Cool Summer Stays

By: Mauri Elbel

May, 2025

By Mauri Elbel and Kristin Finan

School is almost out, the Texas temps are about to reach fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot, and the kids will soon be begging for summer adventures. When those sunny and structureless days of summer beckon a change of scenery, consider a family trip to one of these kid-approved properties. From big Texas cities to cool Colorado destinations to a casino-resort in Oklahoma, here are four family-friendly stays guaranteed to keep boredom at bay and offer some fun summertime memories to bring back home.

Kids will love the deluxe family room with built-in bunk beds at Gaylord Rockies. Photo by Mauri Elbel

Bunk up at Gaylord Rockies

I’m not sure if it’s the cozy in-room bunk beds, the year-round heated indoor-outdoor waterpark, or the at-your-fingertips food and entertainment that my kids love most about staying at Gaylord Rockies Resort. They love it all –– and I really love that this sprawling family-friendly resort sitting at the edge of the Front Range is mere minutes from the Denver International Airport and just a half-hour from downtown Denver attractions.

We’ve stayed at this 85-acre property known as the “Gateway to the Rockies” multiple times before heading to the mountains to ski. Not only is it convenient to the Denver airport when your flight arrives late at night or departs early in the morning, but it’s also the perfect family-friendly spot to chill out and have some fun while adjusting to the higher altitude, which more than doubles at most Colorado ski resorts.

Throughout the year, but especially during spring and summer months, the main draw for kids is the Arapahoe Springs Water Park, which overnight guests have unlimited access to. Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, this year-round waterpark features indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, thrilling waterslides, a lazy river, and poolside cabanas, cocktails and drinks. When you’re not swimming and splashing in the Colorado summertime sunshine, families can find fun in the form of s’mores by the campfire, tennis and basketball, the TopGolf Swing Suite, animal encounters, bike rentals, sunrise yoga, or relaxing at the world-class Relâche Spa.

An exclusive amenity for resort guests, Arapahoe Springs Water Park offers indoor and outdoor pools, waterslides, a lazy river, and sunbathing decks in Aurora, Colorado. Contributed by Gaylord Rockies

When it’s time to feed the crew, there’s more than a dozen restaurants and bars to choose from. Our kids love eating at Mountain Pass Sports Bar, where on two separate trips, they’ve gotten to watch the Texas Longhorns play on the 75-foot flat-panel TV that stretches across the entire restaurant. But in the last two years, the Gaylord Rockies has added five new culinary experiences, including two standouts we got to enjoy on our recent trip –– Garden + Grain, which focuses on fresh, organic, locally-sourced dishes, and Copper Table, which serves up hearty Western-inspired fare like locally-caught stuffed trout and Great Range bison meatloaf. More at Gaylord Rockies Resort.

-Mauri Elbel

Writer Kristin Finan and daughter Allie road trip to see Rascal Flatts at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Oklahoma.

Sing your heart out at Choctaw Casino and Resort

I’ll be the first to admit that a casino-resort may not sound like the ideal mother-daughter getaway when you’ve got a 9-year-old. But when I heard that her favorite band, Rascal Flatts, had reunited and was going to be playing a show at the resort’s 3,000-capacity Grand Theatre in February, I couldn’t resist a road trip.

Located just 4.5 hours from Austin, Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, offers a wide variety of fun for a weekend getaway and, as we would learn during our quick stay, is surprisingly kid friendly. Among the main draws is the intimate theater, which brings acts from around the country such as Charley Crockett, Jo Dee Messina, Halsey, and Train.

We arrived just in time to take our seats and the pure delight on my daughter Allie’s face as the band took the stage was priceless. As the band, led by Gary LeVox, worked through a setlist brimming with hits such as “These Days,” “Bless the Broken Road,” and “My Wish,” we sang along to every word. The highlight, however, was the encore, which included an electric rendition of “Life is a Highway,” Allie’s favorite song.

Although we only stayed one night, we were able to enjoy many of the attractions at the resort, which is home to 1,000 beautifully appointed guest rooms and more than 20 bars and restaurants. Allie loved our late-night stop at Papa John’s for a personal pizza, while I thought our lunch at Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen and Bar, aka Flavortown, was a standout.

An on-site self-guided art walk features 58 pieces by Choctaw artists. Photo by Kristin Finan

The resort also features 7,400 slot machines, over 100 table games, and a state-of-the-art poker room as well as an area for kids and teenagers that includes a movie theatre, an arcade, and a bowling alley. The Las Vegas-style pools are also a must, as is the on-site self-guided art walk that features 58 pieces by Choctaw artists. More at: https://www.choctawcasinos.com/durant/.

