New York State is a great family getaway for spring break, with kid-friendly lodging options and thrilling activities to make the most of the warmer weather and free time. For travelers looking to pack up the family and hit the road this spring break, there is something for everyone across New York State.
- Long Island: There is no shortage of family-friendly activities on Long Island. Since 1962, Adventureland has been Long Island’s premier destination for family fun. With over 30 attractions for all ages, families can experience thrilling rides, exciting attractions and engaging games. At the Long Island Aquarium, families can discover new adventures with penguin encounters, captivating sea lion shows and an exhilarating 60-foot tree activity playground. The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum & Reichert Planetarium offers a unique blend of mansion tours, natural history exhibits, a planetarium and explorable park grounds, all focused on education. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby,” with exhibits highlighting Long Island’s Gold Coast era and the diverse collections of William K. Vanderbilt II, the museum provides family-friendly learning experiences exploring science, culture and history. Families can use The Northport Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Northport’s historic downtown, as a home base to experience these attractions and all Long Island has to offer.
- Central New York: This region is ideal for families looking to reconnect with nature. Animal Adventure Park, located near Binghamton, offers interactive and educational animal encounters, including the chance to meet a sloth and see a variety of other animals like Arctic wolves and penguins. With the addition of The Preserve at Animal Adventure, families can enjoy a self-driven tour through 100 acres featuring animals from around the world for a fun and educational outing for all ages. Ross Park Zoo, established in 1875, is one of the oldest zoos in America and features exotic animals from all over the world. In addition to its main exhibits, the zoo also boasts a dedicated children’s zoo. Chenango State Park is a great place for families to enjoy the outdoors, with opportunities for fishing, bird watching, hiking, biking and swimming. Families can visit Howe Caverns, the largest cavern in the northeast, and travel 156 feet below the earth’s surface to explore the amazing rock formations and take a boat ride on the underground river. Centrally located to all experiences, Traditions at the Glen offers period-themed, elegant rooms with modern conveniences.
- Hudson Valley: LEGOLAND New York Resort in Hudson Valley is a theme park destination reopening for the season in April, and perfect for families this spring break. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions on 150 acres, families can spend the day exploring seven LEGO-themed “lands.” Visitors are invited to stay at the Legoland Resort and experience nightly themed entertainment and dance parties, complimentary breakfast and early park access. Nearby at the Storm King Art Center, art and nature come together on 500 scenic acres on the banks of the Hudson River. With over 100 large-scale sculptures, families can explore the sprawling meadows, rolling hills, and woodlands by foot, bike or tram. Nearby, Bear Mountain State Park offers a variety of activities for the family to enjoy including hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, swimming, and picnicking.
- Catskills: This spring break, families can explore the beautiful year-round destination of the Catskills. A haven for rescued animals, the Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a great family-friendly attraction, with guided tours and an opportunity to meet the animals. Bailiwick Ranch spans over 300 private acres and is situated at the base of the Catskill Mountains, offering guided mountain tours year-round. Founded in 1963, its riding stables house over 50 rescued horses and ponies. The four-acre Animal Park showcases over 40 exhibits of rescued and adopted domestic and exotic animals including tigers, alligators, llamas and more. On the Catskill Mountain Railroad, families can experience scenic train rides through Kingston’s historic Stockade District, offering fun for the whole family with routes up to Hurley Mountain and back. The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, New York State’s largest indoor waterpark, provides a perfect family base camp with its indoor ropes course, laser tag, and state-of-the-art suites.
- Chautauqua-Allegheny: This under-the-radar region of New York offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences for families, blending natural wonders with unexpected cultural attractions. Visitors can stay at the Great Tree Inn, an 1820 farmhouse inn with direct access to scenic trails perfect for horseback riding, hiking and biking. Panama Rocks Scenic Park offers families a magical experience hiking through a 15-acre landscape of 60-foot-high rock formations, navigating winding corridors, nooks, crevices and caves while learning about the geology through informational signs and enjoying a treasure hunt and picnic areas. Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua, a 320-acre glacial moraine, offers visitors a day of recreational activities including swimming, fishing, boat launching, hiking and access to a marina. For a dose of laughter, families can visit the National Comedy Center, a one-of-a-kind museum with over 50 interactive exhibits celebrating the art of comedy, from The Simpsons to I Love Lucy. And from February 15 – April 19, kids and teens are free!
- Finger Lakes: Rochester offers a unique blend of playful exploration and sophisticated charm for visitors. The family favorite, the National Museum of Play at The Strong, houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play. Here, visitors can revisit the classics at the Toy Hall of Fame or test their skills on the world’s largest playable Donkey Kong arcade game. For accommodations, The Inn on Broadway, Rochester’s top luxury boutique hotel, provides an ideal location in the heart of downtown’s East End Theatre District, offering exceptional accommodations and impeccable service. Families can experience life on the wild side at the Seneca Park Zoo, situated on 15.5 acres along the scenic Genesee River, enjoy up-close animal interactions and support global conservation efforts.