Camelback Resort in the offseason: Adventure-filled mountain getaway deals

If you think the Poconos are only worth visiting in winter, think again. When the ski lifts stop spinning and the snow machines go silent, Camelback Resort (193 Resort Dr., 855-515-1283, camelbackresort.com) in Tannersville transforms into an autumn playground, one that’s arguably even more magical without the crowds. The crisp mountain air, fiery fall foliage and offseason deals make this the perfect time to book a spontaneous escape.

Booking your stay

Visiting in the offseason means you can snag deals that feel almost too good to be true. Prices for last-minute bookings drop by about 25% if you wait until the 24-hour window before your stay. It’s a bit of a gamble, but if your schedule is flexible, it’s one that pays off big.

Even when booking in advance, deluxe rooms that sleep up to six cost between $200 and $300 for a Friday-to-Saturday stay. A night at the resort, complete with access to its indoor waterpark, restaurants and outdoor adventures, becomes an affordable mini-vacation that’s a less than three-hour drive from Melville.

Ride through the colors of fall

Your first adventure stop has to be Camelback’s Mountain Coaster, the most scenic roller coaster ride in Pennsylvania. Don’t be fooled: while the ride is available for passengers as young as 3, this is not a kiddie ride.

You control your own speed, so if you don't use the brakes, you'll be twisting and turning through the slopes at high speed as bursts of red, gold and orange leaves fly past. It is thrilling and completely unique, as there is nothing quite like flying down a ski mountain when there is not a flake of snow in sight.

Each ride costs $14 for guests and $18 for nonguests.

Adventure for all

The adventure doesn’t stop there. Camelback’s zip-line courses remain open through the fall, letting visitors soar above the slopes and across the valley with a front-row view of the foliage.

The 1,000-foot zip line is open daily ($18) and offers a quick, thrilling ride. If you want even more thrill, on weekends, check out the 4,000-foot zip line ($39), treetop adventure course ($49) or a two-hour UTV tour for $280 per six-person vehicle.

Cozy up with local flavor

After a day of adrenaline, it’s worth venturing about 15 minutes down the road to Delaware Water Gap, a tiny, artsy town that feels worlds away from the bustle of the resort. Here, you’ll find Sango Kura (39 Broad St., 570-476-0132, sangokurasake.com), Pennsylvania’s only sake brewery  and one of the region’s most fascinating dining experiences.

Inside, the atmosphere feels intimate and creative. Warm wood tones meet vintage pinup and alien decor, while pinball machines and 1990s gaming consoles line the walls. Bring cash if you want to play; each game costs $1 in quarters, with change machines available.

Dishes are rooted in Japanese pub-style dining, and the drink menu is equally impressive. Try a sake flight ($13) to sample plum, bourbon barrel-aged and traditional sakes, or sip on a "sake-tail" ($12), a house cocktail that blends Japanese brewing with modern mixology. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, from the noodles to the kimchi to the sauces. For dinner, go for the house-made ramen ($16), rich and flavorful enough to warm you right back up after a long day outdoors.

The perfect fall combo

Between Camelback’s offseason adventures and Sango Kura’s one-of-a-kind hospitality, this corner of the Poconos offers the kind of weekend escape that feels both exciting and restorative. Spend your day zipping through the treetops, ride the coaster under the stars, then settle into a sake flight and a steaming bowl of ramen in a town that feels almost secret.

And if you’re tempted, don’t overthink it. The last-minute deals at Camelback make this spontaneous getaway one of the best steals of the season.