July 28 – August 2, 2026

Where We're Staying

Real places, real prices, and everything we need to book. Pick your favorite and let's lock it in.

Option One

The Mountain House

Pocono Mountains • 5 nights • ~$2,000–4,700 for the house • All verified available Jul 28–Aug 2

Pocono Escape — Hot Tub + Pool + Sauna

5 BR • Sleeps 12 Hot Tub Private Pool Barrel Sauna 4.8 stars (90 reviews)

The only property with its own pool AND hot tub AND sauna. Emerald Lakes community. Five bedrooms, exceptional reviews. The premium pick.

$4,332 total All fees included • 5 nights
View on VRBO →

Sunset Heaven — Waterfront + Private Dock

4 BR • Sleeps 10 Hot Tub Waterfront Private Dock Game Room

Waterfront with a private dock, hot tub, and game room. Managed by AvantStay. Four bedrooms — boys would share. Sunset views from the dock.

$3,844 total All fees included • 5 nights
View on VRBO →

Arrowhead Lake — Hot Tub + Community Perks

4 BR • Sleeps 10 Hot Tub Arrowhead Lake 4.8 stars (102 reviews)

The original Arrowhead Lake plan — hot tub, community beaches, pools, and boat rentals included. Four bedrooms, exceptional rating from 102 reviews. Add $340 for community fees.

$2,113 total All fees included • 5 nights
View on VRBO →

Arrowhead Lake Community — What to Know

  • $8.50 per person per day mandatory community fee (8 people × 5 days = $340)
  • $100 late fee if you register less than 3 days before arrival — register early
  • Includes: 2 lakes, 4 beaches, 3 heated pools, 6 basketball courts, 8 tennis courts, boat & bike rentals
  • Check in at Main Gate Welcome Center, 961 Arrowhead Drive, Pocono Lake, PA 18347
🎰

Mount Airy Casino Resort

Confirmed Open

AAA Four Diamond. 25 min from Arrowhead Lake. 1,800 slots, 70 table games, full spa. Adults only (21+).

Bistecca by Il Mulino: Mon-Thu/Sun 5-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5-10:30pm. Reservations recommended.
Spa: Facials from $112, wraps from $128. 10% senior discount Wed.
mountairycasino.com →
🌊

Kalahari Waterpark

Confirmed Open

Largest indoor waterpark in America. 220,000 sq ft. 24 min from Arrowhead Lake. Season: May 22 – Sep 7.

Day pass: ~$47–49/person. 8 people = ~$392.
Buy online early — they sell out in summer. No walk-up guarantee.
Buy day passes →
🏊

Pocono Raceway

Confirmed Open

600-horsepower NASCAR stock cars on a 2.5-mile superspeedway. The real deal.

Drive (18+): from $299 (10-mile). Ride-along (14+): from $109.
Brady can drive. Tucker may be able to ride along (confirm age req).
877stockcar.com →
🎣

Fishing — Lake Wallenpaupack

Guides Available

5,700-acre reservoir, 30-40 min north of Arrowhead. Striped bass, walleye, smallmouth.

Mike Salamon: 570-335-8405. ~$250–350/trip.
Hooked Up (Will Hazimof): 15+ years on the lake. $50 deposit.
Mike Salamon Guide Service →
Option Two

The Beach House

Atlantic City & Brigantine • 5 nights • $4,200–10,500 for the house • Verified available Jul 28–Aug 2

Full House — 2 Blocks from Brigantine Beach

4 BR / 2+ BA • Sleeps 12 Pool Brigantine Wonderful (2 reviews)

The only Brigantine listing with confirmed availability for our dates. Four bedrooms, pool, two blocks from the beach. 15 min drive to AC casinos. Free cancellation until July 14.

$6,048 total 5 nights, all fees included
View on VRBO →

Beach Block 7BR + Luxury Hot Tub — North Beach AC

7 BR / 4+ BA • Sleeps 16 Pool Hot Tub Beach Block Excellent (15 reviews)

Seven bedrooms, hot tub, steps to beach and casino. Sleeps 16 — way more room than we need. Everyone gets their own space. North Beach AC location.

$8,724 total 5 nights, all fees included
View on VRBO →

Corner Beach House — ON the Beach, Lighthouse Views

5 BR / 3+ BA • Sleeps 16 Pool Beachfront 9.8 (133 reviews)

On the beach with lighthouse and inlet views. 133 reviews at 9.8. Sleeps 16. The premium pick — at the top of budget but the location and reviews are unmatched. Free cancellation until May 29.

$10,548 total 5 nights, all fees included
View on VRBO →

Margate — What to Know

  • Beach tags required: $10/person if bought early, $20/person after June 1. Seniors 65+ pay $3.50. Digital tags via MyBeachMobile.
  • Atlantic City is 8 minutes away. Borgata, Hard Rock, Ocean Casino, boardwalk, all the restaurants.
  • Most local agencies rent Sat-to-Sat. Your Mon–Sat window works better on VRBO/Airbnb.
  • Best neighborhoods: Parkway Section (premium, near Lucy), Decatur–Fredericksburg Ave area, or bay side for better value.
  • Fox & Roach (609-822-4200) has 152 properties and off-market inventory. Call them.
🦞

Dock's Oyster House

Open Since 1897

Five generations of the Dougherty family. Up to 10 oyster varieties nightly. The best seafood in AC. Period.

Hours: Mon-Thu 4-9, Fri-Sun 4-9:30
Price: $50–80/person with drinks. Lobster $43/lb.
Reserve: Essential. Book on Resy or call 609-345-0092.
Reserve on Resy →
🍽

Chef Vola's

Book 1–2 Months Ahead

No sign on the door. Basement of a house. The most legendary restaurant in Atlantic City. Cash only, BYOB (no corkage).

