You’ll get the royal treatment when you stay in this lakeside Victorian-era National Historic Landmark castle in New York’s Hudson Valley. Situated on 1,200 acres adjoining an 8,000-acre nature reserve, this is the place to experience Mother Nature at her fall finest.
Drive time: A little more than three hours.
Rates: A standard queen room is $582 a night (double occupancy), but that covers three elaborate meals a day, a range of recreational options (including guided hikes, tennis and a heated indoor pool) and programs for kids.
What to eat: Mohonk serves up some serious food. Even the buffet lunches are first class, with two carving tables. And make sure you get out and burn some calories before sitting down to the three-course dinner.
What to do: After you’ve had some family bonding time, head for the on-premises spa and let the offspring have a ball at the complimentary Mohonk Kids’ Club, which offers activities like frog hunting and sports clinics grouped by age. The club is offered on weekends and holidays, only in the fall.
Rainy-day fun: Bring the little ones (ages 6-19) to the on-premises spa for some specially designed head-to-toe services (from $35).
Mohonk Mountain House 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz, (800) 772-6646, mohonk.com
» Return to New York Fall 2013 Travel