‘ROUND THE MOUNTAIN

For a day of wonder that all ages will love, visit Crystal Cave Park in scenic northern Berks County, a short drive from the Pocono Mountains. This tremendous cave system was discovered in 1871, and the Park has been giving tours of the tunnels and caverns for 139 consecutive seasons! Experience astonishing grottoes and chambers on a guided tour through this Jules Verne-esque underworld. Then, play miniature golf, visit the museum, or stroll along the nature trails in a comfortable, park-like setting. Head for the on-site food facilities, or make use of the picnic area. Crystal Cave is open daily for the season. To find this underground adventure near Kutztown, travel south on Route 476 or Route 33 to Route 78 west to Exit 40; follow signs to 963 Crystal Cave Road. Phone (610) 683-6765, and explore www.crystalcavepa.com.

One of the most rewarding pastimes in the mountains is fishing! Sit back and relax while you wait for the big one to bite at Big Brown Fish & Pay Lakes on Route 115 in Effort. 3 large ponds on 10 beautiful acres are stocked weekly with trout and bass for casual fishing. Rod and reel rental, bait and tackle shop, picnic tables, and park benches make for a comfortable experience, and no license is required. It's easy, affordable, and fun for all! Big Brown is also a fish hatchery that supplies bass and trout for stocking. The Fish & Pay Lakes are open every day through October. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information, call (570) 629-0427, email bigbrownfish@verizon.net, and cast your line at www.bigbrownfish.com. Use the coupon in the print or online display ad. Whether you're a beginner or a lifelong angler, you'll love the action at Big Brown, “where the fish are always biting!”

Get close to the animals! There's fun for all at Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park. Strange and wonderful creatures are exhibited in natural settings; see lions, leopards, monkeys, alligators, beavers, bears, birds, and snakes. Stroll along tree lined paths observing wild animals in natural enclosures. Touch and feed deer, lambs, fawns, and goats in the large walk-in petting zoo. Join a guide at the farmyard, where you’ll meet cows, ponies, piglets, chicks, ducks, and bunnies. See a rare white tiger! Over 120 species are in residence. Critters like kinkajou, coati, binturong, and muntjac will amaze and delight you. Animal shows are performed daily. You’ll love the Feed-The-Parrots area and the Giraffe Feeding area. Go hunting for “dinosaur bones” in the Dinosaur Outpost/Dino Dig. Don’t miss the river otters, and check out Turtle Town! It’s just off Route 590, 4 miles east of Hamlin. Open daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm through late October. Call (570) 698-6154, use the display ad for a discount, and make tracks to www.clawsnpaws.com.

Split Rock Resort & Golf Club is a 4-season, 1,000-acre resort in Lake Harmony offering the ultimate in activities and accommodations. Check out H2Ooooh! Indoor Waterpark! Enjoy championship 27-hole golf, 18-hole miniature golf, fitness center, outdoor and indoor pools, tennis, and basketball. Also, bowling, video games, racquetball, archery, billiards, ping-pong, and a daily activities program. Cool off in the ice cream parlor, or catch the latest movie with popcorn at the first-run movie theater. The Galleria Dining Room features a superb continental menu, while Bell’ago overlooks beautiful Lake Harmony and serves fine Italian cuisine. The Galleria Nightclub, and Benchwarmers Sports Bar at the Lodge, will entertain you. You’ll love the convenience of the coffee shop, hair gallery, and gift shop. The resort has 23 meeting rooms, 77,000 square feet of exhibit area/function space, banquet facilities, and conference services. Call 1-800-255-7625 or (570) 722-9111, and visit www.splitrockresort.com.

Live bait is best! If you plan to fish on any of the Poconos’ pristine streams and lakes, first pay a visit to Woehrle’s Bait Shop in Mount Pocono. They’re open every day from 7:00am to 5:00pm, offering anglers healthy live bait for all types of fishing. You can choose from hellgramites, fat heads, leeches, night crawlers, minnows, red worms, giant mealworms, crickets, wax worms, and more. Gift certificates are available for your favorite angler! Woehrle’s is located off Route 940 at Park Avenue in Mount Pocono. To find out what’s working today, call “The Poconos’ Most Complete Bait Shop” at (570) 839-7338, or visit www.woehrlesbaitshop.com.

Cool off on a refreshing ride with Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour, celebrating their 49^th year! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a breathtaking hour-long cruise on beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack as your Tour Guide describes the area and the history behind the charming lake region. Located at 2487 Route 6, close to Route 507 and the Lake Wallenpaupack Observation Dike in Hawley. Ticket purchases can be made at East Shore Lodging across the street, and you may park there too. Open daily through Labor Day, then weekends through October. The Tour Boat departs every hour on the hour, and Sunset Tours and Private Tours are available by reservation, depending on Boat/Captain availability. Call (570) 226-3293, and hop aboard www.wallenpaupackboattour.com!

Bushkill Falls off Route 209 in Bushkill is known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania!" This landmark attraction, set on 300 acres with 8 unique waterfalls, includes the longest single drop in the Pocono Mountains! Miles of streamside trails and pathways skirt the sides of a deep gorge, while boardwalks cross above and below the falls. Pick a spot to enjoy your picnic lunch, or drop in one of the snack bars for a burger. Paddle boating and fishing on the private lake, miniature golf, and feeding ducks as they waddle past are just a few of the opportunities for fun. Visit the Native American Exhibit, and walk through a realistic Native American longhouse constructed of materials found on site. See how they cooked, played, and slept. Watch demonstrations like arrow crafting, flint knapping, and the making of clothes. A Pennsylvania Wildlife Exhibit, ice cream parlor, and more make a visit to Bushkill Falls one of the best ways to spend a day. Call (570) 588-6682. Open daily through October, and weather permitting in November; closed in the winter. View online at www.visitbushkillfalls.com.

The fun never ends at Costa's Family Fun Park, located on Route 6, just 3 miles east of Lake Wallenpaupack. Race in a go-kart on a 1200-foot course, or hit a few balls at the 19-tee driving range. Cool off on the bumper boats! Kiddie Land area with tunnels, a sea of balls, and web ladders. Realistic Batting Cage Stadium; hit into an open field with a home run fence, dugouts, and more. Hardball and softball arm-action machines so pitches keep coming in right over the plate. Restaurant and arcade, hard and soft ice cream, plus 18 challenging holes of miniature golf. Let Costa's host your party! Open daily through Columbus Day. Call (570) 226-8585, and scope out www.costasfamilyfunpark.com.

All aboard! Tour the famous town of Delaware Water Gap and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) as a passenger on the Water Gap Trolley! This authentically styled, all weather trolley will comfortably transport you to many points of interest in this historic and dynamic region. Your trained guide will give an informative and entertaining narrative on interesting features of many sights, including breathtaking views at the Resort Point Overlook, The Point of the Gap, the Indian head in the mountain, and Shawnee-on-Delaware. Historic attractions include the Depuy Mansion, the Dutot Museum, Croasdale Manor, and the homes of famous musicians. Learn about the Native Americans who lived and played here, about the historic early settlers of the Gap, and about visitors including Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and Fred Astaire. The trolley depot is on Route 611 in the center of Delaware Water Gap (I-80 exit 310), and is complete with free parking, gift shop, vendors, a picnic area, and mini-golf! Phone (570) 476-9766 for the regular schedule 7 days a week, and use the display ad coupon. Take a tour at www.watergaptrolley.com.