Family Things to Do in the Poconos, From Water Parks to Mines

Water parks, mountain coasters, vintage trains, coal mine tours and ski lessons, sorted by type with seasons and drive times, so a family can plan one big day around a quiet lake weekend.

The best family things to do in the Poconos fall into six groups: water parks (three of them indoor and open year-round), mountain adventure parks with coasters and ziplines, vintage train rides, underground coal mine tours, hands-on history and, in winter, ski lessons. Most sit within about 25 minutes of Lake Naomi or Mauch Chunk Lake, just outside Jim Thorpe, so a family can pair one big outing with a quiet afternoon at the lake. This guide sorts each one by type, with the season it runs, who it suits, and the nearest destination guide.

The region is close enough for a long weekend: the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau puts it about 1½ hours from New York City and 2 hours from Philadelphia (Maps & Transportation, retrieved October 26, 2026). Cost matters too. In a 2025 survey of nearly 1,600 U.S. parents and grandparents by NYU's Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, the Family Travel Association and Good Housekeeping, 73% named affordability as their biggest obstacle to family travel (NYU SPS, October 20, 2025), so this guide includes the free-child ages and fares that attractions publish.

Key Takeaways

• I.For a guaranteed day regardless of weather, the three big indoor water parks (Kalahari, Great Wolf Lodge and Aquatopia) are open year-round and kept warm inside.
• II.For one outdoor summer day with mixed ages, Camelback Mountain Adventures covers ziplines, a mountain coaster, mini golf and tubing in one place.
• III.Jim Thorpe is the base for trains and mines: the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway leaves from its 1888 station, and the No. 9 Coal Mine is about 10 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake.
• IV.In winter, Big Boulder, Shawnee Mountain and Camelback are the beginner-friendly places to start kids on skis.
• V.Coal mine tours and Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm are seasonal, roughly spring through fall, so check dates before building a trip around them.

Family attractions at a glance

Drive times are to the nearest Pocono Reserve destination guide, not from a specific address.

Which Pocono water park is best for a family?

For a trip that has to work in any weather, pick one of the three indoor parks; for a summer day, Camelbeach is the outdoor option. All four sit near Lake Naomi, which makes it the easiest base for a water park trip.

• Kalahari Resorts Indoor Waterpark (Pocono Manor, about 14 minutes from Lake Naomi) is the biggest at 220,000 square feet. It has a wave pool, lazy river, FlowRider and several children's areas, plus an adults-only swim-up bar. Non-guests can buy day passes, but they can sell out, so reserve ahead.
• Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark (Scotrun, about 20 minutes from Lake Naomi) suits younger kids best. The Cub Paw Pool is sized for toddlers, the Fort Mackenzie treehouse is built for climbing, and slide height minimums run from 36 to 54 inches. Children 2 and under are free.
• Aquatopia at Camelback (Tannersville, about 22 minutes from Lake Naomi) has 13 rides and slides under a transparent roof, kept at 84 degrees. Camelback calls its Storm Chaser the longest indoor water coaster in the world. Day and twilight tickets are sold to non-guests.
• Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark (at the base of Camelback Mountain, about 19 minutes from Lake Naomi) is the outdoor choice, with more than 30 slides, a wave pool and a lazy river on 26 acres. It opens in summer only and fills up on peak weekends, so arrive early.

Split Rock Resort's smaller H2Oooohh! indoor water park in Lake Harmony was closed until further notice as of October 2026, so check the resort's site before counting on it. For a side-by-side look at the indoor parks, see Indoor Waterparks in the Pocono Mountains Compared.

Where can kids zipline and ride a mountain coaster?

Camelback Mountain Adventures is the one-stop answer for a mixed-age group, because it puts big and small thrills in the same place.

• Camelback Mountain Adventures (about 19 minutes from Lake Naomi) has Treetop Adventures, a three-level course of about three hours that Camelback bills as Pennsylvania's largest. There are two ziplines: a 1,000-foot line and a 4,000-foot run. The Mountain Coaster is a sled-style ride where the rider controls the speed, up to 25 mph. Younger kids can stay on the 18-hole mini golf course or the summer tubing run. Hours vary by day and season, and tickets are sold online.
• Pocono Mountain Zipline (Nesquehoning, about 20 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake) is a single big ride: more than 900 feet long, 8 stories high and up to 30 mph, about 5 miles from downtown Jim Thorpe. It pairs well with a Jim Thorpe train or mine day.

Teenagers who want bigger thrills will find whitewater rafting and UTV tours in Pocono Thrill Seekers.

Which train rides are good for kids?

