One of my most cherished family memories is visiting the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania in the fall. When I was younger, I used to vacation here every year with my family and cousins to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage and all of the seasonal experiences that Pennsylvania has to offer. Now—a busy mother of 2, an on-air model for QVC, the class parent at my daughter's school, and my 22 year old autistic son's legal guardian—I make it a point to continue this annual family trip for my kids as they grow up and create their own memories. Here's why we return to the Pocono mountains every year. Plenty of Space for Everyone The beauty that lives just 90 minutes away from home is indescribable. My family lives in a 2 bedroom apartment in the heart of New York City. It's cozy, but New York isn't exactly known for having lots of elbow room and outdoor space. When we travel to Pocono Mountain Villas, my kids are so happy to have a spacious home and outdoor space to play and run freely. They can explore nature. The sight of vibrant fall foliage. The rush of tubing down a grassy hill. The smell of the smoke coming from nearby chimneys. My kids like having their own space inside of the villa, too. When we take a weekend trip to the Pocono Mountains, my family stays in a 2-bedroom villa which comes with 2 bathrooms, so no one feels cramped. Convenient Location and Accommodations Having a washer and dryer inside of the villa is super convenient. I wash & dry our clothes the night before we leave. When I get back home I unpack my freshly clean clothes and get back into the hustle and bustle of city life. Personally, I enjoy the kitchen and dining room space the most. My entire family can sit around a table and eat a home-cooked meal. The kitchen is fully equipped with silverware, dishes and pots which makes preparing meals a breeze. The local supermarket is only 10 mins away or you can travel a few miles to the local Walmart. I usually drop off the family and do grocery shopping after I check-in. Do not forget late snacks. Things to Do When I think about fall in the Pocono mountains, I think of picking pumpkins, baking goodies, and celebrating the season by browsing through local festivals. Because of the resort's location, you can totally squeeze 2 or more activities in a day to maximize your fun without spending much time in the car. Some of our favorite Pocono Mountain adventures are right at the resort. Blue Lightning Tubing and Pocono Tree Ventures are both within walking distance. This year, we checked out Mazezilla Corn Maze which was less than 30 minutes away and very affordable. Rainy Day Activities As any mother who has traveled with active kids before will tell you, it is a good idea to have a plan B in place just in case the weather does not want to cooperate with your travel itinerary. The resort has many indoor family activities that can keep your little ones busy. The check-in area has a schedule of events happening in the resort that are helpful when planning your days. Located inside of the resort, the ice cream social is always a hit for my family. Carving pumpkins on the kitchen counter or dining room table has become a seasonal family tradition this time of year. We use our jack o'lanterns as decorations around the villa to give the space even more seasonal spirit. Pocono Mountain Villas: Home Away from Home Decades of family vacations later, I still feel a sense of warmth, togetherness, peace and joy every time I go to the Pocono mountains. Wherewe stay is a major part of that recipe. If you want to experience a “home away from home” feeling when vacationing in the mountains with your family, and have plenty of convenient options for things to do, I would recommend Pocono Mountain Villas By Exploria Resorts.