Whether it’s to play in the surf, build a sandcastle, take a dip in the pool, have a bite to eat, or indulge in a relaxing massage, the best thing about Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, the Bahamas is that all of these things can be done right on the hotel’s unique ocean-themed property.  For those traveling with kids, this is a tremendous advantage as parents don’t have to worry about packing up the little ones and driving to the beach or other activities.  Once the family wakes up and is ready to start the day, everything is right outside the hotel room.

Shari O’Connor has enjoyed a number of vacations at the Paradise Island destination and is looking forward to a trip this year with her children.

“Atlantis is just an awesome place to vacation,” says O’Connor.   “I have been there at least 20 times but our trip in May will be the first time with the kids.  The best thing is that there is plenty to do for everyone.  Atlantis has great pools for all ages and really terrific beaches, too.  They have the aquariums and lots of things for kids which we will experience in May.   Also, it’s a relatively short plane ride from New Jersey which is extremely helpful when traveling with kids.  If parents can handle the flight to Disney World in Florida, they can make it to the Bahamas since it is a comparable trip.    My husband and I are really looking forward to our trip to Atlantis with our three-year-old triplets.”

Before your family makes a reservation this year like the O’Connors, it’s important to thoroughly research the resort’s accommodations and decide which type of room would work best.  The Cove Atlantis offers contemporary suites while the Royal Towers is situated in the middle of all the action and Coral and Beach Towers are situated in a relaxing and tropical setting.  The Reef Atlantis offers many of the comforts of home in spacious studios and one-bedroom suites.  Having additional living space may be more suitable for larger families.

Another factor to consider is whether or not to purchase one of the hotel’s two dining plans.  Your family can choose from the Value Dining Plan which is $50 per day for adults and $25 per day per child (ages 7-11).  This plan offers a full American or continental breakfast and dinner daily at Seagrapes, Marketplace, or Virgil’s Barbeque which opens in July.  Guests can enjoy a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert for dinner.   The Atlantis Dining Plan is more expensive but offers a wider selection of dining choices.  This plan is $95 a day for adults and $35 a day for children.  The Atlantis Dining plan offers a full American or continental breakfast at Voyagers, Seagrapes, Murray’s Delicatessen, Plato’s, Marketplace, Virgils BBQ* (Opens on July 1, 2011), Mosaic or The Pointe Restaurant & Bar and dinner daily in Seagrapes, Bahamian Club, Casa D’Angelo, Chop Stix, Marina Pizzeria, Bimini Road, Carmine’s, Murray’s Delicatessen, Atlas Bar & Grill, Marketplace, Virgils BBQ, Mesa Grill, Mosaic or The Pointe Restaurant & Bar.  Dinner includes a choice of one appetizer, entrée and dessert. Children ages 6 and under eat free.  It’s important to note that meal plans cannot be purchased on the Island, so all reservations must be made prior to arrival.

Lisa Tozzi spent five days at Atlantis over the summer with her husband, two kids, and parents.  They purchased one of the dining plans before the trip and found it be well worth the money.

“Buying the dining plan was very helpful,” says Tozzi.  “It seemed expensive at first, but it was cost effective in the long run.  We enjoyed a full breakfast buffet at many of the resort’s restaurants and dinner in the evenings.  The dinner was an appetizer, entree and dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage for both adults and kids.  The breakfast buffets were phenomenal as were the dining choices.  Like any resort, alcoholic drinks were fairly expensive as was food a la carte at both the casual dining places and the take-out concessions by the pools and restaurants.”

Allison Vogel and her family also purchased one of the meal plans which they would highly recommend to other guests, as well.

“We purchased the meal plan which was worth it to us,” says Vogel.  “It included breakfast, a snack and dinner.  The breakfast buffet was huge and we ate later in the morning so that we really didn’t need lunch.”

As those with kids know, children are always thirsty and hungry, so Vogel says it’s a good idea to have some additional drinks and snacks handy throughout the day.

“Just remember, that everything you buy there is very expensive, so pack as much water, snacks, and sunscreen that you need and then some,” says Vogel. “Another tip is to bring cups with lids for the kids to the breakfast buffet.  They can fill them up there and then have adrink later in the day.   If possible, pack a soft cooler that can fold up in your suitcase for the trip and fill it with ice and drinks for the day.”

After a restful night of sleep and a bountiful breakfast, the next item on the agenda is to decide how your family will spend the day since there are countless activities and things to do.

