Fall Family Fun at The Pocono Mountains

With the arrival of fall there is plenty of fall family fun at the Pocono Mountains that should not be missed!  There is something for every family member, and at every stop the memory making will be unforgettable.  Our Bilingual Traveling Mom traveled from Miami to visit and discover the Pocono Mountains and shares her experiences.

Leaf peeping is practically a must-do when visiting The Poconos. But there is much more to see and do to make your next family fun vacation in the Poconos better than the last.  Read on for more tips on Fall family fun at The Pocono Mountains.

Romance with the Family in Tow Is Real in The Poconos

Traveling with 9 and 8-year-old boys does not equate to time for parents.  Nevertheless, there are opportunities to sneak some romance, during your fall family fun at The Pocono Mountains.

Take for example visiting one of the vineyards of the region.  We visited Mountain View Vineyard for a wine tasting that took place in an airy and ample room where the kids could roam without us worrying they were going to break something.  That gave us the chance to indulge in the wine flavors, have some adult conversation and have a mini date.  The grounds of the main house for the vineyard offer open space to take a romantic walk under the moonlight while our boys were busy racing back and forth in front of us.

Foliage and Fall Family Fun at The Pocono Mountains

There is no shortage of national parks in the Pocono Mountains — and the perfect stop for your fall family fun at The Pocono Mountains.  Sure you can see some of the color changes of trees as you drive by, but to really take it in, we suggest a hike in one of the many parks.  We stopped at two that took our breaths away and vividly showed us what the changes of foliage starts out like in fall up north.

Bushkill Falls

You can easily spend a whole day at Bushkill Falls and not want to leave.  The park offered different trails with varying degrees of difficulty.  More importantly, spectacular waterfalls!!!

We hiked two of the waterfalls. The man-made trails were easy and very enjoyable even for the, ahem, not fit ones like me. Guides are not required to visit.  We loved that admiring the waterfalls provoked a conversation about conservation as well hydroelectric and the power of water.  The trails are set in such a way that you get different views of each waterfall which is perfect to get different vantage points.  Perfect to meander at your own pace.

The Big Pocono State Park

Get a panoramic view of the fall foliage that goes as far as the Catskill Mountains, it is so worth it! There are plenty of hiking trails here as well, but the absolute must do is a stop at the very top of the park for the view.  Informative plaques explained what you see and talk about the birds in the region.

We enjoyed the most learning about the Castell Cabin.  The only structure other than restroom in the park that has been in place since the early 1900s.  Fun fact: The purpose of the cabin has always been to offer refuge and a warm welcome to those needing it.

Family Fun at Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was our cultural stop because we took in history, arts, and observed different lifestyles there.  Take a self-guided walking tour of the city which will offer plenty of old charm.

While the town has a cohesive feel to it, as you walk it, you will soon realize it hides in plain sight a truly eclectic style that caters to everyone.The kids enjoyed the main street general store which features tons of old-fashioned toys, as well as souvenir items.

Be sure to visit the Fall Foliage Festivals in town every weekend.  The boys loved the booth with handmade wooden animal figures and couldn’t get enough of the local popcorn.  I could not get me away from the Italian pastry stand, and hubby sat at the main gazebo to listen to folk artists that livened the afternoon.

The Fall Foliage Train Ride

Step up your fall family fun at the Poconos Mountains with an absolute must do: riding the Foliage train!  The nostalgia and the lazy ride was the highlight for all of us.

The 16-mile ride aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway took us through the state park with the same name for some breathtaking views of nature.  Before boarding, you can greet the railway mouse or snap a picture at the photo ops stand.  Get ready to take in beautiful photos and snuggle in for some relaxing time on board.

The train is a great opportunity to put your feet up and play some “I spy” with the children.   My youngest got a kick out of spotting fly fishermen on the river below us. The foliage colors are amazing here too.

Planning Your Fall Family Fun to The Pocono Mountains

We visited the first week in October, and the weather went from 50 to 74 degrees.  Our friends at Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau will be more than happy to tailor your visit to your preferences. Their website has plenty of suggested itineraries for you.  The nearest airport is the Allegheny  Nevertheless, air tickets could be a bit higher to that airport.  Consider flying to NYC or Philadelphia like and driving an hour or two to your base city.

Ready for some more Fall Family Fun at the Pocono Mountains? Next time, we want to discover some more and look forward to some snow fun there too.  Have you been to the Poconos before?

For more family fall fun read this.