5 Reasons Why Families Need To Visit Woodloch Resort

Winter is coming!  Actually it’s HERE!  That’s why parents are scrambling to find fun ways to keep their kids entertained and happy cuz baby it’s cold outside!  And with multiple winter breaks like: the holidays, MLK day, Presidents Day weekend and school’s official winter and spring breaks, the pressure is on to find ways to pass the time with kids!  Woodloch Resort saves the day (and the weekend!).  It’s just 90 minutes outside of Manhattan in the Poconos area of Pennsylvania and it takes care of all of your family needs while ensuring a fun-filled winter getaway!  Below are 5 reasons you too must try it out!

  1.   It’s rated as the #1 family resort in the U.S! You heard that right!  Both USA Today and Traveler’s Choice singled out Woodloch Resort as the best place for families to vacation!  And to further reinforce those rave reviews, infamously critical Yelp reviewers averaged a 4.5 star (out of 5) rating!  It clearly is a people pleaser! And I can see why!  With the most abundant list of activities, delicious food, spacious accommodations, and the most welcoming staff, you really feel like you’ve come home (if home was a cozy spot with maids, housekeepers, nightly entertainment and non-stop fun! hahawoodloch pines, woodloch spa, woodloch resort, poconos hotels, best family vacation, best family resort, all inclusive resort
  2. FUN FUN FUN!  You cannot be bored here.  There is something for everyone, at really, every age! The indoor / outdoor list of play options (of 30+ daily activities) will blow your mind.  Here, parents don’t have to worry about how to pass the long days, weekends, or breaks!  Woodloch has it all figured out!  Toddlers will enjoy the splash zone, 1′ wading pool, outdoor playground, indoor toddler play gym, petting zoo, pony rides, magic shows and baby bumper cars.  Little kids will enjoy the pool’s slide and indoor pool, driving their own bumper car and gokarting on their own (if 48″ or taller), the kids club, ice skating for the first time with balance beams, the arts and crafts room, and 3-level climbing gym.  woodloch pines, woodloch spa, woodloch resort, poconos hotels, best family vacation, best family resort, all inclusive resortOlder kids will love the: go karting, silent disco dance nights,  archery, trivia, wiffle ball, bocce ball, the escape room and paintballing.  This isn’t even mentioning the fun-for-all ages: snow tubing, scavenger hunts, minute-to-win-it games, arcade, kareoke, bowling, putt putt, and family-friendly contests.  (phew that was a lot, right?) woodloch resort, woodloch, woodloch pines, poconos weekend, road trips from nyc When the weather warms up, they also offer: water-skiing, fishing, kayaking, clay shooting, boating, hiking, summer Olympics, ziplining and MORE!  Imagine trying to check off all those activities in one weekend.  You’d be hustling around town non-stop whereas here, everything is walkable or just a short shuttle bus ride away.  Trust me, your kids will never want to leave.  And nobody will believe how much fun you managed to pack into each day!
  3. The food is delicious! The yummy meals had us all leaving 5 lbs heavier I think.  Who could resist when the 3 course meals felt so homemade with love?  The selection was well -received even amongst us two families at the table with picky little eaters.  And the desserts and baked goods were to die for! AHHHh..  We ate SO much at every meal that we started realizing we could have easily gotten away with the 2 meal-a-day plan.  Surely we would have reached our daily allowance for calories even with just 2 meals but it was the weekend and we were on vaca…(vaca calories don’t count, right??)  With 4 restaurants and 3 additional spots for a quick snack or drink, you and the kids will always be able to find something!woodloch pines, woodloch spa, woodloch resort, poconos hotels, best family vacation, best family resort, all inclusive resort
  4. The service is incredibly warm, welcoming and genuine.  Us Manhattanites have gotten somewhat used to poor service, rude strangers and pushing and shoving in the subway trains.  So it is always with great pleasure and gratitude that we receive such nice service!  Everyone at Woodloch from the front desk staff to the waiters and greeters were so friendly and smile-y you felt like you were immediately welcomed into the Woodloch family!  woodloch pines, all inclusive family resort, poconos hotel, poconos for families, what to do in the poconos, woodloch spa, best family resorts Speaking of welcomes, did you know that costumed characters surprise you at every meal?  The kids loved seeing the likes of Paw Patrol and other familiar faces greeting them at the dining room.  Woodloch’s resort is a family-owned and operated resort (since 1958), something they are proud to highlight.  And everything from the family-style meals, family-oriented games and contests serve to emphasize their value on family time.  It’s no wonder families repeatedly visit, each time adding more families and friends to their stay.  Generations have been making Woodloch Resort their vacation destination of choice and their family reunion spot for years! The decor even has the nostalgic feel of visiting grandma and grandpa’s house.  It definitely has its own hospitable charm!woodloch pines, woodloch spa, poconos, family vacation ideas, family poconos,
  5.  The grounds are vast and beautiful.  We stayed in the Springbrook suite overlooking the lake and gorgeous grounds.  It had a terrace and amazing light would shine through our room.  Having just come from the concrete jungle of Manhattan, I really appreciated my vast view.  I saw that there was a walking trail around the lake and imagined how beautiful it would be when warmer- especially when the fall foliage bloomed in vibrant colors.  (I’ll have to return in the fall!)  With their outdoor rock climbing wall, championship golf course, and endless water sports, there are various ways to enjoy the view!  If nature and peace are what you’re looking for in a getaway, this Poconos destination can give you that peaceful pristine mountain / lake vacation you want!

