Pennsylvania Resorts

This year-round upscale resort has 2400 acres in southeast PA, an Adventure Center (rock-climbing, kayaking, paintball, archery...), Equestrian Center, Mystic Mountain downhill ski area, holiday festivities. Lodgings include Chateau LaFayette, The Lodge, townhouses, and a boutique hotel.

^{Photo courtesy of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.}

Great Wolf Lodge is a big name in waterpark resorts, with properties in a number of towns. Great Wolf Lodge Poconos has rustic chic, Grand Lobby, Aveda spa, all-suite guest-rooms including Family Fireplace Suites and themed KidCabins. Signature indoor waterpark has slides, water roller coaster, wave pool, kiddie pool, lazy river, 12-level waterfort play zone; 1,000-gal. tipping bucket.

Three hours from NYC, 90 minutes from Phillie, "Chocolate Town USA" offers Hersheypark theme park, Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park, Hershey's Chocolate World Visitors Center, and more. Families are welcome at the classic Hotel Hershey, which has kids' club, outdoor pool in summer, large gardens (summer), and spa with chocolate treatments. Hershey Lodge has giant lobby with 4-sided fireplace, indoor and outdoor pools, free family activities. Lots of seasonal fun at Hersheypark at Halloween and "Christmas Candylane".

"One of a kind" has to be the phrase for this resort, with a huge Dutch Colonial stone lodge, seventy years of history, 5500 acres of forest, outdoors activities year-round, plus seasonal kids' programs and theme weekends. Three meals daily are included in room rates.

^{Photo courtesy of Skytop Lodge.}

Another four-season resort on large grounds (1000 acres): in the Poconos in northeastern PA, Woodloch Resort has family meals, varied lodging including vacation home rentals. Many lakeside activities in summertime; in winter, ice skating, snow tube hill, and nearby downhill skiing. Look for family packages.

Photo courtesy of Woodloch Resort.