Could a family resort located in the backwoods of Pennsylvania be the answer for family time you’ll all enjoy? We know the drill – between work, school and carting your kids around to after-school activities, not to mention enrichment activities guaranteed to broaden their minds and get them admitted to Ivy League schools one year earlier than their peers, there’s barely a moment to spend together as a family. And if you do find the time, your idea of fun and your kids’ idea of fun rarely align; throw your husband into the mix and as they say in Brooklyn, fuhgeddaboudit. Well, we’ve found your salvation: the Woodloch Pines Resort. Keep reading to find out why it’s a crowd pleaser.
The Skinny on the Hotel
The Woodloch Pines Resort is located on 125 acres in middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania, but that’s okay because once you get there you don’t need to leave the family resort; they have lots of on-property activities for you and the kids. The hotel was started by a husband and wife team back in the 50s and is still run by their descendants today. The people there are all exceedingly friendly. It could be something in the water or maybe they’ve been sipping on the happy juice. Whatever it is, they make guests feel like family and people go back year after year.
Where You Lay Your Head
You can tell that the hotel is built with families with mind. Each room has sofa beds and even standard rooms come with an accordion screen to separate the living room, AKA sofa bed area, from the bedroom. While it may not give you 100 percent privacy from the kids, if you’re really quiet you will definitely be able to, well, you know what we mean. Feel like splurging? The resort also has one bedroom suites, some with two bathrooms – those of you with teenage girls rejoice – located right on Lake Teedyuskung. Don’t bother trying to pronounce it. You might say something you didn’t mean and your kids will make you wash your mouth out with soap.
Food, Glorious Food
A stay at the hotel comes with 3 meals daily. That’s right, it’s an all-inclusive resort. You don’t have to worry about spending money on a meal your kid refuses to eat. If they don’t like it, just order something else. Not only is the food plentiful, it’s also good. We know, we know, New York is the culinary capital of the world, but trust us, you’ve never had crumb cake in New York like the one that comes out of Woodloch’s bakery. On Sundays Woodloch serves an expansive brunch buffet that could rival any city brunch with king crab legs, prime rib, insalata caprese, jumbo shrimp and more.
So Much to Do, So Little Time
You’ll find a ton of activities at Woodloch Pines to amuse even the most energetic toddler, chronically bored teenager or jaded adult. There’s an indoor play area for younger kids complete with climbing areas and slides, as well as go-karts and bumper cars for the older kids. In the winter, go tubing on the back hill, and if the lake is frozen over, you can ice skate too. Another favorite winter activity is the Winter Olympics. This definitely isn’t for the faint of heart; returning guests take this activity very seriously. Some even make their own team shirts in preparation for the event. In the summer, water skiing, hiking and biking are popular. If parents want a short break from the kids, Woodloch also has a top-rated golf course and their sister property Lodge at Woodloch has one of the top 10 spas in the US. Whatever you choose to do, or not do, Woodloch Pines will fit the bill.
If you can tear yourself away from the wonder that is Woodloch Pines there are various activities to do nearby. Horseback riding is available year round at Vanderbeek Stable for a special guest rate of $35. During the winter, there is skiing at Big Bear Mountain which is only 15 minutes from the resort. Lift tickets are $45 for a morning ticket or $55 for a full day ticket.
The Nitty Gritty
Costs (please note that all costs are per person per night):
Adults – from $130 in low season to $275 high season
Children 3 to 6 – from $24 in low season to $79 in high season
Children 7 to 12 – from $32 in low season to $135 in high season
Children 13 to 19 – from $40 in low season to $162 in high season
Woodloch Pines Resort is 2 hours from Manhattan.
Directions: Take 95N (New England Thruway) to Exit 21. Follow Rt. 287 to Tappan Zee Bridge, cross bridge and get on Rt. 87N (NYS Thruway). Follow 87N to Exit 16 at Harriman to Rt. 17W (I-86W) to Exit 121W to Rt. 84W toward Port Jervis. Remain on Rt. 84W to PA Exit 46, at mile marker 46, (formerly #10) Continue on Rt. 6W approximately 13 miles. Turn right at Exxon Station onto Rt. 434N to Rt. 590W through Greeley, Lackawaxen, and Rowland where Rt. 590W makes a right turn at the general store. Follow Rt. 590W 3.6 miles to intersection. To go to Woodloch Pines Resort, continue straight approximately 1.4 miles to the main entrance. To go to Woodloch Springs, bear left at intersection continuing on Rt. 590W 7/10 of a mile to the main entrance on your left.
Woodloch Pines Resort
731 Welcome Lake Rd
Lackawaxen Twp, PA
800-966-3562
–Mikaela Walker
All photos courtesy of Woodloch Pines Resort
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