Poconos (Winter)

The Pocono Mountains are a well-known playground for escapees from Philadelphia and New York, and a popular destination for winter sports such as sledding and tubing, snowshoeing, X-country and downhill skiing, and fishing; there are literally dozens of commercial venues and state parks that offer trails, equipment rental and more. This is also the perfect place for a winter romance — a fact supported by a number of all-inclusive honeymoon resorts. This is the home of two-story-tall champagne glass hot-tubs, heart-shaped swimming pools and twinkling lights above a satin-covered round bed. Never fear — most resorts welcome families, and B&Bs ...

The Pocono Mountains are a well-known playground for escapees from Philadelphia and New York, and a popular destination for winter sports such as sledding and tubing, snowshoeing, X-country and downhill skiing, and fishing; there are literally dozens of commercial venues and state parks that offer trails, equipment rental and more. This is also the perfect place for a winter romance — a fact supported by a number of all-inclusive honeymoon resorts. This is the home of two-story-tall champagne glass hot-tubs, heart-shaped swimming pools and twinkling lights above a satin-covered round bed. Never fear — most resorts welcome families, and B&Bs and other accommodations abound. The Poconos offer something for everyone, from antique shops to fantastic sight-seeing. In recent years, the Bald Eagle has returned to the Upper Delaware River in increasing numbers; winter is the time to see them hunting near areas of open water on the mostly frozen river. Camelback Ski Area is the biggest ski, snowboard and snowtubing area in the Poconos: 33 trails, 13 lifts including two high-speed, detachable quads, two halfpipes, two terrain parks, night skiing and 100 percent snowmaking. Those more interested in indoor sports will find plenty of shopping deals in the outlets. Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are the urban center of the Poconos, but the entire area from White Mills to Jim Thorpe is dotted with villages and unique sites such as America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling, in Pottsville.

About the Expert

Joanne Miller is the author of several Moon guidebooks, including Pennsylvania Handbook, Chesapeake Bay Handbook, and Maryland/Delaware Handbook.