Father Time rewards us with 60 more daylight minutes of playtime, Mother Nature flirts with enticing 65 degree temperatures, and the countryside lures us with lush, fragrant, green mountains. We at PoconosBest.com wonder, can the outdoors be any more appealing during spring than in the Poconos? Perhaps, but surpassing the recreational possibilities centered around 150 lakes, 13 waterfalls, and 170 river miles highlighting 2,400 square miles of natural charm is a tall order--anywhere.

outdoor activities Like the water? Thrill seekers raft the picturesque Lehigh Gorge at Whitewater Challengers Outdoors Adventures, while the more sedate find fishing such favorite spots as Brady's Lake, Peck's Pond, Hidden Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, and the West Branch of the Delaware River the BEST in the East. The rest leisurely explore the Delaware's splendor at a paddle's pace with Kittatiny Canoes. But, if you prefer a family picnic beside a waterfall, we've got two suggestions: Child's Park (non-commercial) and Bushkill Falls, both mesmerizing wonders.

On the drier side, a sunny round on one of the many fine area golf courses is a given: Hideaway Hills, Cliff Park, and Buck Hills Golf Club are suggestions. And for those weak for a different passion, honeymooning at any of the four exquisite Caesars' Resorts can keep any relationship on track. Returning to outdoor activity, however, horseback riding along scenic country trails at Mountain Creek Riding Stables is a must for folks into that sort of thing; we suggest the up-close and personal captivation of nature's rebirth hiking (some of) the 25 miles along the Appalachian Trail. The faster crowd finds biking in the Jim Thorpe area outstanding.

But as the day ends, there remains plenty of nightlife, good food, and accommodations from quaint to luxurious. PoconosBest: rates Skytop highest for family resorts, while Woodloch Pines Resort boasts the best all-around resort. For eateries with ambiance, here's the short list: Stroudsmoor for Easter dinner and any Sunday Brunch; The Stone Bar for lunch and dinner; Alaska Pete's for the same and barroom party atmosphere; and Mollies for breakfast.

In truth, there's so much to do in this special time of year, you'll just have to keep coming back to hit all the best spots. And when you do, live, love, have fun, splurge a little, spoil yourselves, and enjoy springtime in the Poconos (has a nice ring to it, don't you think?) because it is, like the movie title says, "as good as it gets."

Penn's Peak Concerts

Penn’s Peak is a cozy venue located in Penn Forest Township in the western Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania that can comfortably host 1,800 concertgoers with its spacious dance floor, lofty ceilings, twin bars and restaurant. The Venue is about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, and 2 from New York City. Complete with a broad open-air deck for summertime revelry, Penn’s Peak patrons enjoy a breathtaking overlook of nearby Beltzville Lake, plus a commanding, picturesque 50-mile panoramic view of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Appalachian mountains.