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is the classic choice, because it leaves from the middle of Jim Thorpe and the ride is short enough for small children.

• Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (Jim Thorpe, about 13 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake) runs vintage passenger cars from the town's restored 1888 station along the Lehigh River. Narration covers the whitewater, canal ruins and coal history below. The regular ride is about 70 minutes, and the fall Autumn Leaf trains run 45 minutes, through November 15 in 2026. Holiday-themed trains run later in the season. In fall 2026, coach fares were $25 per adult and $9 per child aged 3 to 12, and children 2 and under rode free with a ticket, according to the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (retrieved October 18, 2026).
• The Stourbridge Line (Honesdale, about 19 minutes from Lake Henry) runs seasonal excursions along the Lackawaxen River; its fall Pocono Foliage Express is a 1.5-hour round trip in heated cars.

For more on both railroads, including the fall schedules, see Scenic Railway Rides for Fall Foliage.

Coal mine tours: underground history kids remember

A ride into a real anthracite mine is the outing kids talk about afterward, and two are within reach of Jim Thorpe. Both are seasonal, roughly April to November, and both stay cool underground, so bring a jacket even in July.

• No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum (Lansford, about 10 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake) is the closer one. The mine opened in 1855 and worked until 1972. Guided one-hour tours ride a mine train about 1,600 feet into the mountain. From there the group walks past the mule-way and an underground hospital, at roughly 50 to 52 degrees. A self-guided museum in the 1912 wash shanty covers miners' lives.
• Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train (Ashland, about an hour from Mauch Chunk Lake) is a longer drive with two rides: a 35-minute tour that runs 1,800 feet into Mahanoy Mountain in a mine car, led by former miners, and a loop around the mountain behind the Henry Clay, a restored 1920s narrow-gauge steam locomotive.

Hands-on history and gentle outings

For younger children or a slower day, these swap thrills for something to see and do.

• Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm (Stroudsburg, about 26 minutes from Lake Naomi) is a Pennsylvania German farmstead where costumed interpreters spin, work the forge and cook over an open hearth. The autumn Harvest Festival is its busiest weekend; the regular seasonal programs are quieter.
• Bushkill Falls (about 47 minutes from Lake Naomi) has boardwalk trails past eight waterfalls, including the 100-foot Main Falls. Routes range from an easy half-mile walk to a two-hour loop, so a family can turn back at the main overlook.
• Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour (Hawley, on Lake Wallenpaupack) is a 50-minute guided tour of the lake's history, with pontoon, kayak and paddleboard rentals for families who want to stay out longer. Costa's Family Fun Park, also in Hawley, adds a snack bar with burgers and soft-serve between activities.

What to do with kids in the Poconos on a rainy day

Plan a rainy day around one indoor anchor, so a wet forecast changes the order of the trip rather than cancelling it.

• Any of the three indoor water parks above works, with Great Wolf Lodge the strongest pick for small children.
• Arcadia Adventures at Camelback Lodge (about 22 minutes from Lake Naomi) is open to day visitors and packs an arcade, free-roam VR, laser tag, bumper cars, bowling, a mirror maze and two 30-minute escape rooms under one roof.
• The coal mine tours run underground, so light rain matters less there than at an outdoor park.

Summer rain is common enough to plan for. At the Mount Pocono weather station, a normal July has measurable rain on about 15 of its 31 days, with average highs near 78°F, based on 1991-2020 normals in the National Weather Service's monthly climate summary for Mount Pocono (NWS Mount Holly, July 2026 report, retrieved October 26, 2026). A summer trip of more than a few days should expect at least one wet afternoon.

The Rainy Day Guide has more indoor options, including museums and shopping.

Racing and paintball for older kids and teens

These two suit families with older children, since both are loud, all-day and best for kids who can handle a long outing.

• Pocono Raceway (about 13 minutes from Lake Naomi) is the 2.5-mile "Tricky Triangle," which hosts NASCAR Cup Series race weekends each summer with camping, vendors and concerts. On other weekends it runs track tours and ride-along driving experiences.
• Skirmish Paintball (about 13 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake), which bills itself as the birthplace of paintball, has more than 50 themed fields from wooded bunkers to mock villages, with rental gear and group packages, so nobody needs to bring equipment.

Where can kids learn to ski in the Poconos?

Winter adds ski lessons to the list, and three resorts stand out for families with beginners.

