There are some nice spots here and there but they tend to discourage renters. Skytop’s nice if you want more of a golf resort. They might have rental cottages too, but I’m not sure.

Lake Wallenpaupack for sure. Big lake so great boating, pretty easy to get to from the NY/NJ area, etc...

Anonymous wrote:Lake Naomi/Timber Trails - you have to "join the club" to use the lakes and recreation. Surrounding area is pure redneck but lake itself is lovely.

Second this! Lake Naomi is really very nice. Beautiful pool on the lake, great tennis club, decent golf course, sunfish sailing on the lake, nice recreation club with indoor and outdoor amenities, nice walking. Spent many happy summers there. The rest of the poconos is meh.

Lake Naomi/Timber Trails - you have to "join the club" to use the lakes and recreation. Surrounding area is pure redneck but lake itself is lovely.

Lake Wallenpaupack area?

Go to finger lakes

Kalhari! Skip the lake and go full water park

We stayed near Arrowhead Lake once. There was a community pool and hiking, too. I’d go back.

Jim Thorpe, PA is closeby and definitely worth a visit.

Maybe check out Eagles Mere?

We did this maybe six years ago, met family from Connecticut in the Poconos as it was halfway between us. The house we rented was directly on a lake and included a pedalboat and hottub and was very nice. However, the area itself was super rundown. Lots of litter, dilapidated homes, clearly not a "vacation neighborhood" but more of a year-round living area marketed as a vacation resort. We have never gone back and likely never will.

Anonymous wrote:Poconos is soooo tacky. You will only like it if:
1) Your main residence is a mobile home/RV
2) You are younger than 20
3) Your education level is a GED

Poconos is soooo tacky. You will only like it if:
1) Your main residence is a mobile home/RV
2) You are younger than 20
3) Your education level is a GED

I think the Poconos are run down or just not nice like it used to be. What about picking a beach locale between the 2 -- Cape May, OCNJ, Avalon?

We were there a couple of summers ago with some friends. I don't remember the specific neighborhood we stayed in, but it was on a big lake. Was a little run down, but pretty fun -- paddleboards, beaches, tennis, pickleball, etc., plus we went on some decent hikes nearby. If you're not expecting it to be fancy, should be fine. We just poked around on Airbnb until we found a house that fit our group...

Looking for a summer vacation for family to get together between DC and NYC and we're looking into the Poconos. Most of the people I know here go to Deep Creek, but that's too far for our NYC family to come. Anywhere in the Poconos that gives you Deep Creek vibes? Or are the Poconos kind of run down at this point?