoor sports center
Nearby activities: The Kartrite Indoor Water Park is about a 40-minute drive if the kids want some pool action.
Winter highlights: Skiing, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, fireplaces, and hot cocoa
Insider tip: Book ahead at one of the seven restaurants, especially if you're dining with a large group.

6. Bear Mountain Inn – Tomkins Cove, New York

Why families love it: The Bear Mountain Inn is great place to explore the magic of winter in the Hudson Valley with its proximity to beautiful hiking trails and state parks.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, and teens
Kid-friendly amenities: Roll-away beds and cribs are available.
Nearby activities: Explore all the activities Bear Mountain Park has to offer families, including its FREE zoo. West Point is about 10 minutes away and offers a patriotic, history-filled destination that's different from any other college campus you've ever set foot on.
Winter highlights: Winter hiking, scenic landscapes, and nearby skiing resorts, including Mt. Peter.
Insider tip: There are three different kinds of lodging: Bear Mountain Inn, Overlook Lodge, and the Stone Cottages. The rooms at the Inn offer the most room and flexibility for families and large groups.

Cozy winter weekend getaways from NYC: Crystal Springs Resort
Crystal Springs Resort is home to two distinct properties and tons of amenities. Photo by Tom Haas courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort

7. Crystal Springs Resort – Hamburg, New Jersey

Why families love it: The sister properties of Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel at Crystal Springs Resort offer a slew of winter activities as well as water play and spa options.
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, and teens
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool complex with aquarium, arcade, nightly entertainment, kids' menu
Nearby activities: There's skiing and tubing at nearby Mountain Creek.
Winter highlights: Heated winter pool, Glice skating, snowshoeing, winter programming
Insider tip: Opt for a one-bedroom suite that comes with a washer/dryer. The suite also offers separate sleeping quarters for parents and kids, which means a little more privacy.

8. The Hotel Hershey – Hershey, Pennsylvania

Why families love it: Located right next to Hershey Park, The Hotel Hershey makes for an ideal base to explore all of Hershey's offerings—both at the theme park and in the sweet town itself.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 3 1/2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, and teens.
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool, game room, sports courts, kid-activities at check-in
Nearby activities: Hotel Hershey is centrally situated to explore Hersheypark and the rest of the town's attractions. While the main amusement park is closed from February to April, ZooAmerica, Chocolatetown, and many other attractions are open in winter. You can also catch the Hershey Bears on the ice at the Giant Center.
Winter highlights: Themed programs like snowflake hunts, WinterFest, and Winter Fun packs for kids.
Insider tip: Get discounted admission to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica and free shuttle service when you book at The Hotel Hershey.

9. Woodloch Pines Resort – Hawley, Pennsylvania

Why families love it: Generations of families have been going to Woodloch for its friendly atmosphere, scenic grounds, spacious accommodations, and slew of activities. It's like a sleepaway camp for families.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, and multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool, game room, indoor playground, indoor bumper cars, crafts room, kids' club, nightly entertainment
Nearby activities: Woodloch is in close proximity to the Poconos-area ski resorts, including Ski Big Bear, which is just a 15-minute drive away.
Winter highlights: Sledding, tubing, ice skating, winter hikes.
Insider tip: Book early because families have been going to Woodloch for years and tend to reserve way in advance. If you want to eat off property, you can drive to the nearby Springs Resort to try out its restaurants.

Cozy winter weekend getaways from NYC: Family enjoying the outdoor areas at Skytop Lodge
Skytop Lodge offers a shuttle service from the local bus terminal, making a Poconos vacation accessible even without a car. Photo courtesy of Skytop Lodge via Instagram

10. Skytop Lodge – Skytop, Pennsylvania

Why families love it: Skytop Lodge has been hosting generations of families who look forward to its traditions and activities amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Poconos Mountains.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 1/2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Arcade room, library with puzzles and games, table tennis, indoor mini-golf, indoor pool
Nearby activities: Take a train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, the most famous train ride in the Poconos. This train takes you on a 16-mile round trip through the stunning Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Winter highlights: Skiing, snow tubing, ice fishing, ice skating, snowshoeing
Insider tip: The resort offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the Mount Pocono Bus Terminal. Arrangements for this service must be made with the lodge in advance, but this makes a visit here entirely possible without a car.

