If you’re looking for a fun-filled family vacation that has something for everyone, you might want to check out Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in Highland, New York. This all-inclusive resort is a little slice of the West, right on the East Coast, and it offers a wide range of activities for families of all ages and interests.

We visited Rocking Horse Ranch in the summer, and we were amazed by how much there was to do. From horseback riding and water sports, to indoor water park and nightly entertainment, we never ran out of things to enjoy. Here are some of the highlights of our stay:

Horseback Riding

Of course, the main attraction of Rocking Horse Ranch is the horses. The resort has over 100 horses, and they cater to riders of all levels, from beginners to experts. You can choose from different trails, scenic rides, or even private lessons. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they make sure you have a safe and comfortable ride. The kids loved meeting the horses, and they even got to feed and groom them.

The resort offers different riding levels, from walk rides for beginners, to intermediate and advanced rides that include trotting and cantering. The rides last about an hour, and you can go as many times as you want, as long as you sign up in advance. The resort also has a junior wrangler program for kids under 48 inches tall, where they can enjoy pony rides and learn about horse care. For those who love horses but don’t want to ride, the resort also offers tractor-drawn wagon rides, horse shoeing demonstrations, and a petting zoo.

At the end of each day (around 4:00 to 5:00 PM) you can stand by the main entrance and watch them move the horses from the stables to the pastures for the evening. This gives you and your kids a chance to get up close and personal with the horses for a few minutes without having to actually ride them.

Water Sports

Another great feature of Rocking Horse Ranch is the private lake, where you can enjoy various water sports. You can go water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, banana boating, or fishing. The resort provides all the equipment and instruction you need, and the lake is supervised by lifeguards. The water was warm and refreshing, and we had a blast trying out different activities.

The resort also has a heated outdoor pool, where you can relax and soak up the sun. The pool has a diving board, a slide, and a splash pad for the little ones. The pool area also has a snack bar, where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat. The resort also hosts pool parties, with music, games, and prizes.

Nightly Entertainment

After a busy day of activities, we looked forward to the nightly entertainment at Rocking Horse Ranch. The resort offers a variety of shows, featuring magicians, comedians, jugglers, animal acts, and more. The shows are suitable for the whole family, and they are very entertaining and interactive. We laughed, clapped, and cheered along with the performers, and we even got to participate in some of the acts.

The shows take place in the Silverado Saloon, a Western-themed bar and lounge, where you can enjoy a drink or a snack. The saloon also has a dance floor, a karaoke machine, and a pool table. The resort also hosts bonfires, singalongs, hayrides, and fireworks, for a memorable evening under the stars.

Dining Experience

One of the best things about Rocking Horse Ranch is that all the meals are included in the price. The resort has a spacious dining room, where they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style. The food is delicious and plentiful, and they have a wide selection of dishes, from salads and soups, to burgers and pizzas, to steaks and seafood. They also have a kids’ menu, a dessert station, and a beverage bar. The service is fast and friendly, and they accommodate special dietary needs.

The resort also offers a chef’s tasting in the afternoon, where you can sample some of the specialty dishes and snacks, such as flatbread pizzas, local cheeses, homemade guacamole, and hummus. There is also has a coffee and pastry station, where you can enjoy a hot drink and a sweet treat anytime.

Adults Activities

Rocking Horse Ranch is not only a paradise for kids, but also for adults who want to have some fun, relaxation, and romance. The resort offers a variety of activities that tailor to adults, or enjoyed by the whole family. Whether you want to indulge in some pampering, challenge yourself with some adventure, or spend some quality time with your partner, you will find something to suit your mood. Here are some of the adults activities that Rocking Horse Ranch offers:

