Ten Top All Inclusive Vacation Ideas in the US

This resort tops the list because it is a Caribbean-style all inclusive, right in Florida. Location is on the St. Lucie River, about two hours from Orlando. Club Med is known for amazing kids programs, and this one has programs for ages 4 to 18, in subgroups; Baby Welcome amenities and fully-stocked feeding room; Fitness Academy with programs for kids as young as 4; Petit Golf for 4 to 7 year olds; and Baby Club Med and Petit Club Med (at an extra charge.) At Club Med the focus is on active fun: kids might become chefs (see photo) or try zumba or trapeze. Read more about Club Med for Families, and the special ambiance created by the enthusiastic G.O.'s.

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With 500 acres just 90 minutes from New York City, Rocking Horse Ranch is all about family getaways year-round, and offers a huge variety of activities -- including horse-riding, of course. Summer fun includes a giant water-slide, outdoor heated pools, water-skiing with instruction, kayaking, banana boats, bungee jumping, mini golf, climbing walls, and more, plus a day camp for 4 to 12 year olds and nursery care for newborns to 3-year-olds. Winter, meanwhile, offers snow tubing and skiing, ice skating, sleigh rides, an indoor water park, archery range, and much more.

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Also in the Catskills area of upstate New York is this "Victorian castle" that sits in a spectacular setting amid 1200 acres and 85 miles of hiking trails. Guests can try many complimentary activities -- guided hikes, tennis, boating, fitness classes-- and there's a kids club in summer and on peak weekends. You do pay extra for horseback riding, though. Winter brings cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow-tubing, and ice-skating in a Victoria Pavilion. Price includes two or three meals daily, plus Afternoon Tea and Cookies which is a Mohonk tradition.

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Moving over to Pennsylvania, the Poconos is another area that has long provided outdoorsy family getaways for New Yorkers and other city folk. Skytop Lodge -- situated within 5500 acres of forest -- has a historic Dutch Colonial stone lodge with a giant fireplace; families can also stay in cottages or in a luxury inn. Price includes three meals daily plus many activities including some downhill skiing in winter. Families can enjoy hiking trails, and some nice evening traditions such as campfires, music in the main hall, and board games. Look for "Family Fun" packages that "full use of seasonal recreational facilities" such as kids camp in summer and ski rentals, snowshoes and ice skates in winter. Also at the resort is an Adventure Center with zip-lining and a treetop obstacle course.

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This four-season resort in the Poconos started in the fifties with 12 acres and now has 1000 acres and many lodging choices. Families can choose an essentially all inclusive plan that offers three meals a day and many activities: lake watersports, bumper cars/boats, go carts, scavenger hunts, nightly entertainment... In winter, guests can go snow tubing and ice skating, and Woodloch is near a couple of Pennsylvania ski resorts.

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This lodge south of Asheville offers rustic charm, all inclusive pricing, and some unique activities, such as a morning at a Pioneer village where families can time-travel to the 1840's and try blacksmithing, candle-dipping, etc. There's a similar immersive Cherokee morning, too, plus outdoors adventures such as a zipline canopy tour, a high-ropes course, and hiking up a creek and sliding down a natural waterslide. Guests can stay in an 1878 farmhouse or in deluxe log suites.

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Dude ranches or guest ranches are a special type of all inclusive getaway where guests can expect to be provided with lodging, meals, and some fun activities, usually (but not always!) including horse-riding. Even where horse-riding is not included in regular rates, families can buy special packages that include horse-riding, lessons, etc. (See also: Luxury Dude Ranches - a trend!)

Vista Verde is a luxury guest ranch near Steamboat Springs that has winter and summer seasons. Families can stay in a lodge or a luxury log cabin, and price includes gourmet meals, snacks, beverages (including beer and wine), evening entertainment, airport transfers, gratuities for staff, horseriding and many other outdoors activities. Summer activities include clinics with horse trainers, guided hikes and mountain biking, guided fly-fishing with gear, rock-climbing, river rafting and kayaking; winter offers guided backcountry skiing, snowshoeing tours and cross-country skiing (including gear), sledding, and more. Guests can also arrange for a day of downhill skiing at Steamboat.

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Out guest writer was wowed at what "all-inclusive" meant at this 15,000-acre spread in Saratoga, Wyoming. We're talking horse-riding for several skill levels, ATV tours to explore the landscape and spot wildlife, skeet-shooting, zip lining, fly-fishing... Plus the gourmet meals, and nice touches such as the cowboy boots that are provided for guests' use. Our writer also liked the ranch's remote location: with no cell phone service or even tv's in the rooms, disconnected teens actually talk and re-connect to parents!

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