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What could be more relaxing than a leisurely drive? You'll find sleepy towns, one-of-a-kind shops and beautiful scenery galore in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains.

We're both city dwellers—true New Yorkers—and sometimes we just need to slow down. So we decided that a quiet winter weekend in the country was just what we needed to help us unwind from our hectic and busy lives. As we began the one-and-a-half-hour drive to Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains we were still in city mode, talking a mile a minute and never stopping to watch as the skyscrapers gave way to grain silos. But something happened to us out there in the country, and it transformed us from grizzled urbanites to relaxed lovers in a New York minute.

My guy and I arrived at the189-room Caesar's Pocono Palace, checked in and then drove straight to our nest in the woods. We had booked our own little one-bedroom duplex, knowing that the space and quiet would make us feel like adventurers, surrounded by nothing but gigantic pines, starry skies and silence. We wanted to feel as far away from the city sounds and lights as possible.

Once we opened the door to our suite, the two of us practically skipped across the room to check out all the stuff there was to play with. "Do we want to take a swim first, or hop in the Jacuzzi?" he asked giddily, laughing as he pulled open the glass door that led to our very own indoor heated pool and sauna. I decided the pool could wait. First, we had to light our fireplace and fill our champagne-glass-shaped tub with warm water and bubble bath. We lounged and splashed in sudsy harmony, and felt our workaday cares dissolve. We couldn't stop giggling as we bounced from our bubbly tub to our round bed surrounded by mirrors, where we slipped between the sheets.

Before long we were fast asleep, dreaming of hot tubs and champagne. Luckily, we hadn't forgotten to order breakfast in bed at check-in. And the next morning, like clockwork, champagne and juice and steaming-hot pancakes, eggs and sausage were brought to the door. We propped ourselves up with our pillows against the headboard, and sipped mimosas and perused the resort's daily newsletter, deciding how to best spend our day. Should we venture out to play, or let the hours slip away slowly in front of the fireplace?

Play Time

Truth is, I would have been happy to stay holed up in our love shack all day, but my man was like a little kid, eager to try everything. After breakfast in bed, we decided to go for a hike. The four-county, 2,400-square-mile Poconos region has 150 lakes, 13 waterfalls and 170 river miles. As a result, there is enough outdoor activity year-round for even the most hard-core nature lovers.

True, spring and fall are the peak times to check out Bushkill Falls, but we lucked out on a warm day and decided to visit the site. We walked through the forest and down steep wooden steps to this narrow canyon with its handful of falls that cascade into a twisting stream below. Various trails crisscross the canyon, so you can choose how far you'd like to walk: Just don't miss the Main Falls, which plummets from 100 feet.

I had had enough exercise, and so I decided that we should take a leisurely stroll through one of the region's quaint towns. We hopped in the car and drove out to the tiny burg of Jim Thorpe. This Victorian-era village, once a wealthy mining town, consists of two narrow streets wedged between two mountains—Mount Flagstaff and Mount Pigs. We parked the car and toured the Asa Packer house, a 20-room, Italian-style mansion built in 1861. The original furnishings are inside, including a chandelier that was copied for Gone With the Wind. Our favorite stop in Jim Thorpe: the old Carbon County Jail, where we learned about the state's mining history.

What's in Store

On the way back to the hotel, we hit The Crossings Factory Stores in Tannersville—outlet shopping is definitely an activity I can get excited about.

Later that evening, after dinner, we headed to the resort's nightclub. Cocktails in hand, we listened as comedians told sexy (all right, raunchy) jokes, then introduced the acts. Nightclub performers in the Poconos range from little-known bands playing slow-dancing tunes to big-name stars like singer Randy Travis and comedian Darrell Hammond.

Once the band had finished its set it was time for the infamous Poconos Newlywed Game. Four volunteer couples took the stage and proceeded to divulge very personal details, to the delight of the audience. Thankfully, this was one game my guy did not insist we join. (Phew!) After a day loaded with so much activity, we were eager to head back to our room—and our bed.