Pocono Mountains

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The Poconos is a mountain area in northeastern Pennsylvania. It has long been popular with honeymooners, but today the Poconos are a popular destination for families, skiers, adventure seekers, NASCAR fans, and those from urban areas around New England, New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, from where the region is quickly accessible by car. The Poconos are one of the most southern major ski areas in the United States.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Cities

The region lacks any major cities, but has many small towns. Nearby are Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to the North and West, Hazleton to the West and Allentown to the South. The area in recent years has become a commuter region for Philadelphia, New York and Northern New Jersey.

Several towns within the Pocono region include:

  • Stroudsburg - The seat of Monroe County and the gateway to the Poconos for many arriving from the New Jersey and New York areas.
  • Shawnee-On-Delaware - Located to the north and east of Stroudsburg.
  • Jim Thorpe - The "Switzerland of Pennsylvania" is located at the southwestern edge of the region and is a popular destination.
  • Lehighton - Located 3 miles south of Jim Thorpe. This is the nearest town to Jim Thorpe with large franchise hotels.
  • Tannersville - A town west of Stroudsburg on I-80 that is home to The Crossings premium outlets and The Great Wolf Lodge, a resort with a large indoor waterpark.
  • Mount Pocono - A large town in the central Poconos located at the junction of PA 940 and PA 611.

Hawley, Pennsylvania is a small town located right within the Pocono Mountains.

The most popular attraction is Woodloch Pines Resorts

Located only 20 miles away from the town of Hawley. Woodloch has a wonderful tradition of excellence and warm hospitality.

History of Woodloch Pines The resort all started when fate intervened on the day Harry Kiesendahl, saw the advertisement in the New York Times listing for sale a small resort on a private lake in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The small, unidentified lake in the ad turned out to be Lake Teedyuskung. The original 12 acres included a main lodge, annex and two cottages, all of which accommodated about 40 guests. By 1961 expansion had doubled the size of the resort and by 1983 the resort had grown into 150 acres with almost a mile of shoreline and 135 rooms.

Currently the resort consists of over 1000 acres and can accommodate over 900 guests. Nearby Woodloch Springs houses the championship golf course and exquisite custom homes. Also located in Woodloch Springs is a brand new indoor / outdoor pools, with a spa and gym.

The Club House Grille is a restaurant right on the green of the golf course, where families and club members come to enjoy a delicious meal and relax after a long day of activities.

Throughout the history of Woodloch, a number of traditions have contributed to the phenomenal success, the most important being the highly personal treatment of the guests. What separates Woodloch from many other resorts is personal treatment and welcoming every employee gives to the guests. By the end of spending a week with the Woodloch crew, they will know your name and how to accommodate any personal needs.

Woodloch's "Social Staff" will be almost anywhere you go. Normally wearing a bright colored shirt, a "social staff" worker directs many of the activities and special events throughout the week.

There are always activities for families to participate in throughout any time of the year. Whether you are a young kid or an older adult, there is plenty of things to enjoy.

Being located on Lake Teedyuskung, one of the most popular activities is water-skiing. And if you have never done it before, no worries, there are always several of the best instructors in the lake helping you step-by-step to ski around the lake.

Where to stay? Rates and Accommodations range from small to large family packages. Woodloch offers three different plans determined by size, location and appointments of accommodations. All traditional plans include meals, activities, use of amenities, and entertainment. Families also have the option to stay in Woodloch Springs, which are small guest homes only 5 minutes away from the resort.

After spending a long day of resting by the lake, it is time to enjoy a wonderful show in the "Heritage Club". All guests have access to the Night club, where families can gather and watch magicians, singers, and the most popular show, Woodloch's annual "Staff Show". Be sure to stick around until friday to grab seats for the Staff Show. After weeks of preparation, the whole staff comes together to perform fun skits and a themed show for everyone to enjoy!

What brings guests coming back to Woodloch are the traditions and personable staff. After only spending a week with the staff, you can be sure to leave with some new friendships.

Woodloch's exclusiveness is also a perk of your vacation. Away up in the Pocono Mountains, hidden within the wilderness, you can escape and enjoy the feeling of just being away with family or friends. It is like a cruise on land!

Be sure to also experience Woodloch's new addition, a new private destination spa resort, The Lodge at Woodloch. Guests staying at Woodloch Pines and Woodloch Springs have privileged access to spa treatments and services, as well as half-day and full-day spa programs.

For further information or to book your stay at Woodloch Pines Resorts visit: http://www.woodloch.com/

[edit] Understand

[edit] Climate

The climate of the Pocono Mountains is not unlike many other areas of the Northeast. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing from early October to early April. The region tends to have several large snowstorms per winter, with the greatest chance for snow being from late December to mid March. The ski season lasts for several months. April through June tends to be wet with moderate temperatures, while July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures sometimes reaching into the 90s (degrees Fahrenheit), and more rarely exceed 100. The humidity is often very high in the summer months, which makes it feel much hotter. Autumn is a popular time to visit the Poconos, to see the fall foliage. Daytime temperatures cool quickly between August and September and the foliage lasts several weeks in September and October.

