The Drive: Newark, Ohio Miles: 138 Happy Trails: Each weekend from Sept. 22 to Oct. 19, the lodge hosts the Devine Fall Getaway for families, with pumpkin massages and tickets to Devine Farms, home to a pumpkin patch and hayrides. |
Guest rooms are a neutral territory between the fancy-yet-rustic atmosphere of the lodge proper and the 50,000-square-foot CoCo Key Water Resort. At CoCo Key, swimwear is encouraged at the Galley Snack Bar (featuring a Pizza Hut Express and Dippin’ Dots galore). Back at Sunflower’s Restaurant, no swimsuits are allowed, but the staff seems well versed in accommodating young diners. You can choose a “Soup of the Moment” while the kids get their chicken nugget fix.
The room layouts feature a swiveling, flatscreen TV between beds situated at opposite sides of the room, so family members get a little more privacy than usual. While Mom’s getting a massage at the Banyan Leaf Spa, Dad can take the kids on an exploratory adventure through the hotel’s grounds — the large pond and labeled foliage are easy to find, but a thorough investigation will yield even more distractions, from a fire pit and playground to secluded spots for a lazy lounge. 1-800-788-8008, www.cherryvalleylodge.com