If you recall, back in December we traveled to Pocono Manor to take part in their Fireside Christmas, which we loved. Fast forward to July and we decided to experience this resort and spa in the summertime. Located around 2 hours from the Bronx, it’s a great place to visit with family to unplug, relax, and explore. Follow along our stay to get a first hand look at what to expect.
Check In
Check in was at 4 pm. Normally when visiting a place like Pocono Manor, we arrive early and begin to take advantage of some of their amenities and get the most out of our stay. But since we had been traveling from another destination, we arrived just in time to bring our bags to our room. Upon check in, in we received a map of the resort and surrounding area and information- including a list of what activities are included in the resort fee. The resort fee is $21.20 a day and includes activities like pond fishing, bike rentals, BB gun rentals, and more. There are additional activities for a fee- and many package options are available. Be sure to call over to Pocono Manor Sports and schedule out your day- as there may be a wait if you decide to just walk in.
Pooltime
The skies were a bit cloudy and we knew it might rain at some point, so we headed to sneak in some outdoor pool time before dinner. There is also an indoor pool- which is great for uncooperative weather or visiting in the off season. But there’s nothing like sipping on a frozen drink poolside.
The pool area is a great place for families to relax, catch some sun, sip on a frozen drink from the pool bar, or watch the little ones splash around in the baby pool. There are plenty of lounge chairs and patio tables surrounding the pool, along with pool towels that are replenished often.
There are also these fun hammock seats that that ended up being one of the kid’s favorite features. We found ourselves back at those hammocks several times throughout our stay- a great chance for parents to sit at the patio tables nearby and enjoy some adult conversation while the kids play. There is also a playground located behind this area too.
Dinner
After swimming, we freshened up in the room before heading down to the Lamplighter Lounge. Last time we dined at The Exchange, so we wanted to try something different. It was also nice to sit near the tall windows overlooking the view from the mountains. The Lamplighter Lounge offers up light pub fare, but with some choices that are a nice compromise between the two restaurants. There is also a pizza next door at Little Pocono Pizza with limited seating- perfect for those nights you want to eat back in your room.
Campfire
After dinner, we headed back outside to sit around the campfire. The girls roasted a few marshmallows before running back to the hammocks. Luis and I spent the rest of the night playing cornhole. With the sound of the fire crackling behind us and the girls giggling over on the hammocks, it was the perfect way to end the evening. For the ultimate campfire experience, be sure to bring marshmallows or s’mores ingredients- along with skewers.
Breakfast
In the morning we headed downstairs to enjoy a full buffet breakfast in the Mountain View Dining Room. It’s great to fuel up and enjoy a large breakfast before heading out for a full day of activities- no ‘ma, I’m hungry!’ an hour later when they can nosh on everything from french toast to oatmeal topped with fresh fruit. There’s a large selection of pastries, breads, fruits, and then of course the hot items like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries, and more. Breakfast is per person, with adults and kids priced differently. Guests are able to add on a breakfast package when booking online- or anytime at the front desk.
After breakfast, we headed over to Pocono Manor Sports to meet Mike and decide what activity we wanted to take part in. We had already tried our hand at the BB guns and bow and arrow back in the winter, and since we were heading to Bushkill Falls next, we thought it would be fun to start off the day with a waterfall hike.
The trail to the falls is located right behind Pocono Manor Sports. We followed the signs for the trail and made our way down to a steep path that lead to a beautiful oasis. Be sure to have your sneakers, water bottle, and bug spray.
Guests can take advantage of fun summer packages which include breakfast and 3 manor sport activities. For more information about Pocono Manor, visit www.poconomanor.com
Bushkill Falls
This visit to the Poconos we decided to stop by Bushkill Falls before we headed home. Known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls consists of a series of eight waterfalls in the wooded Pocono Mountains. Guests can spend the day discovering the falls via hiking trails and bridges, all at different length and difficulty. The main falls can be viewed on the green trail- which is about a 15 minute walk. We opted for the green and yellow trails since we had Gia with us- but definitely plan to return to do the harder trails. Be sure to have water with you- the climbing can be intense!
In addition to the breathtaking views, there are plenty of other fun activities at Bushkill Falls including mining for gemstones, paddleboats, fishing, and more. There is also a picnic and pavilion area for families to enjoy lunch.
For more information about Bushkill Falls, visit www.visitbushkillfalls.com.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we had a wonderful time at Pocono Manor- and have already booked another stay to enjoy even more of the activities available and relax with family. Whether you chose to remain on site and relax, or plan some outdoor fun in the surrounding area- it’s the perfect summer getaway.
Tips & Ideas For Your Visit
- The breakfast package is worth the add-on
- Mount Airy Casino is just a 7 minute drive away, so leave grandma in the pool with the kids and sneak in a date night.
- Don’t forget the s’mores ingredients!
- Plan some time for family game night in the game room downstairs, and have quarters ready for the arcade games.
- Pack sandwiches and snacks to save on food expenses- we never leave home without our cooler!
We received accommodations to facilitate this post. As always, our opinions are our own.