After 6 months at home we finally were able to stretch our legs and leave the confines of our home. We wanted to go somewhere within driving distance from Bucks County, PA to avoid mass transit. One of my friends suggested Skytop Lodge in the Poconos. After checking out the site, we were sold!

The 5,500 acre property including the lodge to the surrounding gardens and trails are jaw-dropping. The curving road leads to the dutch revival style lodge where we were immediately transported to a vacation state-of-mind.

The various events, trails, and activities make it a great location for any type of traveler. They have private hiking trails, hayrides, adventure center, golf, an arcade and a spa. There are some sit down and grab-and-go food options so we didn’t have to leave the property once! Below are some of the highlights.

STAY

The Dutch Revival architecture of the lodge is stunning. My breath was taken away again when we stepped into the lobby. We stayed in the lodge in one of their junior suites. They also had cottage options that were suitable for larger groups. While we were there, The Inn was being renovated– but that would be my pick next time! I don’t think there was a bad view from any room in the lodge. The decor made me feel like I had traveled back in time 100 years.

EAT/DRINK

Windsor – The main sit down dining option in the lodge is the Windsor. We added a breakfast package (highly recommend) so we ate here every morning. Service is spectacular and the food is delicious! I wish we dined at the Windsor in the evening but we were hesitant to make a reservation with a two-year old. One of the fantastic staff members CONVINCED us next time that it doesn’t matter and all kids are welcome. (The entire staff was super kid friendly!)

The Taproom – The Taproom is a pub-fare tavern at the resort. We dined here for dinner twice. I am a sucker for a nice heaping plate of nachos and YESSSS they delivered.

Corner Roast – The Corner Roast is a quick grab-and-go coffee and snack bar. They make a great iced latte. I needed a quick bite before my massage so I also used the Corner Roast to grab a ham and swiss croissant for lunch.

The Market – A 1950’s style ice cream shop is the perfect snack after a pool day. You can also grab a lunch or snack here as well.

DO

Hikes – We went on two hikes during our stay. Since Celeste was with us, we stuck to two easy trails. One of the many perks of staying at Skytop was that their 10+ trails are private to guests of the resort.

Trout Stream Trail to Indian Ladder Falls (.8 miles) – This hike led to the stunning waterfall in the photo below. You begin by walking through tall pines then follow a stream to the falls.

Lake Trail (2 miles) – The trail loops around the shoreline of Skytop Lake. Along with stunning waterfront views, there were mountain views, a look at the lodge, and so many types of trees, shrubs, and wild flowers. We hung out on the bench swing at the end of the hike for a nice cool down.

Spa – The Nest at Skytop Lodge has just reopened after being closed during the pandemic. They took all necessary precautions very seriously. We had our temps taken and wore masks the entire time. Since there was no use of the locker rooms, I wore my robe and slippers from the room up to the spa. After working from home for months, a massage was JUST what my back and shoulders needed!

Gardens – From the pristine grounds around the lodge to fields of wildflowers tucked away in various corners this is a flower-lovers’ dream. We visited the hummingbird garden twice. The second time we went at sunset and brought a bottle of wine. We were the only people there. We sat and watched the hummingbirds swarming their feeders for over an hour.

Property Hayride – The best way to introduce yourself to the property is through the morning hayride. After a 20 minute tour, we learned history of the land and had great recommendations for hikes that were suitable for our family.

Summer Campfire – Roasting marshmallows over a campfire on a summer night. Enough said. The lodge offers a few fire pits around the property to enjoy.

Poolside – We were able to enjoy both the indoor and outdoor pool during our stay. Again, the staff took many precautions including limiting the amount of people allowed in the area. This ended up making our time at the pool more enjoyable!

Overlook – For some amazing panoramic views, head to the top floor of the lodge then follow more stairs to the overlook. Seeing the entire property with the mountains in the background was awe-inspiring!

Other Summer To-Do’s: Adventure center (can’t WAIT until Celeste is older to go ziplining!), Arcade, Lawn Bowling, Beach, Golfing, Archery

A few days spent at Skytop surrounded by the mountain air was exactly what we needed. Feel free to comment any questions!