Three distinct destinations, three prime coordinates for outdoor agendas from the Keystone State’s broad map of group locales. In northeast Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains region is an all-season draw within driving distance of most major East Coast cities. Unfolding west of Greater Philadelphia in the Countryside Region, Bucks County is a bucolic retreat along the Delaware River. Strategically located on I-99 in the state’s central core about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, Altoona is the alluring heart of scenic Blair County.
From airplane and balloon rides to waterparks and ziplining, it’s a Pennsylvania power trio for energizing escapes.
Pocono Mountains
From the ’90s forward, and over the last decade especially, many millions of dollars in new investments have helped to reestablish the four-county Poconos as a premier regional destination for major conventions, midweek conferences, board retreats, sporting challenges and other year-round gatherings.
Ranging across 2,400 square miles of mostly mountainous terrain, the Poconos’ main ROI has always been the great outdoors. Area resources, which include 163-plus ski trails, 261 miles of multiuse trails, 170 miles of rivers, some 35 golf courses, gorgeous waterfalls and open access to nine state and two national parks, are ready-made for active agendas.
“As an easily accessible destination, the Pocono Mountains offers adventure activities and teambuilding options including white-water rafting, rock-climbing walls, treetop adventure courses, golf, horseback riding and waterparks,” said Carl Wilgus, president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “With so much to do in the region, we are seeing a trend in people bringing their families with them on business trips here.”
With 400-room Great Wolf Lodge ushering in the indoor waterpark resort era in 2005, the Poconos have since welcomed two more entrants in the category. Opened in April 2015, the 453-room Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark offers 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, 170,000 square feet of indoor wet and dry adventure space (presently the largest in the nation), outdoor Camelbeach waterpark and the country’s biggest snow tubing park.
In July 2015, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions unveiled its 457-room, African-themed property, featuring 65,000 square feet of flexible space and a 100,000-square-foot indoor waterpark. Completion of the resort’s second phase (see Latest & Greatest, page 76) is slated for March 2017.
Some 300 million years ago, glaciers edging through the Pocono region created Lake Harmony and a split-rock formation which in 1941 became the site of a vacation and hunting lodge, and then in 1946 the Poconos’ first ski resort. Today, Split Rock Resort is a world apart for groups, offering more than 1,200 acres of forest and mountains for a wide range of activities.
Fresh off a two-year, $3.5 million improvement project that included the complete renovation of the main lobby and upgrade of all guest rooms in the historic lakeside lodge, plus two new restaurants and a digital theater showing first-run movies, the resort, with 578 total rooms, can host from 50 to 3,000 attendees in a variety of flexible spaces. With Jack Frost Big Boulder Ski Area just four miles away, on-site amenities include the H2Oooohh! Indoor Water Park, a 27-hole golf course and water-based activities on Lake Harmony.
Accommodating groups of 10 to 400 with 30,799 square feet of flexible space and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, the 1902-era Inn at Pocono Manor offers clay shooting, an 18-hole golf course, stables, archery, fishing, a fitness center with a batting cage and indoor basketball, and more on 3,000 acres.
Set on 5,500 acres, Skytop Lodge (1928) offers 17 meeting rooms and the 10,000-square-foot Executive Conference Center. The new Adventure Center features a 30-foot rock climbing wall, Tree Top Adventure Course, 30 miles of forest trails for hiking or biking, paintball, laser tag, wilderness survival, geocaching courses and more. Activities at the 103-room Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort (1911), where groups have a dozen conference spaces of varying sizes, include golf, Delaware River excursions and Appalachian Trail hiking.
In the Lake Region, Woodloch Resort offers diverse meeting spaces across three distinct properties, including 162-room Woodloch Pines Resort, Woodloch Springs Clubhouse and acclaimed 57-room Lodge at Woodloch destination spa. The resort is renowned for its four-season activity and teambuilding programs, which run the gamut from archery and survival challenges to Winter Olympics-style challenges.
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Since the 1970s, the 76,812-seat Pocono Raceway has staged high-adrenaline NASCAR, IndyCar and ARCA (stock car) racing, hosting seven major events each year.
Altoona and Blair County
In his 1896 commemoration of the semicentennial celebration of Blair County’s founding in 1846, Altoona resident Charles B. Clark, Esq., wrote that “Blair County has within its bounds some of the loftiest mountains, the most beautifully picturesque scenery and the greatest natural curiosities in the state.”
Clark’s words hold true 120 years later, as those same natural assets are enhanced by an ever-evolving set of group products. Along with significant hotel growth, new attractions and experiences are the emphasis in the current marketing campaign, as Explore Altoona Executive Director Mark Ickes explained.
“From the $12.5 million expansion of the waterpark at DelGrosso’s to expanded train excursions on the Everett Railroad, this is an exciting year for groups to explore new adventures in Blair County,” Ickes said, adding that “with 550 new hotel rooms being added in the Altoona metro area between 2015 and 2017, Blair County is rolling out the red carpet for everyone.”
Dating to 1919, DelGrosso’s Amusement Park has introduced Laguna Splash, the nation’s first “Italian-themed waterpark,” for the 2016 season. The $12.5 million development features a wave pool and lazy river, with elements that include a Leaning Tower of Pisa. The expansion also includes four new food concepts. Altoona’s other amusement park, Lakemont, opened in 1894 and features Leap-the-Dips, the world’s oldest operating rollercoaster, dating to 1902.
The Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway, passing through Blair County at its midpoint, is a 320-mile multiuse corridor that follows the historic Main Line Canal System. In 2016, two local trails along this system are being aligned with the 1,140-mile September 11th National Memorial Trail, an evolving network of trails, greenways and scenic byways linking the Pentagon, Flight 93 National Memorial, and World Trade Center.
In 2015, the historic Everett Railroad began operating trains along 23 miles of track out of Hollidaysburg, the county seat. Behind a newly restored 1923 steam locomotive, fall foliage and other special excursions take guests through scenic countryside along the Juniata River. Railroad fans also have Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, from 1854.
Also in Hollidaysburg, Canoe Creek State Park is for all-season outdoor fun. Groups can also catch Altoona Curve baseball at scenic mountain-backed Blair County Ballpark, or enjoy winter sports, golf, mountain biking and more at conference-capable Blue Knob All Seasons Resort in Claysburg, home of Pennsylvania’s highest skiable mountain.
Bucks County
With rewards including American Revolutionary history, alluring centers like New Hope and Doylestown, rolling farmland and forested valleys, Bucks County has a long lineage as an exceptional country escape.
“Whether kayaking or tubing down the Delaware River, biking the historic Mercer Mile in Doylestown or taking a biplane ride at Van Sant Historic Airfield, Bucks County offers an array of outdoor activities for corporate groups looking to optimize their time when traveling for business,” said Jerry Lepping, president of Visit Bucks County.
Since 1985, the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team (also in Lancaster and Chester Counties) has provided hot-air ballooning experiences in Pennsylvania. Launching daily sunrise and sunset rides year-round from The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm in Holicong, Pa., the company offers group and private flights for from four to 50 guests. Lasting about three hours, with an hour in the air, the experience provides breathtaking countryside views that include farms, vineyards and the distant New York City skyline. Corporate branding is also available on the balloons.
On December 25, 1776, George Washington successfully led the Continental Army in a daring nighttime crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River. Commemorated as the 500-acre National Historic Landmark Washington Crossing Historic Park, the site of this monumental maneuver today is for guided tours of its historic village, plus hiking and biking along an extensive trail system.
Founded in 1967, Bucks County River Country is the area’s original outfitter for Delaware River tubing, kayaking, canoeing and rafting. Based in charming Point Pleasant, the company, celebrating its 50th season this year, offers free shuttle rides and equipment, with special pricing for groups of 20-plus people.
For meetings, receptions and catered events and other gatherings, Bucks County Riverboat Company offers private morning, afternoon or evening cruises aboard 63-person-capacity vessels.