One of the most popular attractions is the resort’s Aquaventure Water Park which is a unique 141-acre waterscape.  It is available to every guest of the Atlantis Resort.  The water-park features thrilling water slides, a mile-long river ride with rolling rapids and wave surges, 20 swimming areas, a water-play fort made especially with kids in mind, and 11 different pools.  This sprawling water area uses over 20 million gallons of water.

Lisa Tozzi’s two children thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of Aquaventure which is one of the largest water parks in the Eastern Hemisphere.

“There were two lazy rivers, and lots of water slides, some of which were more appropriate for older kids and adults,” says Tozzi.  “The kids spent a lot of time playing in the water-play fort since it offered a lot for them to do.  In addition to this play area just for kids, there were also other mini-water slides throughout the resort.  The kids also really enjoyed seeing many live animals in various pools throughout the resort.  One pool was full of sea turtles and another with stingrays and sharks.  Each pool had designated feeding times which was fun for the kids to see.  Since Atlantis offers so many activities and things to do, I found the daily “activity list” which was in our hotel room every day to be extremely helpful.   This way I knew exactly where things were being held and the specific times for each activity such as arts and crafts, feeding of marine life, or cooking classes.”

Vogel’s children also enjoyed the resort’s water-based activities, but she could see parents of really small children having a problem with some of the water rides.

“They were very strict about height requirements,” says Vogel.  “The lazy river was not lazy.  It was more like white water rafting on a tube.  They did have a pool and a slide area for children 48 inches and under but I think it is a vacation that you would enjoy most with school age children.”

In addition to the Aquaventure Water Park, there are countless water adventures for your family to choose from.  The snorkel excursions take place aboard a 45-foot catamaran and are two and a half hours long.  Guests will learn from an Atlantis Aquarist about coral reefs and fish.  The Bahamas is also a great place to scuba dive.  For over ten years, it has been named “Best Place to Dive with Big Animals.”  This is for certified divers who want to explore walls, reefs, and wrecks.  Snuba is also offered which is a terrific way to experience the undersea marine life without being scuba certified.

If your family is really looking to enjoy a different type of water activity, check out Dolphin Cay which is situated on 14 acres and uses 6.6 million gallons of crystal clear seawater.  It is one of the largest and most sophisticated marine habitats and dolphin rescue-rehabilitation facilities anywhere in the world.  In this attraction, vacationers have the unique opportunity to swim with dolphins.  Guests are provided with all-day access to Dolphin Cay’s private beach.  Wet suits and lockers are provided and souvenir photos of your experience are available for purchase.  Guests can wade in waist-deep waters for an up-close experience with the dolphins or they can take part in a deep water swim which allows participants to snorkel and glide alongside a dolphin with your very own water scooter.  Tozzi’s family found this part of the vacation to be extremely exciting and memorable.

“Dolphin Cay was a wonderful experience for my family,” says Tozzi.  “We were ‘suited up’ in short wetsuits which the resort provided so we could all get into the tanks and swim with the dolphins.  My kids absolutely loved it.”

There’s also ’ The Dig which features habitats for 100 venomous Indo-Pacific Ocean Lionfish, 500 piranhas, iridescent jellyfish and six-foot Moray Eels.  Your family can take an exciting journey through the streets and tunnels of the lost city of Atlantis while viewing marine life exhibits.  There is also an interactive touch tank aquarium, filled with conch, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs and horseshoe crabs.

Tozzi’s family enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“A big attraction is their ‘Dig’ which is an underground Mayan dig ground,” says Tozzi. “We walked through and saw gigantic underground tanks with thousands of sea animals, stingrays, sharks, turtles, and exotic fish.  We were able to visit a touch tank to touch sea urchins and starfish which the kids really liked.”

All of the activities are a lot fun and will definitely keep your family busy throughout the day, but don’t forget to spend some time just relaxing on the sand, too. There are three beautiful beaches available to guests of Atlantis, Paradise Island.  Seven-acre Paradise Lagoon offers snorkeling, paddle boats, and other water sports in a protected environment which is great for those with kids.

Lisa Tozzi made it a priority to enjoy the white sandy beaches for part of the trip.

“Of course, we spent a lot of time on the beach where the water was so blue, clean and calm,” says Tozzi.  “The beaches were just beautiful.”

After the sun sets each evening, there are various ways to relax and enjoy the nightlife.  Atlantis has over 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, a comedy club, theatre, nightclub, and casino.  There are even options for families.  Kids can enjoy a few arcade games at Gamer’s Reef or build a stuffed animal from scratch at Atlantis Pals.  The Earth and Fire Pottery Studio offers kids a chance to explore their creative sides.  There is also the Atlantis Kids Adventures program, Club Rush for pre-teens and a brand new nightclub, CRUSH, just for teens.

