Seniors Poke Around in the Poconos

“Pocono” is a Native-American word meaning “stream between two mountains.”   Between these two mountains seniors have been having a ball checking out the many things to do. Maybe you’ve heard… “It’s TIME for the Pocono Mountains!” According to the New York Daily News, “a wind of change and an influx of monied investors have seen a crop of new developments that is putting the Poconos back on the map.” One visit will explain why…it’s the region’s natural beauty and its bustling local scene.

Senior visitors seeking an exciting vacation destination need look no farther than the Pocono Mountains. A myriad of nature-filled activities are available within a few hours’ drive of most major Northeast cities including overnight packages to bring out the hiker, botanist or water-park lover in travelers of all ages. Senior travelers can meet all of their vacation needs, from the fast-paced excitement of favorite outdoor activities, to the exceptional performances of theaters and concerts. Tour a living history museum in the morning, unwind at a brew pub in the afternoon and dine in an elegant restaurant in the evening.

The Poconos’ Free Travel brochures

Travel brochures focus on skiing, riding, golf, camping and taking in the Lake Region. The 2,400-square-mile Poconos region, once best known for its coal, its lumber, its ice-harvesting and canneries, is only 80 miles from New York City and 85 miles north of Philadelphia. Today the area, which covers four counties -Monroe, Carbon, Pike and Wayne – is dotted with resorts, whose owners are betting that with gasoline prices and airfares tending to move upward, more vacationers from the metropolitan area will take advantage of the two-hour drive to the Poconos.

I have known for a long time that the region is known as the Honeymoon Capital of the World.  The long tradition of romance in the Pocono Mountains started in 1945, when the area’s first honeymoon resort opened. It catered to GIs and their new wives, many of whom had previously taken military leave in the mountains during World War II.

In 1963, the now-iconic heart-shape hot tub first appeared (in Caesars Cove Haven), solidifying the Poconos’ romantic reputation with a bit of kitsch. These days, the Poconos are experiencing a tourism renaissance. A number of world-class spas and couples-only resorts have helped the area redefine itself as a modern romantic getaway for seniors.

The Poconos Remain a Popular Destination For Seniors

The Poconos are for families, skiers, senior adventure seekers, NASCAR fans, and those from urban areas around New England.  The region lacks any major cities, although Scranton and Wilkes-Barre together form a moderate-sized conurbation. The region, dominated by streams and waterfalls, is known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania“.

Check out each of these additional attractions prior to your visit and if it in the winter, bring along those skis… this is a major draw for winter tourists. jeb

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