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Winter might not seem like a vacation escape, but snow-draped forests and shimmering frozen lakes create a haven in the Poconos for adventure-seekers and families. This picturesque region in northeastern Pennsylvania becomes a magical destination in winter for families with kids, providing endless ways to embrace the season. Picture skiing down powdery slopes, ice skating on frozen lakes, snow tubing, or taking a scenic winter hike through trees blanketed with snow.
With its charming towns, cozy resorts, and an abundance of winter activities, the Poconos are the perfect spot to create unforgettable family memories. Let’s dive into some of our favorite things to do in the Poconos with kids this winter!
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Things to Know When Planning a Poconos Winter Vacation
Poconos has something for every adventurer – indoor water resorts, skiing, and tons of holiday activities!
December is best for holiday fun, while January and February are best for hitting the slopes. And any time is a great time to visit indoor water resorts!
Indoor Waterpark Resorts in Poconos, PA
Our family loves water. We always stay somewhere with a pool when we vacation, and everyone has fun when we stay somewhere with an indoor waterpark. We can splash around rain or shine! There are plenty of lodging options with an indoor waterpark in the Poconos, including Kalahari, Great Wolf Lodge, Split Rock Lodge, and Camelback Resort.
There’s fun for all ages at Great Wolf Lodge – no matter what the weather looks like outside!
Photo by April Walker on Unsplash
DON’T MISS! Splashing Around at the Great Wolf Lodge!
Poconos, PA Ski Scene
Among the nearly 2,400 square miles that make up the Poconos Mountains, families will find several ski resorts. Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain has private lessons for beginners – perfect for my boys, my fiance, and me. We definitely had laughs trying to stand up and instead rolling in the snow, but we eventually took the one-hour drive to Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, where there are great trails for beginners.
Whether you’re looking for beginner’s lessons or are ready to shred the slopes, Poconos ski resorts have something for everyone!
Photo by Maarten Duineveld on Unsplash
Here are some notable things about each of the resorts. This helpful resource lists all the weather conditions of all Poconos ski areas!
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
The Shawnee Mountain Ski Area has 23 trails, including shorter “Little Chiefs” trails and one with a 700-foot drop. There are also several onsite dining options that kids will enjoy.
Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain Resort is just 90 minutes from Philidelphia, the massive Blue Mountain Resort offers year-round fun, 40 ski trails, five terrain parks, 46 tubing lanes, and 16 lifts. The highest vertical drop is 1,082 feet!
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Skytop Lodge
Skytop Lodge is a less crowded ski resort that only has two ski slopes but also offers axe throwing, ice skating, tubing, ziplining, ice fishing, and a tree-top adventure course in the winter.
Ski Big Bear
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain offers private beginner lessons, they offer a grab-and-go cafe, dining with incredible views, 17 slopes, 4 lifts, and 3 magic carpet lifts, perfect for kids who don’t love heights!
Jack Frost Big Boulder Mountain
Jack Frost Big Boulder Mountain is a popular ski destination with 20 slopes and 2 terrain parks for skiing, tubing, and more. Skill level varies from beginner to black diamond. If you visit on Saturday, stay after for s’mores or live music!
Sledding and tubing are also a hit with the whole family!
Photo by Brendan Beale on Unsplash
Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain Resort has something for everyone with 39 trails for all skill levels, nighttime illumination, and galactic snowtubing at night! It’s also a true resort with an indoor waterpark and arcade, activities like ziplining, and onsite dining.
Other Things to Do on a Winter Family Vacation in Poconos
Notable holiday events include Hawley Winterfest, Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas, Christmas Wonderland at Walker’s Tree Farm, Quiet Valley Olde Time Christmas at the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Christmas Tram Tours at Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, annual tree lighting ceremonies, and the Poconos Park light display.
There’s something charming and magical about tree lighting ceremonies, even if you don’t celebrate Christmas!
Photo by Sebastian Enrique on Unsplash
There are also several fairs and festivals throughout the year – check out Pocono Wine & Food Fest, Winter Fest at Blue Mountain Resort, Sherma-Con, Wally Ice Fest, Winter Beer Festival, or Winter Wine Festival.
Outdoor Winter Fun
The Poconos Mountains offer 126 hiking trails of varying difficulties across the region in areas like Browning Beaver Meadow, Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Delaware Gap National Recreation Area, Ice Lake, and Hickory Run State Park.
Hike to icy waterfalls in the area.
Photo by Marc Renken on Unsplash
Learn more about the area at the Pocono Environmental Education Center or visit Dingman’s Falls, Raymondskill Falls, and George W. Childs Park to try and catch a glimpse of an icy waterfall. Keep an eye out for soaring bald eagles while exploring – they expand their hunting ground in the winter!
[ctt template=”8″ link=”4i548″ via=”no” ]Wondering what things to do with kids in Poconos PA on your next vacation? Skiing, indoor waterparks, winter paintball, and icy waterfalls await you! [/ctt]
Other outdoor activities include horseback riding, sleigh rides with Happy Trails Stables, ice skating, winter paintball with Skirmish Paintball, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling!
Indoor Family Activities In The Poconos
Our family did our first escape room as a group when we visited Myrtle Beach earlier this year. It was so fun working together as a team and watching my boys figure out some of the clues themselves! Check out Big Screen Escapes for this kind of fun in the Poconos!
Other fun indoor family activities include riding go-karts at S&S Speedways, browsing the selection at Callie’s Candy Kitchen, or taking in live performances at The Shawnee Playhouse and Milford Theater & Performing Arts Center.
Go-karts are always a hit with our boys!
Photo © Micheal Mallory
My boys also loved riding the train at the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. Fun learning experiences for families include Pocono Snake & Animal Farm, Schisler Museum and McMunn Planetarium, or Pocono Indian Musuem.
And, if mom and dad get a night to themselves, don’t miss comedy night at Wallenpaupack Brewing Company or weekly Thursday jazz night at Here & Now Brewing Company.
When You Go
Where to Stay in Poconos, PA with Kids
While any of the indoor waterparks or ski resorts mentioned above are great places to stay, one of the best things about a tourist area like the Poconos is all the options.
For families vacationing on a budget, we love The Woodlands Inn & Resort. It’s located near the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Airport, shuttles to/from the airport and nearby casino are free, it has an indoor heated pool and hot tub, and breakfast is complimentary!
Camelback Ski Resort is perfect for families who love the slopes but who also want convenient access to an indoor waterpark. Plus, there are tons of dining options, an arcade, and activities kids will love!
Babbling Brook Cottages are a great place for families that want to relax in nature. While there is no complimentary breakfast or dining, the cottages do have full-sized kitchens, cozy fireplaces, and other amenities.
Traveling from Los Angeles to Poconos, PA
The closest airport to the Poconos region is Scranton/Wilkes-Barre International Airport. There aren’t many direct flights from Los Angeles, so flights take an average of 7-10 hours or longer, depending on the length of the layover. United and American Airlines make this trip.
Other airports nearby include Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton Airport (26 miles away) and Newark in New Jersey (57.5 miles away). New York LaGuardia, Philadelphia, and New York JFK are around 70-80 miles from the Poconos. Nonstop flights are offered through United, American, and Delta and take 4-6 hours.
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Great Flight Deals
WayAway is a flight search engine that looks for the best deals for destinations you’re visiting with the possibility of earning cash back on your purchases. Have you tried them yet? If not, give them a spin and see how much money you’ll save on flights.
To get discounts on tours in the area, we recommend Get Your Guide or Viator (which offers 51% off last-minute tours!).
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