Whether you are soaking in the sun or splashing in the surf, there are many ways to spend your time at Atlantis, Paradise Island.  In addition to the many amenities the resort offers, it’s also a short flight from the Jersey Shore which makes it a very desirable vacation destination for area families.

Tozzi’s family had an early morning flight which enabled them to kick off their shoes and relax around lunchtime.

“Continental Airlines offered a direct flight to Nassau from Newark Liberty International Airport early in the morning when we traveled,” says Tozzi.  “This was great because it gave us a good portion of the day to enjoy the beach and the resort.  The flight was a little under three hours, which is just slightly longer than going to Disney World.  Overall we gave the resort a high rating since there was so much to see and do.  There were many other families vacationing at the resort, too.  In fact, we even bumped into a family we knew from back home!”

For more information or to make a reservation, visit atlantis.com.  The website provides comprehensive information about special events and packages.  You can also view photos and videos of the resort, browse through maps, or see the current weather.  Or call 1-800-atlantis for additional information or reservations.

Noteworthy Events for 2011 at Atlantis, Paradise Island:

1.)   CRUSH, the ultimate nightclub for teens ages 13 to 17 vacationing on Paradise Island, will be having their grand opening January 1, 2011. CRUSH is a 14,000 square-foot space that boasts an Internet Lounge—complete with multi-touch computers and surface tables with photo editing and publishing interfaced to Facebook, a Gaming Room stocked with state-of-the-art technology ranging from the new Microsoft flagship motion sensor product Kinect for Xbox 360 to a floor-to-ceiling gaming tree with 24 gaming consoles, ten private gaming cabanas, and even a selection of iPads for internet browsing. Multi-purpose video walls decorate the Dance Club’s VIP sections and a live DJ is accessible via a touch screen song request system. There’s also a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks and the CRUSH Café serves up snacks, from pizzas to smoothies to ice cream and more.

2.)   Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, President’s Day Weekend, February 17-20, 2011.  Adult rockers will be mentored by world-renowned music rock star “counselors” including Tommy Lee, solo artist and founding member of the metal band Mötley Crüe, Ace Frehley, an original member of the rock band Kiss and Lita Ford, formerly the lead guitarist/singer of The Runaways.  A special “Young Rockers” program for teens aged 12-16 is also available.  Campers will write and record original music, participate in jam sessions and rehearsals and conclude the weekend with a finale concert where the rock-legends will perform live on stage with each camper’s band.

3.)   Atlantis Kids Adventures is now available at the resort.  Resort guests ages 3-12 are able to choose their own adventure at AKA, with staff Adventure Guides available to help with culinary lessons, interactive electronic art, theater and outdoor play.  All of the activities are customized to each child’s own personal interests.  The 8,000 square-foot area features interactive touch-screen walls, tables and floors.  Projections on the walls and floors feature schools of fish and other creatures that follow fingers and swim away from the touch of hands; lizards may chase their feet across the floor or beach balls may bounce around them.  Children, also known as Adventurers, are matched with an Adventure Guide for their day of exploration at AKA, which features themed spaces designed specifically for children’s imagination and enjoyment.  Some of the activities include: a culinary kitchen, game room, Wizardology reading room, fully stocked “grocery store”,computer area, performance area, and a LEGO construction area.  Adventurers can send a postcard with a personalized message and picture directly from their table to their grandparents, teachers and friends at home.  The fully stocked crafts area provides a variety of tactile painting, drawing, designing and decorating activities.  AKA has also employed modern technology for the safety and security of all young guests.  Upon arrival at the club, parents electronically register their children, at which time a digital picture of each is taken.  The child is outfitted with a coded bracelet and when parents return, AKA Adventurers are able to locate their child immediately using a Radio Frequency Identification system which pinpoints exactly which area of the club they are currently exploring.   Partial and full-day participation at AKA is available, as well as special evening programs, including Candy Carnival and Buccaneer’s Bash themed nights.  Prices for AKA programming range from $45 to $65 per session.  For more information about Atlantis Kids Adventures, or to make a reservation for Atlantis, Paradise Island, please call 1-800-ATLANTIS or visit atlantis.com.

By Sue Gerard

This family resort has withstood the test of time.  Rocking Horse Ranch has been around since 1958.  It was originally established by Toolie and Gloria Turk who were from NewYork City but had a love of horses.  They wanted to create a resort that was a little less “rustic” than your typical dude ranch of the day, and more family friendly.  They converted one of the oldest hotels in Ulster County New York in a town called Highland.  They worked on the property during the week and catered to guests on the weekends.  It was the first and only ranch in the country to have an indoor and outdoor pool, water skiing, snow skiing, a nightclub and dozens of other activities in their facility.