-Kristin Finan

Soaring high above the Colorado Springs wilderness is the all-inclusive Cloud Camp. Photo by Mauri Elbel

Sleep in Colorado’s clouds at Cloud Camp

Cloud Camp, The Broadmoor’s highest wilderness experience, is a dreamland that could only exist in the Colorado clouds. Perched atop Cheyenne Mountain at an elevation of 9,200 feet, Cloud Camp is an all-inclusive mountaintop hideaway that soars high above Colorado Springs. Built on the footprint and philosophies of Cheyenne Mountain Lodge, the original private retreat created by Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose in 1926, the reimagined Cloud Camp is wrapped by 360-degree views of the Colorado mountains and plains spilling out below. Guests at this luxury-meets-wilderness retreat remain connected to The Broadmoor’s flawless service, amenities and culinary offerings –– they just get to experience them in a more intimate setting at a much higher altitude.

Even getting to Cloud Camp is an adventure –– guests choose from riding a mule, braving the steep and strenuous three-hour hike, or being chauffeured in a Cadillac Escalade (we’re guilty of the latter). Upon arrival, we were greeted with icy glasses of fresh-squeezed berry lemonade as our luggage was taken to accommodations –– a two-bedroom log cabin tucked in the surrounding pines and aspens just steps from a pair of hot tubs overlooking Pikes Peak, Colorado’s Front Range, and the plains to the east. Guests can opt to stay in one of 15 cabins sprinkled throughout the forested summit, or in a guest room or honeymoon suite in the Main Lodge.

One of 15 cabins at The Broadmoor’s wilderness property, Cloud Camp, located 3,000 feet above The Broadmoor Hotel on Cheyenne Mountain. Contributed by The Broadmoor

At Cloud Camp, you’ll never stress about a meal. Seasoned chefs prepare three meals a day – hearty breakfasts that always begin with a heaping plate of baked in-house sticky buns and pastries, casual lunches, and a rotating menu of locally-inspired three-course dinners. During the day, families can pick from a slew of activities ranging from mule rides and yoga to archery, lawn games and hiking. At night, our family always followed dinner with s’mores roasted around the firepit and star-gazing before drifting off to sleep in our storybook log cabin. The Broadmoor’s Wilderness Experiences are all-inclusive of meals, house beverages, and a wide range of on-camp activities. More at https://www.broadmoor.com/cloud-camp.

-Mauri Elbel

When you stay at the Hilton Anatole, just north of Dallas, you’ll find an entertainment complex designed to relax and delight the whole family. Photo by Kristin Finan

Make a splash at Dallas’ Hilton Anatole

There was no denying the screams of excitement that flew from my daughters’ mouths the minute we stepped foot into our suite at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. Located just three hours from Austin, this sprawling hotel property is known for a variety of things — including its massive on-site waterpark and its extensive art collection — and seemed like the perfect home base for a spring break getaway.

Kids will love the family suite, which sleeps up to six. Photo by Kristin Finan

The most exciting part of the whole trip for my kids, however, who range in ages from 9 to 16, was our themed Camp Anatole hotel room, which came complete with camp-themed bunk beds, a twinkle-light-adorned tent, a colorful array of snacks, and a selection of camp-themed games and activities.

By day, the excitement continued once we discovered the JadeWaters Resort Pool Complex, a 3-acre waterpark that includes a 7,000-square-foot beach-entry pool, two winding 180-foot waterslides, and a 630-foot lazy river. While my kids made a splash, I enjoyed some downtime at our private cabana, where I enjoyed a delectable selection of hummus and fresh veggies, chips and salsa, and mini tacos, before making my way to the hot tub.

At JadeWaters resort pool complex, splash the day away in the leisure pool with a swim-up bar, kids splash and play area, lazy river, luxury cabanas and two 180 ft. slides. Photo by Kristin Finan

Once we were sufficiently soaked, we headed inside to check in for our reservation at the hotel’s on-site TopGolf Swing Suite, an indoor virtual simulator that allows users to choose from a variety of games and experiences including zombie dodgeball, baseball, football, hockey, and golf, naturally.

Although my kids were very happy staying on property, the hotel is also in close proximity to many of Dallas’ major attractions and is literally next door to Medieval Times, where you can spend a night –– or should I say knight? –– taking in a two-hour show that includes a huge dose of pageantry, jousting and food (but, sadly, no female knights).

More at https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dfwanhh-hilton-anatole/.

-Kristin Finan