Winter recess is just around the corner, which means a whole week with the kids at home. You don’t have to spend a fortune, taking an expensive winter vacation. In fact, there are plenty of day trips and amazing family getaways, just a drive away. Gear up and pack the whole family in the car… Get ready for a wild week of affordable last minute winter recess getaways.
Winter Recess Day Trips
Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
The Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center features a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, one of the largest living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, touch tanks and over 100 exhibits and interactive experiences. Inspired by the Lost City of Atlantis, Long Island Aquarium blends science and nature with mythology to create an informative and entertaining environment for adults and children alike. Treat the whole family to memorable exhibits like the Penguin Encounter, Sea Lion Selfies or a Sleepover with the Fishes! The week of winter recess, families can partake in the Penguin and Pajamas Sleepover, on Thursday February 18th, at 6 PM. The Sleepover includes Aquarium admission, dinner, continental breakfast, a movie, craft, animal interaction, not to mention sleeping above enormous tanks loaded with marine life… even a giant octopus!
Long Island Aquarium is located at 431 East Main Street in Riverhead
*Head to the Tanger Outlets to do some great discount shopping after your trip to the Aquarium
Bounce Around at a Trampoline Park
Bounce the day away at the first indoor trampoline park on Long Island. Bounce! NY Trampoline Sports features multiple jumping courts including one massive court of interconnected trampolines. Kids will never stop laughing and playing in the foam pits, slam dunk basketball courts, dodgeball courts, and the only indoor trampoline bungee jumps in America. Bounce! Jr. is a special zone for toddlers and kids ages 6 and under, featuring their own foam pits, trampoline court and inflatables. Sure jumping up and down is fun… but wait til your kids get to bounce off the walls as well! Bounce! in Syosset houses multiple party rooms, free wi-fi, and a snack bar in the 50,000 square foot arena. The Jump and Glow party is available the entire week of February 15th from 8PM-10PM and features free glow in the dark face painting, music, cosmic slam dunk basketball and psychedelic dodgeball.
Bounce! is located at 310 Michael Drive in Syosset.
Indoor Extreme Sports Paintball/ReBall centers
For Teenagers and Adults
The most unique Laser Tag, Paintball/Reball experience in New York. Choose from five Adrenalin Pumping Laser Tag fields, Archery Tag Centers or fight off the living dead in the Zombie Experience. Looking for a real life Action Movie experience? Indoor Extreme Sports is home to two Escape Rooms, featuring a cast of professional actors, lighting, effects, with clues and puzzles that are all part of a scripted storyline.
Indoor Extreme Sports is located at 47-11 Van Dam Street in Long Island City
Last Minute Family Getaways
Pinegrove Ranch
Give your entire family a wild vacation… literally. Pinegrove Dude Ranch is nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains, home to many White Tailed Deer, Red Fox, Wild Turkeys, Coyote, Opossum, Raccoons and “Country Kittens” (SKUNKS!). Spend the day riding Horseback through the incredible winter wonderland, or try Snow Tubing and Ice Skating. For those hoping for some R & R, the indoor pool with a double flume waterslide, fitness c
enter and spa is guaranteed to rejuvenate. The Pinegrove Ranch features nightly live shows, all-inclusive dining, Old Western & Sports bars with live music and family shows and even a Cafe for your morning dose of Starbucks.
Winter Recess special: Kids under the age 17 stay free. Room rates vary between $169-$229 per adult.
Pinegrove Family Dude Ranch is located at 30 Cherrytown Road in Kerhonkson, NY
Great Wolf Lodge
The best of two seasons! This is truly a destination vacation where there is something for everyone in the family. The indoor water park is loaded with jaw-dropping thrill rides, water slides and zero-depth-entry playgrounds for smaller children. The interactive arcade features plenty of games of all ages. Other attractions include MagiQuest, a stuffed animal creation station, 4x interactive theater, toddler bowling alley, 50 ft elevated outdoor rope course and more. Adults can unwind at the Elements Spa Salon or work out at the fitness center. If you have little girls, they will love you forever after a visit to the Scooops Kid Spa. The ice cream-themed spa offers flavored manicures, pedicures, fizz soaks, sherbet scrubs and yummy nail colors, while sitting on top of an oversized banana split throne, dressed in pink plush robes and tiaras. Book a themed room, equipped with Tent and Cave sleeping areas for the kids. The average cost per person, per night is $124 depending on the day.
Winter Specials: Book by March 16th and save up to 20% when you stay multiple nights now through March 17
An exclusive 20% off discount is available to military, fire, emergency medical service personnel, police and correctional officers. Must present valid ID at check in for promotion to apply
Great Wolf Lodge is located at 1 Great Wolf Drive in Scotrun, PA