Check back on January 4, 2024 when this blog will be updated! The Pocono Mountains has been a top ski destination for decades, but there's so much more to winter in the Poconos than just action on the slopes. Come experience all the region has to offer this snowy season!

Take in the crisp, cold air with a variety of exciting outdoor winter activities, or stay warm while enjoying the indoor family attractions in the area. There are so many things to do during a winter day trip, you may want to find a place to stay and give yourself a longer getaway. Check out eight winter experiences to discover in the Pocono Mountains this year.

  1. Hiking
  2. Cross-Country Skiing
  3. Eagle Watching
  4. Horseback Riding
  5. Entertainment
  6. Escape Rooms
  7. Pocono Beverage Trail
  8. Shopping

Hiking

1. Hiking

Go on a winter hike! With over 126 trails all over the region, there are plenty of options, whether you prefer to climb to the heights or venture into the forests. With or without snow, the bare winter landscape has a unique beauty of its own. Get out of the house and bundle up for a rejuvenating walk.

Trails are open year-round at the Pocono Environmental Education Center. Encompassing 70,000 acres, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has lots of paths to explore, including a portion of the famed Appalachian Trail crossing Mount Minsi. The Poconos is home to hikes ranging from easy to extreme. While Bushkill Falls is closed December through March, you can catch an icy winter waterfall along hiking trails at Raymondskill Falls and Dingmans Falls.

Browning Beaver Meadow

Browning Beaver Meadow

Browning Beaver Meadow is the best-kept secret only 25 minutes north of Honesdale, PA. This…

Bushkill Falls - Hiking

Bushkill Falls - Hiking

Discover your next adventure! As you hike the trails or walk the grounds of Bushkill Falls, you'll…

Cliff Trail

Cliff Trail

The Cliff Trail offers some of the most spectacular overlook views in the recreation area. See the…

Cresco Heights - Hiking

Cresco Heights - Hiking

Take a hike toward a new point of view! The trail is out and back, about three miles. It is…

D&L Trail - Hiking

D&L Trail - Hiking

Stop and stroll along the scenic D&L Trail as it traverses through the Delaware & Lehigh National…

Ice Lake - Hiking

Ice Lake - Hiking

Ice Lake is a little jewel of a preserve in Barrett Township. The trail is centered around Ice Lake…

Cross-Country Skiing

2. Cross-Country Skiing

We said off the slopes, and we meant it! Experience a classic variation on the popular downhill winter sport with cross-country skiing.

Snow conditions permitting, bring your skis and glide over the snow-covered landscape on trails in Pocono Mountains parks like Lehigh Gorge State Park, Hickory Run State Park and Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.

Eagle Watching

3. Eagle Watching

Another popular wintertime activity in the Poconos is eagle watching. Bald eagles migrate to the region during the winter months to enjoy the eco-friendly habitat of our pristine lakes and rivers.

The Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers offer abundant clean water and undisturbed land, making them popular spots for eagles to nest and roost. Take advantage of special offers with The Settlers Inn or Ledges Hotel to join an eagle watching excursion with Delaware Highlands Conservancy. You only have a few months to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures: bald eagle watching takes flight now through March.

Eagle Watching in the Pocono Mountains

Eagle Watching

Bald eagle watching is a very popular winter activity in the Pocono Mountains.

Horseback Riding

4. Horseback Riding

Saddle up for a memorable winter horseback ride throughout the scenic Poconos Mountains. If you've never been on a mount before, no worries! Local stables welcome beginners, offering guided rides through beautiful fields and forests.

Enjoy a peaceful canter through the wintry landscape at Happy Trails Stables or Mountain Creek Riding Stable. When snow covers the ground, some stables also offer sleigh rides!

Bushkill Riding Stables

Bushkill Riding Stables

Bushkill Riding Stables offers winter trail rides. Set off into the snow-covered woods around…

Daisy Field Farm

Daisy Field Farm

Enjoy a snow-covered trail ride at Daisy Field Farm. Families, small groups and beginners can take…

Happy Trails Stables

Happy Trails Stables

Take a one or two hour trail ride by horseback over snow covered trails or sit back and relax and…

Entertainment

5. Entertainment

There's no shortage of good times in the Pocono Mountains with a fantastic lineup of live performances and great entertainment. Whether you want a taste of casino nightlife, or you'd prefer to relax to good music and drinks during a local happy hour, you'll find your niche any night of the week.

Experience some of the best shows from your favorite bands at Sherman Theater or Penn's Peak. These venues are known for bringing big names to the region and putting on great performances year-round.

Live Music at Double Cut

Live Music at Double Cut

  • 12/09/2023 - 08/30/2024

It’s double the fun at Double Cut Steakhouse inside Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Now…

Live Music at Last Run Lounge

Live Music at Last Run Lounge

  • 12/09/2023 - 03/09/2024

Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday in the Last Run Lounge featuring a rotating line-up of…

Rhythm and Brews Live Music

Rhythm and Brews Live Music

  • 12/09/2023 - 12/31/2023

Enjoy live music in the Beer Garden or Tap Room every Friday and Saturday night and Saturday and…

Social Parasite

Social Parasite

  • 12/09/2023

Social Parasite is an Alice in Chains tribute band made up of three brothers and their friend…

Little Elf, Big City

Little Elf, Big City

  • 12/10/2023

Fusia Center for the Arts proudly presents their Annual Winter Ballet, Little Elf, Big City…

Community Concert Series

Community Concert Series

  • 12/12/2023 - 12/26/2023

Join The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort for their Community Concert Series. Concerts feature different…

Escape Rooms

6. Escape Rooms

Spend a day indoors and put your critical thinking skills to the test in an escape room. Follow a series of themed clues to try and solve a puzzling mystery in just 60 minutes.

