Where can you arrive in less than two hours by car from NYC and find a plethora of city-like activities in a purely country atmosphere?

In the Poconos, that's where! Candle factories, antiques and a tremendous outlet mall are waiting for you. Add to that, mountain and hiking trails and the ever-popular Camelback Ski Resort for the outdoor sports enthusiasts, and you have a fun-filled mini-vacation close to home. Camelback offers year-round activities and it is not just for skiing anymore. They offer “Camelbeach” in the summer, a full-size water park with eight new waterslides, and a basketball pool! Very family friendly.

Where to Stay
The Inn at Pocono Manor is a total retreat and so close to home, within two hours of the NY/NJ/CT tri-state region. They have an extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff, and very accommodating services. You can do so much or nothing at all, and have a great time. Pocono Manor is a full service resort, with a pristine spa, huge golf course and over 3,000 acres of woods, trails and tons of outdoor activities. Want to go horseback riding? Take an ATV tour? Pocono Manor has it all!

The rooms are very clean and home-like, but have all the modern conveniences, such as high speed Internet and cable TV. Many rooms boast mountain views.

The Inn at Pocono Manor has its own movie theater and a relaxing pool. You feel you are away from the hectic city, yet so close to home. Pocono Manor gives you a real ‘outlet’ to enjoy yourself, as a couple or family!

The completely renovated Mount Airy Casino and Resort offers guests hundreds of slot machines, and The Spa at Mount Airy offers many spa packages and a $50 spa service credit included in various room rates.

For more information on where to stay and for attractions and events in the Poconos, visit:

www.poconos.org
www.skicamelback.com
www.poconomanor.com
www.mountairycasino.com.

For another great weekend getaway, visit the breathtaking Hudson Valley Region of New York State. This area offers endless outdoor activities, spas and festivals.

In historic Orange County, NY you can cruise through history and the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on a two-hour narrated sightseeing cruise. For more information, visit www.prideofthehudson.com.

On the east side of the majestic Hudson River and directly across from Orange County, is Dutchess County. Here you will find quaint and artsy towns such as Cold Spring, Beacon and Rhinebeck (Northern Dutchess County), NY

You can visit the Aerodome in Rhinebeck (great for families and antique plane enthusiasts), or sample kosher wines in Millbrook.

Do you like Spas? The Spa at The Garrison offers a natural healing environment in which beauty and well-being are nurtured. Natural treatments and techniques include a vigorous aromatherapy salt glow, an herbal balance wrap, and a body enzyme peel.

For more information, call (845) 424-3248.

Historic Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa in Milton, NY is located in the heart of the Hudson River Valley, just minutes away from Franklin D. Roosevelt's Home, the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, Storm King Art Center in Cornwall, Beacon Center for the Arts, historic New Paltz and the stone houses of the Huguenot Village.

Milton offers great outdoor activities like hiking the trails, as well as snow shoeing in the winter and tennis in the spring, summer and fall.

Visit www.buttermilkfallsinn.com for more information and to make a reservation.

For maps and more information on sightseeing and staying in the Hudson Valley, visit www.vintagehudsonvalley.com.
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Ellie Shostack is a travel writer who lives and works in the NYC area. She specializes in budget and nature travel as well as European vacations and cruises.