When my almost six-year-old told me he wanted to go on a weekend adventure away to celebrate his upcoming birthday, I wanted a place he (and the whole family) would have a blast and remember forever. A friend recommended The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, New York’s largest indoor water park in the Catskills. Since we are a family that loves a waterpark—especially one that feels like a bonafide getaway—I knew it would be ideal for a birthday celebration. I booked a two-bedroom suite big enough for my family and Andrew’s friend Lucas and his crew (his mom and sister joined, too), and we headed up the Turnpike to the park in Monticello, New York. (featured photo credit: Kartrite Resort)
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Pulling up to paradise at The Katrite Resort
The drive to Katrite was easy, about 2 hours and 10 minutes from my house in Monmouth County. As we pulled up, I noticed the resort looked modern and inviting, nestled amongst the mountains, and the excitement was building. We parked in the lot (parking is free) and entered the beautifully appointed, chic lobby that felt chic and family-friendly. The staff was helpful and told us that while our room wasn’t ready, we were welcome to use the waterpark, so we put our luggage in storage, got our wristbands and swimsuits (you could change in the locker rooms), and were all set to play.
Making a splash at the Katrite waterpark
Entering the waterpark was like stepping into a tropical oasis—with the air temperature at a humid 84 degrees and tropical plants and trees everywhere—it felt like we had landed on a Caribbean island. It’s covered entirely in a texlon transparent roof, letting in natural sunlight and lending to the tropical feel. The large, well-planned waterpark was a great size for my kids, offering plenty to enjoy and explore while still allowing me to keep an eye on them. We decided to rent an Upper Mezzanine Cabana for the day—we wanted the comfort of having a space all to ourselves—and it proved to be a great idea since all the kids and adults took breaks there throughout the day to eat and rest. Our cabana had a private server for food and drinks (hello, pina colada!), lounge chairs, snacks, a fridge full of drinks, and a TV. Once we settled in, it was time to hit the water. All the kids (and adults) loved the four giant waterslides – Krakken, Time Warp, Nor’easter, and Jiggerty Jaggerty. We raced down the Jiggerty Jaggerty on mats and were delighted to see who made it to the bottom first. Apart from the slides, we went on a relaxing tube ride along Empire Bay (their version of a lazy river), splashed across the rope bridge in Later Gator Crossing, and dumped on by giant water buckets at Kartrite Island.
But I have to admit, The Flow Rider, a surfing simulator, was my favorite. I’m not a surfer, but I thought I’d try it, and I’m so glad I did. The helpful instructor did his best to get me to try moves I was comfortable with. It may not have looked graceful, but I had a blast. After my surf session, we all hopped into the hot tub, with doors that opened to the outside attached to the heated pool. It was refreshing, especially with the (cold) fresh air coming in. The kids also enjoyed the pool basketball area and loved challenging themselves on the leap pads.
Relaxing in our room
After a full day in the waterpark, we got our keys to our two-bedroom suite with a balcony. The suite was spacious and comfortable, decorated with a contemporary aesthetic that was also family-friendly. It felt like an apartment and had all the amenities we’d need during our two-night stay, including a pullout couch, a table and chairs, a microwave, and a mini fridge. I appreciated it had two separate bathrooms, giving each family privacy when we needed it and our own space.
After settling in and changing, we headed downstairs for dinner at Bixby’s. Located on the lobby level of the Kartrite, Bixby’s is a sit-down restaurant with the modern, chic décor Kartrite is known for. All the kids ordered burgers off the kids’ menu, and I ordered the salmon and tried my husband’s steak—both were delicious. After dinner, we were so tired that we decided to return to the room and rest for the next day.
Fun and games on dry land
In the morning, we explored all the activities around the resort after breakfast. There’s a daily calendar of creative and family activities, including sand art, family karaoke, and lots of fun maker projects for an additional fee. We loved playing a game of candy bingo and decorating our own donuts. In the afternoon, a family movie played in the lobby, and we saw a magic show. We thought about trying out one of the non-water activities, the escape cube, arcade, bowling, rock climbing, ropes course, 3D gaming experience, or laser tag, but ended up spending more time at the waterpark. Later that night, as we celebrated the end of the weekend, we all agreed we made some incredible memories and vowed to make this an annual birthday visit.
What to know before you go to Kartrite
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark is in the Catskills mountains of NY, only 90 miles from Manhattan and a little over two hours from parts of New Jersey. With 324 luxurious guest suites ranging from one to three bedrooms, accommodations fit all sized families and groups. There is an outdoor courtyard area that includes fire pits (perfect for roasting s’mores) and Adirondack-style chairs. The Kartrite is a cashless resort, and outside food and beverages are prohibited except in the room. There are seven dining and bar locations, including the buffet-style Eat. Eat. Eat., fine dining at Bixby’s Derby (reservations are highly recommended), the casual Surfside Grille, and ice cream at Pop’s Sweet Shoppe. If you want to explore, Katrite offers five excellent trails with nearly 6 miles of scenic hiking.
Thanks to the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark for hosting our stay; you can also visit them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
555 Resorts World Drive
Monticello, NY 12701
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