In Pennsylvania, “dashing through the snow” could mean tubing under the lights or letting a team of huskies lead the way. Luckily, in the Pocono Mountains you can do both. Plus there’s enough time for the kids to pick the next activity. This three-day getaway gives everyone something to contribute to the family retelling, including the adults who thought they were just coming along to supervise.
Your Getaway at a Glance
- Destination: Tannersville, Shawnee on Delaware, Stroudsburg and Jim Thorpe
- Home base: The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort or Camelback Resort
- Length: Three days, two nights
- When to go: Winter, with festival dates guiding your visit
- The mix: Dog sledding, after-dark tubing and small-town exploring
- Getting around: You’ll need a car.
- Make it yours: Check dog-sledding age requirements before booking. For younger children, substitute another tubing session, subject to the resort’s height requirements.
Day 1
The route: Tannersville to Camelback Mountain
Start the fun right on day one with galactic tubing at a mountain resort.
Start with an early dinner at Barley Creek Brewing Company in Tannersville. It’s a convenient stop before heading to the mountain, and eating first means you won’t have to negotiate dinner with children who have already spotted the tubing lanes.
Then head to Camelback for Galactic Tubing, the after-dark version of snow tubing with glowing lanes and music. The sliding remains reassuringly simple: sit down, glide downhill and decide whether you’re ready to go up again. Check everyone’s height before buying tickets. Camelback currently allows riders 44 inches and taller to ride solo. Children 33–43 inches must ride in a double tube or linked chain with a participating adult. Riders younger than 14 also need a participating adult.
Reserve your session ahead and check current operating hours and conditions before leaving dinner. Keep dry gloves handy for afterward. If you’re staying at Camelback, you can head back to your room without another drive; otherwise, make this your last scheduled stop for the night.
Day 2
The route: Shawnee on Delaware, Downtown Stroudsburg
Ever been dog sledding? This is your big day. Start with a guided trip then slow things down as you explore Stroudsburg.
Book dog sledding first, then arrange the rest of your day around it. Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours operates from The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, reopening for the season in December 2026. A guided trip puts the husky sled team at the center of the morning. Follow the operator’s instructions and leave time for getting everyone checked in and ready.
Afterward, head into downtown Stroudsburg. If you’re around for the downtown's WinterFest weekend, you can spend the afternoon checking out ice sculptures around town and watching a live ice-carving demonstration in Courthouse Square, with warm-up stops along the way.
Finish the day with dinner at Sarah Street Grill, where burgers and pasta give everyone options, while a children’s menu covers younger appetites.
If your visit falls outside WinterFest, keep the downtown stop. Stroudsburg is an easy place to spend an afternoon before returning to your hotel. Get a warm drink, browse a shop that catches your attention and find lunch when everyone’s ready. A little unscheduled time is useful after a morning with the dogs.
Day 3
The route: Jim Thorpe and Departure
Jim Thorpe WinterFest gives you an event to plan your trip around, but the charming town gives you plenty to do any weekend you drop by.
Pack up and head to Jim Thorpe for your final day. Its hillside streets and Victorian buildings will keep you busy before you’ve even checked the festival schedule. WinterFest in February (not to be confused with Stroudsburg’s event with the same name) features ice carvings and live entertainment, with local vendors joining the weekend’s activities.
Build in time to walk around town rather than moving straight from one scheduled event to another. For a history stop, look up toward the Asa Packer Mansion, the Italianate home overlooking town.
Before settling on your departure time, check the Mauch Chunk Opera House calendar. The intimate theater seats around 400, making it a different experience from a large concert venue. Pick a performance that suits your children’s ages and your drive home. An evening show can be a worthwhile finale, but an earlier departure is perfectly respectable after three days outside.
Where to Stay in the Poconos
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort: Consider this home base if dog sledding is the centerpiece of your weekend.
Camelback Resort: A practical choice for keeping tubing and indoor swimming in the same trip. The resort has 453 suites, with Aquatopia indoor waterpark access included in stays. Pack swimsuits alongside the snow gear.
Skytop Lodge: Another lodging option for families who want tubing built into their stay. Its tubing hill requires reservations, including for resort guests, and operates as weather permits. Book your session ahead of time rather than walking over whenever everyone’s ready.
More Pennsylvania Winter Fun to Work Into Your Trip
Wally Ice Fest: This annual winter event is slated for Feb. 6–7, 2027, making it an alternative weekend to consider rather than an addition to a Presidents’ Day itinerary. This sporty festival includes chances to watch curling, axe-throwing and hockey.
Skytop Lodge Winter Beer Festival: Bring the family for live music and a bite to eat while the grown-ups sample craft beers on Feb. 20, 2027. The menu has featured pierogis and Bavarian grilled cheese.
Still have a few “Can we do that, too?” requests? Explore more things to do in Pennsylvania and let everyone pick a stop for the next family getaway.