General question about the Poconos

[thetimeshareguy]

I've heard about the Poconos area before and am considering exchanging into that area for a week next summer with my boys (ages 8 and 12).

But I don't know much about it. Can someone give me a description and option of what makes that area attractive to people? What are the main things that people do there, and why is it so popular?

Thanks.

[Phillie]

The poconos mountains are nice for outdoor activities in the summer like hiking or boating. In the winter it is the closest ski area for Philly and NYC. The ski resorts run water parks in the summer. My opinion is Camelback is the best park.

[CSB]

We went with the kids last summer - ages 9, 12, and a 14 yr old cousin joined us. The kids had a great time and wanted to go back again this coming summer and we booked it again. You can see my review of Shawnie on the Delaware.

There is lots to do- mini golf, swimming offered at the rec centre and the Shawnie Inn. Rec center has a gym and you can play basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, horseshoes, shuttleboard etc. They have some organized sports too. The golf course is very nice and we wanted to get the kids to play but we ran out of time. They have a special last afternoon - evening price for that, including the clubs. We also went on a day trip to Camelback Beach which is a great water park. Scenery is great. Lots to do. We didn't have time to do any water rafting or things like that. The Delaware water gap is near but we also didn't get a chance to check it out.

Negative things. Units are not so fancy but the kids did not complain. You have to drive to the rec center. We did bring our bikes which we used a lot but we were in the section by the river and we could bike to the Shawnie Inn and the tennis courts there. Other areas are very hilly and not good for biking.

Email me if you have any other questions.

[wackymother]

We love the Poconos. Very relaxing, not fancy. There are just enough little tourist things to do to keep us occupied for a week or two. But...the MAIN attraction of the Poconos is that they're so close to the greater NYC metro area. So we can be "in the country" in under two hours.

[senorak]

I have to echo Cindy's comments from a previous post.

We used our week at Shawnee (River Village 2) this past summer....first time in about 5 years. The kids, ages 10 & 12, (plus their friends), loved it. They participated in several of the scheduled activities: scavenger hunt, mini golf tourney, egg toss, games in gym, etc.; as well as used the rec center, pools, and mini golf course. We also went fishing, and had planned to go canoeing, but the day we had scheduled, there was heavy rain.

One of the favorite day trips was to Camel Beach water park...it was crowded; but they didn't wait in long lines and had the time of their lives. WE've hiked Bushkill Falls, visited the 209 Flea market, always stop by "Country Kettle" so the kids can go through the barrels of candy, and hiked at the Delaware Water Gap.

The units tend to be older and more rustic; but the kids didn't complain at all. They loved the resort/area....and we have been to some 5* resorts in our travels, but they are already asking if we are returning to use our week for summer, 2008.

Deb

[wackymother]

There are lots of great fairs in the Poconos in the summer, and we love Claws N Paws, a little zoo. Also there's a store where they carve candles AND they have miniature horses and fancy pheasants out back! I think it's House of Candles? (That might not be it--there are other candle places, but the others don't have the animals.) I know it sounds silly, but everybody likes going there.

[thetimeshareguy]

There responses are very informative. It sounds like the Poconos are highly similar to an area very near where I live, about two hours outside Toronto, Canada in a resort/cottage area.

The units at some of these resorts you mention are ones into which I can exchange. They sound a bit rough, but I don't mind that if it's a kind of rustic cabin situation that you seek.

I guess my issue is that it's a long drive to end up in a place that's similar to what's available to me locally. I'll plan to travel there some time as an alternative to what's here. At least now I have a good mental picture of the place.

Thanks!

[decolady424]

Also, keep in mind that now the Poconos have casinos! One in Wilkes Barre at the race track and one at Mount Airy Lodge in Mt. Pocono. There is also a great outlet mall, The Crossings, in Tannersville.

[wackymother]

Originally Posted by thetimeshareguy

There responses are very informative. It sounds like the Poconos are highly similar to an area very near where I live, about two hours outside Toronto, Canada in a resort/cottage area.

I guess my issue is that it's a long drive to end up in a place that's similar to what's available to me locally. I'll plan to travel there some time as an alternative to what's here. At least now I have a good mental picture of the place.

Thanks!

I would say this is exactly right. As I say, the Poconos are very appealing if you live in the greater NYC area. But most major cities have a nice relaxing vacation area within about two hours driving distance. It's not really worth making a longer trip to get to something very similar to your own nice local place.

I know we went to the Wisconsin Dells a couple of years ago, and my sister in Chicago was horrified that we were FLYING to go to the Wisconsin Dells! Because for the people in Chicago, the Dells are like the Poconos. (Although to us the Dells were interesting b/c we wanted to take the kids to see the rock formations and the great water parks.)

[laura1957]

Poconos are wonderful - my brother lives in Tannersville. Camelbeach water park, Claws N Paws, Bushkill Falls, Delaware Water Gap - all great places to visit while there. We also visited the new Mt Airy casino on opening day.

Please read my review of Ski Side Village - DO NOT go there unless you KNOW you will be in a renovated villa. I am NOT terrible picky usually, but this was unclean and even worse - unsafe. The top step actually broke right off the entranceway as my husband stepped in. ( he is NOT particularly large - he weighs about 160?) luckily it was him since he is in the best shape of those of us who went - my mother and motherinlaw were both with us, they are each 78 and if it had been either of them I am sure they would have fallen and been injured.

[CSB]

Timeshareguy, where do you go here in Ontario that has the same facilities? I am curious. There only place I can think of is Intrawest at Blue Mountain, and I am not aware that they have a rec centre with gym etc. Most of the resort rec centres that I know of in the province only have a pool, some video games and an exercise room.