As a west coast native, I truly never heard much about the Poconos until I moved across the country to Maryland.
Here, it is known to many as the perfect place for a romantic getaway.
I’ll admit, the cheese factor of the heart shaped beds and mirrored ceilings you see in ads has always been enough to keep me away from the couples destination, but a recent invite from their tourism department and an opportunity to enjoy a girls weekend with my mom and my best friend had me happily rolling into the Poconos this fall.
The Pocono Mountains area is part of northeast Pennsylvania where you can expect to see beautiful scenery year round, find quaint accommodations to relax in, enjoy fine dining, outdoor excursions, and tons of family-friendly fun.
I got to enjoy a two night adventure with two of the most important people in my life: Mimi and BFF.
It was awesome to be able to getaway for a weekend and spend grown up time doing grown up things (we drank wine, and sort of crashed a 90 year old’s birthday extravaganza at the Fairfield Inn) -to relax and talk and shop and eat. To be the us we are together, not the mom us or the wife us, just the US us.
I rarely make time for these types of things in my life, but I discovered in the Pocono Mountains that I really should.
And, so should you!
Because there is just so much to do in the Poconos area, whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway to enjoy with group of girlfriends, a fun family adventure, or your romantic escape with your significant other, the Poconos might be your answer.
No Heart Shaped Bed Needed: 10 Fun Things to Do in the Poconos with Friends
Take a hike.
Real talk, I’m not much of a hiker –it’s cold, or hot, there might be bugs, snakes, or other wild creatures I don’t desire to encounter. My feet hurt, my back hurts, and I don’t like sweating. However, a nice fall hike along the easy trail at Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania’s Niagra Falls, is the perfect way to spend an early afternoon. The scenery is beautiful, it’s a serene place to enjoy the great outdoors, and you can chose your hiking path difficulty level.
Plus, when you’ve exhausted yourself on the trails and taken countless selfie’s with the falls in the background, you can do a little shopping in the gift shop and treat yourself to a piece of fudge at the treat shop.
Win.
Go biking.
It’s faster than hiking but just as fun. Rent a bike or bring your own to enjoy a bike trail in the Poconos Mountains area.
Try off-roading.
Even more fun than biking, head to an off road playground for some serious, off the beaten path fun. This is definitely on my list of to-do’s when I go back with The Dudes in the spring.
Try all-year tubing.
Zip down the blue lightning tube at lightning speed no matter the season!
Visit a Winery.
Because wine with your girlfriends is always a great idea! We stopped in at Mountainview Winery our first night in the Poconos. It was a small venue with a beuatiful mountain view -perfect for enjoying a relaxing drink on the veranda.
Go to the zoo.
Claws and Paws has over 100 different animals for you to enjoy.
Get Spooked at a Haunted House.
So, this, in my opinion, is the least fun way to spend an evening –getting scared out of your brain inside a hotel filled with horrors is just not my idea of a good time. But, good sport that I am, I tried it anyway. I regret it immensely, but that’s just because I injured my vocal chords screaming, twisted my ankle falling over my friend’s foot, sweated my favorite shirt see-through (I threw it away, it was ruined with fear funk), and peed myself, more than a little. If that is your idea of a good time, get yourself to the Hotel of Horror and have a scream or fifty.
It was truly the most frightening haunted house experience I have had in all of my 30-something years of life.
Go shopping.
The Poconos Mountains is filled with quaint towns where you can pick up one of a kind treasures and priceless antiques. But, don’t feel pressured to live that eclectic life, you can also head to an outlet mall where you can enjoy great savings on the brands you love.
Fill your belly.
There are countless places to grab a unique, tasty meal between excursions. Whether you’re looking for a fancy place to enjoy lunch or a brewery to kick back and relax after a long day hiking at the falls (we also hit up Barley Creek Brewing Company) you’re bound to find something to wet your whistle and fill your belly.
Enjoy a festival.
Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy festivals in the Poconos Mountains. The annual Foliage Festival is one to catch if you enjoy perusing vendor booths filled with arts and crafts. For beer lovers, the Great Brews Beer Fest at Split Rock Resort is one to add to your calendar. In town for the winter holidays? Check out one of the old time Christmas celebrations planned around the area.
Need more ideas?
Check out the Pocono Mountains page to help you plan the perfect getaway to the Poconos!