10 Reasons We Love Great Wolf Lodge In the Winter

Your kids can hit up the waterpark, arcade, mirror maze and so much more

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Great Wolf Lodge is a staple for water park fun in the Poconos. Whether you’ve been or are planning your first visit with the kids, there are so many reasons we love this mini getaway close to home. We recently spent an overnight at Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park & Resort and here are 10 reasons to inspire a winter visit!

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Swimming and Sliding Indoors in 84-Degree Water Hits Different

A visit here is always about the main attraction: the 120,000-square-foot indoor water park! At 84 degrees, the water is like the warm bath we need about now and views of snowy mountains from the skylights in the atrium are pretty gorgeous, too. The kids can slide down a bunch of water slides before checking out a wading pool, a pool with basketball hoops and climbing lily pads.

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The Wolf Trail Plunge and Double Barrel Drop (both super high and fast) are perfect for the brave members of your crew while the Crooked Creek lazy river is the perfect spot to relax. The kids loved the Fort Mackenzie water treehouse, where they got to climb through the multi-level playhouse and unleash their water sprayers!

STAFF PHOTO / MagiQuest

The Kids Will Love Playing MagiQuest

There are so many indoor activities here and MagiQuest is one of our faves. The interactive scavenger hunt requires a wand (available at the gift shop) to open magical experiences. How does it work? When you point the wand at a treasure chest, crystals appear. Or you can move it toward a tree and a butterfly flaps its wings. Kids love to see the cause and effect and there are five hallways on three floors set up so your little “Magi” can cast spells and collect virtual gold coins.

STAFF PHOTO / Oliver’s Mining Co.

There Are So Many Ways to Get Creative

The kids can buy a bag of dirt at Oliver’s Mining Co. and sift for crystals, gemstones and fossils. They’ll need to look around carefully because there’s a hidden mirror maze behind one of the doors. Then they’ll need to keep their hands in their pockets and try to make it through without bumping into themselves. There’s also a selection of leather bracelets (keeping with the Western theme of the area) that can be personalized.

STAFF PHOTO / Build-A-Bear Workshop

There’s also a mini Build-A-Bear Workshop where kids can customize their bears (and make a wish before it is sewn together).

STAFF PHOTO / Ten Paw Alley

You and Your Crew Can Dig Into Old School Games

Ten Paw Alley has bowling lanes that are shorter than standard alleys so it’s easier for the kids to bowl a strike.

STAFF PHOTO/ Howl at the Moon Glow Golf

There’s also glow-in-the-dark mini golf where your crew can compete to see who can get a hole-in-one. Listen for howling sounds, especially on the last hole.

STAFF PHOTO / Northern Lights Arcade

The Northern Lights Arcade has tons of games packed and we predict your kids will spend as much time picking out their prizes as they do racking up points.

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You Can Buy Wolf Passes to Get Easier Access to More Activities 

Families can purchase activities separately, or consider one of the Wolf Passes that combo various options for an additional price.

If your kids are the type to want to try everything, consider a pass because you’ll get access to the various play areas, plus bonuses like a pair of swim goggles, merch discounts and snacks. We had a Wolf Pass for our 5- and 7-year-olds, and it included a MagiQuest game with the wand needed to play, a game of bowling, a round of golf, admission to the mirror maze, a $5 arcade game card, a small candy cup, a scoop of ice cream, a personalized leather bracelet and a stuffed bear. For $100 per child, it was totally worth it!

The Pup Pass is $60 and the Paw Pass is $80, with slightly different options. Anything included with the passes can be upgraded for a few dollars more. For example, if your kids want a different wand or a bigger bucket of candy, you can pay the difference.

STAFF PHOTO / Late Night Dance Party

There Are Fun Activities Included With Your Visit
Check the daily schedule and you’ll find activities happening in the lobby. Join the kids for a quick yoga sesh, get your chips ready for bingo, sit down for some arts and crafts, join the Master Magi ceremony, listen to storytime with Wiley and the Great Wolf Pack, do the chicken dance at an 8:45 pm dance party, and have your camera ready for a character meet-and-greet.

STAFF PHOTO / Fireside

There Are Lots of Kid-Friendly Spots to Eat

Fireside has a menu of fire-cooked food in a restaurant with a great atmosphere. Share fire-braised chicken nachos, “wolf” wings or cast iron cornbread. Salads, burgers and entrees are also on the menu, plus a Kids’ Menu. Cocktails and mocktails are also available at the bar that leads into the restaurant.

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Timbers Table & Kitchen is an Italian buffet and Hungry as a Wolf has pizza, salads and wings you can eat in or take out.

STAFF PHOTO / Dunkin Express

There are markets with grab-and-go foods, a full Dunkin’ and a DD Express near the Mountain Tower’s elevators.

STAFF PHOTO / Great Wolf Candy Company

Wood’s End Creamery serves ice cream cups and cones, plus sundaes, giant cookies and krispy treats. The Great Wolf Candy Company inside the Buckhorn Emporium gift shop is the place for the kids to fill their buckets with sugary and sour goodies.

STAFF PHOTO / Family Suite in Mountain Tower

The Accommodations Are Cozy

Rooms have a super rustic woodland vibe. We stayed in a Family Suite in the Mountain Tower, which has two queen beds plus a pull-out sofa. It was spacious enough for a family of six.

Other suites have a fireplace, a separate Wolf Den bunk bed area, a loft, or full-sized kitchens. There are larger accommodations, too, with full kitchens and the Deluxe Woodland Villa can fit up to 20!

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Great Wolf Tailors Its Experiences by Age (and There Are Day Passes, Too)

If you’re worried your older kids will be over it, check out the Explore by Age option on the website to see who may like what attractions. And if you live close enough and want to head there for the day, you can buy a day pass to hang out in just the waterpark. There are lockers, towel rental and showers.

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There’s Lots to Do in the Area, Too!

The Pocono Premium Outlets in Tannersville has over 100 outlet shops and is just across the highway. Camelback Resort, where you can go skiing and snow tubing, is just a few miles away. The gorgeous waterfall trails of Bushkills Falls are also not far.

You can find all sorts of treasures at the Pocono Peddler’s Village Antique Mall. There are stacked burgers and a selection of craft beer at Barley Creek Brewing Company, where there’s also a brewhouse, distillery, private firepits, food trucks, a tiki bar and The Pint Size Park for pop-up events. At Pocono Candle, you can make your own mountain souvenir to take home

Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park & Resort is located at 1 Great Wolf Dr., Scotrun, PA.

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