Are you planning your next trip and wondering where you can go and explore as a nature lover? Look no further. A trip to Poconos is your best option. Poconos is a paradise for nature lovers. It is open all year round and is a hub for tons of outdoor activities, resorts, and culinary options.
Situated in northeastern Pennsylvania, the Poconos is a scenic, breathtaking region well known for its panoramic views, enchanting beauty, rolling green hills, riverfront beaches, rustic campgrounds, long hiking trails and exotic wildlife. People like to travel to the Poconos during the daytime, so a Poconos day trip is your best bet.
Poconos is suitable for all types of trips, be it for leisure, a trip with family, for adventure, a romantic trip or anything you have in your mind. Bus trips to Poconos are the most common mode of transport to reach the area. If you are convinced to try out the Poconos, let me share some of the activities you can enjoy and a few restaurants and resorts you can explore here.
Things to Do in the Poconos
Poconos is the best destination to have lots of fun and adventure, no matter the kind of adventure you have in mind. It is a thrill seekers’ paradise with an abundance of activities and sports you can try out. Skiing, hiking, fishing, snowboarding, water activities and so on are the most popular things you can do in the Poconos.
Every year families travel to the region to have their one-of-a-kind Poconos family trip filled with exciting activities for both kids and adults. Not just families, even couples can visit the Poconos to have a romantic getaway. You can have a really memorable experience by trying out a Poconos trip for couples with your beloved.
Below is a brief of the most popular activities you can do in the Poconos:
Hiking
Hiking is one of the easiest activities you can enjoy in the Poconos. I had experienced one of my best hikes walking down the Big Pocono State Park last summer. The trail here is rugged and scenic and I really enjoyed my long and adventurous walk.
Long hikes in the Poconos are a really healthy activity as you walk through the abundance of natural beauty and the comfort of clean, fresh air. The best time to visit Poconos to enjoy a good hike is in the months June through August. The weather will be pleasant with occasional rains to cool down the temperatures.
Here I have mentioned the top hiking trails in Poconos
| Mount Minsi via Appalachian Trail | Delaware Water Gap, PA |
| Wallenpaupack Lake Trail | Hawley, PA at the intersection of Routes 6 and 507 |
| Irving Cliff Trail | Honesdale, PA |
| Shohola Falls Trail | Route 6 in Shohola, PA |
Fall Foliage
Fall foliage is a phenomenon that happens in nature where the green leaves of plants and trees change color in the fall. The effect of this is the green shades of nature transform into vibrant orange, red, yellow and purple shades, creating a unique beauty to mesmerize on.
The fall foliage that occurs in the Poconos region is a special one and a sight like no other. You can do various activities here during the fall foliage like taking a walk in the woods, nature photography, scenic drives and much more. To witness the fall foliage, you can visit Poconos in mid-September through early mid-October.
Fishing
Fishing is a favorite pastime of many Americans. Poconos is home to over 150 lakes plus fishing spots and it is one of the best areas for anglers to do fishing. On a weekend last spring, I went to Lake Wallenpaupack to enjoy some peaceful fishing. I had a good time fishing in the third largest man-made lake in the entire region of Pennsylvania.
There are wide varieties of fishes in the region. You will be surprised at the different species of fish you can catch in the Poconos.
If you are over 16 years old and not fishing in a pay lake, then you need a Pennsylvania fishing license to be allowed to fish.
| Lake Wallenpaupack | Route 6, Hawley, PA |
| Promised Land State Park | Greentown, PA |
| Tobyhanna Lake | Campground Rd Tobyhanna, PA |
| Mauch Chunk Lake | Lentz Trail Jim Thorpe, PA |
Skiing
Skiing is one of the thrilling activities you can do during the winter. The winter season in the Poconos is a blissful period. Poconos literally turns into a winter wonderland. I visited Poconos for a weeklong trip where I enjoyed various winter activities with skiing being my favorite. It was an exhilarating experience for me.
Skiing is a good winter sport that provides many benefits like cardiovascular health, weight loss and is gentle on your joints. The best time for you to visit Poconos for skiing is from December to late-February, with January and February being the peak months.
| Big Boulder | Lake Harmony, PA |
| Blue Mountain | Palmerton, PA |
| Camelback Mountain | Resort Drive Tannersville, PA |
| Jack Frost Mountain | White Haven, PA |
Water Activities
There are a few exciting water activities you can try out in the Poconos such as boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing and waterpark games. I take pleasure in all the water activities in Poconos as I get a soothing effect enjoying the coolness of water.
Water sports have multiple benefits like they are a good way to burn calories, build strength and endurance, and develop your mental health. The best time to enjoy water activities in Poconos is during the summers.
| Lake Wallenpaupack | Route 6, Hawley, PA |
| Lake Harmony | Lake Harmony, PA |
| Tobyhanna State Park Beach | Campground Road, Tobyhanna, PA |
| Camelbeach Outdoor Water Park | Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA |
Culinary Delights
After a busy day of your Poconos one day trip visiting multiple places and immersing yourself in various activities, you can relish a few of the best restaurants and cuisines in the region. The Poconos is home to a bunch of fabulous restaurants, bars and cafes. All these restaurants and cafes will do a good job in tantalizing your palate with unique delicacies.
Below are a few of the best places to dine in Poconos.
Piggy’s
Piggy’s restaurant has a cozy decor with a country-style atmosphere. It was established in 1985 to serve only the best quality food to customers. You can have one of the tastiest meals here, though the meal prices may be a bit expensive.
Below are some more details of the restaurant.
