Hotel at a Glance: Mountain Laurel Resort

With its wealth of activities, Mountain Laurel Resort is an ideal family getaway. Enjoy a friendly game of billiards or ping-pong, or head outside and take in the Poconos scenery. No matter the weather, kids can play games in the arcade and splash around in the heated indoor pool.

• Where you’ll stay: a two-double room or a one-bedroom suite with a private balcony or patio
• American cuisine is on the menu at the onsite Twelve21 restaurant. The resort also has a coffee shop and a bar.
• Hit the slopes at the nearby Jack Frost Mountain that boasts over 20 different slopes.
• Therapeutic massages and hydrotherapy soaks are among the pampering treatments available at the onsite spa.

Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains: Downhill Skiing and Historical Towns

The Poconos region of northeastern Pennsylvania accounts for some 2,400 square miles of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. The area has been a popular vacation destination ever since Pennsylvania Quakers opened a hotel here on the Delaware River in 1829. Today, the Poconos draw more than 25 million annual visitors, thanks to year-round recreational opportunities and spectacular natural scenery.

In winter, locals often make weekend trips from Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, and DC for one reason: skiing. One ski spot that’s particularly popular is Camelback Mountain Resort, which sits atop one of the region’s tallest mountains and boasts 160 acres of skiable terrain. For an extended run, head to the Nile Mile, which drops 800 feet vertically over the course of a mile-long descent. The resort is also amply lit for night skiing, and is the only place in the Poconos with a halfpipe. After you’re done hitting the slopes, take time to explore the handful of little towns nestled in the mountains. You’ll find boutique wine galleries and historical mansions, including the late 19th-century Asa Packer Mansion.