11. Camelback Mountain Resort – Tannersville, Pennsylvania

Why families love it: Camelback is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts and also has a huge indoor water park.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, and large groups
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor water park and pool, game room, indoor bowling alley, climbing wall, arts and crafts
Nearby activities: Explore all the family-friendly Poconos activities, including cute little towns like Stroudsburg and Jim Thorpe.
Winter highlights: Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing
Insider tip: Camelback is one of the few snow tubing spots that allows younger kids to ride in a double tube with parents.

12. Hilton Mystic – Mystic, Connecticut

Why families love it: With spacious rooms and suites, this hotel makes for the perfect base to explore the wonders of Mystic.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, and teens.
Kid-friendly amenities: Indoor pool
Nearby activities: The Hilton is located within walking distance to the Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mystik Village, and close to other main attractions and activities in Mystic.
Insider tip: For larger groups, request connecting rooms.

13. Winivan Farm – Morris, Connecticut

Why families love it: This intimate resort provides a serene atmosphere for families looking for a quieter, relaxing getaway in winter, and it's home to an excellent restaurant.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, and teens
Kid-friendly amenities: Game room and breakfast is included
Nearby activities: The resort is located in the heart of Litchfield County and makes for a perfect base to explore all that the area has to offer.
Winter highlights: You can drive to the Powder Ridge Mountain Ski Resort from Winivan in less than an hour.
Insider tip: Each cottage was designed by a different architect and has a unique character. Many of the cottages accommodate a maximum of four people with a queen sleeper sofa.

14. Congress Hall – Cape May, New Jersey

Why families love it: A stay at Congress in Cape May during the winter makes for a cozy getaway with fewer crowds, beautiful sunsets, and plenty of holiday activities.
Distance from Midtown Manhattan: 3 hours
Best for ages: Toddlers, kids, teens, multi-generational families
Kid-friendly amenities: Train and carousel rides, special holiday treats, kids' games and crafts, kids' bike rentals.
Nearby activities: Explore all the shops, restaurants, and attractions in Cape May without dealing with the crowds that summer brings.
Winter highlights: Hot cider and cocoa, Winter Wonderland, holiday village.
Insider tip: The Blue Pig Tavern offers a kids' menu.

FAQs for Cozy Winter Weekend Getaways from NYC

Which cozy hotels near NYC are best for a family winter getaway?
We've rounded up 14 great options near NYC for a family winter getaway. The best one for your family may depend on many factors, including how far you're willing to travel and what kind of activities you want to explore.

How far are winter resorts from NYC?
The winter retreats we've listed are all 4 hours or less from Midtown Manhattan.

Are there kid-friendly activities at these hotels?
Yes, these winter resorts offer a slew of kid-friendly amenities and activities.

Can you go skiing or snow tubing near NYC with kids?
Yes. Many of these winter retreats offer skiing and snow tubing on the premises or are located close to ski resorts. You can find all our favorite snow tubing destinations near NYC here.

Do these hotels accommodate large families or toddlers?
Yes. May of these winter hotels accommodate large groups and even multi-generational families.

What’s the best time to book a winter weekend getaway near NYC?
Many of these winter resorts get booked up fast, so make plans a few months in advance. If you've missed the boat, call the hotels and see if they have a waiting list for cancellations. You just might luck into a good deal!

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About the Author

Diana Kim
Diana Kim has been a contributor to Mommy Poppins for nearly 8 years. A Brooklyn mom of three (ages 7-16), she loves exploring family-friendly events and activities in Brooklyn and sharing the best finds with readers.