Advice about Poconos in PA

[Tink3815]

We live in NY state-western NY- and are very limited to where we can travel to because of Covid. PA is still allowed to travel to we where thinking of visiting the Pocono Mountain in east PA. Any ideas what city we should base our selves out of. I realize a lot may be closed, but just need to get away.
Any ideas appreciated

 

[MarBee]

Are you looking to rent a home or stay in a hotel? Hotels in the area are somewhat...motel, unless you’re staying at one of the water parks like Great Wolf or Kalahari.
It also depends on what you’re comfortable and not comfortable doing. Would a water park be in your comfort zone? Or are you more looking for a relax on the lake sort of vacation?

 

[RUDisney]

You can try to rent a home on Lake Wallenpaupack. You'd have lakefront and probably a dock at most. You can hang out at night and build a fire near the shore. If you don't have a boat, you can rent one. This lake is the largest manmade lake in PA. It takes about an hour to leisurely boat across and about an hour to drive around. It truly is lovely.

You can stay at a water park or go to one that is outside. Camelbeach is in Tannersville and is outside. There is outlet shopping in Tannersville and just up the road a bit is Mount Airy Casino Resort. They have a nice indoor/outdoor pool, from what i understand, fine dining and adult entertainment in the casino. It was just on the news that you can rent a theater for $100 for the first hour and $25 for additional hours for giant screen gaming, if that's your thing. There is a quaint small town "Main Street" section in Stroudsburg and in Honesdale. There is horseback riding, too.

Lots to do in the Poconos.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

We’ve vacationed in the Poconos twice over Christmas break, but not in the summer. I’d think there is even more to do in the summer time with the water parks, golf, hiking and boating. Even some of the snow tubing places convert to summer tubing.

Things we’ve done in winter: bowling, movies, Mt. Airy Casino, snow tubing, horseback riding, general sightseeing of waterfalls and quaint towns.

We usually stay at Fernwood Resort in the Tree Top Villas or the Villas at Fairway. We’ve gotten the condos via RCI with a timeshare exchange, but condos here are rented out as well.

 

[MarBee]

A little “Disney” tip- try to check out the town of Jim Thorpe. It’s a cool little town with cute little shops and cafes. They have the Asa Mansion there. It was the mansion that was used as the model for the haunted mansion.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I went there once when I lived in NY (a long time ago, so I don’t have current recommendations on where to stay) but it is beautiful part of the country! I hope you are able to find someplace.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

As a resident of Pennsylvania, I say please stay in New York.

 

[rlk]

You can go rafting, canoeing on the Delaware. Lot's of places along the river to stop and swim. Also, hiking along part of the Appalachian Trail.

Bushkills Falls is open, they refer to it as "The Niagara of Pennsylvania", but I think that's pushing it a bit.

 

[Tink3815]

As a resident of Pennsylvania, I say please stay in New York.

 

[Tink3815]

There is no need to be hostile.

 

[adkkev]

Why don’t you visit the Adirondacks? Still in New York and it’s beautiful there.

 

[ronandannette]

We live in NY state-western NY- and are very limited to where we can travel to because of Covid. PA is still allowed to travel to we where thinking of visiting the Pocono Mountain in east PA. Any ideas what city we should base our selves out of. I realize a lot may be closed, but just need to get away.
Any ideas appreciated

Are you going as a couple or as a family? 25 years ago when we were planning to marry, we did a ton of research on the Cove Haven resorts which at the time were referred to as "The Honeymoon Capital of the World". We never did get there but I still sometimes daydream of the heart-shaped beds and champagne-glass jacuzzis in all the glossy brochures.

 

[Tink3815]

You are correct, the Adirondacks are beautiful and I have visited them numerous times. That is why I was asking about the Pocono's.

