Dive in to fun this summer in northeast Pa. (2024)

Dive in to fun this summer in northeast Pa. (1)

Dive in to your newest adventure.

Whether you seek a roller coaster ride through the mountains or something daring underwater, there are plenty of attractions in northeast Pennsylvania.

Here’s some of your best bets.

Camelbeach Mountain WaterparkandAquatopia

Whether you want to make a splash indoors or out, Camelback Resort has something for everyone.

Aquatopia, a 125,000 square footindoor waterpark boastssevenpools and13 slides, including aswim-up wet bar and lazy river. Some of its most popular rides are the Constrictor (511 foot ride)and Mountain Mayhem (403 foot slide).

There is also a indoor “dry adventure” center with a ropes course and more than 100 arcade games.

In the summertime, check out the Keystone State’s biggest outdoor waterpark,Camelbeach. Thepark is known for its30–pluswaterslides, including theHigh Noon Typhoon (sending riders soaring sixstories into the mountains) and theVortex andSpin (the only duo bowl slides in the US).

Also at the resort: A roller coaster, zipliningand snow tubing (available during ski season).

Season:Aquatopia is open year-round.Opening weekend at Camelbeach startsJune 11. Season official kicks off June 17.

Amenities: Lodging (453 rooms),15restaurants, spa and fitness center.

Accessibility info:Entrances are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs at the admission gates and in restaurants. You may bring your own wheelchair or electric wheelchair.

Ticket prices:Tickets for Aquatopia start at $89. Tickets for Camelbeach start at $48.

COVID restrictions: Operating at75% capacity. On-going sanitization and disinfection of all public spaces, with attention to high touch areas such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, remote controls, and phones. Hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the resort for guests and associates. Face coverings required while not in the water.

Address: 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville.

Box office:855-515-1283 or570-629-1661

Costa's Family Fun Park

Costa's Family Fun Park is located on Route 6just east of Hawley near Lake Wallenpaupack.

Attractions include go kart rides, laser tag games, mini golf, children’s play land, bumper boat rides, batting range, driving range.

Season: OpensMay 22

WaterPark: Yes

Amenities: Snack bar and space forparties and small gatherings

Accessibility info: Wheelchair accessible

Ticket prices: $45

COVID restrictions:Masks are required when interacting with staff, when moving indoors, ordering food, or standing within 6 feet of another person. Social distancing is also encouraged. The park is sanitizing all activity areas on a regular basis.

Address: 2111 Route 6, Hawley.

Website/Social channels:costasfamilyfunpark.com/activities

Great Wolf Lodge

Day passes are now available to the indoor waterpark (with limited dates) which includes entry to 14 aqua-themed attractions. Popular slides include the Hydro Plunge (a thrilling 52-foot vertical drop) and Alberta Falls (a tandem tube ride).

Season: Open year-round.

Amenities: Lodging (401 rooms), seven restaurants.

Accessibility info: Accessible front entrance; onsite designated accessible parking; accessible front desk for registration or other guest service, accessible pathways from front desk to guestrooms (including accessible elevators to other floors of the hotel and common area corridors of 36'' width or wider); equipment available upon request to assist with audibility needs; accessible common area restrooms and water fountains. All retail and food service establishments include accessibility elements.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Wanting to escape reality?Check out a new way to look under under the sea with the resort's new virtual reality aqua experience. Get up close and personal with majestic sea creatures, who serve as a guide while you snorkel (with your own VR goggles) through the thrilling attraction.

Day passes to Kalahari, known as thelargest indoor water parkin NEPA, includes access to popular rides such as the FlowRider (a body boarding surf situation with five-foot waves) and the Tanzanian Twister body slide (riders twist through a tunnel before falling into a seven-foot pool).

Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventure has socially-distanced outdoor fun such as mini golf, zip lining and a ropes course. The BigGame Room has a blacklight laser tag arena, mini golf, bowling and three themed escape rooms.

Season: Open year round.

Amenities: Lodging (1,000 rooms), 11 restaurants, spa, salon, fitness center, convention space, five retail shops,

Accessibility info: Pools at Kalahari Resorts are ADA accessible using one or more of the following: ADA chair lifts, handrails, and zero depth entry.

Ticket prices: $59.99 and up. Underwater Virtual Reality costs $10 (one experience) or $15 (for two experiences).

COVID restrictions: Operating at 75% capacity. Safety protocols include physical distancing at check-in; resort maps and other info sent via text message; sanitizer stations throughout the property; cash free methods of payment; removal of high-touch items in guest rooms; single use paper menus in restaurants and express check out. Face coverings required while not in the water.

Address: 250 Kalahari Boulevard, Pocono Manor.

Box office:877-525-2427

Website/Social channels:Kalahariresort.com

Dive in to fun this summer in northeast Pa. (3)

Knoebels

Move over, cotton candy:Knoebels has much more to offer.

This amusem*nt park, is known to be afoodies paradise (fun fact: ithas been named Best Park Food by “Amusem*nt Today,” a whopping 18 times since 2000).

Head to the International food court and samplesome gator bites, burritos,Haluski or a Memphis Pork Sundae (Sweet cornbread toppedwithsmokey pulled pork, Monterey Cheddar Cheese and sour cream).

Meat lovers: check out thebarbecue lot where you’ll find favorite such as pork on a stick,bacon on a stick (chocolate optional) and smoked turkey legs.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s also awaffle shack and an ice cream joint.

Knoebels has also picked up dibs for itsPhoenix Roller Coaster, a wooden big dipper that stands at 78-feet and wasonce known as the tallest roller coaster in the world. The park acquired the roller coaster in the 80s from Playland Park in San Antonio and restored it paving a way for restoration and relocation of other old-time roller coasters nationwide.

Season: Opened through Jan. 2.

Water Park: Yes

Amenities: Outdoor spacefor private functions

Accessibility info: Offersa special wrist band allowing guests to board the rides through the exit gates. These bands are for permanent physical and mental disabilities. Inquire at the Customer Service Window.The courtesy pass allows the courtesy band holder and oneadditional guest to exit through the gates.Knoebels has also partnered with theInternational Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)to be designated as a Certified Autism Center(CAC).

Ticket prices: Starts at $25.

COVID restrictions: Operating a limited capacity.Face coverings required. Social distancing protocols in place.

Address:391 Knoebels Boulevard, Elysburg.

Box office:570-672-2572

Website/Social channels: knoebels.com

— Micaela Hood is a lifestyles reporter for the USA TODAY Network Mid-Atlantic features team and is based at the Pocono Record. Reach her by emailing mhood@poconorecord.com.