Poconos

Numerous charming resorts sit nestled in the Pocono Mountains.

Resorts in the Pocono Mountains provide everything from family fun to romance and relaxation.

Sandwiched between  New York City and  Philadelphia  (about 100 miles from each), the Pocono Mountains sit within driving distance of most East Coast travelers. Four counties filled with numerous towns comprise the Northern Pennsylvania region, and the types of accommodations run a similarly wide berth. Many of the resorts appeal to couples or families with amenities like heart-shaped hot tubs,  water parks, ropes courses, and more. Parsing through the different options proves challenging, but U.S. News has done the major lift for you. Read on to learn about the top resort properties in the  Poconos.

Mount Airy Casino Resort: Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

Rooms at  Mount Airy Casino Resort combine cozy and contemporary design. Large headboards sport geometric patterns, while earth-toned color schemes are pulled from the surrounding mountain environments for inspiration. All accommodations offer flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and pillow-top beds. Additionally, guests can select from a menu of welcome amenities, ranging from Champagne to macarons, to give their stay a personalized feel (for an additional fee). Outside their digs, guests have access to a casino with more than 70 table games and 1,800-plus slot machines to try to find a hot streak. Other amenities include an 18-hole golf course, a spa and salon, a pool and bar, and a fitness center. As for dining, Guy Fieri’s Mt. Pocono Kitchen steals the show with flavourful comfort food, while the other on-site restaurant options offer everything from pasta, seafood, and vegetables to Asian cuisine, pizza, and a buffet.

Woodloch Pines Resort: Hawley, Pennsylvania

The massive  Woodloch Pines Resort appeals to families with a laundry list of activities designed to entice all age groups. Competitive visitors can spend their days participating in scavenger hunts, baking competitions, and various athletic contests. Meanwhile, bumper boats, a climbing wall, and go-carts are sure to satisfy any adrenaline junkies. Adults can go golfing or enjoy spa treatments on-site, while those looking for a  romantic retreat should explore The Lodge at Woodloch (an adults-only enclave). Indoor and outdoor pools, mini-golf, a small water park, tennis courts, and more supplement visitors’ daily options, and nightly programming of magicians, musical acts and comedians ensure guests have something to do between dinner and bedtime. Meal plans cover two or three meals daily, which are served in one of three dining rooms and feature regionally grown products. Two a la carte dining options are also available. Rooms and suites at the Woodloch Pines Resort all feature views of Lake Teedyuskung. Meanwhile, vacation rentals are available at the Woodloch Springs campus, which sits less than 3 miles southwest.

The Lodge at Woodloch: Hawley, Pennsylvania

Guests can choose from a handful of different packages, all of which include access to numerous activities and health and fitness facilities when planning a stay at  The Lodge at Woodloch. Visitors are free to tailor their time; the property offers expansive weekly programs that detail their offerings. Scheduled activities run the gamut from classes on pairing wine with grilled food to hatchet-throwing. Meanwhile, activities like biking, birding, and archery are available daily (reservations are not required) for guests who shirk at the idea of preplanning their stays. Between adventures, visitors can savor gourmet cuisine at the on-site restaurant; the property’s packages cover three meals per day. Spa packages include additional spa credits for anyone in search of deeper relaxation. Accommodations at The Lodge at Woodloch aim to evoke a country estate, complete with private verandas and furniture that draws inspiration from the surrounding region. Sister property to the larger Woodloch Pines Resort, The Lodge at Woodloch only welcomes guests 16 and older.

Silver Birches Resort: Hawley, Pennsylvania

The oldest structure at Silver Birches Resort is The Inn, a farmhouse that dates back to the 1920s. Since The Inn finished construction, Silver Birches Resort has expanded to encompass 13 total structures (five of the buildings house guests) on the shoreline of Lake Wallenpaupack, many of which have undergone recent renovations. While amenities vary between rooms, private porches and electric fireplaces are potential perks. What’s more, all options come well-appointed with picturesque views. The property’s outdoor amenities appeal to families and include a seasonal pool, a shuffleboard court, lawn games, fire pits, and more. Two grills are available, and guests can also eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the on-site restaurant, The Dock on Wallenpaupack, which offers an expansive menu. Silver Birches Resort’s location on the lakefront also means that guests can rent boat slips and boats for a more maritime vacation.