Remember grabbing your sled on a snowy day, running to the top of the nearest hill, and sliding down at breakneck speed when you were a kid? And then you rush up to the top of the hill to do it all over again...and again? Relive that childhood magic, only on a snow tube, this winter. Here are the nine best places to go snow tubing in Pennsylvania.
1. AvalancheXpress Snow Tubing Park – 2700 Mt Rose Avenue, York, PA, 17402
Find the perfect snow tubing hills in Pennsylvania makes for a super fun winter! Hit the epic snow tubing lanes at AvalancheExpress this winter. Rush down the hill then, using a powered rope line, return to the top of the hill. AvalancheExpress offers both day and nighttime snow tubing, a fire pit, and plenty of hot chocolate to help you warm up.
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Visit the AvalancheExpress website for more information.
Slip into your snow tube at WORD Roundtop Mountain Resort and soar down the mountain. Choose from one of 10 tubing lanes - perfect for kids five years and older as well as adults - then hop onto the Magic Carpet Lift to take you back to the top of the mountain. The snow tubing lanes are 800-feet long with a vertical drop of 80 feet. Roundtop Mountain Resort also offers a Kiddie Tubing Area for kids four and younger. Snow tubing hours vary daily.
Visit the Roundtop Mountain Resort website for more information.
Plan your snow tubing adventure this winter at Camelback Mountain Resort, one of the best ski resorts in Pennsylvania with the country's largest snow tubing park. Boasting over 40 snow tubing lanes, Camelback welcomes snow tubers to spend the day slipping down the snowy lanes and to enjoy an evening snow tubing adventure. You can purchase snow tubing tickets on the website.
Visit the Camelback Mountain Resort website for more information.
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4. Hidden Valley Resort – 1 Craighead Road, Hidden Valley, PA, 15502
Turn an ordinary winter day into something extraordinary by zooming down the lanes aboard a snow tube at Hidden Valley Resort, which offers snow tubing throughout the day and evenings on the weekends. All snow tubers must ride on their own tube. Book your snow tubing session online before you go.
Visit the Hidden Valley Resort website for more information.
5. Mount Pleasant of Edinboro – 14510 Mt Pleasant Road, Cambridge Springs, PA, 16403
With eight lanes, this resort offers some of the best snow tubing in Pennsylvania. Soar down a 600-foot hill when you snow tube at Mount Pleasant of Edinboro. Return to the top of the hill on a handle tow. Snow tubes are provided and snow tubing is available, weather-permitting, Friday through Sunday. (Hours vary.)
Visit the Mount Pleasant of Edinboro website for more information.
6. Boyce Park Ski Area – 790 Center Road, Plum, PA, 15239
The snow tubing season is in full swing from December through March at Boyce Park Ski Area. Both private and public snow tubing sessions are available. Public snow tubing sessions are open in two-hour increments from Friday through Sunday.
Visit the Allegheny County website for more information.
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7. Ski Big Bear – 192 Karl Hope Blvd, Lackawaxen, PA, 18435
Spend your Saturday or Sunday this winter at Ski Big Bear for a snow tubing adventure. The snow tubing park is open on Saturday and Sunday (plus holidays), weather permitting. Ski Big Bear sells snow tubing tickets in two hour increments.
Visit the Ski Big Bear website for more information.
For some exhilarating snow tubing in Pennsylvania, visit Ski Sawmill where you can drop 70 feet as you whiz down a hill on a snow tube. Snow tubers can buy one-hour or three-hour passes. Helmets are available for rent as well, or you can bring a bike helmet from home. (Helmets are required for children 10 and under.)
Visit the Ski Sawmill website for more information.
9. Jack Frost Ski Resort –434 Jack Frost Mountain Road, White Haven, PA, 18661
The last on our list of places for snow tubing in Pennsylvania is Jack Frost Ski Resort. Grab a snow tube (one person to a snow tube) and hit the hills at Jack Frost Ski Resort. Slip down the hill then enjoy an easy ride back to the top aboard a lift or the conveyor carpet. Snow tubing is open daily, although hours vary.
Visit the Jack Frost Big Boulder website for more information.
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You'll find some of the best snow tubing in Pennsylvania at these nine winter parks and, for an old-fashioned winter adventure, slide down an icy hill on this toboggan in Eagles Mere.
