Bushkill, Pennsylvania

Bushkill, Pennsylvania is the perfect setting for a mountain vacation. Located in the Pocono Mountains, Bushkill has long been the vacation spot for those fleeing the confines of New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Once known as the "honeymoon capital of the world", the Poconos today are a great spot for anyone, including honeymooners, seeking a relaxing vacation in the Great Outdoors.

People looking for an all-inclusive place for outdoor activities will love the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWG). The DWG is 70,000 acres of natural wilderness preserving over 40 miles of the Delaware River on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey shores. The Appalachian Trail ambles along 30 miles of the New Jersey water gap, and there are plenty of smaller trails and nature walks leading off the AP Trail for day-hikers. Anglers can toss in a line looking for smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, catfish, and panfish. Visitors may stop at the Bushkill information center on Route 209 for detailed listings of the area's activities.

More outdoor fun can be found at Bushkill Falls, the "Niagara of Pennsylvania." Eight waterfalls can be reached by a series of hiking trails and bridges that offer incredible views of the Pocono area. The largest is Main Falls with a 100 foot drop; it is is one of the most photographed natural attractions in the Keystone State. Anglers can toss in a line in both Duck Pond and Paddlewheel Pond. Visitors to the falls can also mix fun and history by visiting the Native American Exhibit, which depicts the lives of the Lenni Lenape Indians indigenous to the Pocono region. You can also spend time in the Pennsylvania Wildlife Exhibit, featuring displays of 80 animals species that live in the area.

Bushkill can serve as a jumping off point to other Poconos attractions. Golfers can tee it up at the Great Bear Golf and Country Club in East Stroudsburg. Designed by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, the course was named one of the top 20 courses in Pennsylvania by Golf Digest Magazine. Lovers of interesting architecture will want to visit the Grey Towers National Monument in Milford. The stone turreted castle was the home of Gifford Pinchot, former governor of Pennsylvania and acclaimed conservationist. You could also try a day of tasting fresh baked goods while visiting the Pennsylvania Dutch Farm in Mount Pocono.