Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park: Our Mommy-Daughter Staycation Near NYC

If there is one thing D. has always loved, it’s staying at hotels. Even when we aren’t traveling very far, checking into a hotel somehow makes everything feel like a vacation to her.

So when we had the opportunity to stay at Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park, I thought, why not turn it into our first real mommy-daughter staycation?

Just the two of us, a hotel room, plenty of pool time, and no big itinerary to follow.

Honestly, sometimes those simple little getaways end up being the ones you remember the most.

We also got to share this little getaway with our friends from NYC Tech Mommy, who were staying right next door. D. and I still had plenty of our mommy-daughter time, but having friends there made the stay even more fun.

And because Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park is so close to NYC, we could have that feeling of going away without actually traveling very far from home.

This stay was made possible thanks to our friends at Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park. We were invited to stay in exchange for my honest opinion. I did not receive monetary compensation. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you.

Why We Chose a Staycation Close to NYC

At the time, D. was constantly asking when we could stay at another hotel. She has always loved traveling, and when you’re a kid, sometimes the hotel itself is half the adventure.

I also wanted something easy.

Driving long distances by myself makes me a little anxious, so I wasn’t looking for a big road trip. I wanted us to feel like we were getting away without spending hours in the car.

Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park ended up being perfect for what I had in mind.

It was only about a 30-minute drive for us, but the minute we checked in, Daniela felt like we were officially on vacation.

I told her this little trip was all about us spending time together and that we could pretty much relax and enjoy the hotel without rushing around trying to fit a million things into one night.

That was really the whole point of our staycation—just a little quality time together.

Where Is Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park?

The hotel is located in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, just outside New York City.

That makes it a convenient option for local families who want a quick staycation, but I also think the location is worth considering if you’re visiting the NYC area and don’t necessarily want to stay right in Manhattan.

You’re close enough to make NYC part of your trip, while still having easy access to several North Jersey attractions.

Another big plus if you’re driving is complimentary self-parking. Anyone who has stayed around NYC knows that hotel parking can quickly become another big travel expense.

Our Room at Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park

Of course, one of the first things D. wanted to do was explore our room.

Kids have a way of making even checking the drawers and jumping onto the bed feel exciting when you’re staying somewhere new.

Our room gave us plenty of space to settle in and get comfortable, and the beds were super comfy—something I definitely appreciated after spending time at the pool.

But what I remember most wasn’t really anything fancy.

It was being able to come back to the room, get comfortable, watch TV, talk, and just hang out together without having anywhere else we needed to be.

That’s one of the things I love about a staycation. You don’t need an itinerary packed from morning until night for it to feel special.

For families who need more space, the hotel currently offers connecting-room options, which may be helpful when traveling with kids or another family.

Planning your own stay? You can check current rates and availability for Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park here

The Indoor Pool Was Definitely D’s Favorite Part

Now let’s talk about the part D. was waiting for—the pool!

I’m pretty sure most parents know how this goes. You can tell the kids about everything you’re going to do on a trip, and one of their first questions is still:

“Does the hotel have a pool?”

Thankfully, this one did.

The indoor pool at Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park was probably the highlight of the entire stay for D.

And guess what?

We had the whole pool to ourselves!

She was so happy.

There was no rushing because we had somewhere else to be and no trying to squeeze in 20 minutes of swimming before another activity. We could simply enjoy ourselves.

Looking back, that’s probably one of my favorite memories from our stay too.

The hotel still has an indoor pool, although I always recommend checking pool hours and availability before a trip if swimming is a must for your kids.

Is Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park Good for Families?

Based on our experience, yes.

What I like is that you don’t necessarily need to plan a huge trip around staying here.

For a family stay, you’ll find things like an indoor pool, free parking, free Wi-Fi, connecting-room options, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center.

But for us, it wasn’t really about checking off a list of amenities.

D. was happy.

She got her hotel stay and plenty of pool time, and I got the uninterrupted one-on-one time with her that I was hoping for.

Sometimes that’s more than enough to make a getaway feel special.

What About Breakfast?

Breakfast is always something I check when we’re staying at a hotel, especially when traveling with kids.

Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park has an on-site restaurant, Garden Grille & Bar, where breakfast is available.

One thing to know before booking is that breakfast isn’t automatically included with every room rate, so definitely check the details of the rate or package you choose.

For us, even sitting down for breakfast was part of the staycation experience. There is just something about waking up in a hotel and going to breakfast that makes an ordinary morning feel a little more like vacation.

Free Parking Is a Nice Bonus Near NYC

This probably wasn’t very exciting to D., but it definitely mattered to me.

The hotel currently offers complimentary self-parking, which is something I’d absolutely consider when comparing hotels around the NYC area.

Parking fees can add up quickly, especially when you’re already paying for a hotel, meals, and family activities.

If you’re driving into the area, being able to leave the car at the hotel without another overnight parking charge is a nice bonus.