[edit] Talk

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The closest airport to fly into is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport[1] in Avoca, PA. The main airline is US Airways. The airport is also served be Delta and United. There is direct service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. A bit farther away, Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), is larger and offers a wider range of destinations. The nearest major hubs are in Philadelphia and New York, each several hours away by car.

[edit] By car

The best way to get into the Poconos is by car. From the East or West, I-80 is best, but PA 940 and PA 611 provides parallel access to local attractions From the North, I-81 is best. From the South, I-476, I-81 or Route 33 is best.

[edit] By train

A train service from New York is being established soon. At present, railroad is not a viable transportation option anywhere in the region.

[edit] By Limousine

A Limousine Service Is available In The Area Called YOUR LIMO INC. At 1-866-322-5466 or 570-226-5333. Available 24-7. Website is [2] www.yourlimoinc.com

[edit] Get around

The Poconos are a large area, with little public transportation. There are busses and taxis that one can take, but it would be a better idea to travel by car. Routes 115 & 940 are excellent ways to see "real" side of the Poconos. Interstates 80 & 380 are easy ways to get from point A to B as well. Be warned, a lot of wildlife like to get in the way, so keep a watchful eye when you venture out!

[edit][add listing] See

Hickory Run State Park[3] is a very good place to go if you like hiking and being in nature. The Boulder Field is amazing; it's the remnants of a glacier that moved through the area. Camping is nice there, too. The Appalachian Trail cuts through the Poconos as well. There are countless parks, lakes, streams, so plan a few days up in the area, one day is not enough.

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

There are several ski resorts, many natural and man-made lakes to include: Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Naomi, Penn Lake and others. Hunting, fishing and golf. There is excellent trout Fishing in the Lehigh River and several other streams. Pocono Downs offers horse racing and Pocono Motor Speedway is on the NASCAR circuit.

Hiking is a popular activity for visitors. Lehigh Gorge State Park has access points at Glen Onoko (near Jim Thorpe) and Rockport (off PA 940 near White Haven). Hiking the various trails around the park offer spectacular views of the Lehigh River below. The northern parts of Poconos offer excellent hiking as well, in the Delawater Water Gap National Recreation Area. Several waterfalls, including the well known Bushkill Falls, are short to medium distance hikes from main roads.

Situated on 5,500 gorgeous acres, the historic Main Lodge, the Inn at Skytop, and cottages offer luxurious accommodations and superb service. Whatever the season, Skytop offers a multitude of outdoor recreational activities, from award winning golf and tennis, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, fly-fishing, sporting clays and skeet shooting to down-hill or cross-country skiing, and ice skating. There's always something happening at Skytop. The resort combines rustic charm with an aura of unmistakable gentility. It’s a step back in time. Built in 1928, Skytop is the perfect place for family getaways or business meetings. There is a calendar of theme weekend events at http://www.skytop.com.

Save time for outlet shopping in Tannersville at The Crossings Premium Outlets.[4]

With its beautiful country club atmosphere, Pocono Palace combines an endless array of activities and sports with the ultimate accommodations - our unique and famous Roman Tower and Fantasy Apple suites (exclusive to Pocono Palace). View a list of specials at Pocono Palace.[5]

[edit] Ski

The Poconos are one of the most easily accessible ski areas in the Northeast. They are located close to both Philadelphia and New York. All of the Poconos skiing have night skiing which means they are open usually from about 8AM to 10PM. Despite having many good trails and facilities, the conditions in the Poconos are less than perfect and tend to be on the icy side. The Poconos have many major ski areas including:

[edit][add listing] Eat

There's a ton of good restaurants in the area.

  • Barley Creek near Camelback (a brewery as well as a great place to eat).
  • Blakeslee Inn on Route 940.
  • Woody's Country House, Route 115.
  • Nick's Lake House near Big Boulder ski area.
  • Edleweiss, Route 940.
  • The Jubilee, Route 940.
  • Sarah St. Grille, Sarah St. in Stroudsburg.
  • Murphy's Loft, Route 115.
  • Tokyo Tea House, Route 940. Excellent Japanese -- favorably reviewed by New York Magazine. The Owner is extremely friendly.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Robert Christian's on 940 offers good food, drink, and company. Favorite watering hole of Bob Kasper.

[edit] Stay safe

If you choose to go hunting always wear a bright color to stand out from the surroundings as hunting accidents can occur. Pennsylvania State law mandates at least a total of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the front and back of the body, or alternatively a hat that is completely fluorescent orange when hunting deer or bear. Always remember to use common sense when hunting!

Many attractions that draw people to the Pocono region can be dangerous. When participating in whitewater rafting, water skiing, or boating, a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket is a good idea. Helmets are recommended for skiing and snowboarding. Also, use care when hiking as some areas have steep drop offs.

When camping, never leave food outside for extended periods of time, as this can attract raccoons, opossum, and especially bears. Although Black Bears are much more docile that most other bear species, they can be dangerous. Never get between a bear and its young, and keep in mind that bears can often be scared off by loud noises.

[edit] Get out

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