Living on Long Island, we have the benefit of being near attractions all over the north east. With just a short car drive away, families can remove themselves from the hustle and bustle of the city and swoon over the mountains and fresh air. Although there are plenty of resorts right at our finger tips, Pine Ridge Dude Ranch is our family favorite for a weekend getaway.
Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, this all-inclusive ranch offers a country feeling with an adventurous twist. What began as a post-Thanksgiving relaxation trip for my boys; quickly turned into a whirlwind of a family reunion and Pine Ridge catered us flawlessly. Here is an idea of what all-inclusive really entails as we became wild and free at the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch.
Lodging
Accommodating families of all sizes, there were rooms with bunk beds, king beds and the ability to sleep up to seven people in one room. As a family of five, this was a huge relief. So often we need to break up into two rooms or convince the boys to share space. We were comfortably in a room that had a king bed, a queen bed for my oldest and two bunk beds for the little guys. The cowboy decor and cozy space during the freezing weather made us feel right at home. For couples wanting to spend a romantic weekend away, the ranch also offers spacious rooms with a fireplace. Specifically located in the quiet section of the ranch to enhance the desire for seclusion and relaxation. The newly renovated lodge was spectacular, clean and always in perfect condition when we’d arrive back from our daily activities. As someone who loves their own bed, these beds were just as comfortable, which is a huge plus for us exhausted parents!
Horseback Riding Program
This is a must! Whether you feel you are affluent on a horse or have never sat upon one, experience the majestic trails that Pine Ridge has to offer. Thankful to have siblings and cousins there to watch our boys, we took a majestic walking ride that lasted about forty-five minutes through the trails. Perfectly approaching sunset as we climbed small hills and viewed the pink sky over the horizon, Dottie, my horse, and I had a calm evening trotting along with the rest of our group. As each trail ride includes several wranglers, we felt safe while learning how to connect with our horse, even in that short time together. Children were able to take part in pony rides throughout the day as well. My oldest was a natural and now of course, wants a horse of his own. Pine Ridge offers many other programs such as; Barn Buddies, Horse-owner For A Day and Sunset Rides. Channeling your inner cowboy / cowgirl, I couldn’t wait to take another trail ride the next day. Maybe we can entertain adopting a horse after all!
Activities
The list here is endless. My favorite aspect of the Dude Ranch was that all of our children could take advantage of activities with minimal supervision. As a mom of three boys, vacations aren’t usually the most relaxing trips. Parents spend a lot of time orchestrating, participating and keeping a close eye to ensure everyone remains safe. At this ranch, most activities were in a centralized location so we could also be unwinding. Enjoying the sunshine and mountain views by the playground, the kids spent hours playing hide or seek.
They also jumped their hearts out on the bounce pillow or challenged themselves on the rock wall. Inside, us adults sat by the fire sipping on delicious drinks from the saloon. Tons of board games were available to check out while allowing the children to run free to the arcade. We went on Tractor Rides, a petting zoo, archery, paddleboats, warmed up in the indoor swimming pool (always 80 degrees)! When the sun set, we were provided free marshmallows at the campfire outside as we sang together. For adults who want to get away and not be surrounded by children’s activities (although I do highly suggest jumping on the bounce pillow regardless), Pine Ridge offers adult interactions such as Beer Bingo! We even laughed hysterically and was in awe of the Saturday night entertainment of a magician. To say Pine Ridge thought of it all is a huge understatement. Our family was always engaged, even if we were just sitting around together enjoying the country ranch atmosphere in the main room.
Dining
Going on vacation as a family of five adds up fast. When it comes to feeding us all breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (Kids are always hungry!) I absolutely love all-inclusive resorts for this reason. Offering set times for each meal, our extended family was accommodated and sat together for a true family style spread. With choices of brisket, chicken and more, dinners were served while other meals held in more of a buffet style. My boys absolutely loved waking up to piles of pancakes, fruit and bacon each morning! Non-alcoholic drinks included to ensure us parents get our daily dose of coffee (There’s a Starbucks in the lobby too). Each meal was out of this world and even ended with a choice of one of their delectable desserts!
As Winter break approaches, I encourage you to visit an establishment that will create long lasting memories on a family friendly budget. Including so many more additions like snow tubing, ice skating and a spa, you will never want to leave. We are already planning our return next year as this will be our forever family tradition. A special thanks to Pine Ridge Dude Ranch for bringing us together this holiday season and not breaking the bank!
Check out their Specials for your future stay! https://pineridgeduderanch.com/rates-specials/
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