woodloch pines, poconos weekend, poconos family, things to do in the poconos, where to stay in the poconos, poconos with kids, woodloch pines, woodloch reviewI’m always the one researching and planning out fun activities for friends and family so it was with great pleasure that I finally got to sit back and let Woodloch take care of all the entertainment and planning.  We had so much fun as a family and got to bond with another special family that we traveled with too.  Woodloch Resort really is an amazing destination to make memories with those you cherish!  They’re currently having a 30% off sale so book your next vaca today!  

Tell me in the comments below what you’d most look forward to!

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And to read another review of Woodloch Resort, check out my friend Melissa’s blog (she traveled with us) and you’ll want to hear her perspective as a mom of a boy and a girl.

Click here to read all about Pennsylvania’s Koziar’s Christmas Village and for everything you need to know before you go!

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Times Square With Kids 13 of the Best Things To Do This Holiday Season

 

times square with kids, times square, what to do in times square with kids, what to do in nyc with kids, manhattan kidsHappy Friday the 13th!!  I thought I’d share the top 13 activities to do with kids in Times Square timed with this occasion.  Now that the temps are dipping, parents are looking for indoor spots to entertain their kids.  And with the influx of tourists coming into the city for the Rockefeller tree and all the NY holiday lights and windows, I thought this handy list would be extra helpful.  Unlike years past when Times Square was a shady, unsafe, spot, nowadays it is so family-friendly some have even called the transformation the Disneyfication of Times Square.  And it’s time you check it out with your family!  Read on to see how you can win tickets to one of our favorite shows!!