After 10 years, business was booming and improvements were continually made to better satisfy guests.  Then tragedy struck in January 1971.  The Turks life’s work and dreams went up in flames during a New Year’s weekend fire.  All the guests were safe, but only the brick walls and chimney were left standing.  They decided to rebuild and made it bigger and better than before.  Now it truly was “their” structure and they have been thriving ever since.

I personally have been to this ranch twice in the winter months.  It was highly recommended by a friend who had taken her family there in both the summer and winter.  It is just under a 3 hour drive from Brick, so it’s not a bad ride to get there.  They even provide free pickup service from the Poughkeepsie Train Station or Stewart Airport if that’s your preferred method of travel.

I decided to go to Rocking Horse Ranch the first time in February 2009 after researching prices to take my kids skiing for the first time.  They were only 4, 6 and 8 so I needed to get each of them lessons and we all needed ski rentals.  Without even staying over anywhere, I was floored by the cost.  I looked into Rocking Horse Ranch and they were offering a special price the week before President’s Weekend.  Although I had to pull the kids out of school, we were able to book 3 days and 2 nights with them for not too much more than one afternoon at a Pocono based ski resort!

We had so much fun that we decided to try and go back about every other year, but we couldn’t stay away and went again this year!  The resort allows you to arrive as early as you’d like and use their facility even if you can’t check into your room.  They also let you stay as late as you’d like on your last day.  We got up early and arrived at 10:00am which is when the ski slopes open up.  My kids were so excited to try this new sport!  When we first arrived, our initial reaction to the size of their hills was disappointment.  However, once we realized the two of us hadn’t been on a ski slope for over 10 years, the hill seemed much bigger and more manageable!  And… it was so perfect for the kids.

As long as the temperatures remain low enough, RHR has 100% snow making ability.  They have a ski rental room where you fill out a form your first day with a release and all your pertinent information.  That form gets filed during your stay so all you have to do is give them your name and they pull out the right size boots and skis for you each time.  You get to know the staff very quickly while you are there since it is a very personal experience.  There is a bunny hill to learn on (they call it the “never ever area”) with instructors right there to help you learn how to snowplow and turn and use the rope lifts.  After one morning of lessons my boys were going half way up “the big hill” and by the second day they were going all the way to the top and skiing down by themselves.  You can ski from 10am to 4pm daily.

All your meals at Rocking Horse Ranch are included in the price of your stay.  On your first day, you don’t get lunch so prepare ahead for that if you plan to arrive early like we did.  We packed a lunch and ate it in the lobby which has many inviting couches, seats and tables, a bar and a fireplace.  There is also a side room (called the Round-up Room) with more seating, a big table and a TV.  That room has hot chocolate and coffee available with free food such as pound cake, cookies, brownies, etc.  There is also free At the dining room, you are seated with other guests at tables of 8 or 10.  The Turks wanted to set it up this way so that guests had a chance to mingle and get to know each other.  Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and there is a great variety to choose from.  Dinner is ordered from a menu of about 5 appetizer choices and 5 dinner choices.  They wanted to avoid a buffet style at every meal and give the guests the chance to “be served.”

Guests come mainly from Long Island, New York City, Westchester, north and central New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.  The general demographics of their average guest family has kids that range in age from 2 to 13.  They do not charge for children under age 4.  They have a supervised day camp and nursery for the youngest guests if you care to take advantage of that, and have activities for the tweens and teens too!  There is a Wii room where you can play wii games for free, as well as an arcade room with various video games and a ping pong table.  Every evening they have entertainment.  The ranch scouts for their entertainment in New York City as well as via the internet and by holding trial runs at the ranch.  A musical guest generally starts off and the headliner is either a magician, ventriloquist, juggler, circus act, comedian or general family entertainer!  All the acts we’ve seen were great and fun for the whole family.  We made sure we didn’t miss any of them while we were there.

Also during the winter months they offer night snow tubing from 7-9:30, weather permitting.  At the base of the run they have a bonfire where you can keep warm and provide marshmallows for roasting after a frosty ride!  By the end of the day, the tubing trail gets slick so the rides are fun and fast!  Another activity you don’t want to miss!