Wintertime means a whole lot of fun in Pennsylvania, especially after it snows. While some winter days are meant for curling up under the blanket with a mug of hot chocolate and watching the snow gently fall, others are made for getting outside and having a blast. What's winter like in Pennsylvania? Weather-wise, it's a hodge-podge, never knowing what to expect from one day to the next. Activity-wise? It's a blast. Whether we prefer adrenaline-inducing wintertime activities, including snowmobiling and snow tubing, or laidback adventures like exploring quaint small towns, we'll find for what we're looking in Pennsylvania. Here are some of the best things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania.
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Holiday Events In Pennsylvania
With so many holiday events in Pennsylvania, it's easy to get into the Christmas spirit. Harken back to those childhood days when we piled into the car to ride around the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights, arguably some of the most dazzling Christmas light displays in Pennsylvania. Whether you prefer staying in your car or going on a Christmastime stroll, you'll find Christmas light displays in Pennsylvania that meet your needs. But that's just the start of the Christmastime fun; don't forget to add some of the best Christmas festivals in Pennsylvania to your holiday bucket list, too.
Popularity: One of the top Christmas displays in Pennsylvania. Expect long waits on the weekends.
Price: $11-$16 per person
Hands down one of the most magical and popular Christmas lights displays in Pennsylvania, Koziar's Christmas Village has been a Bernville favorite since 1948. Bundle up and wear comfy shoes for your stroll through this Christmas village that shimmers with more than one million lights. As you explore the village, you might run into Santa, pass a Kissing Bridge, and pop into the Old-Fashioned Bakery Shop for a scrumptious treat. A journey to Koziar's Christmas Village, which welcomes visitors from early November through Jan. 1, deserves a spot on every Pennsylvanian's bucket list. It wouldn't be winter in Pennsylvania without a visit to Koziar's Christmas Village.
2. Hershey Sweet Lights
Location: Hershey
Popularity: Gets extremely busy
Price: $29.99 (car) - $52.15 (van)
Listen to Christmas carols as you mosey along the two-mile path awash in twinkling lights at Hershey Sweet Lights, a beloved annual tradition. Your Christmastime adventure will take you past around 600 lighted displays and through an enchanted Candy Cane Forest and Victorian Village. If you'd like sweet treats for your ride, add the Hershey Sweet Lights Sweet Treat Bundle, a half-pound of chocolate fudge and kettle corn, when you purchase your ticket.
The fun doesn't stop there, though. Zip up your jacket and head inside Hersheypark for its Candylane, a Christmastime celebration that includes millions of glittering lights, seasonal goodies, and a selection of open rides. Hershey's Sweet Lights welcomes holiday revelers on select evenings from mid-November through Jan. 1.
3. Holiday Lights on the Lake
Location: Altoona
Popularity: Usually quite busy on weekends
Price: $18 (car) - $100 (motorcoach). An unlimited season pass is available for $75.
Sing along to all your favorite Christmas songs as you slowly wind through 50 acres of glittering lights at Holiday Lights on the Lake in Altoona, hands down one of the best winter attractions in Pennsylvania. Drive through a light tunnel, past a light display of Santa driving a fire truck, and marvel at shimmering Christmas trees. Holiday Lights on the Lake runs from mid-November through Jan. 5, 2025. Hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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4. Longwood Gardens
Location: Kennett Square
Popularity: Extremely popular, particularly on weekends
Price: $23-$42. Children four and younger and members are free.
Celebrate the season with a trip to Longwood Gardens for its beloved annual A Longwood Christmas, one of the best winter attractions in Pennsylvania. Stroll through the gardens drenched in more than a half-million lights, past Christmas trees, and tumbling fountains. Timed tickets are required for this Christmastime event that runs on select days from mid-November through early January.
5. A Gettysburg Christmas Festival
Location: Gettysburg
Popularity: Busy
Price: Mix of free and activities with a cost
Gettysburg town square at Christmas
Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday celebration at A Gettysburg Christmas Festival, an annual event that takes place the first weekend of December. A variety of family-friendly activities will fill the weekend, including visits with real reindeer, bounce houses, a mechanical snowboard, and family games. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand for several events, including a craft workshop where kiddos will paint a toy or make an ornament. Entertainment is planned throughout the three-day celebration. While you're in town, be sure to get a bit of Christmas shopping done at the quaint shops, and try one of the town's restaurants.
