4 Reasons Every New Yorker Should Go to the Poconos

This post is bought to you in collaboration with Martz Trailways and the Poconos Mountains Visitor's Bureau.

I'm just back from a weekend of R&R, cooling my heels with friends and family in the Poconos! My family has been coming to the region since we were kids, and it's always a blast. Whether you are into adventure travel or just looking for some downtime in the woods, the Poconos has it all. Check out my top reasons New Yorkers should go to the Poconos!

It's Closer than you think 

The Hamptons are great in summer, but easily 3-4 hours away. New Yorkers also love hitting up the Catskills, another 3 hour trek from the city. The Poconos is about 2 hours away and has amazing mountains and lakes in the region that are perfect for a quick escape. If you don't have or don't want to rent a car, you can easily get there from Port Authority on the Martz Trailways Bus. The bus is fast, comfortable, and reliable, with free wifi for you to stay connected. The Blakeslee stop was closest to where we were staying, so if you find yourself there, make sure you check out the amazing candy bar at Harmony Beverage and the Peppers & More BBQ Food Truck in the parking lot!

There are plenty of activities

Depending on the time of year, you go, the options are plentiful. Skiing and snowboarding in winter, hiking in fall, kayaking or swimming in the summer. You can even do a boat tour across the stunning Lake Harmony.  We stayed at Split Rock Resort, and that property has everything from an indoor water park to an arcade and bowling alley! 

Doing nothing is a welcome option

City folk tend to get caught up in the grind of staying busy and jam-packing their days. If you just want a quiet, cozy place to escape the Poconos is a perfect option. We spent time enjoying the scenery by day, but after dinner I made time to curl up with a good book, face mask, and bottle of wine! 

The food scene is surprising

Even though I've been to the Poconos many times, this trip I was pretty impressed by the food! We had an amazing dinner at Broadway Grille in Jim Thorpe, a charming little town with Victorian vibes. The staff was friendly, service personable, and dining experience memorable. After dinner we wandered across the street to an adorable ice cream shop with a yummy selection of homemade ice cream. The hardest part was choosing a flavor and trying to figure out how to get a pint back to NY! Next time we will be bringing  a cooler bag for sure! 

If you are thinking about a weekend trip to the Poconos, make sure you check out the Poconos Mountains Visitor's Bureau for tips, advice and suggestions!