  1. After you take your requisite Times Square pics (TKTS stadium style seating, towering, lit up buildings, pics with famous characters like Mickey and Elmo), you’ll want to be a part of the famous New Year’s ball celebration by adding your personal wish for the new year to the NYE Wishing Wall this month! nye confetti, times square nye, times square new year's eve, new year's wish Dec 3-29th (TSq Plaza 45-46  Bdwy btwn 45th-46th Sts)  It’ll only take a few minutes and it’ll be so fun to know that your wish will turn into confetti on New Year’s Eve and rain down on the hundreds of Times Square revelers! Afterwards, choose from this kid-centric list of shopping, treats, and entertainment!
  2. Slava’s Snow Show  (124 West 43rd St.)  Wow! This show is full of surprises!  From clowns who go from making you giggle while on stage to walking all over the audience seats and spraying unsuspecting audience members with water, to a snow blizzard gone wild and a bouncy ball party you’ll never forget, this show was fun for all ages.  I also enjoyed the quieter moments with beautiful music.  It’s rare when something can make me forget I’m in the chaos of Times Square and give me a meditative moment! broadway shows for kids, times square for kids, what to do with kids in nyc, what to do with kids in times squareOne lucky reader who comments below (and follows me @stylishlystella on Instagram) will win 4 tickets this Tuesday!! So easy to enter!
  3. Pip’s Island (400 W. 42nd St.) Let your little explorers don safari vests and travel through a theatrical adventure that they will surely love!  This production is Disney quality and so impressive even to adults.  If you don’t think your child will sit through a Broadway show, bring them here instead and they’ll be able to explore, find hidden objects, and become a real-life hero through it all. times square with kids, what to do in times square with kids, family friendly times square, times square
  4. Gulliver’s Travels (216 West 44th Street)Take your mini-me on a trip around the world and feel like a giant in this miniaturized exhibit!  Featuring all the major landmarks and 300 scenes worldwide, you won’t believe all the amazing detail. This is perfect for the travel enthusiast or anyone interested in miniature figurines.times square with kids, things to do in nyc with kids, things to do in times square with kids, times square with kids, gulliver's gate, miniature figurines
  5. Madame Tussauds (234 W 42nd St.) If anyone in your family is a celebrity buff or a superfan of one of the celebs featured here, this is a must-see and a quirky stop along the way through your Times Square adventure.
  6. National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey ( 226 West 44th St.)  Head underwater into a 60,000-square-foot digital tank!  Your kids will love virtually interacting with sharks while learning all about undersea life in this incredibly modern, unforgettable exhibit.  Read my full review here! times square with kids, national geographic, times square, things to do in times square with kids
  7. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not (234 W 42nd St.) My daughter loves learning about and looking at the bizarre (just like me)! And I can’t wait to take her to this place because it is chock-full of the most extreme cases.  She will love learning all the facts, standing next to the world’s tallest man, seeing videos of people doing impossible feats and will be in utter amazement, I know because I went once and was completely fascinated by all the little details I learned!
  8. Bowlmor (222 W. 44th St.) Bowlmor is the most family friendly of all the nearby bowling alleys in the area and I also recommend it for its fun decor.  Its beyond your average bowling alley!!
  9. Game out at Dave & Buster’s – (234 W 42nd St.)  Have a gamer in the family?  Take them back in time and teach them the joys of 80s arcade games like Pac Man and Frogger! Then test your skeeball skills and try out all the latest in gaming technology!  Things have come a long way! Check their website to make sure they don’t have a private event though as holidays are often booked out.
  10. Stop into the Sugar Factory (700 8th between 44th and 45th st.) If your sugar craving is strong and or you want that Instagram-able dessert, stop here  And you’ll see and taste what all the celebrities have been talking about.  Note – seating is limited but you can always sit indoors at the attached hotel lobby to finish off that double-decker dessert! ice cream sundae, best desserts in nyc, instagramable desserts, sugar factory ice cream
  11. Grab a treat at M&M’s World, (48th Street and Broadway)  Ever been to a candy store that opens til midnight?  For those that are jet lagged with kids and wondering what to do at strange hours…here’s an option that will delight the chocoholic and kid of any age.  Stop in for a quick pic with the green M&M statue of liberty and create customized M&Ms with your face, name or message.  Now isn’t THAT a fun souvenir?!
  12. Shop Line Friends (1515 Broadway) is the cutest lineup of characters from Asia and you and the kids will fall in love with this store.  Similar to Sanrio’s brand, everything is made to be extremely CUTE.  Browse around and enjoy the many photo opps…you’ll leave a fan, trust me!kawaii, teddy bear, times sq, line friends nycuare, times square with kids, what to do in times square with kids, best family activities in ny, where to shop in nyc for kids
  13. Stop at the Disney store (1540 Broadway at 45th st.) Who doesn’t love Disney?  Check out all the interactive elements like the magic mirrors and catch a free screening while there.  Disney Store

What’s your favorite idea?  I’d love to hear you share your thoughts on any of these shopping, dessert or entertainment options in Times Square! Leave a comment below and enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to see the Slava Snow Show -make sure to follow @stylishlystella on Instagram to qualify!

And for my review on TopView bus tour, (which has a Times Square route, click here!)

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Would you like for me to do a similar list for Rockefeller Center area next??

© 2024 Stylishly Stella