new york state

Family Fun Weekend at Roscoe Campsite Park, Roscoe, New York

/ realmofvibes / 6 Comments

Fall in the Catskills is pure magic—and this year, our family found the perfect way to soak it all in with a Family Fun Weekend at Roscoe Campsite Park. Jason and I have been to Roscoe before and usually stay at the River House at Trout Town Farms, just down the road. But this trip was extra special: it was our first time bringing Emilia (7), Nicholas (3), and our 11-year-old rescue pup, Gino, for a true camping adventure. Spoiler alert: everyone had the best time.

Our Luxury Tent Stay

Forget what you know about “roughing it.” Our luxury tent at Roscoe Campsite Park felt more like a boutique cabin in the woods. With a king-size bed for us and bunk beds for the kids, there was plenty of space for the four of us to spread out. The kids thought the bunks were the coolest thing ever, while Jason and I loved sinking into the king bed after busy days of exploring.

The tent came with a full bathroom (yes, a clawfoot tub in the woods!) and a shower, which made things so easy with kids. Outside, we had a picnic table, a grill under a gazebo, and even a cozy egg chair on the patio where we enjoyed slow breakfasts and lunches together. At night, the space transformed into our own little sanctuary under the stars.

Of course, no trip to Roscoe is complete without a stop at Grizzly Bagels in downtown Roscoe. We always recommend their famous Jalapeño Cheddar bagel with scallion cream cheese, lox, tomato, and capers—it’s our go-to breakfast every single visit. The kids love the cinnamon raisin bagels with cream cheese. Fresh, flavorful, and the perfect fuel for a day of family adventures in the Catskills.

Another tradition whenever we’re in town is stopping by Roscoe Beer Co. to grab a few of their locally brewed favorites. Jason and I especially love the Streamside Pilsner—crisp, refreshing, and the perfect pairing with a classic campfire hot dog fresh off the grill. There’s just something about sipping a cold local beer under the stars while the kids run around that makes camping feel complete.

First Night Magic ✨

The moment we arrived, the weekend kicked off with one of my favorite camping traditions: roasting s’mores around the fire. Emilia and Nicholas were in heaven toasting marshmallows, sticky fingers and all. As the sun set, the whole campsite gathered to watch Hocus Pocus on the big screen—pure Halloween season vibes. It was the perfect way to start our getaway.

Farm Fun at Trout Town Farms 🐐🐓🦙

On Saturday, we joined the farm tour at Trout Town Farms, and it quickly became one of the kids’ favorite activities. They got to feed alpacas and goats, pet Gloria, the resident turkey, collect fresh eggs from the chicken coop, and even enjoyed a honey tasting. Their faces lit up as they learned where food comes from—Nicholas proudly carried his egg like it was gold, while Emilia loved feeding the alpacas.

During the tour, we also got to peek at the new Mountain Pool Trout Loft property, another unique place to stay in Roscoe. Jason and I immediately added it to our list for a future trip—it’s such a cool option for anyone who wants a mix of comfort and nature.

Pumpkins, Play, and Pure Joy 🎃

Later that day, we went pumpkin picking at Trout Town Farms, and the kids carefully picked out “the perfect ones.” Back at Roscoe Campsite Park, they decorated and carved their pumpkins during Wine & Cheese Night, while Jason and I enjoyed local wines, cheeses, and a live band. The kids danced their hearts out to the music, did arts and crafts, wore glow bracelets, and even got goodie bags filled with nostalgic toys like spinners and candies. Seeing their joy was everything.

Outdoor Adventures 🚴‍♀️🏀🐕

One of the best parts about staying at Roscoe Campsite Park is that there’s something for everyone. We spent time walking along the riverbanks, skipping rocks, and splashing in the water. Being in nature was such a reset for all of us—it really does feel good for the soul.

The kids also got plenty of time to run free. Emilia and Nicholas loved the playground, raced each other down the slides, and made new friends. We all shot hoops at the basketball court, and Gino had the time of his life exploring the dog park—his first official camping trip, and he was so happy.

We even learned how to press apples into cider. Emilia cranked the press with all her might while Nicholas cheered her on, and together they made apple cider that tasted even sweeter because they worked for it. Those little moments are what make family trips so special.

Why We Loved This Trip ❤️

Looking back, this trip was more than just a weekend getaway. It was about watching Emilia and Nicholas live their best lives—running, playing, laughing, and experiencing new things. It was about Jason and I slowing down, unplugging, and enjoying the simple joys of being together as a family. And it was about Gino finally joining us for a trip he could enjoy too in his golden years.

Plan Your Family Camping Trip in the Catskills 🏕️

If you’re looking for family camping in the Catskills that combines the beauty of nature with the comfort of home, Roscoe Campsite Park is the place. Whether you’re in a luxury tent like us, an RV, cabin, or another rental, you’ll find endless ways to make memories.

👉 Book your stay at RoscoeCampsite.com. Don’t forget to use code REALMOFVIBES15 to save 15% off your stay!

Trust me—you’ll want this experience too.