6. Dickens of a Christmas
Location: Wellsboro
Popularity: Busy
Price: Free
The enchanting town of Wellsboro transforms into a winter wonderland every year for its Dickens of a Christmas Celebration. The daylong celebration, usually held the first Saturday in December, features a full menu of family-friendly fun. The sweet song of carolers will fill the air as you shop at the Victorian marketplace, indulge in seasonal goodies, and do a bit of Christmas shopping. A variety of tours and concerts are generally scheduled throughout the day, too, and nearly 125 vendors are expected to be on hand for this Christmas celebration in Wellsboro.
Christmas Towns In Pennsylvania
While the Christmas season tends to be jam-packed with activities and events, a visit to one of the best Christmas towns in Pennsylvania is well worth squeezing in. One of the best family things to do in Pennsylvania in winter is a day trip or a weekend getaway to these enchanting small towns that promise an ideal opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season, indulge in seasonal goodies, and even get some Christmas shopping done.
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7. Bethlehem
Location: Bethlehem
Popularity: Popular, especially during the weekends
Price: A variety of free and paid activities and events
At the top of every Pennsylvanian's Christmas bucket list should sit the shining star, Christmas City itself. Bethlehem shines during the holiday season with locals and travelers flocking to the town to check out its Christkindlmarkt, the Christmas City Village and Christmas Huts, and the elaborate decorations at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Make time to just meander through the downtown area, too, to admire the decorations.
Journey to the Switzerland of Pennsylvania for a magical Christmastime adventure. The darling town of Jim Thorpe promises a fun and festive getaway. Christmastime means the annual Jim Thorpe Olde Time Christmas. Held the first three weekends of December, the beloved Christmas festival in Pennsylvania features horse-drawn carriage rides and strolling carolers. While in town, hop aboard a Christmas train with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. Santa might even join in on the fun.
9. Indiana
Location: Indiana
Popularity: Can get really busy during the It's A Wonderful Life Festival, quieter later in the afternoon and later in the season
Price: Free
Beth Price-Williams
Step into a real-life Bedford Falls with a visit to the enchanting town of Indiana. The hometown of Jimmy Stewart, "It's A Wonderful Life's" George Bailey, transforms into the idyllic small town of Bedford Falls, complete with a "You Are Now In Bedford Falls" sign and a lighted sign of "George Lassos the Moon." The It's A Wonderful Life Festival runs on select weekends from late November through December, kicking off with a parade downtown. Festival activities include visits with Santa and roasting marshmallows. The shops downtown are perfect for Christmas shopping; grab a bite to eat at one of the quaint restaurants, and stop by The Jimmy Stewart Museum, where you might catch a showing of "It's A Wonderful Life."
Indiana is one of my favorite small towns in Pennsylvania, and I go here every Christmas to visit my favorite actor's museum, visit with Santa, and get into the Christmas spirit. In recent years, parking has been free downtown on the weekends, so keep an eye out if you visit.
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Outdoor Activities
If you're looking for fun things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania, you have no shortage of choices. From gliding around outdoor ice rinks to zipping down hills on sleds, you'll easily be able to pack your winter schedule with a ton of outdoor fun. Here are some of the best Pennsylvania winter activities.
10. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink
Location: Philadelphia
Popularity: Be prepared to deal with crowds
Price: Ice skating admission $5; skate rental $12
Embrace the magic of wintertime at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, an annual event running from late November through early March. Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, the beloved winter attraction in Pennsylvania features a full menu of fun, including the centerpiece - the ice skating rink. Warm up near a firepit; soak up the ambiance, and grab a drink and a bite to eat at one of the eateries, which serve such seasonal delights as holiday mocktails, cocktails, and hot chocolate. Pair your drink with a classic Philly cheesesteak, pizza, or classic fair food like funnel cake. Just entering Winterfest is free, so if you're looking for cheap things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania, add this epic event to your calendar.
If you're on the hunt for free things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania, make your way to Moraine State Park, home to the majestic Lake Arthur. After a fresh snow, the Western Pennsylvania state park transforms into a winter wonderland. Bring your sled for a day of zipping down hills, or go cross-country skiing or snowmobiling on one of the trails that meander through the picturesque park. Make the most of winter in Pennsylvania by snowshoeing on the Pleasant Valley Trail or Sunken Garden Trail. Ice skating and playing hockey are also popular when the lake freezes over.
12. Camelback Mountain
Location: Tannersville
Popularity: Extremely popular, especially on weekends
Price: Varies depending on activity, the time of the season, and the day
Boasting one of the best family things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania, Camelback Mountain Resort is home to the largest snow tubing park in Pennsylvania. Zip down the hill on a sunny winter day or, for a unique adventure, go snow tubing in the evening. Galactic tubing features disco lights and a ton of fun under the moonlight. Tickets are sold in two-hour increments. Camelback Mountain Resort is also popular with skiing, so you might want to make a day of it.
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13. Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Location: Seven Springs
Popularity: Popular
Price: Snow tubing starts at $46.50
Sashay down the mountain and show off your skiing skills at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The popular Western Pennsylvania resort promises fun for the whole family. Spend the day skiing or snowboarding, or zip down the mountain on a snow tube. You can also take snowboarding and skiing lessons.
14. Sawmill Family Resort
Winter fun. Sliding down on snow tubes
Location: Morris
Popularity: Popular
Price: Tubing rates start at $10 an hour/$25 for three hours
Snow tubing and skiing are, hands down, two of the best winter activities in Pennsylvania, and you won't find a better place to do both than at Sawmill Family Resort. The Pennsylvania resort also offers snow tubing. If a day simply isn't enough, book a room at the inn or one of the resort's cottages.
Winter Getaways
Whether you're looking for one of the most romantic things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania or are planning a family outing, you'll find an assortment of accommodations that make picture-perfect winter getaways. Here are some of the best places to stay in Pennsylvania.
15. Wapiti Woods
Location: Weedville
Popularity: Popular/quiet getaway
Price: From $199 per night
If you're looking for romantic things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania, you can't go wrong with a stay in a cabin at the enchanting Wapiti Woods Guest Cabin Resort. The cozy cabins feature everything you need for a luxurious stay, including a whirlpool tub. Nestled in the woods, the cabins are a hop, a skip, and a jump from a variety of outdoor attractions, including Allegheny National Forest and Elk Country Visitor Center.
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16. The Lodge at Woodloch
Location: Hawley
Popularity: Popular year-round
Price: Per night packages start at $549 per person
Wrap yourself in luxury at the Lodge at Woodloch, an adults-only lodge in Hawley, making it one of the most romantic things to do in the winter in Pennsylvania. When you're not curled up in your luxurious room, check out all the resort offers, including a Himalayan salt sauna, an outdoor whirlpool (open in the winter), and fire pits.
17. Split Rock Resort
Location: Lake Harmony
Popularity: Popular year-round
Price: Rooms start around $160 per night
Watch the snow fall from your room at Split Rock Resort, an idyllic winter getaway in Pennsylvania. Perfect for a family getaway, the enchanting resort brings a bit of summer to the middle of winter with its indoor waterpark. Other family-friendly amenities include an arcade, bowling, mini golf, and a movie theater.
What are your favorite things to do in Pennsylvania in winter? Let us know in the comments! For more free things to do in Pennsylvania in winter, check out these hiking trails in Pennsylvania. Don't forget to take your camera with you on your winter adventures.
Summer just goes by too quickly, doesn't it? Before we know it, we'll be watching back-to-school commercials and getting ready for autumn. Then we'll blink, and it'll be time to glide down our favorite mountain in a snow tube. That means we've got to pack a ton of fun into a few short months. If you're looking for something fun to do in the summer in our great state, check out summer tubing in Pennsylvania! Today, we're featuring a downhill adventure at Blue Lightning Tubing in East Stroudsburg that's an absolute blast.
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Get ready for non-stop excitement as you soar down one of two slides at Blue Lightning Tubing in East Stroudsburg. It's one of the best outdoor family activities in Pennsylvania.
Settle into your tube, then zip 400 breathtaking feet down the slide. Then turn around; climb on the magic carpet for the ride back to the top of the hill, and do it all over again!
Blue Lightning boasts two slides that promise thrills, both under the summer sun and during the snowy days of winter, with its all-year downhill tubing track.
Each ticket is good for an hour of fun. Summer tubing is such a fun activity that feels a little weird the first time you do it - after all, most of us associate downhill tubing with wintertime.
All it will take is one trip down the hill and you'll be having a blast, though! Hours vary throughout the year, and note that the last ticket is sold one hour prior to closing time.
For more information about Blue Lightning Tubing, check out the Exploria Resorts website. For more local fun, be sure to visit Viator to help plan additional adventures in the Pocono Mountains.
Do you love summer tubing, or are you more of a fan of traditional downhill tubing during the winter? Share your thoughts in the comments! We would love to hear from you!
