If variety appeals to you, head north to Pennsylvania. The Keystone State, from its bustling cities to its rural farmland, is rich with enough American history, celebrated art, family festivities, award-winning dining, and nature excursions to suit any visitor’s tastes. In our September issue, we tell you where to go and what to do in some of our favorite PA destinations. Check out those stories below.
Philadelphia | Lancaster | Pittsburgh | New Hope & Lambertville | The Laurel Highlands | York
The Pocono Mountains are perfect for family getaways, wooing kids and adults with resorts that are destinations in themselves, from Great Wolf Lodge, which recently expanded its indoor water park, to Woodloch Pines, an all-inclusive that never leaves you struggling for things to do. Most of these resorts are about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Dulles.
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge wrapped a major renovation a year ago, leveling up the resort’s spacious indoor water park with seven new water slides and a toddler water play area. Towel off for more family fun at the onsite bowling alley, arcade, outdoor ropes course, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf course. In the evening, head to the lobby for meet-and-greets with lovable resort characters, like Wiley Wolf or Brinley Bear. Don’t forget your furry wolf ears! Call it a day in a cozy family suite, some of which wow with bunk beds. 1 Great Wolf Dr., Scotrun
Kalahari Resorts
Kalahari Resorts boasts colorful African-themed décor and a massive indoor water park spread across 220,000 square feet. Suit up for a lazy river, a wave simulator, swim-up bars, and water slides for all ages, including a VR water slide. Once you dry off, head out for mini bowling, black light mini golf, an escape room challenge, and a treetop adventure course. Refuel at one of four signature restaurants, including Double Cut Steak House and Sortino’s Italian Kitchen. Since a day at a water park can be exhausting, unwind with a therapeutic massage or deluxe hydrafacial at the spa. 250 Kalahari Blvd., Pocono Manor
Camelback Resort
Camelback Resort is home to year-round fun, including the Aquatopia indoor water park, which has 13 water slides, a toddler water play area, a wave pool, and private cabanas. Outside, revel in fresh air on the mountain coaster and ziplines. Five onsite restaurants, including a chophouse and a pub with mountain views, ensure favorite meals for everyone in the family. That’s not to mention grab-and-go options scattered across the resort, like Chuck’s Spud Shack for hand-cut fries and Cammello’s for pizza. In winter months, ski runs, a terrain park, and snow tubing lanes beckon. 193 Resort Dr., Tannersville
Woodloch Pines
Woodloch Pines is a gem in the Poconos. The all-inclusive family resort is about a five-hour drive from Dulles and has a robust daily activity schedule that will keep everybody busy from sunup to sundown with scavenger hunts, games, shows, and family bowling contests. That’s on top of all the at-your-leisure amenities, like shuffleboard, bumper cars, and mini golf. Seriously, there’s a lot to do here, so budget time for an afternoon nap. At The Lodge at Woodloch, the adults-only sister property to Woodloch Pines, luxurious spa treatments await, like hydrating wraps and deep tissue massages. 731 Welcome Lake Rd., Hawley
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Feature image courtesy Great Wolf Lodge
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