Grab your gang to unravel the clues at Klues Escape Room. Choose one of four escape rooms, each offering a unique, themed, interactive challenge! You can also put your teamwork and communication skills to the test at Big Screen Escapes with three rooms retro rooms full of riddles.

Jokers Are Wild Game Cafe

Jokers Are Wild Game Cafe

Jokers Are Wild Game Cafe is a place you can go to enjoy various board games, collectible card games…

Klues Escape Room

Klues Escape Room

A truly unique experience for family, friends, or co-workers! Klues Escape Room is an amazing…

Trap Door Escape Room

Trap Door Escape Room

Update: Currently closed and reopening in early 2024. Trap Door Escape Room is the pinnacle of…

Wonderland Madhouse

Wonderland Madhouse

Updating: Coming soon to The Pocono Premium Outlets. Journey down the rabbit hole this holiday…

Wonderland on Broadway

Wonderland on Broadway

Welcome to an immersive Alice in Wonderland experience located in historic Jim Thorpe, PA…

Pocono Beverage Trail

7. Pocono Beverage Trail

Quench your thirst this winter at area wineries, breweries and distilleries. Whatever your libation preference, the Poconos has vintages, brews and spirits to satisfy along the Pocono Beverage Trail. With the free Pocono Beverage Trail Digital Passport, you can check in at locations to earn points and access discounts!

Wineries like Wild Elder Wine and Cider Co. offer specialty tastings and wine flights. Microbreweries are located across the region, each bringing delicious flavors to the area. Both Barley Creek Brewing Company and Wallenpaupack Brewing Company offer growlers, so you can take your favorite beers home! If spirits are more your thing, grab a signature cocktail at Silverback Distillery or Nomad Distilling Co.. As always, drink responsibly.

Brewery Tours at Barley Creek in the Pocono Mountains

Pocono Beverage Trail

The Pocono Beverage Trail is a craft beverage lover's dream. It's a beer trail, a wine…

Shopping

8. Shopping

Take a stroll down Main Street in our area's historic small towns to find one-of-a-kind shopping! Discover hand-made treasures are local craft shops or hunt for bargains at an outlet store. Here in Pennsylvania, there is no sales tax on clothing, so you can shop until you drop!

American Candle sells not only the obvious tapers, but also designer jewelry, handbags, clothes and over 150 varieties of candy. If antiquing is more your style, discover vintage finds at Asparagus Sunshine in charming Delaware Water Gap. Lovers of the Victorian era won't want to miss the Poe and Raven Gallery, stocked with unique mementos, art, stained glass and jewelry.

Alpine Ski & Gift Shop

Alpine Ski & Gift Shop

Alpine Ski & Gift Shop is a family-owned business that has been in the Pocono Mountains for over…

American Candle

American Candle

American Candle is more than just great candles, it is a destination! Shop candles made on site, let…

The Apple Tree

The Apple Tree

A Pocono Destination Boutique specializing in personal service and styling. The Apple Tree team of…

The Artisan Exchange

The Artisan Exchange

The Artisan Exchange is a family-run gift gallery that represents more than 275 American artists. If…

Asparagus Sunshine

Asparagus Sunshine

Asparagus Sunshine is a unique antique store located in the Historic Appalachian town of Delaware…

BC Goods & Grain

BC Goods & Grain

BC Goods & Grain is a creative studio specializing in custom signage for your event or business…

Blue Ridge Flea Market

Blue Ridge Flea Market

Located at the site of the old Blue Ridge Drive-In Theater, the Blue Ridge Flea Market has been in…

Bronson EBikes & Trikes

Bronson EBikes & Trikes

The mission of Bronson Ebikes and Etirkes is to provide electric bicycles and tricycles that offer…

Callie's Candy Kitchen

Callie's Candy Kitchen

The Callie Family extends an invitation to you to visit Callie's Candy Kitchen in the Pocono…

The Shoppes at Castle Inn

The Shoppes at Castle Inn

The Shoppes and businesses at the Historic Castle Inn are a unique collection of businesses for you…

Country Kettle

Country Kettle

Established in 1986 our unique retail store features candy, candles, collectibles and crafts…

Crystal Garden

Crystal Garden

Crystal Garden Metaphysical Shop and Salt Cave is a sanctuary for the mind, body and soul. Offering…

Der Jaeger Unique Arts

Der Jaeger Unique Arts

Shop a wide selection of antiques, artwork, fine porcelain, collectibles and militaria at this…

Earthly Treasures

Earthly Treasures

Located at the Historic Upper Mill in lovely Milford, Pennsylvania, Earthly Treasures is a…

Faded Lace Boutique

Faded Lace Boutique

Faded Lace Boutique is a free spirited shop that celebrates the adventurous nature of modern women…

Gather

Gather

Head down to Gather in Honesdale to find fun gifts for everyone on your list. Located in Downtown…

Gorgeous Floral

Gorgeous Floral

Gorgeous Floral is thrilled to help you with all your floral needs; whether it is ‘just because’ or…

Hanna's Farm Market

Hanna's Farm Market

Hanna's Farm Market is a family owned and operated, full-service farm market. Stop by to browse a…

Hop in the car and get ready for an amazing day trip to the Poconos this season, or add more fun to your itinerary and plan a longer winter escape! Find winter places to stay and save on accommodations with special offers. Discover exciting events happening during your stay as well.

Check out all the snow activities and adventures waiting for you in the Pocono Mountains, and keep and eye on area snow conditions with our live cameras for immediate weather updates. See you in the Poconos!

Winter Magic in the Poconos

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