Although we’ve only been there in the winter, their busiest season begins at the end of June when school lets out and runs through Labor Day.  They are always at full capacity with 120 rooms booked solid.  They have a main lodge and a detached lodge called the Oklahoma Building.  The main lodge has 2 room sizes which can accommodate up to 4 people, or up to 6 people.  Bunk beds are provided in the larger rooms and some even connect with other rooms if you are staying with other families.  Oklahoma rooms are less expensive but only hold up to 2 people, or up to 6 people.  More rooms are expected to be built in coming years.

In the summer, the activities are endless.  They have a lake on site.  They provide waterskiing rides where you are taken around the lake 3 times and have a bar on the side of the boat to hold onto which is easier than attempting to get up when pulled by a rope.  There is no age limit; you just need to know how to swim.  They also have banana boat rides where you have up to 10 people straddling a big banana boat that is pulled by a ski boat.  For those that want a more serene ride, you can go kayaking or get on a paddle boat and ride around the lake.

There is catch and release fishing for fresh water bass.  You can play miniature golf, tennis, horseshoes, bocce ball and shuffle board.  There is both organized and “pick up” play for basketball, volleyball and softball.  For the adult crowds, there is “beer” softball and “beer” volleyball activities which are always a hoot.  There is the outdoor pool to utilize in the summer, as well as the indoor pool all year round.  You feel like you are on a campus with something to do at every turn.

Of course, we can’t forget about the horses.  There is horseback riding available every day.  They have 4 trail rides times during the week and 6 on the weekends.  There are 3 levels of rides including beginners, novice and advanced.  The beginner trail rides are the most popular and they have many wranglers along the trails making sure everyone has control of their horses.  You walk along the wooded trails at that level.  The novice riders do get to trot a little.  If you don’t have the skills to maintain proper control of your horse, then they will take you over to the beginner riders.  The advanced riders get to canter (gallop) with the horses along the trails.  The saddles are western so you have to be comfortable in that style.  I rode horses as a young girl but learned English so I was actually dropped down to novice when I was told I wasn’t keeping my but in the saddle!  I’m used to being up on my heels and posting!  All trail rides take about an hour and you must be 7 years old to ride.

If you have a younger child 6 or under, don’t worry, they have pony rides!  You can take your child over to the small area in the morning from 9:30-12:30 or after lunch between 2 and 3pm.  A staff member will walk your child around on a pony and you can ride as much and as often as you want.  Horse drawn hay rides are also available throughout the day.  They pick you up by the tennis courts and take you through the woods for a short ride.

Other activities which are available year round include the fun barn and rifle range.  The rifle range includes a shooting gallery and indoor archery.  The rifles shoot at an array of black light targets with air powered BB’s.  The fun barn is an indoor facility off by itself that’s great to visit as its own activity or a filler in between other events you are planning in your day.  There is a foam factory with interactive soft play with 10 air powered cannons, a climbing wall, a moon bounce, volleyball net and ping pong tables.  My kids love to go there.

There are activities and special events planned for each and every day.  These may include such things as riding demonstrations, tour of the stables, sports trivia, bingo, character lunches in the dining room, shoot out contest, scavenger hunts, horse betting, karaoke, arts & crafts, line dancing, etc, etc.  A schedule is available when you check in or can be picked up at any time at the front desk during your stay.

Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself.  Relax, rejuvenate and refresh yourself at the massage and facial center.  These services are not included in the price but rates are competitive.  There is also a fully equipped exercise room and men and women sauna rooms to enjoy.

New in 2009 is the Big Splash Indoor Water Park.  It was an expansion to the indoor pool area and now includes interactive fountains and dumping buckets, twin slides for toddlers, a water walk challenge with cargo netting, mini geysers and a 230 foot giant waterslide.

Don’t forget to visit their Gift Shoppe located right in the lobby.  I love to get Christmas tree ornaments from our vacations and they have a few on hand.  It’s always nice to go home with a souvenir so you can be reminded of the wonderful stay you had at Rocking Horse Ranch!

Over the next 5 years, they are planning to add on about 30 more rooms, increase the size of their dining room (and possibly have the option of eating at your own table instead of with other guests), provide a public meeting space, add on to their new indoor water slides and change their ski rope lifts to a magic carpet lift.  They are constantly looking for ways to attract and maintain their guests as well as keep them happy while they are there.  We sure were happy every time we went and are looking forward to our next visit!

Rocking Horse Ranch is located at 600 Route 44/45 Highland, NY 12528.  You can contact them at 1-800-647-2624 or visit their website at www.rockinghorseranch.com. There is a lot of information on the site and rates are posted for various seasons.  I also suggest signing up for their email list so you can take advantage of promotions and specials.