• Big Boulder Ski Area (in Lake Harmony) bills itself as Pennsylvania's first commercial ski resort and is the gentler half of Jack Frost Big Boulder. Its 15 trails and 10 lifts make a compact, beginner-friendly mountain for a family with mixed experience.
• Shawnee Mountain Ski Area (East Stroudsburg, about 29 minutes from Lake Naomi) is independently owned and family-run, with 23 trails, a 700-foot vertical drop and a ski school known locally for teaching first-timers.
• Camelback Mountain Resort (Tannersville, about 19 minutes from Lake Naomi) has the most trails of the three, 39 across 166 skiable acres, and they lean beginner and intermediate. Aquatopia and the resort village sit next door for anyone not skiing.

The Pocono ski resorts compared guide covers the rest of the region's mountains.

Where to eat with kids near the attractions

Each of these is casual and family-friendly. The number after each name is its Reserve Score, Pocono Reserve's 0 to 100 restaurant rating built from public Google ratings and review counts (how the Reserve Score works).

• Near the water parks: Jubilee Restaurant (70) in Pocono Pines serves all-day breakfast and American-Italian dinners for groups with mixed tastes, and Cinco Niños (56) is a kid-friendly Mexican restaurant inside Kalahari, so nobody has to change out of pool clothes.
• Around Jim Thorpe: Curiosities Coffee & Ice House (73) on Broadway is an easy ice cream stop after the train, and Gimbel's (72) in Tamaqua, about 18 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake, is known for burgers from beef raised on the owners' own farm.
• Lake Harmony and Blakeslee: Chat-n-Chew Café (74) in Blakeslee is a budget-friendly family diner, and Piggy's (70) does big breakfasts on the lake in Lake Harmony.
• Toward Promised Land: Backroads Cafe & Dairy Bar (79) in Greentown is a roadside cafe and dairy bar about 18 minutes from Lake Henry.

Planning a family trip by season

The season decides which half of this list is open, so pick dates first and attractions second.

• Summer opens everything: Camelbeach, the adventure park, the boat tour, the mines and race weekends. It is also the busiest time, so book water park passes ahead.
• Fall is train season, with foliage runs on both railroads, and the Quiet Valley Harvest Festival. The Pocono Events Calendar lists festivals worth timing a visit around.
• Winter swaps the outdoor parks and mines for ski lessons, the indoor water parks, Arcadia Adventures and holiday trains. Early spring is the quietest stretch, between ski season and the spring openings.

Dress for it: January at Mount Pocono averages highs near 30°F and lows near 15°F under the same 1991-2020 normals (NWS Mount Holly, January 2026 report, retrieved October 26, 2026).

For month-by-month weather and crowds, see Best Time to Visit the Pocono Mountains. The 28 Best Things to Do in the Poconos adds waterfalls, state parks and historic towns, and Family Reunions covers trips for several generations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best family attraction in the Poconos for young children?

For toddlers and preschoolers, Great Wolf Lodge's indoor water park is the easiest choice: it has a toddler-sized pool, a climbing treehouse, and slide minimums that start at 36 inches, and children 2 and under are free. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm and the short Lehigh Gorge train ride are good gentler options.

What can families do in the Poconos in winter?

Ski lessons at Big Boulder, Shawnee Mountain or Camelback are the main winter outing. The three indoor water parks (Kalahari, Great Wolf Lodge and Aquatopia) and Arcadia Adventures at Camelback Lodge stay open year-round, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs holiday-themed trains late in the season. The coal mine tours and outdoor adventure parks close for winter.

Are the Pocono water parks open to people who aren't staying at the resort?

Yes, at the three big indoor parks. Kalahari sells day passes, which can sell out; Great Wolf Lodge sells half-day and full-day passes; and Aquatopia sells day and twilight tickets. Overnight guests at each resort get water park access with their stay.

Which family attractions are near Jim Thorpe?

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway leaves from Jim Thorpe's 1888 station, the No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum in Lansford is about 10 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake, Pocono Mountain Zipline is about 5 miles from downtown, and Skirmish Paintball is about 13 minutes from Mauch Chunk Lake.

Sources

Written by the Pocono Reserve Editors. Every place in this guide comes from Pocono Reserve's own research; see the editorial standards for how places are chosen, and contact us with corrections.

• Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Maps & Transportation, retrieved October 26, 2026.
• NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, 2025 Family Travel Survey Highlights Rise of "Kidfluence", October 20, 2025. Opt-in survey of 1,596 U.S. parents and grandparents, summer 2025.
• National Weather Service, Mount Holly office, monthly climate summaries for Mount Pocono, PA (July 2026 and January 2026 reports; 1991-2020 normals), retrieved October 26, 2026.
• Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Autumn Leaf 2026 schedule and fares, lgsry.com, retrieved October 18, 2026.
• Hero photo: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway station, Jim Thorpe, by TravelLife37, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.