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Why the Pocono Mountains May be the Best Place to Visit to Unplug

Find the perfect getaway that's just outside of the country's largest metros.

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Pocono Mountains

Courtesy of Jason Jenkins under a CC 4.0 license.

Take a deep breath and relax – or go on wild adventures – in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, where forested peaks, lakes, rivers and valleys are abundant. Everything from waterfalls to river beaches to ski runs are available to visitors, and fun is abundant during every season of the year.

Here are some things to do and places to visit in the Poconos:

Hit the Slopes

Enjoy skiing? The Poconos has more than 160 ski trails for those who like to downhill ski as well as snowboard, snow tube, cross-country ski, toboggan and snowshoe. Top spots include Big Boulder Ski Area and Adventure Center at Skytop, and some of the venues have lakes for ice skating or ice fishing.

Head Outdoors

Are you more of a warm-weather person? The Poconos has more than 250 miles of hiking and biking trails along with nine state parks and two national parks. Many opportunities are available for boating and fishing excursions, and the Poconos has 35 golf courses.

Get Splashed

Both kids and adults can have a blast at indoor and outdoor waterparks in the region. Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark offers 37 rides, slides and attractions, while H2Oooohh Indoor Waterpark at Split Rock Resort & Golf Club has a wave pool, tubing slides and Tiki bar. Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor waterpark open to the public for groups of 20 or more.

Embrace Adventure

Let the river be your playground when whitewater rafting along Lehigh River Gorge in Jim Thorpe, PA. Jim Thorpe River Adventures books exciting excursions aboard rafts or inflatable kayaks, while Lander’s River Trips provides rafting, canoeing and kayaking excitement on the Delaware River.

 

Go Dancing

The Poconos has a variety of nightclubs for those who want to keep partying after the sun goes down. Two hotspots are Applause Nightclub and Paradise Stream Nightclub, while Wet Nightclub has a Get Wet Ultra Pool every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m. with international DJs and big-name acts performing by the pool. Champagne Palace Nightclub hosts comedians, live bands and DJs and features award-winning cocktails.

Enjoy the Performances

Book your vacation when the annual season-long Pocono Mountains Music Festival takes place throughout the summer at a number of venues. The festival showcases top performers in chamber music, cabaret, jazz, pop and musical theater, with audiences always seated close to the various acts.

Grab a Bite

The Poconos is known for its excellent family restaurants. Popular spots include Bailey’s Rib & Steakhouse, Compton’s Pancake House, Kanya’s Thai Orchid, Mountain Creek Grill & Sports Lounge, Pennsyltucky Grill, Rootin’ Tooin’ Hog Dogs, Siamsa Irish Pub and The Dock on Wallenpaupack.

Tour the Asa

Home to philanthropist, railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University Asa Packer (1805-1879), the Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA was built in 1861 and today is open to the public for one-hour tours. Highlights of the three-story, 17-room mansion include a red-ribbed tin roof, two-story covered porch and original Victorian furnishings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Litwin is the author of Crazy Lucky Dead and a freelance feature writer with a career spanning more than 20 years. He was previously an editor for a small-town newspaper for ... more

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Fri, 01/04/2019 - 17:16