Under $100: The Poconos

The Poconos is a great place to get away for a weekend and with plenty of outdoor activities, you’ll find the destination is affordable as well. Made up of four counties, the region is expansive, so you’ll have to pick and choose what you want to see and do.

Skiing is definitely one of the largest draws to the region, if you visit during the winter. Save by planning your ski outing for a weekday and arrive in the afternoon to take advantage of weekday or half-day deals, like you can find at Camelback Mountain or Alpine Mountain, both around $35.

Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania © Abarboiu | Dreamstime

If your visit in the summer, take advantage of the many hiking opportunities in the region. Bushkill Falls is named the Niagara of Pennsylvania and features eight waterfalls you can hike to. Entrance to the park is about $15. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities for biking, kayaking and boating. The lake region within the mountains includes Lake Wallenpaupack, which has 52 miles of shoreline to explore.

If you’d rather not sweat, many of the area’s small towns have historical homes and public buildings available for tours. You’ll find several in the quaint city of Jim Thorpe, which has been called the Switzerland of America and offers a charming setting for your outdoor adventures. Possibly the most out-of-the-ordinary historic attraction in the area? The Natural Ice Harvest museum ($7).