The Gravity Vault Poughkeepsie - Poughkeepsie (NY)

5 /5 Nikki: Went on a Sunday with my husband, his sister and her family. Our nephew has just turned 5 and he wanted to climb like his awesome uncle. Wonderful experience. It has been over 3 years since my husband (an avid climber) has been to this climbing gym and my first time here. Hands down the best climbing gym weve experienced. The kid at the front desk was very kind and courteous and very patient with the little ones in tow. It was quiet and laid back, perfect for our 5yr old nephews first experience on the ropes.

4 /5 Erik Acevedo: Our kids are on spring break so we finally decided to try this place out. We made an appt for 7pm which you must do to get a slot and fill some forms out before hand. When you get there you fill out a waiver also but it’s right on an iPad at the front desk. The front desk employee wish I got her name welcomed us and was very nice. She was really good with the kids and getting to know them. Now this place there’s a lot going on and can be a hazard if not careful. First things first she got serious with them and gave them some rules. After that she got them fitted with some rock climbing shoes and a harness. She had us wait on the sofa for our instructor. We got there 15 mins early as they requested and we were seated right on time at 7pm. About a min or 2 later the instructor named Kat came to us and introduced herself and spoke with the kids briefly to get to know them and they were off to the walls. My son and daughter who are 10 and 5 were both excited and nervous. Even the kids walls seemed high to them but she assured them how safe they were in her hands. For the hour they took turns going up the walls and they loved it. My daughter through most of it would stop a quarter of the way and want to come down. At first Kat would let her come down and talk to her and reassure her she was safe. Then little by little she would hold her at the point she wanted to stop and talk her through it. Tell her to breathe and show her how she was locked at that position and she would be ok. She would push her but not to a point where my daughter would get discouraged. We loved that! But the end of the hour my son was burned out he let his sister take the last few turns and wouldn’t you know it Kat for my daughter to reach past the point she would keep stopping and get to a point she was trying to get her to reach during the session. We all cheered her on. My daughter did not want to leave. So we are definitely happy with the experience! My kids are in other memberships so we will just be doing like the 5 pack and bringing them when they get the urge to climb which I’m sure will be soon. Pricing here isn’t cheap and I wouldn’t say it’s too expensive because the experience and the 1 on 1 you’re getting is great. You get the gear and an hour with the instructor. We will be back and this time my wife and I want to try it out too.

3 /5 Lauren Lootens: This gym is super sandbagged, but that’s not too surprising considering the proximity to the gunks. The routes are interesting so at least when you’re stuck up there, you’re not bored. The problem with GV gyms is general is the insurance policy they have that requires members to sign a waiver every. single. time. the. climb. Not to mention not letting kids younger than 5 climb, even with proper gear and staff? No other gyms in the state (or tri-state that we’ve been to, including as far as middle PA) have these rules. It’s really a pain and causes the check in line to get super backed up at times. My husband and I brought our nephew, they wouldn’t let him climb and said he was too young. Didn’t offer up the information that staff can belay for 4 year olds until I mentioned it and said no one was available to help, even though several team members are milling about. No alternative times or recommendations were offered despite the clearly upset kid next to us. I understand the website has this information, but it isn’t listed clearly and needs digging. Regardless, no gym has this rule in the area and it’s a bit absurd. Wish that staff were a bit more accommodating for our group.

4 /5 Kristal Lopez: Our guide was so incredible with the kids and so helpful. He made each child feel so comfortable and each one gained their trust with him. The entire time he was so encouraging, funny and fun. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be with the kids that day. Calling to book the place was a NIGHTMARE. I felt so incredibly unwelcome, as if they didn’t want kids there. The price changed several times each time I called, then lastly they called the day before to let me know they were going to have to cancel my party because they didn’t book enough staff that day. The 3 men I spoke with on the phone were so unfriendly, rude, not helpful and just turning me off from ever going there. Gravity Vault can be a great place for kids to get out the energy, get some serious exercise, learn something new and out of the norm for them.

5 /5 Katerina Purdy: Elaine guided us through our first experience of rock climbing. She really “showed us the ropes” and we loved every minute! Great date activity!