• Spa: Treat yourself to a soothing massage, a rejuvenating facial, a manicure, or a pedicure at the spa. The spa uses natural and organic products, and offers a range of services, from Swedish and deep tissue massages, to aromatherapy and hot stone treatments. The spa also has a sauna, a steam room, and a relaxation lounge, where you can unwind and refresh.
• Fitness Center and Yoga Classes: Stay fit and healthy at the fitness center, where you can use the treadmills, bikes, weights, and machines. The fitness center also offers yoga classes, where you can learn some poses and breathing techniques, and improve your flexibility and balance. The yoga classes are suitable for all levels, and are held in a serene and spacious studio.
• Wine and Cheese Tasting: Sample some of the finest wines and cheeses from the Hudson Valley and beyond, at the wine and cheese tasting. The tasting is hosted by a sommelier, who will guide you through the different varieties and pairings, and share some interesting facts and stories. The tasting is held in the afternoon, and is a great way to socialize and learn something new.
• Themed Dinners and Live Music: Enjoy a delicious and diverse cuisine at the themed dinners, where you can savor different dishes from around the world, such as BBQ, Italian, Mexican, and more. The themed dinners also feature live music, where you can listen to some talented musicians and singers, and dance the night away. The themed dinners are held in the dining room, and are included in the price.
• Silverado Saloon and Nightly Entertainment: Have some fun and laughter at the Silverado Saloon, a Western-themed bar and lounge, where you can enjoy a drink or a snack. The saloon also has a dance floor, a karaoke machine, and a pool table. The saloon also hosts the nightly entertainment, featuring magicians, comedians, jugglers, animal acts, and more. The shows are suitable for the whole family, and they are very entertaining and interactive.
• Bonfires, Singalongs, and Hayrides: Experience some cozy and festive activities at the bonfires, singalongs, and hayrides. You can roast marshmallows, sing songs, tell stories, and make new friends. You can also hop on a hayride, and explore the scenic trails of the resort.
• Horseback Riding and Water Sports: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also join some of the activities that are popular with the kids, such as horseback riding and water sports. You can choose from different trails, scenic rides, or even private lessons, and enjoy the beauty and thrill of riding a horse. You can also go water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, banana boating, or fishing, and have some fun on the water. These activities are supervised by trained staff, and they provide all the equipment and instruction you need.

Kids Activities

Rocking Horse Ranch is a paradise for kids, as it offers a wide range of activities that are fun, educational, and age-appropriate. Whether your kids are into animals, sports, arts, or games, they will find something to keep them entertained and happy. Here are some of the kids activities that Rocking Horse Ranch offers:

• Horse Adventures: Kids can learn how to ride, feed, and groom horses, as well as enjoy pony rides, wagon rides, and horse shoeing demonstrations. The resort has a junior wrangler program for kids under 48 inches tall, where they can earn badges and certificates for their horse skills.
• Water Sports: Kids can splash and play in the private lake, where they can go water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, banana boating, or fishing. They can also enjoy the heated outdoor pool, with a slide, a splash pad, and a snack bar. The resort also has a Big Splash Indoor Water Park, with a flume slide, a hot tub, and a pool.

• Winter Fun Park: Kids can experience the thrill of snow tubing, ice skating, sleigh rides, and skiing in the Winter Fun Park. The resort has a magic carpet lift, a ski school, and a ski shop. The resort also hosts snowman building contests, snowball fights, and ice carving demonstrations.

• Bungee Trampoline and Rock Climbing: Kids can soar 25 feet in the air on the bungee trampoline, and climb all the way to the top of the rock climbing wall. These activities are supervised by trained staff, and they are suitable for kids of all ages and abilities.

• Shooting Gallery and Archery Range: Kids can test their aim and accuracy at the shooting gallery and the archery range. They can use BB guns, paintball guns, or bows and arrows, and try to hit the targets. The resort provides all the equipment and instruction, and the activities are safe and fun.
• Mini Golf, Basketball, Tennis, and Volleyball: Kids can enjoy some friendly competition and exercise at the mini golf course, the basketball court, the tennis court, or the volleyball court. The resort has all the equipment and balls, and the courts are open all day.
• Campfires, Singalongs, and Hayrides: Kids can enjoy some cozy and festive activities at the campfires, singalongs, and hayrides. They can roast marshmallows, sing songs, tell stories, and make new friends. They can also hop on a hayride, and explore the scenic trails of the resort.
• Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, and Nature Trails: Kids can interact with some cute and friendly animals at the petting zoo, where they can feed and pet goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and more. They can also ride on ponies, and feel like cowboys and cowgirls. They can also walk along the nature trails, and discover the beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna of the resort.
• Lucky Horseshoe Arcade, Galactic Heroes Laser Tag, and Nightly Entertainment: Kids can have some indoor fun at the Lucky Horseshoe Arcade, where they can play games, win prizes, and bowl. They can also experience the out of this world laser combat adventure at the Galactic Heroes Laser Tag, where they can team up and battle. They can also enjoy the nightly entertainment, featuring magicians, comedians, jugglers, animal acts, and more.

Conclusion

We had a wonderful time at Rocking Horse Ranch, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a family-friendly resort. The resort is clean, cozy, and well-maintained, and the staff is courteous and professional. The activities are fun and varied, and the food is tasty and satisfying. The resort is also conveniently located, only a 90-minute drive from New York City. It’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones.

If you’re interested in booking your stay at Rocking Horse Ranch, give us a call or send us an email. We hope you have as much fun as we did!