From frolicking in the snow to splashing in an indoor waterpark, a winter Pocono family vacation filled with lasting memories awaits! Find family-friendly ski resorts, winter festivals in the Pocono Mountains, the best winter activities for kids, and indoor activities for all ages at our family resorts. Keep reading to find family winter vacations Pocono Mountains insider tips to maximize family fun.
Snow Activities
1. Where are the Snow Activities in the Poconos?
Break out your warmest coats and best winter boots for an avalanche of snow activities! Whether you prefer exploring frosty trails on horseback or racing down the slopes while snow tubing, you and your family are guaranteed to love winter outdoor adventure in the Pocono Mountains.
Skiing and snowboarding are offered at six family-friendly ski areas, with ski and snowboard lessons available for kids, adults, and groups! If you'd prefer a more tranquil pace, try snowshoeing (weather permitting!) over the snow-covered landscape. To kick the adrenaline up a notch, book a four-wheeler rental for some off-road ATV tours Poconos winter fun or gear up for a paintball battle in the woods at spots like Skirmish Paintball, the largest paintball park in the world.
Insider Tip: Guests staying overnight at Skytop Lodge and Woodloch Resort can enjoy a variety of outdoor winter activities on-site, including ice skating! Be sure to check with the resort before your stay to confirm current offerings.
Horseback Riding
Feel the winter air on your face and enjoy the natural scenery of the Pocono Mountains as you ride…
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is the easiest way to hit the slopes in the Pocono Mountains!
Skiing
Start planning your winter adventure. Check out our ski resorts and find the best slopes in the…
Snowboarding
The Poconos has quickly become a haven for boarders with TransWorld Snowboarding rating some of the…
Learn to Ski
Our six ski resorts love to welcome beginners, and they all offer world-class programs, ski lessons…
Snowshoeing
One of the most magical ways to take in the Poconos’ landscape is to venture out on snowshoes.
ATV & Offroading
Kick your adrenaline into high gear with an all-terrain, off-road adventure in the Poconos!
Paintball
Challenge your friends, family or co-workers to a game of winter paintball.
Exciting Events
2. What Winter Events Are Happening in the Pocono Mountains?
Savor the winter season with Pocono Mountains events! From winter festivals to entertaining shows to educational classes, get the family out of the house for a fun outing.
Experience a slice of local winter history at the Tobyhanna Ice Harvest, or join Pocono Environmental Education Center to learn something new in the Ecozone Discovery Room.
Bundle up for WinterFest in Downtown Stroudsburg, Jim Thorpe's Winter Fest, or Wally Ice Fest in February. Brave the temperatures during the Annual Polar Plunge at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, or race to the top of Shawnee Mountain Ski Area during Bigfoot Snowshoe Race Day.
Insider Tip: Looking for a memorable meal? Take your little ones to meet with royalty at the stately Skytop Lodge during Breakfast with the Princesses.
Tobyhanna Ice Harvest
- 01/31/2026
The recent warm weather ice melted and just recently refroze. If there is sufficient ice on January…
Ecozone Discovery Room
- 07/19/2025 - 12/07/2025
Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave, explore a beaver lodge, and dig in a fossil…
Annual Jim Thorpe WinterFest
- 02/14/2026 - 02/15/2026
Don't miss this milestone annual event, February 14-15, 2026 in beautiful downtown, Jim Thorpe. The…
Winter Treats
3. Where are Great Places for Families to Eat in the Poconos?
All that excitement and adventure is sure to work up an appetite. Gather around the table and refuel at one of the region’s delicious restaurants. Stop by a café like The Cure Cafe in Stroudsburg or Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff in Honesdale to warm up with hot sandwiches and hot chocolate or enjoy some quality time together during a hearty meal at a family restaurant like Apple Valley Restaurant in Milford or Murphy's Loft in Blakeslee.
Looking for something sweet? Visit a Pocono Mountains bakery and treat yourselves to yummy desserts and pastries. Find specialty cupcake flavors for every taste at Sonia's Sweet Inspirations. Swing by the Stroudsmoor Bakery & Café for adorably decorated and perfectly seasonal sugar cookies or create a personalized donut masterpiece at Duck Donuts of Bartonsville.
Insider Tip: Resort restaurants like B-Lux Grill & Bar and Graffiti Pizza at Camelback Resort offer delicious fare in a family-friendly atmosphere that's close to the ski slopes.
The Cure Café
Open for breakfast and lunch, this cozy eatery has a variety of options to choose from. Located in…
Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff
Bagels, breakfast, baked goods, and lunch. Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff strives to only bring you the…
Apple Valley Restaurant
Serving the tri-state area since 1966. Enjoy the heritage of American foods at Apple Valley…
Murphy's Loft
Murphy's Loft is a restaurant and bar located in the heart of the Poconos. This authentic log cabin…
Sonia's Sweet Inspirations
You’ve come to the right place for something sweet and special! Sonia's Sweet Inspirations is an…
Stroudsmoor Bakery & Café
Providing a diverse range of offerings, including baked goods, specialty cakes, deli sandwiches…
Duck Donuts of Bartonsville
Are you looking for a delicious and personalized donut experience? Look no further than Duck Donuts…
B-Lux Grill & Bar
B-Lux Grill & Bar: deliciously unique burgers and shakes hand crafted from scratch. Invite your…
Graffiti Pizza
Adventure, then pizza. At Graffiti Pizza the quest continues with “build-you-own” pizza creations…
Indoor Fun
4. What Are Indoor Winter Activities for Families in the Poconos?
Want to get out of the cold for a bit? There are plenty of indoor family fun parks where little ones can work off energy inside. Bouncing and laughing are great Poconos toddler activities in winter! Poconos Rocks! has bounce houses, a ninja warrior course, a boulder climbing wall, and an on-site cafe. For older kids over 54" tall, a day on the track at S&S Speedways is a great way to get in some go-kart poconos action.
