Our last trip of our fun-filled summer was to an amazing place called Skytop Lodge, in Skytop, Pennsylvania (in the Pocono mountains). Despite the colder and rainy weather that greeted us when we arrived, we had an incredible experience and couldn’t believe the beauty all around us at Skytop.
This all-inclusive resort is a wonderful family destination, especially for active families. As you approach Skytop, you can’t help but be amazed at the incredible property (take a tour here) – the main building, which opened in 1928, is majestic and beautiful. The gardens and flowers all around the property are probably the most beautiful that I have seen. And the numerous waterfalls throughout the property are simply amazing. Activities on property include over 30 miles of trails to hike, bike, relax and play by the lake, enjoy sports like archery, tennis, basketball, golf, paintball, rock climbing, kayaking, geo-caching, wildernes
s skills, and much more. Winter sports include downhill and cross country skiing, ice skating and sledding, and fishing and shooting in their indoor center.
One of my favorite features that sets Skytop apart from other destinations that we traveled to this summer is that they offer a kids camp in the summer, called Camp in the Clouds. For potty-trained kids over 3, they can participate in highly active, outdoor-geared activities for either half or full-day sessions. My older son Jacob, who is 4 ½, had the greatest time at camp. He played at the pool, did arts and crafts, and enjoyed playing indoor mini-golf. (It was raining the day he went to camp.) He met some friends and enjoyed playing with them throughout our stay at Skytop. And we loved that we got a little
break (while our little one napped) which made the trip even more of a vacation for us! Skytop also offers a kids Ambassadors Club, which gives kids 4 and up a passport and special lapel pin. Each time they do an activity, they get a special stamp in their passport, which they can turn in for a prize at the end of their stay. Finally, it’s important to note that babysitters are available at Skytop, which allows parents some time off at night to enjoy the great entertainment activities and fabulous dining options (more on that later, too!)
Other great features for kids: family fun and entertainment every Saturday night with live music and dancing, as well as special children’s banquets and activities. (My kids loved the 4pm cookies every day!) My kids also loved the indoor and outdoor mini-golf courses, biking (all types of bikes are available, including bike seats and pull carts for little ones), ping-pong, arcade, and more. When you check in, you receive “Skylites,” a listing of all of the activities happening throughout the week. Things like tie-dying, jewelry making, guided bike rides and hikes, afternoon tea, yoga classes, and more occur throughout the day.
Of course, I can’t write about Skytop without mentioning the incredible, delicious food that is included with your stay (three meals per person a day!) There were two restaurants to choose from, the Main dining room (which offers traditional fare and a Kids buffet) and the Lakeview Dining Room, which offers an Italian menu. Both restaurants had gourmet, delicious food, and everyone in my family was impressed and satisfied. You can also eat at “the In Between Deli,” a quick place to get lighter fare like sandwiches and soups (included in your stay), or can dine at the Tap Room or Tea Room (not included).
Though I didn’t get a chance to try out the spa, it looked like a great place to get away and relax while enjoying a refreshing treatment. My husband, though, did get a chance to try out the 18-hole golf course and really enjoyed it. There is also a golf pro on staff and a golf shop as well as a driving range. Skytop offers Golf School as well as golf lessons and programs for kids, too.
Though summer is now coming to a close, the fall and winter is a wonderful time to visit Skytop. They have some incredible Fall Theme Weekends coming up this fall, including a “Spoo-tacular” on Halloween weekend, “Secrets of the Harvest” which is a weekend of cooking demonstrations and eating, “Holiday Dining and Decorating”, and “Gingerbread Weekend”, both in December.
This is definitely one place that you will want to bring your family. My family certainly had an incredible time. (Take a look at our slideshow of pictures of the amazing property!) Enjoy your stay if you decide to go!
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