The most underrated family resorts in the U.S., according to parents

Big-name resorts definitely have their appeal, but sometimes staying at a hidden gem can be the perfect recipe for an unforgettable family vacation. With surprising extras like on-site zoos, complimentary waterskiing, and llama-guided walks, you might be forgiven for thinking some under-the-radar resorts just try harder to give you a one-of-a-kind vacation experience.

These lesser-known family resorts are among the best-kept vacation secrets in the U.S., according to the parents and travel experts I interviewed. So, before you book a crowded stay at one of the most popular family resorts in the U.S., consider these unique family resorts recommended by your fellow travelers instead. It might just be the best vacation your family’s ever had.

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Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa

Whitefield, New Hampshire

I grew up vacationing in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa was never on my radar until recently. And boy, was I missing out by not knowing about this historic property, where you feel like you’re worlds away from everything but are actually not far from some of the region’s best attractions. (Families love its proximity to spots like Santa’s Village theme park and Bretton Woods ski area.)

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The resort’s working Mountain View Farm was one of the highlights of my recent stay. As a guest, you can wander over to visit with the animals and might even be invited to take part in opportunities like brushing the miniature donkeys (definitely say yes to that). You can also sign up for a llama-led trek along the resort’s hiking trails for a truly memorable experience.

And there are all kinds of other ways to fill your time here no matter what time of year you visit, from a scenic nine-hole golf course and axe throwing lessons to indoor and outdoor pools and a game room.

Turf Valley Resort

Ellicott City, Maryland

Located within an easy drive of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., pet-friendly Turf Valley Resort offers something for everyone in your crew. “My family has been taking staycations at Turf Valley Resort for years, and what keeps bringing us back is how much you can enjoy without having to travel far or spend a fortune,” says Theresa Pickett, a Maryland-based travel writer and mom of two.

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She and her family enjoy having access to amenities like an indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool, tennis and pickleball courts, walking trails, and golf. “Another thing we love is that there’s always something happening at the resort,” she says. “It really gives our family that feeling of being away on vacation, even when we’re just a short drive from home.”

Trailborn Surf & Sound

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Occupying three acres of waterfront property along the Atlantic Ocean, this fully reimagined resort makes a family beach vacation a breeze. Boogie board and skim board rentals, dock fishing equipment and bait, and daily one-hour bike rentals are included in the resort fee, and surfing lessons and paddleboard and kayak rentals are also available (for a fee) right at the resort.

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Beyond the beach, there’s a pool where private cabanas can be reserved and the Great Lawn where games, hammocks, Adirondack chairs, and evening bonfires can be found. On-site dining options will keep everyone in family well-fed, and the property is just 15 minutes from all the sights and attractions in Wilmington.

Give the kids a special treat by booking the Family Adventure Package, which includes an in-room tent, a Trailborn stuffed animal, a scavenger hunt bingo board, and free breakfast at the resort’s La Duna Paradiso for kids under 12.

The Woodlands Resort

The Woodlands, Texas

The kids can never complain about being bored at The Woodlands Resort, where activities include an arcade, a golf academy with instruction for all ages, and a scenic jogging/walking trail. Book a guest room with walkout access to the pool area for close proximity to all the fun.

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“We love to eat lunch, dinner, and ice cream by the pool and make s’mores and watch moves out there too,” says Texas-based writer and mom of three Rachel Teichman, who has stayed at the resort about 30 miles north of downtown Houston with her family multiple times. “But the best thing is the lazy river, of course, especially when the waves start going at the end. My kids love all three waterslides, the music underwater at the big pool, and the waterfall wall in the middle pool.”

Tetherow

Bend, Oregon

There’s a lot to keep the whole family busy at Tetherow resort, from a year-round heated outdoor pool and playground to an 18-hole golf course and junior golf program. There are miles of trails within the resort for hiking and biking, and three restaurants offer everything from casual eats to dishes made with seasonal ingredients from local farms, ranches, and fisheries. Stay in one of the boutique hotel rooms or opt for a vacation rental home, which have full kitchens, private outdoor spaces, hot tubs, and firepits.

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The property is also well situated for exploring Central Oregon. It sits along the edge of Deschutes National Forest, a popular spot for hiking, biking, fishing, and paddling, and is 20 minutes from Mt. Bachelor ski resort. A complimentary shuttle takes guests to downtown Bend and the Old Mill District, and trips outside of these areas and to Mt. Bachelor during the winer are available for a fee.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

Naples, Florida

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort sits on a gorgeous stretch of Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, where complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas are set up for guests. You can also gaze out at the Gulf from many of the guest rooms here, and the views are especially good if you’re staying in LaPlaya’s Gulf Tower. But almost anywhere at the Southwest Florida resort is a good place to be as day gives way to night.

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“These are the most gorgeous unobstructed sunsets you will ever see in your entire life,” says New Jersey–based family travel journalist and Broadway reporter Leigh Scheps. Scheps stayed in a ground-floor room in LaPlaya’s Beach House section when she visited with her family, which opened right up to the beach. She appreciated that proximity to both the beach and the resort’s four pools. “It was so easy; we just went back and forth,” she says.

Her young son was a fan of a nightly ritual at the resort’s restaurant Baleen, where every evening a guest is selected to ring a bell at sunset. “My son loved doing that when we were there,” she says.

Oglebay Park Resort

Wheeling, West Virginia

No matter the month on the calendar, it’s a good time for a family getaway to Oglebay Park Resort. There’s 2,000 acres to explore, and activities include hiking, horseback riding, biking, paddling Schenk Lake, and seasonal skiing and snowboarding (including rentals and lessons for beginners). The property is also home to West Virginia’s only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and an aerial challenge course.

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Families can stay in traditional lodge rooms, cottages, cabins, or large private vacation homes that offer features like kitchens, fireplaces, and outdoor patios. Visit during the fall for events like Boo at the Zoo and Fright Lights or during the holidays to enjoy the Festival of Lights, with seasonal packages that make a family trip even more appealing.

Brookside Resort

Park Rapids, Minnesota

An easy drive from Minneapolis and Fargo, Brookside Resort offers a summer camp–style stay near Itasca State Park (Minnesota’s oldest state park) and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The resort’s 29 cabins sit along 1,400 feet of shoreline on Two Inlets Lake, where activities for guests include free waterskiing (Minnesota is the birthplace of waterskiing) and canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals.

Two Inlets offers a more relaxed getaway than some of the state’s busier lakes, and the resort’s location makes it easy to explore the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and Mississippi River Trail bike route. Everyone from the kids to the grandparents will appreciate Brookside’s old-fashioned ice cream bar serving up hand-dipped cones and freshly spun malts, and you’ll want to pay a visit to the neighboring small town of Dorset, known as the “Restaurant Capital of the World” because it has more restaurants per person than any other town on the planet.