10 Best Family Resorts in Pennsylvania for Indoor and Outdoor Adventures

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Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is among the many family resorts in Pennsylvania near ski resorts and lakes.
Nemacolin Resort welcomes families. Photo credit: Nemacolin Resort

Pennsylvania’s the birthplace of America AND Hershey’s chocolate. Families looking for a getaway in the Keystone State can hike, bike, ski, snowboard, go ziplining and many other fun activities at kid-friendly resorts. Some have gorgeous Pocono mountain settings. Others focus on indoor excitement like awesome waterparks. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it at one of the top 10 family resorts in Pennsylvania.

1. Great Wolf Lodge Poconos

1 Great Wolf Drive
Scotrun, Pennsylvania 18355
(800) 768-9653

The family-friendly Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains features a variety of standard, themed and premium guest rooms. Some have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.

While staying at the resort, you’ll get free admission to the famous indoor waterpark. Kids of all ages go wild over the four indoor pools, a lazy river, waterslides and a surf simulator.

In addition, try your hand at a ropes courses, mini golf and bowling. A seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub, full-service spa, onsite restaurants and a fitness center make the resort a good choice for a family vacation. More perks: kids stay free and there’s free wifi throughout the lodge.

Why the Great Wolf Lodge is great for families:

  • Kids stay free
  • Indoor waterpark
  • Outdoor activities
  • More than 50 family-friendly activities and attractions
  • Kid-friendly themed suites with bunk beds and twin beds
  • Premium suites for larger families of up to 8

2. Skytop Lodge

One Skytop Lodge Road
Skytop, Pennsylvania 18357
(855) 345-7759

Situated in the Pocono Mountains, the family-friendly Skytop Lodge has been welcoming guests since 1928. Whether you stay in the main lodge, inn or in a cozy cottage you’ll enjoy stream or golf course views in comfortable accommodations. And with an indoor swimming pool and a wide range of activities, there’s lots of fun for the whole family.

Outdoor activities include boating, kayaking, ropes courses, hiking, biking and much more. Plus, in winter there’s skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing. Families will appreciate the children’s pool, onsite playground and babysitting (surcharge).

Four restaurants, a golf course, free wifi and free parking make Skytop Lodge one of the best family resorts in Pennsylvania.

Why Skytop Lodge is great for families:

  • Children’s pool
  • Onsite playground
  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Many outdoor activities
Hershey Lodge is among the best family resorts in Pennsylvania.
Hershey’s Water Works is an indoor water play area. Photo credit: Hershey Lodge

3. Hershey Lodge

325 University Drive
Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
(717) 533-3311

Founded in 1906, Hersheypark is a popular family-friendly theme park with rides, coasters and a waterpark. And the Hershey Lodge has 665 guest rooms and deluxe suites ideal for family travel. The family fun begins with free chocolate at check-in. Children even have their own check-in by signing the “Kids at Hershey Lodge” guest book and participating in a Hershey’s candy guessing game. They also get a lanyard that can be personalized with their name and contact information.

Rated among the best family resorts in Pennsylvania, the lodge is popular for Hershey’s Water Works. The 30,000-square-foot facility has interactive water features, an indoor pool, water slides and more. In summer, there’s an outdoor swimming pool.

More amenities include a game room, fitness center and onsite restaurants. A free shuttle provides transportation to and from Hersheypark with a front gate drop-off exclusively for resort guests. Additionally, resort guests receive extra hours at Hersheypark not available to the general public.

With its location 90 minutes from Baltimore and Philadelphia and three hours from New York City, the lodge is a great weekend getaway.

Why Hershey Lodge is great for families:

  • Official resort of Hershey Park
  • Chocolate at check-in
  • Indoor waterpark
  • Indoor pool and outdoor pool
  • Game room
  • Fitness center
The African-themed Kalahari Resort Poconos is a good family resort in Pennsylvania for small and large groups.
An aerial view of the indoor waterpark. Photo credit: Kalahari Resorts

4. Kalahari Resort Poconos

250 Kalahari Blvd.
Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania 18349
(570) 580-6000

The African-themed Kalahari Resort Poconos features one of America’s largest indoor waterparks, which is included in your stay. Room options range from single guest rooms up to five bedrooms that can accommodate 22 guests.

The indoor waterpark has a lazy river, wave pool and surf simulator. There’s also an onsite game room and virtual reality game area featuring a VR waterslide that zips through a jungle and outer space. In addition, this family resort packs exhilarating outdoor experiences such as zip-lines, ropes courses and mini golf.

Why Kalahari Resort Poconos is great for families:

  • Indoor waterpark with a lazy river and wave pool
  • Fully equipped suites with up to 5 bedrooms
  • Indoor and outdoor experiences and team-building activities for all ages
  • Numerous family-friendly dining options to fit all tastes and cravings
  • Private cabana and bungalow rentals
  • Kids play areas
The ski-in/ski-out Camelback Lodge houses the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, ranking it a top family resort in Pennsylvania.
A view from the on-site ski lift. Photo credit: Camelback Resort

5. Camelback Lodge

193 Resort Drive
Tannersville, Pennsylvania 18372
(855) 515-1283

From suites to condos, travelers will find comfortable accommodations and year-round family-friendly attractions at Camelback Lodge. The ski-in/ski-out resort is home to the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark.

