We needed a break. So we packed up the car and headed to Skytop Lodge in the Poconos for a few days with the family. I am still thinking about it, so I figured it was time to share.
Skytop Lodge sits in the Pocono Mountains, about two hours from Montgomery County. It is the kind of place that feels like it has been there forever, because it has. The grounds are beautiful. The lodge itself has that classic mountain retreat feel, warm and unhurried in a way that is genuinely hard to find anymore. We wanted somewhere the kids could really run. Somewhere that did not require a screen or a schedule. Skytop delivered on both counts.

The Lake Was the Star of the Trip
Our crew is active. We do not do well sitting still.      So the lake at Skytop was exactly what we needed.
The Wibit floating obstacle course was a huge hit. Picture a giant inflatable playground floating on the water. The kids climbed, jumped, and fell in more times than I could count. That means hours of entertainment without a single complaint of boredom. I cannot remember the last time that happened.
Skytop also runs fishing derbies right from the outpost on the lake. So we signed up, grabbed our gear, and got to work. We won. Biggest fish of the derby. The kids were absolutely beside themselves and honestly so was I. That moment, standing at the edge of that lake watching my kids pump their fists in the air, is one I am going to keep for a long time.
You can also rent kayaks and canoes right from the outpost and paddle around the lake at your own pace. We did that too. It was one of those slow, perfect hours where nobody was asking for anything and everyone was just happy to be exactly where they were.

Free Activities Everywhere You Turn
Here is what surprised me most. Skytop does not nickel and dime you for entertainment. The resort runs a packed daily schedule, and most of it is free.
Our days filled up fast without us even trying. Mornings started with archery lessons and guided hikes to the falls. There were lawn games, bike rides, tug o war, and a soccer game on the South Lawn. The playground and the giant outdoor chess set kept the kids entertained anytime we needed a break between activities.
Every afternoon at 3:00, Skytop puts out tea and cookies, and it became our little daily reset. Right around the same time there is an ice cream social too, so the kids never had to choose between the two.
Evenings brought their own lineup. Nightly marshmallows by the fire pit became our favorite way to wind the day down, right along with pickleball, charades, and even a round of Jeopardy in the club room. The whole setup has a real Dirty Dancing feel to it. Think classic resort charm, a packed activity schedule, and that old school summer camp energy. If you grew up watching that movie you will feel it the second you walk in.

We Got Lucky With the Timing
We booked our trip without realizing it landed right on Skytop's Fourth of July celebration. So we lucked into a bonus weekend of festivities on top of the regular schedule.
There was a carnival on the property, complete with games and prizes, face painting, and tie dye for the kids. A watermelon eating contest had everyone laughing, ours included, since it turns out our kids take watermelon very seriously. Summer fireworks lit up the sky at night, which made for one of those moments you do not forget. And on the morning of the Fourth, we watched a duck race right on the lake. It is a small thing, but it is the kind of small thing that makes a trip memorable.

The Lodge Itself
Skytop does a beautiful job of making you feel like you can slow down. The rooms are comfortable and classic. The food is really good. And as someone with Celiac disease, I always have to do a little extra research before we go anywhere. So I was genuinely relieved to find that Skytop had a solid selection of gluten free options available.
That might sound like a small thing. But when you have Celiac it is never a small thing. Being able to sit down at dinner with my family and actually eat without stress is something I do not take for granted. Skytop handled it well and that made the whole trip more relaxing from the start.
The grounds give you space to wander without any particular destination in mind. But more than the amenities, it is the feeling of the place. There is no rushing at Skytop. Nobody is in a hurry. The mountain air seems to take care of that all on its own.

Why This Trip Mattered
As a mom, I am always looking for that balance. I want downtime for me and adventure for the kids. Skytop gave us both. The kids ran around all day, and I still walked away feeling like I actually relaxed.
Here is the thing about getting away. You start to notice what you miss.
By the second day I was thinking about our neighborhood in Blue Bell. I was thinking about the streets I drive every morning. I was thinking about the community events, the familiar faces, the feeling of being somewhere that knows you.
That is not a small thing. So many people spend years looking for a place that feels like that. A place where the streets feel familiar and the neighbors feel like family. A place where your kids can grow up with roots.
That is what I work toward for every family I work with in Montgomery County. Not just finding them a house. But finding them the feeling we had driving home from Skytop, that quiet pull back to the place that is yours.

Should You Go to Skytop?
If you are looking for a nearby getaway that does not require a flight or a huge production, the Poconos deliver every time. Skytop Lodge is now on our list of favorites and I have a feeling we will be back.
Go for the lake. Sign up for the fishing derby. Rent a kayak and paddle around with your kids. Eat dinner in the lodge dining room knowing that if you have Celiac or dietary restrictions, they have got you covered. Stay for the marshmallows by the fire. And if you can time it around their Fourth of July celebration, do it. You will not regret it.
Have you taken your family to Skytop or anywhere else in the Poconos? I would love to hear about it.

Thinking About Making Montgomery County Home?
If you are looking for a community that gives you this kind of feeling year round, I would love to help you find it. Blue Bell, Worcester, Ambler, Skippack, and the surrounding communities each have something special to offer. And I know them all personally.
Reach out anytime at homewithhall.com. I would love to be part of your story.

Shannon Hall is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty specializing in Blue Bell and the surrounding Montgomery County communities. She is a mom, a lifelong Montgomery County resident, and someone who genuinely loves helping families find their place in this community. Contact Shannon at homewithhall.com.