Things to Do Near Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park

We didn’t need a packed itinerary for our mommy-daughter staycation, but if you’re turning your visit into a family weekend, there are plenty of ways to add more to the trip.

Visit American Dream

American Dream in East Rutherford is about six miles from the hotel, so it’s an easy attraction to pair with an overnight stay.

With indoor attractions, shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one place, you could easily spend most of the day there before heading back to the hotel.

And if your kids still have energy after all of that… there’s always the pool!

Make It a Family Weekend in New Jersey

You could also skip Manhattan altogether and turn your stay into a New Jersey family weekend.

One place we’ve visited as a family is Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in New Jersey. If your kids are into knights, cheering, and a dinner that’s definitely not your typical night out, it’s such a fun experience.

Pair something like Medieval Times or American Dream with a hotel stay and suddenly one night away feels like a much bigger family getaway.

Spend a Day in New York City

Of course, you can also make NYC part of your trip.

If you’re visiting New York City with kids, I wouldn’t try to squeeze everything into one day. Pick a couple of things your family really wants to see and give yourself enough time to actually enjoy them.

I’ve put together some of our favorite fun things to do in New York City with kids if you need ideas for planning your day.

And if you’re trying to keep the cost of your getaway down, take a look at my guide to free places to visit in New York City too. There are plenty of ways to experience the city without buying another attraction ticket for everyone in the family.

Just remember that you’re staying outside Manhattan, so I would figure out how you’re getting into and out of NYC before you head out for the day.

Could You Stay Here Instead of Staying in Manhattan?

I think this really depends on the kind of trip you’re planning.

If your dream NYC vacation means walking out of your hotel and immediately being in the middle of Times Square, then I would probably stay in Manhattan.

But if you’re driving, traveling with kids, want free hotel parking, plan on visiting both New Jersey and NYC, or simply don’t need to sleep right in Manhattan, Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park is worth considering.

The hotel currently says buses to New York City stop outside the property and can reach Port Authority in about 20 minutes. I would still check the current bus schedule and transportation options before your trip since schedules can always change.

I also wouldn’t choose a hotel outside NYC based on price alone.

Think about where you’re actually planning to spend your time. If you’re going back and forth to Manhattan several times, convenience may matter more than saving a little on the room.

For us, none of that was really an issue because we weren’t trying to squeeze sightseeing into this trip.

We were there for our mommy-daughter staycation.

A Few Things to Know Before Booking

There are a few practical things I would check when planning your stay.

Current hotel information lists check-in at 3:00 PM and checkout at 12:00 PM, which gives you a little extra time in the morning before packing everyone up.

Breakfast is available, but check your particular reservation because it may not be included.

If your kids are anything like D. and the indoor pool is going to be a major part of the trip, confirm the current pool hours before you arrive.

And if you’re planning to visit NYC during your stay, figure out your transportation beforehand. It’s one less thing to worry about once you’re there.

Is Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park Near American Dream?

Yes. American Dream is approximately six miles from Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park, making the hotel a convenient option if you want to combine an American Dream visit with an overnight stay.

For families coming from farther away, I can definitely see the appeal of spending the day having fun and then heading back to a nearby hotel instead of making a long drive home.

Does Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park Have an Indoor Pool?

Yes. The hotel currently has an indoor pool.

And as you can probably tell from our experience, that was easily D.’s favorite amenity.

We were lucky enough to have it completely to ourselves when we went swimming, which made our mommy-daughter getaway even more fun.

Is Parking Free at Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park?

Yes. The hotel currently offers complimentary self-parking.

For families traveling by car, I think this is one of those little things that can make a big difference when comparing hotels close to NYC.

Is Breakfast Included?

Not automatically.

Breakfast is currently available for a fee, although Hilton may offer certain rates or packages that include breakfast. I would check exactly what your reservation includes before booking rather than assuming breakfast comes with the room.

Would We Stay at Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park Again?

Absolutely—especially for another easy getaway when we want that vacation feeling without going very far.

Looking back at these pictures now makes me smile because this wasn’t some huge family vacation we spent months planning.

It was simply a night away with my girl.

D. got to stay at a hotel, swim to her heart’s content, and feel like she was on vacation. I got the quality time with her that I was looking for.

And having our friends from NYC Tech Mommy there made the experience even more fun while still giving D. and me that special time together.

Sometimes that’s really all you need.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel near NYC, planning a visit to American Dream, or simply want to give the kids the excitement of a hotel stay without traveling too far, Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park is one to consider.

Ready to plan your stay? You can check current rates and availability for Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park here

Our stay was hosted by Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park. All experiences and opinions shared in this post are my own. Hotel amenities, policies, rates, transportation options, and availability can change, so I always recommend confirming current details before your trip.s recommend confirming current details before your trip.

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Hey there! I’m Iveth, a former Paralegal turned SAHM and Homeschool Mom for a short time. I’m all about lifestyle and family travel, with a special love for road trips and family-friendly spots. I’m also a tip-sharer, a Disney fanatic, and all things savings. Join me on my journey!

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