oM readers are already familiar with Pocono Mountain getaways such as Shawnee Mountain and the pampering spa at Woodloch. Just a two-hour bus ride from New York City, we’re convinced Camelback Mountain in Tannersville offers the perfect blend of adventure, creature comforts, and accessibility for an action-packed winter weekend. It’s family-friendly so pack the kids.
Stay
Kids of all ages will light up when they step inside Camelback Lodge and see the climbing wall, ropes course, and Disney-esque decor. Guests get full access to Aquatopia, the largest indoor water park in the Northeast, complete with simulated surfing, a pool bar, and 13 waterslides. With six in-house dining options, plus the most epic breakfast buffet you could imagine, you can easily recharge between activities. Rooms include free lift or tubing tickets.
Find Hotels near Camelback Mountain:
Cambelback Lodge offers a shuttle to the base of Camelback Mountain, where you can pick up lift tickets. It’s worth splurging on lessons at Camelback, where they use a unique Terrain Based Learning program that will get even the newest of skiers up and working on their “pizza,” and maybe even “French fries” technique. After a quick break in the lodge, put your gear back on and head out for galactic snow-tubing. The largest snow-tubing park in the U.S.A. has an impressive LED light show starting at 5pm every night.
Eat + Drink
You can’t go wrong with the hearty cheese-topped chili at the Trails End pub at Camelback Lodge. If you wander off campus, the Barley Creek Brewing Company is a favorite local spot for burgers and wings. Adults can catch a tour of the brewery every day at 12:30pm. Zack’s Taco Shack is a new eatery just down the road from Camelback – crunch into their signature hard shell + soft shell combo taco. We recommend the garlic steak taco (145 Camelback Rd, Tannersville). On your way out of town, grab lunch for the road at The Village Deli, a classic local eatery that serves up fresh sandwiches so hefty you might even share (1818 Sullivan Trail, Tannersville, Pennsylvania).
Insider Tips
The Poconos have tons of kid-friendly festivals.
- On February 9-10, 2019, visitors are welcome to be a part of the annual Wally Ice Fest on Lake Wallenpaupack. It’s a day of ice sculptures, curling contests, and ice hockey, capped off with a polar plunge.
- On January 26-27, 2019, Blue Mountain Resort is hosting their free annual Winter Fest, an introduction to snowshoeing, ice luging, dog sledding, and ice carving.
Get There + Around
From Port Authority take the Martz Trailways Line to either Mt. Pocono or Mt. Airy Casino. Take a taxi to the resort. Mountain Taxi is a local cab company (570) 839-2222. The Pocono Pony is a local bus option that has fixed routes around the Pocono Mountains.
For more information, go to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Photo credits: Camelback Mountain and the author
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram