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My oldest son and I needed a break. And where better to go to somewhere with fun waterslides that’s pretty close to our house (2 hours)? On a cold Winter Sunday, we headed up to the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Monticello, NY. It was a very easy drive and we took the Nissan Armada to get there – such a great ride!
The Armada’s steering was so smooth and while this is not a small vehicle, I appreciated the way it handled the road. Wind didn’t affect it at all (I’ve felt the wind affect me while driving my minivan). It handled snowy roads easily and had great traction. We really felt safe driving it. If I was to buy another vehicle right now, the Armada would be on top of my list.
The Armada had every feature I could have asked, including climate adjusting seats (heating and cooling), power opening trunk, satellite radio, rear cameras, entertainment system with wireless headphones, and many, many more features. Find out more at https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/crossovers-suvs/armada/.
The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark
The Kartrite Resort‘s Lobby was warm and inviting, with plenty of places to sit and relax and large games of Connect Four available to play with. There was also a large screen playing a movie and a Big K that you could take a picture with. It’s the kind of place where you can tuck yourself in and comfortably read or hang out with friends. Socializing is encouraged and there are craft tables that are set up for kids to engage with.
The gentleman who checked me in was very friendly and explained everything well to me. You will get a wristband to wear when you’re at Kartrite – that will open your room (no cards to lose), to work the elevators, and also let you into the waterpark area. If you have a sensory kid who won’t wear this, you’ll have to hold onto it and go down to the lobby to get a new one if that one is lost.
We stayed in a junior suite room, which had two bedrooms (one with two double beds in it), plus two bathrooms (one in the master suite). If you have between 2- 4 kids, then it’s ideal for you. There’s also a place outside the main bathroom to hang up towels and bathing suits, as well as a kitchen/lounge area with a table, chairs, a TV and small couch. There are 324 all suite rooms at Kartrite and we were so comfortable. Check out the delicious plate that was left in our room.
Check out my room tour in my video!
The Waterpark
The Indoor Waterpark at Kartrite was huge and featured several fun slides, a lazy river, a hot tub pool that is both indoor and outdoor — so cool), a FlowRider surf attraction so you can ‘surf’, a kids activity pool with basketball and a kids area with multi-level play structure with slides, and a younger baby/toddler area called Puddle Ducks.
There’s also two restaurants (one with a bar) and a living plant wall – which was pretty cool. There were tons of life jackets for all sizes and an elevated cabana where families can chill out. There’s also a big hot tub pool that’s both indoors and outdoors that is for families called Affinity Springs.
Slides are the Kracken, Nor’easter, Jiggerty-Jaggerty, Time Warp, Empire Bay (the Lazy River).
There’s an energy-efficient 60,000 sq. ft Texlon transparent roofing system, heated to a toasty 84 degrees for year round fun.
Where to Eat
BIXBY’S DERBY / BIXBY’S TAVERN & TAPROOM
We loved this simple and delicious restaurant with taproom-style fare. It appealed to both my son and I. There were a mix of cozy booths and tables. Open daily at 5pm for dinner and at 4pm for taproom-style fare. We sampled the salmon and the Buffalo Chicken Wrap and were stuffed. Our waitress was a sweetheart and so attentive.
EAT. EAT. EAT.
Eat. Eat. Eat. is a buffet that serves fresh and local cuisine to fuel up for a day at the waterpark or replenish after a day of adventure. There’s a hand crafted omelet station and pastry bar, steaks and seafood, and an epic dessert bar. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.
SURFSIDE GRILL
The bathing suit friendly waterpark restaurant is perfect for poolside fun, serving quick bites of classic burgers, hot dogs, salads and more to stay or to go. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
THE HIGHLINE
A modern and relaxing coffee shop serving coffee, as well as New York-style sandwiches and snacks all day.
POP’S SWEET SHOPPE
Kids will love seeing all the candy and sweets on display in this retro candy shop. Caramel apples, ice cream, homemade fudge, and a huge candy wall…I wish we had been able to indulge! Open noon to late.
HARVEY’S WALLBANGER
A nod to the “great American bar,” world-class mixologists serve classic cocktails and new inventions in a casual, friendly
setting. Adjacent to Van Winkle’s Alley, it’s the perfect evening watering hole. Open daily at noon for lunch and dinner.
BAR MEZ
Overlooking the waterpark on the mezzanine level, adults enjoy chilled drinks and warm sunshine year-round in the middle of all the action. Open for afternoon and evening drinks and food.
Check out my video recap of our stay.
We would definitely come back (our time was too short here, but that’s because of other factors and for another post).
Rates:
Starting at $249 in low season, Starting at $449 in high season
$42 Resort Fee per night (plus tax, per suite) – Includes self-parking, daily in-room coffee and bottled water, select daily activities & crafts, Wi-Fi, water park towels, electric car charging stations, self service washers & dryers, access to hiking trails and guidebooks, movie nights, and water park life jackets.
Ready to book a trip? Go to our partner Booking.com and reserve your room now.
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