One weekday night stay at an award-winning cheese farm: Sprout Creek Farm, an easy 90-min drive north of the city, near Poughkeepsie. (Value $225) 

The 200 acres that comprise this not-for-profit working farm, educational facility and farmers' market offer a great chance for your family to don rubber boots  and relax with farm animals. Depending on the season, call head to reserve a slot to help with evening chores (extracharges apply). 

The three-bedroom, non-smoking cottage that will be your home for one night comes with a full kitchen, dining room,living/board-game room, den with a wood-burning fireplace and a garden all around it. (No tv so take a break from that too! There is WIFI.)