- Location: Lake Harmony
- Timings: Varies, but usually opens from 8 am to 3 pm
- Opening days: Everyday
- Recommendations from my side: Belgium waffles, Nutella and Banana French Toast, Pulled Pork sandwich
- Google rating: 4.2/5
Sycamore Grille Restaurant and Bar
Sycamore Grille Restaurant and Bar is a casual dining restaurant serving savory dishes with a mountain charm. Sycamore Grille was founded in 2004 as a family owned business. You can enjoy a good meal here with your family as the restaurant is good for families and can accommodate a large number of people.
- Location: Delaware Water Gap
- Timings: From 11:30 am
- Opening days: Wednesday to Monday
- Recommendations from my side: Water Gap Garlic Chicken, Chicken Eggplant Rosa, French Onion Soup
- Google rating: 4.4/5
Sweet Creams Cafe
Sweet Creams Cafe offers a quaint spot for lunch with a gluten-free menu and sandwich options. It is a family-run business operating for over 20 years in Stroudsburg. At Sweet Creams Cafe, you can have excellent food at affordable prices.
- Location: Stroudsburg
- Timings: 1 pm to 4 pm
- Opening days: Thursday to Sunday
- Recommendations from my side: Catalina croissant, Sausalito, Augustus Caesar
- Google rating: 4.6/5
Gresham’s Chop House
Gresham’s Chop House is a casual family diner with a nice decor and a lake view. It is a family business since the 1940s that offers steak, chops and Italian dishes. You can bring your family here to have a good meal at a reasonable price in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Location: Hawley
- Timings: 4 pm to 8.30 pm
- Opening days: Tuesday to Sunday
- Recommendations from my side: French Cut Pork Chop with blue cheese plus herb crust, Pork Osso-Bucco, Cowboy steak
- Google rating: 4.5/5
Ultra Luxury Paradise Retreats
All of us get stressed in life from time to time. Stress is a normal part of life but you must make time to relax and de-stress to maintain your health and wellness. What better way to relax and de-stress than to have spa retreats and wellness activities from the best resorts in Poconos. The spas and resorts in Poconos offer one-of-a-kind experiences and most of them have all-inclusive packages.
You might be a newly married couple planning for a honeymoon getaway to build your relationship or you could even be a couple planning for your second honeymoon. Poconos will provide one of the best romantic spas and resorts you can opt for.
Here are a few of the top resorts in the Poconos you can check out.
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Mount Airy Casino Resort provides a warm atmosphere and good amenities for both outdoor and gaming enthusiasts. This is the first casino resort in Pennsylvania to receive the AAA’s Four Diamond rating. The casino resort features luxurious hotel rooms, award-winning golf course, salon and gym facility, a 16,000 square foot spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a conference center.
Address: 312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono, PA 18344
Cove Haven Resort
Cove Haven Resort is an adults-only resort that offers a four-season vacation destination for couples. The resort is affectionately known as “the Land of Love” and promises to raise the romance level. It features romantic suites, dining, romantic activities, entertainment, spa services and a nightlife.
Address: 194 Lakeview Dr, Lakeville, PA 18438
The Lodge at Woodloch
The Lodge at Woodloch is focused on personal awakening and is a sanctuary for your senses. It features lavish accommodations, 3 gourmet meals per night, mind/body classes, Chef’s demonstration, and health amenities like Hydromassage WaterWalls, whirlpools, and saunas. The resort offers individuals the opportunity to reconnect to creative as well as stress-relieving outlets for wellness.
Address: 109 River Birch Ln, Hawley, PA 18428
The French Manor Inn
At the French Manor Inn, you can enjoy a peaceful mountain view. It is a AAA Four Diamond restaurant and spa in the Poconos mountains. It features spacious accommodations, luxurious suites, gourmet French cuisine and beautiful gardens. The Inn was designed with guest comfort in mind so you can relax and ease your worries away.
Address: 50 Huntingdon Dr, Newfoundland, PA 18445
Conclusion
The Poconos is an amazing destination with diverse options for everyone. You can be looking for an engaging family trip, a special romantic getaway, or even a thrilling outdoor adventure and you can fulfill all of that through Poconos.
So be sure to choose a trip to Poconos as the best destination for the next excursion. The various activities that I listed above like hiking, skiing, water activities and more can magically benefit your physical and mental health. Moreover, you can de-stress and relax in the multiple spas and resorts of the area.
For the best experience in your trip, you can check the HolidayKeepers platform for luxurious vacation rentals. You can contact us for more details on the rentals.
FAQs
Q: Which are the best hotels you can dine at in the Poconos?
A: Some of the best hotels and restaurants you can dine at in Poconos are Pocono Place Resort, The Inn at Jim Thorpe, The Lodge in Woodloch, The French Manor Inn and the Great Wolf Lodge Poconos.
Q: Suggest some of the best lakes in Poconos to try out fishing.
A: You can fish in most of the lakes in the Poconos. The best lakes to try out are Lake Wallenpaupack, Tobyhanna State Park, Hickory Run State Park, Bradys Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake.
Q: Which are the best indoor water parks for both kids and adults in the Poconos?
A: Poconos has around three indoor water parks suitable for both kids and adults, which are, Great Wolf Lodge water park, Kalahari indoor water park and Aquatopia indoor water park.
Q: Mention the different escape rooms to check out in the Poconos.
A: There are many escape rooms you can explore in the Poconos, such as Trap Door Escape Room, Great Escapes Entertainment, Klues Escape Room and Big Screen Escape Room.