See my carousel and highlight reel on Instagram for a detailed look into our trip. Be sure to visit Roscoe Campsite Park and Trout Town Farms on Instagram, too.

Below is a Pin for you to save to your travel board.

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark Review

/ realmofvibes / 15 Comments

Our family needed this #hosted trip. After the year we’ve had with Nick’s medical issues (cranial helmet, heart murmur, surgery, croupe, the ‘rona, and RSV), him being a consistently inconsistent sleeper, and juggling working both inside and outside the home with a preschooler with lots of extracurricular activities and a husband in law enforcement with an insane schedule, I’ll repeat myself…

We needed this trip to The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark. The Kartrite is located in the Catskills, which is less than a two-hour drive from our home. (Monticello, New York to be exact). Check-in was a breeze, and the beautiful lobby showcased a very tall Christmas tree and the infamous blue “K” that we made a point to snap some family pictures in front of. Everyone working at the Kartrite seemed genuinely happy; everyone smiled and asked, “Can I help you with anything?” Hospitality at its finest.

We headed to our two-bedroom suite which was huge – one bedroom had a King sized bed and the master bathroom had a stall shower. Em and Nick had their own room with 2 Queen beds (Nick was in the pack-and-play). They shared a bathroom with a tub towards the entrance of the room. The living room was comfortable, and it had a table for 6 people which was great when we had dinner in the room on our last night. The balcony had a great scenic view, too. A mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker provided good creature comforts. One thing about the Kartrite, it is immaculately clean. Jason is the most annoying person in the world when it comes to accommodations, and for him to mention how clean the Kartrite was means a lot. (Trust me, we have left places because it was not up to his standard of living.)

[[Side note: I want to tell you that if you aren’t following me on Instagram, make sure you head over there and check out my highlight reel so you’ll be able to see everything I am talking about. ]]

There are so many food options at the Kartrite. We especially loved Harvey’s Wallbanger, where we had Buffalo Wings, The Cowboy Burger, the Kartrite Club (by far the biggest turkey club Jason has ever eaten in his life), and the Catskill Hot Chicken. Em loved the spaghetti and meatballs, too. We enjoyed our morning coffee and breakfast sandwiches at The Highline. We got a delicious pizza at Surfside Grille inside the waterpark.

Let’s talk about the waterpark. Did you know the Kartrite has the largest indoor waterpark in NY state? This was our family’s first time at an indoor waterpark and it did not disappoint. Lifeguards were everywhere, and floatation vests are available for anyone to use. Em and Nick both loved the “Puddle Ducks” section where little Nicholas splashed away in six inches of water with plenty of water tables. Emilia loved all of the slides. I actually stood there for 2 hours watching her go down the slides over and over and over again. (She slept until 8:30 am the next day, which is why I let her go full boar…virtual high five!) We were very fortunate that the Kartrite gave us our own cabana, loaded with drinks, snacks, oversized towels, a fan, lounge chairs, a table, comfy seating, and a flat-screen television. This was great just to chill, eat our lunch in peace, and take a break. With two little ones, a cabana is an absolute must-have. This was hands down the best part of our trip. The waterpark literally has something for everyone — attractions for littles like Em and Nick, thrill rides, a hot tub pool that goes indoors and outdoors, a lazy river, a bar for adults to indulge in a fruity cocktail or beer, and so much more. There is no greater joy than seeing my babies happy. Em had a smile from ear to ear and Nick’s laughs made me laugh. Good job, Kartrite.

Our Cabana

After we showered and had dinner, we had fun at the Playopolis arcade. Bowling at Van Winkle’s Alley was our favorite; followed by skeeball, ring toss, claw games, and carousel rides. The Kartrite has a wall climbing area, a ropes course, virtual reality, an escape cube, etc. After you earn your tickets, you go to The Vault to trade in your tickets for prizes. Em absolutely loved shopping for prizes. She left with an entire brown bag full of toys and candy that she energetically showed family members upon our return home. “I won these at the arcave.” No, it’s not a typo, it’s just how she pronounces arcade which makes J and I chuckle.

While we did as much as we could (let’s be real, we are on the kid’s schedule, not our schedule), we weren’t able to attend any of the listed daily activities. Each day Kartite has several activities for your kids and/or the family to participate in. What I love is that you can choose to do it all, do some, or just do you. The Kartrite also has a really nice gym. No, I didn’t work out, but I was able to see the machines and they looked like they would have given me a good workout. (Insert laughs here.) I would love to visit the Kartrite in the warmer months so we could enjoy the hiking trails that are conveniently located on the property. (We couldn’t do it during our stay since it is hunting season.) There is just so much to do around the Kartrite no matter what season or time of day!

The icing on the cake was when Em said, “Mommy?! Daddy?! I just want to stay here forever.”

Me too, Em. Me too.

Use code SPLASH for up to 25% off your stay at The Kartrite. Though this was a hosted trip, (thank you, Kartrite), all opinions expressed within are my own. Be sure to visit Kartrite’s website and Instagram.

Feel free to pin to your travel board: