From Pittsburgh to the Poconos, Pennsylvania offers a gamut of group getaways that take attendees away from it all in a variety of fashions. Whether your bunch is on the lookout for rustic wooded retreats or elegant enclaves, the only challenge is sorting through the infinite options.
Meetings Focus put on its explorer’s hat and tracked down some of the top Pennsylvania settings and venues for groups.
SKYTOP LODGE, Skytop
Nestled amid 5,500 acres in the pretty Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania, Skytop Lodge takes your attendees away from it all without leaving it all behind.
“There is no shortage of group activities, including dog sledding, archery, paintball and tree-top adventure courses, to name a few,” says Alicia Quinn, public relations and communications director for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.
Championship golf is yet another option, but those seeking more sedate pleasures will find plenty to savor as well at the 193-room enclave. The Skyview Spa offers more than 10 massage variations, and wining and dining is another popular activity at the lodge, which has been hailed with Awards of Excellence for 10 consecutive years from Wine Spectator magazine.
And for any group wanting to get down to business, Skytop offers 17 meeting rooms and 24,000 square feet of event space.
THE SPA AT THE HOTEL HERSHEY, Hershey
While Hershey and its famed Hershey Park are serious bastions of entertainment, groups seeking to escape the crowds should highly consider a lengthy visit to the Spa at Hotel Hershey.
“The Spa at The Hotel Hershey makes for a perfect group getaway for any chocolate lover,” says Rachel Dinbokowitz, spokeswoman for Hershey Entertainment. “Groups can experience everything from a cocoa massage to a chocolate facial to a chocolate manicure and pedicure and more. In addition to pampering yourself in our relaxing oasis, groups can enjoy salon services, a variety of lounge areas, complimentary fitness classes and services, and lunch in our spa guest-only restaurant, The Oasis.”
Among the lovely lounge areas are an Aromatherapy Room and a Quiet Room, but really stealing the show in terms of style and elegance is The Oasis Lounge, festooned with a Moroccan theme that includes cushy furnishings and graceful chandeliers.
Other pampering possibilities include a sauna, a steam room and an indoor pool. PageBreak
NEW HOPE
A Bucks County treasure along the Delaware River, the town of New Hope is arguably among the most charming towns in America. But charm alone doesn’t make for a great group getaway.
“New Hope is an ideal place for group meetings not only because of the many restaurants that offer every type of cuisine, and many of them with private dining rooms, but also for the activities such as seeing a production at the Bucks County Playhouse or taking a train ride on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad throughout the beautiful and historic countryside of Solebury Township,” says Carol Ann Della Penna, spokeswoman for the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce. “New Hope also has live music every night of the week. And my personal favorite outing is to bike on the canal towpath, and New Hope Cyclery has plenty of bike rentals.”
Among the favorite dining spots are the Inn at Phillips Mill, hosted in an ivy-covered edifice and serving up French country fare, and the lively Havana. As for nightlife, head straight for John and Peter’s—a local institution for four decades and the site of practically nonstop live music.
Shopping is also a popular pastime in the town, particularly along Main Street, where favorite stops include the funky Farley’s Bookshop and the beyond-quirky Teardrop Memories antique shop, brimming with the offbeat and the eclectic.
REFRESHING MOUNTAIN CAMP, Stevens
Tucked away in the Lancaster County countryside, Refreshing Mountain Camp is an inviting mix of relaxation and recreation that might be most ideal for religious groups seeking some fresh-air fun.
“We host many groups that will come for the day, use conference space for a portion of the day to focus on their specific meeting goals, but then they will often schedule a few hours of programming that we offer,” says Justin Harnish, spokesman at the property. “We have a long list of facilitated team-building activities that we can offer that are typically done on the ground, and then we also have a whole segment of activities that we call ‘High Adventure.’ These are things like our Zip Line Canopy Tours, a 30-foot climbing tower and a 30-foot giant swing. These are great activities to build friendships, encourage communication, and teach some great problem- solving principles.”
While the non-denominational Christian venue is a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association, they do not require visiting groups to adhere to their belief and vision—only to respect them.PageBreak
FALLINGWATER, Mill Run
Arguably the most iconic creation of architectural legend Frank Lloyd Wright, this former residence in southwestern Pennsylvania is a tremendous temptation for a group getaway.
Residing within the lush Bear Run Nature Preserve, the structure was built between 1936 and 1939 for the Kaufmann family. Today it’s a memorable magnet for group tours, events and much more.
A number of guided tours are available, but they must be made in advance and are required for seeing the interior of the famed structure. Options range from the In-Depth Tour to a Brunch Tour to a Focus Tour, or nature lovers can simply obtain a Grounds Pass and stroll the surrounding forests.
