Mount Airy Casino Resort: Casino Fun in the Forest

There’s a symphony of chirps in the woodlands of northeastern Pennsylvania; storied naturalist John James Audubon visited the Pocono Mountains in 1829 to document the lush upper Lehigh River area, which is populated by bluebirds and woodpeckers. Today, trilling chirps also come from the slot machines that stand sentry at Mount Airy Casino Resort. Roughly two hours from the bustling streets of New York City and Philadelphia, the Poconos area is known for its quiet forests, cabins, and outdoor adventure. The resort posits itself in this verdant landscape with an approximately 65,000-square-foot gaming floor, where the sound of shuffling cards emits from 72 blackjack, poker, and other table games.

This palatial hotel complex is also home to five different restaurants that satisfy a wide variety of appetites and budgets. Romance is in the air at Le Sorelle Cucina, a cozy Italian bistro that serves up classic dishes such as sicilian baked oysters and filet alla gorgonzola. Betty's Diner gives diners a taste of old-fashioned America, as its dining room comes decked out in 1950s memorabilia and all of its delicious malts are eligible for political office. Post-meal, crash land into the comfort of the deluxe king or double-queen rooms, which feature spacious bathrooms and pillow-top beds clad in goose-down comforters.

Mount Pocono: A Wooded Escape from the City

Pocono—which translates to "stream between two mountains"—is speckled with hidden lakes and waterfalls throughout its terrain. Frazzled city-goers, everyday adventurers, and unemployed town criers flee from the urban centers to experience the peaceful wilderness, whether they’re skiing in winter or, in more temperate months, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking at Delaware State Forest. Quiet, historical towns and hamlets pepper the deeply forested area.