 

[Tink3815]

My Husband and I love to travel. We like to do easy hikes, visit historical areas and eat in local restaurants. We are past the water park days. Casinos are fun, but I usually only visit on cruises. I am happy driving through the mountains exploring the lookouts along the route and shopping in small towns. I prefer to do a major hotel chain rather than a rental.
Thank you to everyone who has responded with positive advice

 

[hertamaniac]

Grew up just south of the Poconos. Definitely a trip to mini-Switzerland (a.k.a. Jim Thorpe) is a good getaway. We used to mountain bike in that area and would stay at the historic hotel downtown. If you go, visit the infamous jail where the hangings took place and see the handprint. The Packer mansions are fantastic, but I think only one is open for tours (the other was a B&B and mystery weekend adventure last time I lived up that way).

We were fortunate to do the Mt. Airy Lodge before it was a casino and had the honeymoon suite (yes, heart-shaped red jetted tub, round oversized bed, a private sauna for two and an indoor pool in our room (just big enough for a couple). It was such a vivid memory and one I'll never forget.

 

[MarBee]

My Husband and I love to travel. We like to do easy hikes, visit historical areas and eat in local restaurants. We are past the water park days. Casinos are fun, but I usually only visit on cruises. I am happy driving through the mountains exploring the lookouts along the route and shopping in small towns. I prefer to do a major hotel chain rather than a rental.
Thank you to everyone who has responded with positive advice

A nice hotel may be a little difficult to find unless you’d like to stay in a resort. We had a great room at Kalahari when we went. Reminded me very much of Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I was going to suggest trying whitewater rafting if you happen to be there on a dam opening weekend. It’s not a high level rafting experience by any means but lots of fun!
Good luck and have a relaxing time!

 

[mjkacmom]

Are you going as a couple or as a family? 25 years ago when we were planning to marry, we did a ton of research on the Cove Haven resorts which at the time were referred to as "The Honeymoon Capital of the World". We never did get there but I still sometimes daydream of the heart-shaped beds and champagne-glass jacuzzis in all the glossy brochures.

I went to college there, for a homecoming parade, our sorority’s float consisted of a heart shaped tub (on loan) as we showed what the Poconos had to offer (I think we used balloons as bubbles).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

There is no need to be hostile.

It's nothing personal. We're trying to keep our COVID-19 cases from going back up too much. We had dropped down to 300-ish a day and then it started going back up again.

 

[belle032]

We also live in NY (Finger Lakes) and we just got back from a trip to the Catskills. I completely understand about wanting to get away to a place that's not your house for a few days! Originally we had planned on Gettysburg, which we really love, but wanted something a little different while still being drive able.

We stayed at The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, in Roxbury NY. This place is absolutely amazing. There are 2 locations about 2 miles apart. All the rooms are themed to the level of Disney quality. Cleanliness was impeccable and service was wonderful. Please check out their website if you're even a touch interested because I can't say enough good things about it. We visited Howe Caverns, which was really fun, ate at a few restaurants, and just hung out and drank wine. It is a quieter area than what we're used to so I'd recommend paying attention to what things are open on what days. For example, we had to scramble a little bit to find somewhere to eat on Monday.

It was honestly a great little getaway!

 

[Tink3815]

We also live in NY (Finger Lakes) and we just got back from a trip to the Catskills. I completely understand about wanting to get away to a place that's not your house for a few days! Originally we had planned on Gettysburg, which we really love, but wanted something a little different while still being drive able.

We stayed at The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, in Roxbury NY. This place is absolutely amazing. There are 2 locations about 2 miles apart. All the rooms are themed to the level of Disney quality. Cleanliness was impeccable and service was wonderful. Please check out their website if you're even a touch interested because I can't say enough good things about it. We visited Howe Caverns, which was really fun, ate at a few restaurants, and just hung out and drank wine. It is a quieter area than what we're used to so I'd recommend paying attention to what things are open on what days. For example, we had to scramble a little bit to find somewhere to eat on Monday.

It was honestly a great little getaway!

Thank you for the great information-will definitely be checking it out