Okay, first purge your mind of what you think the “Poconos” is all about, because you’re wrong. The era of champagne glass-shaped hot tubs is over, ’cause we’re talking bout the Pocono Mountains here. The real attraction of this destination can be found outside of a hotel room, with enough outdoor activities to satisfy even the bravest Bear Grylls wannabes. Not to mention the fact that the area is quickly becoming a mecca for water parks. Oh, and you want good food? Yeah, they got that, too.

Although we were unable to attend a recent #DCTravelBloggers trip to the Pocono Mountains, below you can find links recapping the experiences of some of our local blogger friends who ventured up to Pennsylvania for a long weekend. If you’re considering a vacation in the Pocono Mountains, we highly recommend perusing their experiences. They’ll tell you what to pack, where to stay, what activities to do, and especially what you should EAT.

1.  48 Hours in the Pocono Mountains | Will Drink For Travel

2.  Farm to Table at Shawnee Inn | The Dining Traveler

3.  Weekend Trip to the Pocono Mountains | Travelaine

4.  Escape to the Pocono Mountains | The Together Traveler

5.  8 Great Poconos Summer Activities | McCool Travel

6.  Kalahari Resort, Pocono Mountains | McCool Travel

7.  SCDC Travels:  The Poconos | Spicy Candy DC

8.  Pocono Mountains (Summer) | A Lacey Perspective

9.  Experience the best of the Pocono Mountains | The Hungry Travelist

10.  Whitewater rafting in the Poconos | The Hungry Travelist

11.  Dinner at the Shawnee Craft Brewery – “Beer from here; Food from near” | The Hungry Travelist

12.  Recap:  Shawnee Island Camping Experience in the Pocono Mountains | Will Drink For Travel