Fall is a lovely time here in Pennsylvania. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities and the leaves enchant with a vibrant display of color. For those of us who dread cold weather, it's also a time to savor the remaining vestiges of autumn before we are forced to hunker down for what often seems like an interminable winter.
If you're itching to get away, fall is also a fantastic time of year to visit the picturesque Poconos. For decades the area has been known as a haven for romance and today it continues to attract its fair share of couples seeking a little "we" time.
 |
| Autumn colors come alive in the Pocono Mountains (photo courtesy: Poconomountains.com) |
Pocono Palace Offers Year-Round Fun
 |
| The Roman Tower at the Pocono Palace includes a personal pool, a champagne glass whirlpool and a dry sauna. (Photo courtesy: Cove Haven Resorts) |
Pocono Palace, located in Marshall’s Creek, Pennsylvania, has been welcoming couples for years and the helpful staff there have service down to an art. Guests can choose from among seven varieties of spacious suites, which offer amenities like Jacuzzis, saunas, personal indoor pools and log-burning fireplaces. Rent a Roman Tower and you can have it all—a seven-foot champagne glass whirlpool for two overlooking the living room, (yes, that’s still a guest favorite), a glass-enclosed, heart-shaped pool and a dry sauna.
The rooms may be impressive, but there's also plenty of outdoor activities as well. Lisa Scaltrito, Guest Manager, said, “We offer paintball, laser tag, horseshoes, Frisbee golf, tennis, basketball, bocce ball, archery, horseshoes and badminton to name a few,” adding that many couples like to explore the acreage on golf carts, which are available for a small rental fee.
Nature lovers can also traverse miles of trails by foot, or on mountain bikes, which are offered free at the resort.
For those who enjoy spending time on the water, beautiful Lake Echo awaits and is a short stroll from any room. Paddle boats, rowboats and SUP boards are available free of charge and are popular with many of the couples who appreciate the beauty and peacefulness of the lake and its surroundings.
For those who enjoy spending time on the water, beautiful Lake Echo awaits and is a short stroll from any room. Paddle boats, rowboats and SUP boards are available free of charge and are popular with many of the couples who appreciate the beauty and peacefulness of the lake and its surroundings.
 |
| Couples rent canoes, SUP boards and kayaks to explore Echo Lake at Pocono Palace Resort, especially during the warmer months. |
Inside Entertainment
If the weather isn't exactly conducive to outdoor activities during your stay, there is always plenty to do indoors, from taking a dip in the heated pool, to visiting the arcade, or engaging in games like trivia and bingo to compete for cash and prizes.
Couples can walk from their rooms to the lounge for an evening of entertainment, which includes bands, DJs, comedians, magicians and even hypnotists, so there’s always something intriguing happening. Be sure to check the website to plan ahead.
Included in the fall specials are seasonal offerings like hayrides and donuts and cider in the lobby on Fridays.
Couples can walk from their rooms to the lounge for an evening of entertainment, which includes bands, DJs, comedians, magicians and even hypnotists, so there’s always something intriguing happening. Be sure to check the website to plan ahead.
Included in the fall specials are seasonal offerings like hayrides and donuts and cider in the lobby on Fridays.
Dining
A buffet breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the room and an onsite café offers sandwiches, drinks and wraps available for those in-between times when guests are hungry for a quick, casual bite. Those who are willing to venture off property will find several restaurants located just a short drive away.
The Pocono Palace is just one of three couple's resorts within the Cove Haven Resort family. The other two properties are located in Mount Pocono and Lakeville, Pennsylvania.
Take a Side Trip to Bushkill Falls
 |
| Bushkill Falls has been open to the public since 1904. |
It would be a shame if you left the region without visiting the nearby Bushkill Falls. Known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls was opened to the public in 1904 by Charles E. Peters. Today the falls are owned by the Charles E. Peters estate and leased and operated by Aramark.
The area features a total of eight waterfalls accessible via a series of steps and sturdy wooden platforms. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes since some of the climbs can be challenging. You’ll pay a $14.50 entrance fee whether you take the easy 15-minute route to the main falls, or spend two-and-a-half hours hiking the most challenging route.
Food and drink are available at an onsite snack bar, although many choose to pack their own lunches and take advantage of the picnic area, which includes charcoal grills, pavilions and picnic tables.
The area features a total of eight waterfalls accessible via a series of steps and sturdy wooden platforms. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes since some of the climbs can be challenging. You’ll pay a $14.50 entrance fee whether you take the easy 15-minute route to the main falls, or spend two-and-a-half hours hiking the most challenging route.
Food and drink are available at an onsite snack bar, although many choose to pack their own lunches and take advantage of the picnic area, which includes charcoal grills, pavilions and picnic tables.
Everywhere you turn, there is an opportunity for a photo-op, so don’t neglect to pack your camera.
The falls are open from April through November, weather permitting.
The falls are open from April through November, weather permitting.
Here’s hoping you can find some time to enjoy the remainder of the season with someone you love. Remember, you don’t always have to wait for Valentine’s Day to plan a couple’s escape.
