Family Vacation
Regular routine got you and the kids down? We get it! There is no better place to break the monotony of everyday life than the Pocono Mountains. So pack up the car, strap the kids in, and come check out these top Family Friendly Places in the Pocono Mountains.
*All distances are approximate from Best Pocono Escape Rentals*
Ski School
The beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is the perfect place for your first time skiing or snowboarding. Our ski resorts love to welcome beginners, and they all offer world-class lessons to introduce you or your children to the slopes. The instructors meet you with a smile and walk you step-by-step through everything you need to know to start safely enjoying yourself on the trails.
Big Boulder (3 min drive) and Jack Frost (10 min drive)
Big Boulder is perfect for your little ones, or older ones to learn how to ski or snowboard. Give your child a passion for the mountains and watch them develop a love of skiing or snowboarding in a small group setting. Our world-class instructors are committed to providing your child with a safe and fun experience. We offer a variety of classes for all age groups.
Highlights:
Children ages 3-14, Full Day Classes, Half Day AM and PM Classes, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels, Group and Private Lessons Available
Camelback (25 min drive)
Camelback Ski and Ride Academy is the place to go when you want to learn to ski or snowboard. Whether you are new to snow or a seasoned slider our instructors will have you feeling confident on the mountain. Voted #1 Pocono Ski Resort, our lessons help you get the most out of your ski or snowboard experience. Find the lessons that’s right for you– choose from children lessons, family & friends beginner lessons, or private lessons. Book online, spots fill quickly!
Horse Drawn Wagon and Pony Rides
Do you have a little one who already loves horses? Supervised pony rides give young children the thrill of riding and a little horse experience! Or start a new tradition of old-fashioned family fun, take a horse-drawn wagon ride together!
Mountain Creek Riding Stables (30 min drive)
The horse-drawn wagon ride here at Mountain Creek Riding Stable is a 45-minute ride that goes along the same trails as the horseback rides. The wagon will seat up to 10 adults comfortably. This is a great option for families who may have children that are too small to go on horseback so that they are still able to get the horse experience. Because the wagons follow the same trails, the wagon can follow right along with the other horses on the trail, keeping your entire group together while allowing them different options. The pony rides include three full loops and allow for the younger children to be on horseback. Great for little kids or family members with mobility concerns.
Water Parks
Water Parks make everyone happy! The thrill of water slides, the excitement of a splash pad, or the relaxation of a lazy river, water parks offer something for everyone. The Pocono Mountains have some of the best water parks around. So don;t forget to pack your bathing suit!
H2O (3 min drive)
H20ooohh! is a family indoor waterpark located in the Town Center at Split Rock Hotel. With 53,326 square feet of water attractions to enjoy, H20ooohh! has three four-story slides, a wave pool, activity pool, Jungle play structure with dumping bucket, and Leapin' Lily Pads crossing area. Note this water park is most fun for ages 12 and under, and moderate fun for ages 13 and up. It is an older, less flashy water park, but very close to our homes.
Great Wolf Lodge (25 min drive)
With many types of water adventures there is something for the whole family. Water activities include splash pad, wave pool, water slide of all sizes, and an adult hot tub section. Half and Full day passes available.
Camelback (30 min drive)
Offering both indoor and outdoor water parks, there is fun for all ages. Enjoy many water slides, a lagoon, and a wave pool.
Kalahari (20 min drive)
220,000 sq ft, filled with Wet. Wild. Fun. Come splash around where it's always 84 and sunny! Day passes are available!
Adventure Seeking
Looking for a way to have family fun and get the kids worn out, so they fall asleep early and you can have adult time on your family vacation? Don’t worry mama, we got you covered. The Pocono Mountains offer the best child friendly adventure seeking activities in the mid Atlantic region. Here are our favorites.
Ziplining
Pocono Mountain ZipLine at WRA (25 min drive)
Ready to feel like Tarzan, zipping through the trees? This park has you reaching up to 900 feet high and speeds up to 35 mph. All equipment is provided. Check their website for appropriate clothing.
Other Options:
Camelback Mountain Adventures (30 min drive) | Pocono Zip Racer (30 min drive) | GorillaGrove Treetop Adventures (25 min drive)
Paintball
Skirmish/Paintball Albrightsville (10 min drive)
Skirmish Paintball is a capture-the-flag team sport played on a heavily wooded site with trout streams, waterfalls, natural and man made obstacles. Skirmish has open fields, dense woods, creeks, bridges, swamps, rhododendron trees, forts, villages, two castles, cargo containers, tanks, airplanes, speedball arenas, as well as inflatable bunkers. You name it – Skirmish has it! There is no experience necessary to play, but must be 10 years of age or older. They provide your paintball equipment.
Other Options:
Pocono Mountain Paintball (30 min drive) | The Paintball Asylum (28 min drive)
ATV Rentals
Alvin’s Offroad Playground (15 min drive)
Located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, nestled among the beautiful Pocono Mountains, Alvin’s Offroad Playground is a fun ATV park with off-road trails for riders of all skill levels. Find out what a true off-road experience is all about by conquering every trail with your recreation vehicle or rent one of ours for a 1 hour ATV Tour. The property is truly a rider’s paradise.
1 hr ATV tour is offered multiple times a day (Check website for times). They allow drivers ages 14 and up, as long as the guide deems they can handle the machine, ages 5-13 must be a passenger. You will get dirty! Long pants and sturdy close toed shoes are required. All riders must wear a helmet and sign a waiver.
Other Options:
Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours (13 min drive) | Pocono ATV's at Memorytown (30 min drive) | Switchback UTV Tour (30 min drive)
Animal Experiences
Children are natural scientists. They explore by touch, hearing, sight, and feeling. That’s why Animal Experiences are so exciting to them. The Pocono Mountains offer up close and personal animal encounters for children of all ages.
Pocono Snake and Animal Farm (37 min drive)
A perfect “starter zoo” for the little ones, who can bottle-feed goats and pot bellied pigs, or feed monkeys, lemurs, black bears (and even alligators in summer!), all in an area they can visit within an hour’s time. From the huge python and Alligator Snapping Turtle to the tiniest Cotton-Top Tamarin, this mini-zoo will entertain... and educate too!
Fluster Cluck Farm (50 min drive)
Hiking with Goats is a truly unique experience. All hikes are by appointment with a suggested donation for hikers over the age of 2. The typical visit and hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour and a half. The hike distance varies between quarter mile to a half mile depending on your group's request and ability. Animal crackers are provided prior to the hike for goat feeding. The hike is rocky and has a few hills, mobility concerns should be aware. Time is allotted for goats snuggles and pictures. The property has a picnic area for lunch and snacks. For booking, please use Facebook Messenger. Hikes are offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, weather permitting.
All the Fun in One
Looking for a one stop shop for all of the family fun without having to make several stops? The Pocono Mountains have many options for all in one fun. Arcades, bowling, movies, waterparks, ziplining, and restaurants all in one location!
Kalahari (20 min drive)
This mega resort has everything you need for a rainy day of fun! Choose from the Indoor Water Park, Big Game Room, Glow in the Dark Mini Golf, Escape Rooms, Duckpin Bowling, and Movie Theater!
Country Junction (30 min drive)
For a truly unique and completely Pocono Mountain experience head to Country Junction. This place has everything! Bowling, arcade, carnival games, petting zoo, laser tag, shopping, restaurants, and more! Check out their website for seasonal fun! **Perfect fun for the whole family to enjoy**
Splitrock (3 min drive)
Split Rock Town Center has an indoor pool, indoor sport courts, movie theater, gym, sauna, waterpark, arcade, and bowling!