No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find something to do at the waterpark resort. In winter there’s skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Thrill-seekers will enjoy the roller coasters, zip-lines, bungee jumping and axe-throwing available on the resort.

The year-round indoor waterpark features an indoor pool, lazy river and a poolside bar. In addition, resort amenities include several onsite restaurants, a fitness center and laundry facilities.

Why Camelback Lodge is great for families:

  • Indoor water park
  • Ski-in/ski-out access
  • Free ski shuttle
  • Ski rentals and lessons
  • Fitness center
  • Valet parking

6. Omni Bedford Springs Resort

2138 Business 220
Bedford, Pennsylvania 15522
(814) 623-8100

Omni Bedford Springs Resort is a family-friendly luxury resort with a golf course, indoor pool and full-service spa in the Cumberland Valley. Kids stay free at the resort, which offers an assortment of guest rooms. Free cribs/infant beds and adjoining rooms are available.

The pet-friendly resort works for family travel, couples getaway and business trips. The resort has several onsite restaurants, free wifi, spa tub, tennis courts and free park parking. Nearby outdoor activities include horseback riding, skiing and snowboarding.

Why Omni Bedford Springs Resort is great for families:

  • Kids stay free
  • Swimming pool
  • Pet friendly
  • Nearby skiing, snowboarding and horseback riding
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is among family resorts in Pennsylvania where kids stay free
An outdoor view of the classic resort, built in 1911. Photo credit: Shawnee Inn

7. Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

100 Shawnee Inn Drive
Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania 18356
(570) 424-4000

Built in 1911, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in the Pocono Mountains offers comfortable guest rooms, some with river views. Kids stay free at the family resort, which has an onsite playground, 27-hole golf course and onsite restaurant.

There’s also an indoor pool, arcade, game room and archery. In addition, it’s about a 34-minute drive to the Camelback Ski Area.

Why the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is great for families:

  • Kids stay free
  • Indoor pool
  • Game room
  • 27-hole golf course
  • The Camelback Ski Area is about a 34-minute drive from the resort

8. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

1001 Lafayette Drive
Farmington, Pennsylvania 15437
(866)-344-6957

Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort offers a variety of accommodations and activities. From guest rooms with double beds and suites with king beds to townhomes with multiple beds, the family-friendly resort ensures everyone has a comfortable place to sleep.

In addition, the pet-friendly hotel accommodates families with free cribs/infant beds, babysitting (surcharge), a children’s pool, onsite playground and kids club.

Not only does the resort offer a free ski shuttle to the Mystic Mountain ski area, guests have access to mountain biking, rock climbing, a golf course, bowling, an outdoor pool and indoor pool with a waterslide.

More amenities include free wifi, onsite restaurant, fitness center, sauna and steam room.

Why Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is great for families:

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children’s pool
  • Playground on site
  • Kids club (surcharge)
  • Free ski shuttle to ski area
  • Kayaking, rock climbing, archery and other outdoor activities

9. Split Rock Resort

428 Moseywood Road
Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania 18624
(570) 722-9111

Located in Lake Harmony, Spilt Rock Resort has all the amenities you need for a fun-filled family vacation. Room options include standard, junior suites (some with kitchenettes) and one-bedroom suites.

Guests say they like the variety of recreational activities for kids and adults. There’s an indoor waterpark (surcharge), mini golf, arcade, game room, bowling alley, movie theater and tennis courts. Outdoor activities include kayaking, and nearby golfing, hiking/biking, skiing and snowboarding. In addition, there’s an indoor pool, outdoor pool, children’s pool and onsite playground for little ones.

Why Split Rock Resort is great for families:

  • Spacious suites, some with kitchens or kitchenettes
  • Numerous recreational indoor and outdoor activities
  • Indoor waterpark (surcharge)
  • Children’s pool
  • Onsite playground
As an all-inclusive resort, Woodloch Pines Resort is a top family resort in Pennsylvania.
Overlooking the beautiful pool and lake at Woodloch Resort. Photo credit: Woodloch Pines Resort

10. Woodloch Pines Resort

731 Welcome Lake Rd
Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428
(800) 966-3562

Consistently ranked a top family resort, the all-inclusive Woodloch Pines Resort provides guest rooms or vacation rental homes, dining, recreational activities and nightly entertainment.

“Even a picky child such as my eight-year-old son can’t complain at a resort that offers just about any indoor and outdoor activity a child could ask for,” says mom Kimberly Miles. With amenities like Go-Karts, bumper cars, bumper boats, splash grounds, kiddie pools, climbing walls, ice-skating and snow tubing, there’s something for everyone.

Why Woodloch Pines Resort is great for families:

  • All-inclusive family resort with accommodations, meals and activities
  • Guest rooms and spacious vacation rental homes available
  • More than 30 fun family-friendly activities, games and events
  • Kids club room for ages 10 and under with family inclusive organized activities
  • Arts and crafts room
  • Boating
Native Angeleno and seasoned travel journalist Mimi Slawoff writes for numerous print and digital publications. She is also the author of Oldest Los Angeles (Reedy Press, 2022). A lifelong world traveler, Mimi is an award-winning journalist who writes about outdoor adventures, cruises, Europe and cultural activities. Mimi has three grown kids and lives with her husband and their dog, Maya, in Los Angeles.
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