A Family Getaway to the Poconos

Have I mentioned we're moving this summer? Yep, in about 10 days... cue hyperventilation. As such, we could only get away for a brief vacation earlier this month. Hoping to stay somewhat local to maximize our free time, yet still feel like we'd really GOTTEN AWAY, we chose the nearby Pocono Mountains. In under two hours we arrived in this peaceful green and misty area of northern Pennsylvania. Such a pretty place, and as it turns out, the perfect destination for getting away from it all... including our packing to-do list. I'm excited to share a few highlights (and photos) from our trip, and my "must-dos" for your next trip to the area... so many fun activities for the kiddos!

We stayed at Woodfield Manor (thanks to a travel club membership from my in-laws), a centrally located inn with private cottages, a nice pool & a pretty spot on July 4th fireworks show. Though if you head that way, don't let them put you in Room #13. Apparently it's haunted!

This was an old-fashioned family vacation, so we wanted to hit all the stops. Naturally, mini golf (or "Put Put" as I would say) was on the list. We found a family-friendly yet challenging course at Frontier Falls in Delaware, PA. As luck/skill would have it, Millie hit a hole-in-one on the 4th hole. Woohoo! Hello golf scholarship?!

 

At $9/person (no kids rate), this was a slightly pricey activity,
but the girls has a lot of fun & the course was mostly shady from the hot sun. Hurrah!

Pony rides at Paradise Riding Stables were a hit as well. The girls have never been on a horse before, but like almost all other little girls in the world, they love everything about them. And even though the ride consisted only of multiple loops around the stables, the girls were in heaven.

 



Living the (little girl's) dream. $15/child.

On a media pass, we visited Camelback Lodge's new indoor Aquatopia Water Park. I mention media pass not only for full disclosure, but also because day passes are not typically allowed... so keep that in mind when you are planning your trip. You would have to be staying at Camelback to visit their water parks. And after spending an entire day there... I can pretty safely say we'll be back for a longer visit next time!

 

The girls LOVED everything about this park, and I like how there were defined areas for every age group. Being indoors was nice, too, as you never know what the weather is going to be like (it rained that day!), and obviously during the winter it's a good excuse to pull out your bathing suit. Funnily enough, Vivi was scared of going on a slide until the very end of the day, and then when we finally got her to try it out -- she loved it!! We stayed a little longer then as a result. :) Please check out Camelback's website for lodge information, rates & to see the many activities they have to offer. And if you have a moment, check out this video we made about it on my YouTube page!

 



Sheer terror mixed with excitement. She did this slide about 50 times.



Loved this penguin-themed section for toddlers!



Post water park Whack-a-Mole smack down

Interspersed throughout, there was plenty of time for ice cream (obviously). We made 2 stops to the cutest ice cream/diner/movie theatre in Mt. Pocono called Casino Theatre Entertainment Center -- I loved this place! Like a step back in time, the décor was straight out of the 50s, and the girls loved the automated train that rolled around the ceiling and the indoor merry-go-round and arcade... and of course, the ice cream!



No, they had no idea what this contraption was called. We filled them in.

Ice cream faces!!

Honestly, the girls could probably have spent our entire getaway just hanging out in the pool, but we're glad we slipped in a few other activities. We'll be back, Poconos!