December is a beautiful time to see the Poconos. The area gets around 50 inches of annual snowfall, ensuring a White Christmas nearly every year. The air is crisp and ripe with the scent of pine and holly. It’s a winter wonderland.
While Jolly Old St. Nick is busy doing the second check on his “naughty and nice” list, he’s also primed to make several visits to the Poconos. If you’re lucky enough to be vacationing with family at Skytop Lodge this winter, here are three nearby places to catch Santa before his big Christmas Eve sleigh ride.
Breakfast with Santa at Skytop
If his rotund belly is any indication, Santa understands the importance of a hearty breakfast! Sunday mornings through Christmas Eve, St. Nick joins Skytop Lodge guests for a luxurious morning meal followed by a sleigh ride through the snow-covered Pennsylvania countryside. Little ones are also invited to bring their holiday wish lists to the big guy, who will take them back to the North Pole after his stay. Breakfast treats include holiday pancakes, sage sausage, custom omelets and more — see the full menu here. Tickets are $35 for outside guests, $30 for resort guests and $15 for kids ages 5-12. Children 4 and under eat free. Tip: If you’re staying at the resort during Christmas week, be sure to check out the holiday schedule which features marshmallow roasts, seasonal buffets, hayrides and a magic show.
Train Ride with Santa
Sometimes, Rudolph needs a rest. Take a scenic train ride with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, weekends through December 23 at the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, in downtown Jim Thorpe, PA, about an hour southwest of Skytop Lodge. The jolly pair will hand out candy canes, listen to holiday wishes and pose for photos with good little boys and girls. Holiday carols will play in the background, providing a seasonal soundtrack for the narrated ride. The train leaves the station at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $14; children 2 and under are free. Visit the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway website for tickets and schedules.
Santa on Wheels
If you’re looking for an all-day activity that’ll please parents and kids, head to the America on Wheels Auto Museum. The home of a massive collector car collection, the museum is currently showcasing several vehicles from the Transformers movie series, including Bumblebee and Megatron. There’s also plenty of holiday cheer around here. Stop in at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 17 and have ice cream with Santa Claus inside the 1950s-themed HubCap Cafe. Reservations are recommended; call 610-432-4200. Other seasonal events at America on Wheels include live music, face painting and a display of holiday train sets that’ll bring back childhood memories.
Are your kids still believers? Spend your vacation with Santa in the Pocono Mountains before he heads back to the North Pole. If you’re not up early enough for breakfast, or you don’t want to venture too far from Skytop Lodge, guide your wee ones to our holiday tree on Saturday afternoon at 4:45 for a lighting ceremony with the big guy. Call 855-345-7759 or book online to take advantage of our seasonal specials.