As busy parents raising kids in New York City, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our every day lives. With jam-packed calendars and time spent preoccupied with devices, we often feel stretched in many different directions and find ourselves struggling for time to catch-up with our own kids. Last weekend we departed the concrete jungle and drove less than 100 miles to Woodloch Resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains in search of respite from the chaos of our everyday lives.
A tranquil departure from the urban grind, Woodloch is an all-inclusive resort built around a picturesque mountain lake setting. Their dedication to providing the perfect family-focused getaway was immediately apparent and we were so touched at the warm welcome we received by staff throughout the resort. You see, at Woodloch, the emphasis is placed on the importance of “togethering” and old-fashioned family values. Their heartwarming hospitality coupled with the serene natural beauty of the resort make for the perfect setting to relax, reboot, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
There is no shortage of activities at the exceptional Poconos resort, even during the most inclement weather. Even though it was cold and rainy during our stay, we were so well entertained that it now boggles my mind to think of all we accomplished in only a 2-day visit. I attribute this partially to the attentive staff and their enthusiasm in helping us choose the best activities for our family and always making sure we knew of everything going on throughout the resort. Although we had marathon days of consecutive activities at Woodloch, we still only tackled a fraction of their endless activities. Below are some of the highlights from our visit.
Bumper Cars
Hit and run has never been so much fun! We enjoyed whirling around and bumping into each other so much that we even went back for another battle of the bumpers the following day. Evan was barely tall enough to ride, but Chloe has to sit this one out. For toddlers who aren’t tall enough to ride, there are vehicles in an adjoining area that will keep them happy and entertained.
Snow Tubing
Being outside in the crisp mountain air is truly invigorating, especially for us city dwellers. And snow tubing is an exhilarating family-friendly activity for families. Although I was terrified to try it, I took the plunge and careened down the snow-covered hill with ease again and again.
Pony Rides & Petting Zoo
No child’s visit to Woodloch is complete without visiting the petting zoo and taking a ride on a real pony. Fun for kids of all ages, the petting zoo is the perfect opportunity to interact with farm animals like sheep and baby goats. Both Chloe and Evan took multiple turns riding the ponies and loved stopping to wave to the camera.
Go Carts
The outdoor go-carts at Woodloch are a recipe for fast-paced family fun. As we zoomed around the track, Evan kept asking for me to go faster, and I did my best to humor his competitive spirit and need for speed. We’re already looking forward to returning in the Spring to re-live this memorable racing experience.
Bowling
Chloe and Evan have always loved to bowl, which is why we were so thrilled to discover this bowling alley at Woodloch. We didn’t keep score and the kids often skipped our turns, but we loved watching them figure out the nuances of the game.
Arcade
We stopped by the arcade at Woodloch multiple times throughout our stay, where we went head-to-head in frequent air hockey tournaments and played every new and old-school video games imaginable.
Characters
We were so pleasantly surprised by the multitude of characters walking around the grounds at Woodloch. It was such a treat for the kids to have a meet and greet with all their favorites! Not pictured below is Gilligan from the 1960’s television show, who was unmistakable in his red collared shirt and white bucket hat.
Dining
Every meal at Woodloch is 5-star dining experience with multiple courses. Luckily my pants had some stretch to accommodate the thousands of calories we consumed each day. Just take a look at this raw bar!
Accommodations
Our spacious suite at Woodloch was the perfect setting to unwind after a busy day of endless activities. Fully stocked with all the best bath/shower products and immaculately clean, we felt right at home nestled in our cozy suite overlooking the pristine lake.
The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way. Thank you, Woodloch, for providing the perfect destination for us to unplug, reconnect and savor our moments together. While taking advantage of the awe-inspiring amenities at your lakeside resort, we created life-long memories that I will cherish forever. Kids won’t remember that fancy game or toys we buy them, but they’ll remember the special times we spent with them.
For more details about Woodloch, click here to view my friend Stella’s review. We we lucky enough to visit Woodloch on the very same weekend!
Lullabies and Louboutins 