updated 3:39 p.m. ET July 20, 2007

A family vacation should be a time to bring parents and children together, an opportunity for rare "quality time" that's often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It should be an escape from cell phones and soccer practice, from overtime and dance lessons.

But let's face it, parents — the thought of waiting in long lines at amusement parks or spending hours at a petting zoo doesn't exactly thrill you. And your kids wouldn't jump for joy at the thought of a leisurely 18 holes of golf or a day of pampering at the spa.

The solution is simple: take a vacation to a family resort. All across the country, resorts cater to both children and adults, with supervised activities that the kids will love and many recreational opportunities for adults. Resorts are also great options for multi-generational trips or family reunions, offering activities to suit everyone from Grandma to little Timmy. Specials and packages are often available for families and groups, especially at non-peak travel times.

Here are our picks for the top 10 U.S. family resorts:

Smugglers' Notch, Vermont: Smugglers' Notch Resort
In the summer months, Smugglers' Notch Resort takes advantage of its Green Mountain location to focus on the outdoors. Summer day camps give children ages 3 through 17 the chance to mountain bike, hike, canoe, fish and rock climb. In specialty programs, older children can up their adrenaline by skateboarding and kayaking. Nature lovers can explore nearby beaver ponds and wetlands, while artsy kids can paint, create jewelry and make clay sculptures. Even children ages six weeks to three years can get in on the fun at Treasures, a state-licensed childcare facility.

But kids aren't the only ones having fun. With wildflower walks, golf outings and local wine tastings, parents will never grow restless. The entire family can cool off at water play pools equipped with sprays and slides. In winter, Smugglers' offers instructional programs for kids in skiing and snowboarding, plus such homegrown fun as sledding and bonfires with hot cocoa.

Scottsdale, Arizona: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch
The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale's Sonoran desert setting blooms with flowers, palm trees and an impressive waterscape of swimming pools, fountains and waterfalls. Kids can spend the entire day whirling down the three-story water slide and playing along the sand beach at the shallow end of one pool. Camp Hyatt's activities reflect the local heritage. Kids ages 3 through 12 learn the art of cowboy roping, go on lizard scavenger hunts, learn Native American dances and sing along at campfires. The concierge can also arrange desert Jeep tours, horseback riding excursions and hot air balloon rides.

Kiawah Island, S.C.: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Located 30 minutes outside of Charleston, Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the top-rated golf resorts in the country, offering five different courses — including one designed by Jack Nicklaus. Your littlest golfers can start learning the game as early as age 4 in the resort's Tiny Tots program, while a wide array of clinics and camps are available for older kids and adults.

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Beyond the links, kids can kayak, canoe, hike, bike, play tennis or simply hit the beach. Kamp Kiawah offers organized activities throughout the day for kids 3 - 11, including treasure hunts, tie-dyeing and puppet-making — leaving parents plenty of time to play 18 holes or hit the spa. Meanwhile, youth and teens age 12 - 17 get their own scene with pool parties, evening socials and capture the flag tournaments.

Maui, Hawaii: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
Even your most blase child, the one who never gets impressed with anything, will produce an "awesome" upon registering at the Grand Wailea. Waterfalls, world-class art and a profusion of orchids and plumeria create the ambience of an island fantasy.

And the children's center is even better. The 20,000-square-foot Camp Grande, for ages 5 through 12, features a movie theater, craft room, Nintendo game room and soda fountain. Despite all these amenities, it's the pool that makes the biggest splash. Most kids — and teens — want to spend all day tumbling down the water slides, swimming with the simulated river current, jumping on the rope swing and cavorting like dolphins in this water playground. While your kids are happily occupied, indulge in the luxurious Spa Grande with body wraps, massages, facials and specialty baths.

New Paltz, N.Y.: Mohonk Mountain House
A National Historic Landmark, Mohonk Mountain House has a castle-like look and a woodland setting of thousands of acres in the Shawangunk Mountains, 90 miles north of New York City. Families can hike along miles of carriage roads, play tennis, swim in the lake and watch movies on the lawn. Families won't want to miss the seven-week arts festival with performances by mimes, string quartets and storytellers.

Ciao, Sonoma Fine dining, delicious wines make region a popular draw

In the winter, families can ice skate on the frozen lake and glide along 22 miles of cross-country trails. During the December holiday festival, activities include roasting chestnuts and decorating gingerbread houses. From June through Labor Day, the Kids' Club offers nature hikes, pony rides, frog hunts and swimming for ages 2 through 12. In off-peak months, a modified program operates on weekends and holidays. Older kids can check out the Teen Scene, offering mountain biking, day hikes, tennis clinics and more.

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