Insider Tip: Love to game? Enjoy a cozy winter day indoors playing classic video games at The Arcade Era or get in some exercise with the virtual simulator games at The Wake Zone Indoor Golf and Taproom.
Pocono Rocks!
Family recreation center with a variety of activities for all members of the family! Pocono Rocks…
S&S Speedways - Indoor Go-Karts
Have you ever wanted the thrill of driving a real racecar? This is racing at its best! S&S offers…
The Arcade Era
Step into The Arcade Era and travel back to your childhood playing games like Pac-Man, Mario Kart…
The Wake Zone Indoor Golf & Taproom
Enjoy a beer and play a variety of indoor games and sports at the newest entertainment destination…
Museums
5. What are the Best Museums to Visit in the Poconos?
Take the family back in time to discover the antiquity and arts of the Pocono Mountains at one of our historical attractions and museums. Explore downtown gems and take in the beauty that has brought visitors to this area for generations.
Historical societies showcase stories from the past at spots like the Columns Museum in Milford and the Wayne County Historical Society and Museum in Honesdale. Bundle up to see National Historic Landmarks like the Roebling Aqueduct Bridge or the grounds of Grey Towers National Historic Site covered in snow.
Insider Tip: For a truly immersive experience, dig deeper into the past by staying at historic resorts like The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.
Columns Museum
Columns Museum is an official county museum offering genealogical and educational services and group…
Wayne County Historical Society & Museum
The Wayne County Historical Society was organized on May 26, 1917 and was incorporated in 1922. The…
Roebling Aqueduct Bridge
The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is the home of the oldest existing wire suspension…
Grey Towers National Historic Site
Milford's Grey Towers is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot. Pinchot was a Pennsylvania Governor…
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
Rediscover the outdoors at the historic Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort and be captivated by its…
Waterparks
6. What are the Best Indoor Waterparks in the Poconos?
Spend some time poolside this winter! Pocono Mountains waterparks provide excitement and relaxation for all members of the family, and the weather is always a guaranteed 84 degrees!
Water slides, wave pools, dump buckets, and aquatic obstacles are just a few attractions your family will discover. Let the indoor adventures begin!
Insider Tip: Book an overnight stay at Camelback Resort & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge, or Kalahari Resorts and Conventions to experience waterpark fun-free with your trip!
Camelback Resort & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
A thrilling year-round adventure hotel in the Pocono Mountains! With 453 rooms in 16 various suite…
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge is your time-together destination for family water fun where you will always play…
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Get ready, because you’ve never experienced an all-under-one-roof vacation destination like Kalahari…
Winter Family Fun in the Poconos
Discover Pocono family resorts with activities, entertainment, and dining all under one roof, plus find ways to save on accommodations with special offers. Looking to plan a family reunion in the Pocono Mountains? Get in touch to tell us about your upcoming group gathering, and we’ll assist with your event planning needs! Don’t forget to check out more winter things to do, ski and snow activities, and winter day trip ideas. Stay up-to-date with area snow conditions as you plan your winter family escape to the Pocono Mountains.
Winter Family Deals
Active and Retired Military Rate
- Valid: 01/12/2025 - 12/25/2025
Includes: Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to save big and indulge in extraordinary…
All PA, NY and NJ Residents Savings
- Valid: 01/15/2025 - 12/25/2025
Includes: Book your getaway in the Pocono Mountains! All PA, NY, and NJ residents can save up to 20%…
Bed and Breakfast Offer
- Valid: 03/01/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Sleep in, but not too late because breakfast is on Camelback. You will receive…
Best Flexible Rate
- Valid: 04/10/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Stress Less with Camelback's Best Flexible Rate. Planning made easy! Book our Best…
Book Early and Save
- Valid: 04/10/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Book Early and Save Big! Seasons change, but the fun never stops at Camelback Resort! Lock…
Tasty Trails
- Valid: 04/10/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Tasty Trails Offer – A Flavorful Getaway. Treat up to four guests to the ultimate…
The Great Indoors
- Valid: 04/10/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Level Up Your Stay! Get ready for non-stop fun when you add a little extra to your escape…
Two Waterparks, One Stay
- Valid: 04/16/2025 - 09/01/2025
Includes: Book a two-night stay between June 18 and September 1 and enjoy unlimited access to both…
Camping Season
- Valid: 04/18/2025 - 11/01/2025
Includes: If you are looking to get away and enjoy some quiet time in the woods or plan a great…
Kids Stay and Eat Breakfast Free
- Valid: 05/23/2025 - 08/28/2025
Includes: Make unforgettable family memories with our special Kid’s Stay and Eat Free offer, packed…
Book in Advance and Save!
- Valid: 05/29/2025 - 12/26/2025
Includes: Plan ahead and enjoy exclusive savings on your stay. When you book at least 14 days before…
Discount Group Bookings at Kalahari
- Valid: 06/25/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Enjoy tons of wet and wild fun at Kalahari Resorts and Convention's 125,000 square foot…
Multi Night Stays
- Valid: 06/25/2025 - 12/31/2025
Includes: Plan ahead and save on your Kalahari Resorts vacation! This offer includes overnight…
Skytop Cheer Offer
- Valid: 12/01/2025 - 12/25/2025
Includes: The Holiday Cheer Offer includes superior acommodations with up to 15% in savings, daily…
10 Must-Do Winter Adventures in the Poconos (Other Than Downhill Skiing)
Skiing and snowboarding are just the tip of the mountain when it comes to winter things to do in the…
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