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90 miles north of New York City in tranquil New Paltz, NY lies one of the nicest resorts we've ever seen. Come take a look. . .

New Paltz, NY- Light rain pattered mist-shrouded Lake Mohonk, and the loudest morning noises were child-like complaints. "What are we going to do now?"  The answer was not television because there are no in-room TV's at the Mohonk Mountain House in New York's Hudson Valley.  So how about video games? An elbow-cramping room with six video games crowded together was also not in use. Welcome sounds of silence.

Many children could be found in Mohonk's organized kids' programs. Admittedly, arts and crafts instead of rock climbing, at least this morning. Some families were in the resort's main meeting area, the Lake Lounge, playing Clue or Monopoly, or putting together puzzles from a wide variety of games and classic old-style entertainments available here. Other families donned rain gear and braved the elements to hike a portion of the resort's 85 miles of trails.

At this point, it dawned on me: The real test of any family destination, particularly when it comes to children, is what to do on a rainy day.

The nature-filled mountaintop Mohonk Mountain House, located 90 miles north of New York City, easily passed the test. Which is not to say that it rains every day, but on clear days this more than a century-old resort that is a sort of throwback to the past is only a little less than Heaven-like for families. There's plenty to do- or nothing at all - on the grounds of the 2,020-acre National Historic Landmark, for everyone from grandmothers sitting in rocking chairs to tykes barely able to walk. 

Programs for Tykes or the Tired 

Take tykes, for example. These children are defined at Mohonk as 2 to 3-years-old. There are morning and afternoon sessions at the Tykes' Room, which has a wide selection of toys that include a play castle, kitchen set, wagons, rocking horses, trucks, blocks, puzzles, arts and crafts. Obviously motivated and usually young staff members teach art, sponsor sing-a-longs and do storytelling. Activities also include hikes, pony rides, splashing around at the lakefront beach and visiting the playground.

The Kids' Club is available weekends and holidays year-round and daily in the summer for ages 2 through 12. Explorers are the 4 to 6-year-olds. They start with a get-acquainted period, and then go on to several main activities which include choices: Hiking or frog hunting, in the morning; swimming and arts and crafts, perhaps, in the evening.  For Adventurers, 7 to 12-years-old, typical activities might be rock scrambling, tennis and golf clinics, sports tournaments, and even grownup, corporate-style team building through athletic challenges. During July and August, teens ages 13 through 17 are invited to take part in the Teen Program, which features supervised activities such as day-long hikes, golf and tennis.

Under the auspices of Nina Smiley, a member of the family that has owned and operated the resort for 138 years, the resort is launching a "Junior Naturalist Experience" for the summer of 2007. Designed by staff naturalists for ages 4-12, it will become part of the Mohonk Kids' Club programming. Regularly scheduled activities include climate lessons at the resort's boat dock, where the group will examine weather instruments and learn how to take scientific readings. Other program events include expeditions to observe the many different types of flora and fauna that make up the local environment. At the end of their stay, kids can receive a certificate designating them an official Junior Naturalist at Mohonk Mountain House and an Eco-Kit that includes a hand-held magnifying glass and a list of simple eco-activities to take home.

For non-ambitious adults, rocking chairs abound, and greenhouses and lush gardens as well. For the more active-minded, there's tennis and golf. There are often-changing theme weeks, and the organized activities, such as nature walks, ballroom dancing, and kitchen tours, are popular.

During my visit there, a single day featured a breathless schedule. Adults could start the day (after your continental or buffet breakfast) with an 8am fast-paced walk starting in the fitness center. Then, they could go on to a morning prayer/meditation at 9:30am, followed by a nature hike to collect Mohonk Blueberries.  While nature is emphasized, there are also many cultural and self-help programs which some of your fellow guests may be participating in. One popular offering is the Tower of Babble, a language learning "immersion" that offers upwards of two dozen languages, including American sign language.