If you’re looking for a truly unique and relatively inexpensive adventure this summer for you and your family, look no further than 1000 Acres Ranch Resort. Located on the banks of the Hudson River just over 200 miles from NYC, in the heart of the Adirondacks, this 70 year old resort is bringing back the traditional dude ranch and staying faithful to who they are. For my kids, who have never experienced a real cow boy, never experienced horse back riding, never experienced a real bonfire, there was much to fall in love with at this simple, but action-packed resort. We went with very little expectations, only because we had no idea just what were going to get out the experience, and left fulfilled and craving more time on the ranch. We are all dude ranch converts. As you read about our visit, you’ll find out why.
As soon as pulled into the parking lot, we felt as though as were far from home, in a world we had yet to experience. There were cowboys walking around, we could see the horse stables from across the street, we saw families everywhere. The first thing we did was buy our kids cowboy hats to get in the western spirit. Then we went to a buffet deli lunch. Just like on a cruise ship, 1000 Acres seats you at a table with people you don’t know. The meals are plentiful and cooked on the premises. We then went to put our things down and check out our cabin, which was a spacious suite with two big beds and a sitting room. There is no TV, quite intentional, I am sure, which seriously benefits a family like ours. We were forced to unplug. There is Wifi but reception was not always accessible and I was grateful to be cut off. We were really able to engage with each other and enjoy the amenities of the resort. There were other families from all over New York, Connecticut and New Jersey for us to get to know.
And did we have fun. The resort has so much to offer. Every which way we turned, there was something new to do. It was a weekend of firsts for my kids – the first time….
…they roasted s’mores by a bonfire. The first time…
they rode a boat and paddled their way to shore. The first time…
they went horseback riding…on trails over the Hudson River. We had two group lessons each over the course of the weekend. The first time…
we have ever been to a pig barbeque. The first time…
we have ever played shuffle boarding. The first time…
we have ever participated in a human rodeo. The first time…
we joined a few other families for a very tough hike straight up a mountain. The sense of achievement when we call came down two hours later was HIGH. The first time…
my kids have ever stayed up with 20 other kids watching a movie, while we were enjoying country music at the Red Dog Saloon. The first time…
we played table tennis to our heart’s desire. The first time…
we ever played water volleyball …for hours! They have two outdoor heated pools, one indoor heated pool and a jacuzzi. In the middle of the afternoon, the staff brings out a frozen drink bar. We were busy but we also made time to chill out and relax.
And there were other firsts I didn’t capture on camera: an egg toss, a water balloon toss, a sponge race, cook-outs. From the moment we woke up to the moment our heads all happily hit our pillows, we were fully engaged. The staff is extremely helpful and dedicated to ensuring that everyone enjoys themselves. They offer other unexpected surprises throughout the day: cheese and crackers and half-price drinks before dinner, pizza and other snacks in the bar late in the evening, hay rides in the afternoon.
1000 Acres offers a variety of packages throughout the year, and they are all quite affordable options for a family, single, couples or just to celebrate a long holiday weekend. Most of these weekends feature an array of the activities mentioned above – horse drawn carriage rides, country line dance lessons, wine and cheese affairs, pizza parties, our private Adirondack golf course and much, much more. In the fall, you can experience the foliage on scenic Adirondack horse trails.
Call (518) 696-2444 for more information, or make your reservations today. My daughter wants our visit to be an annual tradition, so book your trip for next Memorial Day and you may find us there.
Disclosure: I was given complimentary accommodations to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own.
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Reminds me of Girl Scout Camp but way more fun because your family is with you!
sounds so fun, what a great family trip!