Family-friendly road trips to take this fall in New York State

Pack the car and explore what New York State has to offer this fall. From indoor water parks to festive holiday light shows and historic sites, here are three family-friendly destinations where you and the kids can play, learn and have endless amounts of fun: 

SULLIVAN CATSKILLS 

The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark   

This year-round water park features 11 attractions, including an activity pool, a surfing simulator, a rope bridge challenge and slides. The room is kept at 84 degrees, which deflects any outside Catskill chill. Day passes for the water park are also available for non-guests. The resort features eight bars and restaurants (including the “Eat. Eat. Eat.” buffet, open for breakfast and dinner), an arcade with video games, air hockey and pool tables, a four-lane mini-bowling alley, an indoor rock wall, laser tag, a virtual reality experience, a rope obstacle course equipped with a zip line and a 3D interactive adventure. Guests who’d like to explore outdoors will find 6 miles of hiking trails to traverse and fire pits where s’mores can be roasted (kits are available for purchase). Open Thursdays through Sundays; nightly rates start at $240. Attractions aside from the water park are extra ($6-12 each); water park day passes start at $35.       

INFO 555 Resorts World Dr., Monticello; 844-527-8748, thekartrite.com

NEARBY TO TRY 

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

A nonprofit organization located at the registered historic 1969 Woodstock concert site, guests are welcome to explore the preserved site that held the legendary festival. The center also has a '60s museum that features artifacts and footage from Woodstock (tickets are $17, $13 ages 8-17). “Sensory-Friendly Museum Days” are also held each second Saturday of the month through December; admission is $10, caregivers enter free — and as winter doesn’t officially arrive until Dec. 21 this year, the center’s annual “Peace, Love and Lights” drive-through light show also falls under the fall category of its events (Nov. 25-27, Dec. 1-4, 8-11, 15-Jan. 1; starts at $30 per carload).

INFO 200 Hurd Rd., Bethel; 845-583-2000, bethelwoodscenter.org    

Horseback riding    

Featuring a private 40-minute trail, Bridle Hill Farm (190 Hemmer Rd., Jeffersonville; 845-482-3993, bridlehillfarm.com) offers rides year-round and charges $60 per person; rides must be reserved. Mountain Brook Farm (393 B G Partridge Rd., Windham; 518-734-3917, mountainbrookfarmny.com) also offers hourlong rural trail rides (12 and older; $95 through Nov. 18) that can be booked online, and lessons for those 6 and older (select dates through Nov. 18). 

NORTHERN CATSKILLS 

Winter Clove Inn and Resort    

Located at the base of a mountain and bordering the Catskill Park forest preserve, this family-owned resort has been in operation since 1838, and all meals are included in your stay. Outdoor activities to try include hiking trails, tennis and basketball courts, a nine-hole golf course and bonfires. Come winter, once the snow is falling, complimentary equipment for cross-country skiing is provided. One-day stay rates are $150; children’s rates are $45 (ages 13-17), $30 (ages 4-12) and free for ages 3 and younger. 

INFO 557 Winter Clove Rd., Round Top; 518-622-3267, winterclove.com

NEARBY TO TRY    

Thomas Cole National Historic Site   

The preserved home and studios of the influential 19th-century artist Thomas Cole, the site has been additionally fitted with digital storytelling installations intended to engage people of all ages, and while original artworks are on display, there are also things to touch and explore.Tickets for weekday guided tours and self-guided weekend tours are $20, free for ages 15 and younger in October, then $18 only for ages 16 and older in November; the facility is closed for the season starting Nov. 28.   

INFO 218 Spring St., Catskill; 518-943-7465, thomascole.org

Hudson Valley Skywalk    

Take a stroll over the Hudson River on this public pedestrian walkway (hudsonriverskywalk.org) that starts at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, then runs over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge from the village of Catskill to the city of Hudson, where there are wide-ranging views of the river valley and Catskill Mountains. Once across the span, travelers can check out the Olana State Historic Site (5720 RT. 9G; 518-828-1872), the preserved former home, studio and estate of artist Frederic Church, who studied with Thomas Cole. Access to the Olana landscape is free; tours are offered Tuesday through Sunday in October, Friday through Sunday in November starting at $10 with tickets available at olana.org 

Vidbel Mountain Homestead

This fifth-generation nonprofit farm cares for several animals, many of which are rescues. The farm works to teach children to care for the resident horses, goats, pigs, ponies and dogs. This season, the farm is open to anyone who’d like to see the animals, with a special focus on child and adult visitors with special needs or dealing with illness.  No admission fee, but there is a suggested donation of $20 per family.

INFO 149 Siam Rd., Windham; 508-208-9447, vidbelmountainhomestead.com

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS 

Whiteface Lodge

Located near Lake Placid, this resort offers guests several complimentary comforts, such an ice rink with free skates to borrow, access to a catch-and-release fishing pond, a game room and a 56-seat movie theater — and if you dig sweets, nightly s’mores are included as are warm homemade cookies. Breakfast is also included in the room rate. Rates start at $345. The resort also offers a “4th Night Free” package for guests arriving Sundays or Mondays arrivals: pay for three days and receive the fourth for no added charge.

INFO 7 Whiteface Inn Ln., Lake Placid; 518-523-0505, thewhitefacelodge.com

NEARBY TO TRY

The Wild Center    

This facility dedicated to the areas natural history gets you up at treetop level with an elevated path of platforms and bridges that winds upward through the Adirondack Forest. For the fall, guests can look forward to the “Stickwork” art piece, an interactive sculpture created by saplings woven into a structure, and the “Forest Music” sound trail where guests can walk to the combined sounds of nature and an instrumental composition. Inside the center, visitors can check out more than 900 animal residents, including owls, snakes, fish, otters and porcupines.  Tickets are $22, $13 ages 5-17, free for age 4 and younger.       

INFO 45 Museum Dr., Tupper Lake; 518-359-7800, wildcenter.org

Historic Saranac Lake at the Saranac Laboratory Museum    

Built in 1894, this nonprofit organization offers a self-guided look at exhibits focused on subjects like scientific research, medical care and local historical topics. Another autumn option are walking tours of the grounds around the former Trudeau Sanatorium (Nov. 8, Dec. 13: $10) and a reading of the play "Safe Harbor" (Nov. 4: $30). Admission is $7, free for ages 12 and under; timed entry tickets can be purchased online in advance.

INFO 89 Church St., Saranac Lake; 518-891-4606, historicsaranaclake.org