It's not surprising that visitors come to Pocono Mountains, as it offers skiing, hiking, family-friendly activities, and romance.
Plenty of places to visit fill this beautiful and scenic region. A variety of small towns, combined with mountain and wilderness experiences, mixed in with adventure sports and water parks all make the Poconos a very appealing destination for many visitors.
Historic Towns
Much of the four counties that make up the Poconos region were settled early in America's history. And now, many of these small towns have revitalized historic town centers filled with bars, restaurants, museums, art galleries, antique shops, wineries and breweries, and historic homes. Some of these towns include Stroudsburg, Millford, Jim Thorpe, Hawley, and Bushkill, among others.
Lakes
Over 150 lakes can be found in the Poconos. While some are large enough for boating and watersports, others are smaller tranquil destinations for swimming or canoeing. All of them are great summer getaway spots for anyone looking for a serene, outdoor experience. Lake Wallenpaupack is the largest, and other popular lakes include Lake Naomi and Stillwater Lake in Pocono Pines, and Beltzville Lake near the towns of Jim Thorpe and Lehighton.
State Parks and Conservation Areas
If you want to get out into nature, plenty of park land is available for hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Nearly all of the towns have some sort of park area nearby. Some of the most popular park areas are along the Delaware River, such as the Delaware Water Gap NRA.
The Poconos are popular all year long, as every season offers fun activities. In fact, several indoor water parks can be found in the region that are open all-year (Aquatopia at Camelback, Kalahari Resort, Great Wolf Lodge).
In the winter, skiing and snowboarding is popular at several ski resort areas. Camelback Mountain is one of the most popular, as is Blue Mountain Resort, Jack Frost Big Boulder, Big Bear, and Shawnee Mountain.
In the summer, hiking, swimming, camping, mountain biking, golf, and other outdoor activities are very popular. Camelback Mountain becomes Camelbeach in the summer, which is a large outdoor water park on the mountain. Wildlife viewing, boating, and fishing on the many lakes are also favorites of the recurring visitors year after year.
In the autumn, the changing of the leaves is very popular. Visitors often come to experience the outdoors by staying in cabins, hiking, biking, camping, or just visiting the small towns.
The Poconos are also known to be a romantic destination for couples, honeymooners, or even for weddings. A variety of romance themed adults-only resorts can be found in the region, such as Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, and Pocono Palace Resort. Naturally, a large number of smaller Inns and Bed & Breakfasts cater to couples, too.
Skiing:
The skiing and snowboarding in Pocono Mountains are some of the main attractions here. There are a number of ski resorts in the area that offer family-friendly skiing or more advanced options. Some of the most popular ski areas are Big Boulder, Blue Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and Jack Frost Mountain.
Hiking:
The hiking around Pocono Mountains is terrific. There are miles of hiking trails that take you through forests or to spectacular waterfalls. Trails range from easy to challenging and each offers a great way to escape into nature. Some of the more popular trails are found in Tobyhanna State Park and Promised Land State Park. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the area.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Pocono Mountains. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Delaware Water Gap Air Tour for $141 details
- Private Mount Pocono Observation Air Tour for $78 details
- Trolley Tour in Historic Jim Thorpe for $24 details
I found some cheaper hotels a little further away from the main ski areas. Skiing here can get pricey, but it's not as much as in the western states, so it's somewhat affordable for a weekend. Restaurants aren't too bad either, and we had a kitchen so we could make meals.