Parents appreciate Stanford Inn adventures that appeal to every family member, from tots to teens to four-paw siblings. There are classics, like a heated saltwater swimming pool or pails and shovels perfect for building sandcastles. But this family-run resort, with its spacious suites and on-property bike and boat rentals, also promises exciting surprises.
Innkeepers Joan and Jeff Stanford have been stewarding the Stanford Inn for more than 40 years. They’ve made the property a family-friendly getaway from the start, offering activities designed with their own children (and today, their own grandchildren) in mind.
Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too, rents bikes, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards right on the resort grounds. It’s a go-to for active families, thanks to stable outrigger and catamaran canoes seating up to eight people and special canine cruisers that accommodate dogs. Explore on your own, or spot river otters, harbor seals and birds on a guided Big River tour. Stanford Inn guests can also check out complimentary bikes and ride the Big River Trail near the resort.
The inn’s kid-friendly guided walking tours showcase wildlife and wonders like the pygmy forest in Van Damme State Park. Scavenger hunts spotlight the resort gardens. Children also love meeting the rescued llamas, horses, ducks and donkeys – including two standards and three miniatures – who live on the property.
Large Stanford Inn suites serve as a comfortable home base for families, complete with living spaces, separate bedrooms, outdoor seating, and refrigerators and microwaves. There’s streaming television service and complimentary Wi-Fi, too. Free breakfast at Ravens Restaurant makes a stay even more budget friendly.
