Long, lazy summer days allow us to enjoy simple pleasures like spending time with loved ones. Extra time to explore and have fun is what summer is all about. With the school year fast approaching, maximize your days with a staycation. Here are 12 local and semi-local places to stay and play.
Chris Cooley Chris Cooley/Terry Wild Stock
1. Knoebels Amusement Resort
Knoebels is America’s largest free-admission amusement park, with free parking, free entertainment and free picnic facilities. One of its most popular rides is the Phoenix—a wooden roller coaster that was originally built in 1947 for a park in Texas and was later moved to Knoebels, where it was opened in 1985. Knoebels is “for all ages, for all time.” To make your day complete, stay at one of their two campgrounds or cottages. 391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg, PA / knoebels.com
2. Dutch Wonderland
Featuring 35 rides, attractions, live shows, and Duke’s Lagoon water area, Dutch Wonderland has much to offer. You can also meet Merlin and his friends inside Dutch Wonderland Castle and enjoy a buffet-style character breakfast (reservations are required). To extend the wonder during your visit, stay at Old Mill Stream Campground, featuring cabins and campsites. 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA / dutchwonderland.com
3. Pine Grove Furnace State Park
One of the coolest things to do at Pine Grove Furnace State Park is to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The park hosts the halfway point for this amazing 2,186-mile trail. There is also the Appalachian Trail Museum—the first hiking museum in the U.S. Camp or stay in the paymasters cabin in order to take in everything this historic park has to offer. 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA / dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PineGroveFurnaceStatePark
Gifford Pinchot State Park
4. Gifford Pinchot State Park
Have you ever stayed in a yurt? Gifford Pinchot State Park is the perfect spot for getting your nature on. Yurts are round Mongolian-style tents that sit on a deck and have waterfront access. They sleep five with electricity, heat, and a cooking stovetop. There are tons of things to do, like hiking the Mason-Dixon Trail, taking a pontoon boat tour on the lake, fishing, kayaking, exploring the environmental learning center, taking a guided walk, swimming, or just relaxing. 2200 Rosstown Road, Lewisberry, PA / dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/GiffordPinchotStatePark
5. Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Seven Springs Mountain Resort truly has everything to make the perfect getaway. Guided fly fishing for Dad, spa treatments for Mom, and Kids Camp to keep the little ones entertained. Whether you are looking for a more relaxing vacation or an exciting, adventure-packed one, Seven Springs has just the thing. They have different options for accommodations and their list of activities will impress you: swimming, ziplining, hydrobikes, paintball, summer tubing, and the Downhill Bike Park—downhill mountain bike terrain with 20-plus-foot jumps—are just a few. 777 Waterwheel Dr., Seven Springs, PA / 7springs.com
6. Refreshing Mountain Retreat & Adventure Center
If you are looking for an active, adventurous vacation, then Refreshing Mountain Retreat is the place to be. The long list of outdoor activities will make everyone in your family happy. Their zipline courses are kid-friendly, and three courses offer different levels of skill and thrill. There is a lot to do on the 80-acre site, including obstacle courses, archery, geocaching, nature center, pool, hiking, fishing…the list goes on and on. You can book one of the family cabins that sleeps up to eight. 455 Camp Road, Stevens, PA / refreshingmountain.com
7. Lake in Wood Camping Resort
What do a caboose, a tree house, and a double-decker bus have to do with one another? They are all unique accommodations at Lake in Wood Camping Resort in Narvon. No matter what you choose to stay in, the numerous amenities make for a fun family visit. Enjoy the six-acre lake on the property while swimming, fishing, or boating—or spend time playing miniature golf, relaxing at the pool, or grabbing a bite to eat at the Gnome Café. 576 Yellow Hill Road, Narvon, PA / sunrvresorts.com/resorts/mid-atlantic/pennsylvania/lake-in-wood/
8. Red Caboose Motel & Strasburg Railroad
If there is a train fanatic in your family, then this should be at the top of your list. The Red Caboose Motel has accommodations inside one of their 38 renovated cabooses. They offer free movies in the barn every night during the summer, rides on the Red Caboose Express, and even a petting zoo. Strasburg Railroad is less than a mile away from the motel and several train museums are within walking distance. It’s a train enthusiast’s paradise! 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks, PA / redcaboosemotel.com / 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA / strasburgrailroad.com
9. Whitewater Challengers
If you have been looking for something new and exciting to try, then whitewater rafting may be your next adventure. They even have tame trips for children as young as five years old. Their location on Lehigh River has a 25-acre rafting center and supports rustic bunkhouses, camping, buffet-style breakfast, river lunches, and buffet dinner service. If you still have energy at the end of the day, they have sand volleyball, basketball, and paintball. 288 N. Stagecoach Road, Weatherly, PA / whitewaterchallengers.com
10. Pine Creek Rail Trail
Take a 62-mile trail along Pine Creek Gorge, commonly known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, for an epic bike ride. This majestic area is surrounded by 165,000 acres of the Tioga State Forest, which is abundant with wildlife. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is voted by USA Today as one of the “10 Great Places to Take a Bike Tour.” The trail starts at Wellsboro Junction and ends at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. With such a large area, numerous accommodations are easy to find on the website. 2053 Route 660, Wellsboro, PA / visitpottertioga.com/explore/attractions/pine-creek-rail-trail/
11. Iron Stone Ranch at Stone Gable Estate
Located in the borough of Elizabethtown lies Iron Stone Ranch, which is part of the Stone Gable Estate. They offer horseback riding for families (ages six and older); with 10 miles of guided trails, 40 horses and a gorgeous landscape to boot—a magical experience awaits your family. The historic farmhouse on the property sleeps eight, a lodging possibility when you are considering the Ranch as your destination. 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown, PA / ironstoneranch.com
12. Lake Tobias Wildlife Park & Ferryboat Campsites
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park has been delighting visitors since 1965 with its exotic animals and adventure-seeking safari tours. The late founder, J.R. Tobias, came up with the unique idea of touring the herds of animals while in their natural habitat; he converted some old school buses into safari cruisers. Enjoy the park’s 150 acres and then stay at Ferryboat Campsites. You can even take The Millersburg Ferryboats to get there for extra fun. 760 Tobias Road, Halifax, PA / laketobias.com / 32 Ferry Lane, Liverpool, PA / ferryboatcampsites.com
