Monday, March 14, 2011

Tourism In The Pocono Mountains

Tourism in the Pocono Mountains


No matter what season you are looking to travel in, the Pocono Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania offer plenty of activities for family fun or for couples looking for a romantic or adventurous getaway. The Poconos offer 2,400 square miles of mountains, rivers, lakes and woodlands.


Outdoor


Given the terrain, the Poconos offer a variety of outdoor sports for tourists. Skiers and snowboarders have over 163 ski trails to try. In warmer weather, travelers have 261 miles of trails to hike and bike. The activities available to outdoor enthusiasts are seemingly endless: horseback riding, paintball, hunting, boating, fishing, kayaking, white water rafting, adventure sports, rock climbing and more. The Poconos also features 35 golf courses. For those who like to experience the outdoors at a slower pace, there are scenic chair lifts, bird watching, butterfly sanctuaries, carriage rides, gardens, winery tours, hot air balloon rides and snowshoeing. For those who enjoy lounging at the beach or a scenic hike, The Poconos features 150 lakes, 18 waterfalls and 170 miles of river. The Poconos are a great place to see fall foliage.


Historical sites and museums


History buffs have many things to do in the Poconos. The small towns in the four-county area offer many interesting historical sites and museums. Every county in the Pocono Mountains has its own Heritage Driving Tour Map with self-guided tours. Just a sample of some of the fun things to do include: exploring a day-in-the-life of an 1800's farm at the Living Historical Farms at Quiet Valley; the history of Delaware Indians at the Pocono Indian Museum; railway history at Steamtown National Historic Site; a tour of the home of Asa Packer philanthropist, railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University, at the ASA Packer Museum; and Millbrook Village, a re-creation of a turn-of-the-century village.


Family fun


The Poconos is definitely a place you can feel good about taking the family. No matter what season you go, the whole place is like a playground! Families can plan to camp, rent a villa or stay in an all-inclusive family resort. One of the nice things about the resorts is the availability of activities and the inclusion of some meals. Many even have supervised programs for kids, which means mom and dad can have some time alone to explore. Outside of nature, you can find family friendly activities such as mini-golf, animal farms, zoos and water parks throughout the Poconos.


Where to stay


Part of the fun of a Poconos vacation is choosing where to stay. From typical hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts, there are accommodations for every taste. Resorts are plentiful and resort themes include romance, family fun (weenie roasts and hayrides, indoor water parks), casinos, spas, sports, all-inclusive resorts and more. Bed and Breakfasts and small inns are popular destinations for travelers looking for a relaxing atmosphere. For those who truly want to experience the outdoors, there are plenty of campgrounds.


Vacation packages


You've probably heard or seen a photo of one of the famous wine-glass or heart-shaped tubs, but did you know that they are in the Poconos? According to www.poconoshotels.com, more than 200,000 people honeymoon in the Poconos every year. You can find special vacation packages for weddings, honeymoons, spa getaways, golf, skiing, fishing, family fun, romance (there are couples-only resorts) and more.







Tags: Pocono Mountains, experience outdoors, matter what, matter what season, Poconos offer, resorts more