Planners can even organize an event of their own at the Barn at Fallingwater, a revamped 19th century edifice with three distinct meeting settings. Attendees can also peruse a tasteful museum shop—with proceeds used to help the preservation of the landmark—and a cafe serves up a variety of treats sourced from locally grown products.
Planners should keep in mind that advance notice is required for guided group tours, and that the venue is normally closed to visitors during January and February.
OMNI BEDFORD SPRINGS RESORT, Bedford
Groups grappling for a regal respite in the state’s south-central realms will have a hard time topping Omni Bedford Springs, the recent recipient of a $120 million makeover and a bastion of elegant amenities. Its 2,200-acre enclave in the Cumberland Valley countryside is a true escape, but also offers a plethora of pleasurable group possibilities.
For starters, a fabulously refreshed golf course provides 18 inviting holes for more-active attendees. Hiking trails (including guided hikes), trout fishing, tennis, biking and even seasonal geocaching add to a healthy roster of alfresco outings.
The “inside story” includes an appealing 30,000-square-foot spa incorporating some of the mineral waters that originally gave the community its name, an impressive aquatic center and five distinct dining offerings. For those seeking some evening fun, the Frontier Tavern bubbles over with revelry—and artisanal brews—in a handsome setting inside the resort’s 1806 Stone Inn building.
“The [property] is a great place for business professionals to disconnect from the stresses of the world and gather in a more relaxed setting,” says Jeffrey W. Rudder, the property’s director of sales and marketing. “Located in the quaint town of Bedford, our historic resort has been a meeting spot for some of the nation’s greatest leaders looking to escape the capital.”
These include 11 U.S. Presidents, most memorably James Buchanan—the only Pennsylvania-born POTUS—who made the resort his “summer White House” during his tenure, according to Rudder.PageBreak
NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT,
Farmington
Sprawling across 2,000 acres in the state’s southwestern Laurel Highlands, the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa is a memorable medley of upscale offerings, outdoor intrigue and even captivating culture.
Fresh-air fun includes two championship 18-hole courses—including the Pete Dye-designed Mystic Rock—and even a Field Club, with an extensive shooting facility and fly-fishing. An Adventure Center features everything from an off-road driving academy and zip lines to paintball and climbing walls.
Less-adventurous attendees will also find plenty to explore, including several specialty shops and an array of dining spots that includes the heralded Lautrec, one of only 20 restaurants on the planet to simultaneously boast both a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond award. Culture cravers will find something to savor as well, with the resort’s $45 million Hardy Family Collection enhancing extensive areas of the property.
For groups actually wanting to get down to serious biz, Nemacolin includes 32,000 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities that comprises four ballrooms, 24 meeting rooms and a lecture hall seating up to 200.
LOST RIVER CAVERNS, Hellertown
Talk about getting away from it all! Lost River Caverns in Hellertown will take groups visiting the Lehigh Valley beneath the Earth’s surface, where a tour meanders past magical rock formations and hanging stalactites, and truly leaves the rest of the world behind.
Closed only four days a year and in continuous operation since 1930, the attraction is possibly at its most appealing during the dog days of summer or winter’s worst days—when the constant 52-degree temperatures provide a respite from the heat or cold.
In addition to their ongoing cave tours, the venue offers a short nature trail, charming picnic grove, gem panning and some small shops that include an unforgettably kitschy souvenir store. PageBreak
MORAINE STATE PARK,
Butler County
It’s difficult to picture a more serene setting for groups than Moraine State Park, set in the unspoiled Butler County countryside of Western Pennsylvania.
Sprawling across more than 16,000 diverse acres, the outdoor enclave offers bike paths, a spacious amphitheater, an observation deck for spotting wildlife and even a butterfly trail. Much of the activity revolves around Lake Arthur, a 3,000-plus-acre hive of activity that is host to a popular annual regatta the first weekend of August.
For an awesome group outing, consider a jaunt aboard the Nautical Nature, a 37-passenger pontoon boat showcasing a variety of experiences. Regularly scheduled jaunts take place in fair weather, including lunch and dinner outings, and groups can also arrange a privately chartered excursion of their own.
Other park fun includes horseback riding, fishing and disc golf tourneys, and even 11 cabins for groups seeking to rough it a bit.
VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL
HISTORICAL PARK, King of Prussia
For a group that enjoys exploring history as well as the great outdoors, the perfect fit might be the offerings at Valley Forge National History Park in eastern Pennsylvania.
Set on more than 3,500 acres of hills and dales, the park showcases more than 20 miles of diverse trails that can be enjoyed by foot, bike or even seasonal trolley tours. Open year-round, the park is also embellished by a number of historical elements that add to the group experience.
A visitor center displays some intriguing artifacts, with an Encampment Store offering nifty keepsakes, snacks and light refreshments. And the original stone headquarters of Gen. George Washington, reconstructed log soldier huts and numerous statues and monuments throughout the park serve as poignant reminders of the infamous winter encampment of 1777-’78.