Hours: Tue-Sat 5-10pm. Closed Mon & Sun.
Reserve: Phone only: 609-345-2022. Call the day you book lodging.
chefvolas.com →
🍴

Knife & Fork Inn

Open Since 1912

Former Prohibition-era drinking club. Dark wood, white tablecloths, Lobster Thermidor. Old-school elegance.

Hours: Mon-Thu 4-9:30, Fri 11:30-10, Sat 4-10, Sun 4-9:30
Reserve on Resy →
🌊

Island Waterpark

Confirmed Open

World's largest indoor beachfront waterpark. 11 slides, FlowRider, lazy river. At the Showboat on the boardwalk.

Day pass: $49/person online, $39 twilight (4PM+). 8 people = ~$350–400.
Free parking with online advance purchase.
Buy tickets →
🎲

Lucky Snake

Confirmed Open

85,000 sq ft of go-karts, 300+ arcade games, mini golf, bowling, axe throwing, VR. At the Showboat.

Go-karts: $25 for 7 laps + $10 online fee. Must be 56" tall.
theluckysnake.com →
🎡

Steel Pier

Since 1898

24 rides over the Atlantic. 227-ft observation wheel. Helicopter tours. Cotton candy and funnel cake.

The Wheel: $12.50 adults, $8.33 kids. Discount days: Tue, Thu, Fri in summer.
steelpier.com →
Option Three

The Casino Resort

Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City • 5 nights • 4 rooms • ~$9,000–10,000 all-in

Contemporary Queen Room

463 sq ft 2 Queen Beds Brady & Tucker

The boys' room. Two queen beds, same floor-to-ceiling windows. They don't need the upgrade — they need a place to crash between the waterpark and the arcade.

~$280 /night avg ~$1,400–1,750 for 5 nights
Book Direct (10% off) →

Backup: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (25–30% cheaper)

If Ocean prices out above $400/night, Hard Rock is on the boardwalk and likely $6,500–8,500 for 4 rooms x 5 nights. Council Oak Steaks is excellent. Live entertainment nightly. Mid-$50M renovation underway through 2026 — confirm room location isn't near construction. Book at casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city

Upgrade Options

  • Social Suite (2BR, 1,389 sq ft): King bed + connecting room with 2 Queens. Could replace Shane & Lauren's King + boys' Queen as a single unit — everyone under one roof with a door between.
  • Studio Suite (615 sq ft): King + wrap-around couch, upgrade for grandparents or Brett & Nikki.
  • One Bedroom Suite (~800 sq ft): King + separate living room + deep soaking tub. The splurge.

What's Not in the Room Rate

  • Resort fee: ~$27–30.50/night/room (covers WiFi, fitness center, pool access)
  • NJ casino room taxes: ~$7.54/night/room
  • Parking: $15/exit self-park (free at Preferred tier+). Sign up for free Ocean Rewards first.
  • Total add-on across 4 rooms for 5 nights: ~$700–760 in fees + ~$200–250 parking
  • Book direct for 10% off: theoceanac.com booking engine. AAA also gets 10%.
  • Check-in: 4 PM (Mon-Sat). Check-out: 11 AM.
🏊

Eclipse Pool

The Real Deal

The underwater passthrough is real. Swim from the heated indoor pool to the outdoor pool through an underwater channel. Best pool in Atlantic City.

Hours: Adult swim 8–10 AM, general 10 AM – 8 PM.
Access: Hotel guests only (room key). Under 16 must have adult.
Cabanas: 21+ only. ~$175/day daybeds. Book at theoceanac.com
Rum Shack: Poolside food & drink, daily 11AM–7/8PM in summer.
🍴

Amada (Jose Garces)

Confirmed Open

Iron Chef's crown jewel. Spanish tapas, seafood paella, "La Mesa de Jose" tasting ($95/pp). Half-off tapas happy hour 5–7 PM.

Hours: Wed-Thu 5-9, Fri-Sat 5-11, Sun 5-9. Closed Mon-Tue.
Reserve on SevenRooms →
🥩

Ocean Steak

Confirmed Open

Tomahawk for two, 30-day Wagyu, Smoked Old Fashioned. Voted Best Steakhouse in AC. Largest wine list on property.

Hours: Tue-Thu 5-10, Fri-Sat 5-11. Closed Sun-Mon.
Price: $60–120+/person with drinks.
Reserve on SevenRooms →
🇷🇷

Chez Frites (Stephen Starr)

New — Opened Aug 2025

Contemporary French steak-frites. Prix fixe: salad + entree + unlimited hand-cut frites. Simple, elegant, great for the whole family.

Prices: NY Strip $52, Salmon $49, Lobster $56, Filet $109.
🏌

TopGolf Swing Suite

Fri–Sun Only

Largest TopGolf Swing Suite in America. 11 bays, up to 8 people per bay. Golf, baseball, zombie dodgeball. No skill required.

Price: $50/hour per bay (for up to 8 people).
Hours: Fri 4-10 PM, Sat-Sun 12-7 PM. Closed Mon–Thu.
Plan for Friday evening or Saturday. Not available early in the week.
theoceanac.com →
🎰

The Casino Floor

In the Building

Take the elevator down. Table games, slots, poker room, sports book. Voted Best Hotel & Casino in AC multiple years. Modern, sophisticated, not stuffy.

Also nearby: Borgata (10 min, best on East Coast), Hard Rock (boardwalk, mid-renovation)

What It Actually Costs

Mountain House

Poconos
Lodging$2,000–4,300
Community fees$0–340
Activities$750–1,500
Dining out$400–700
Groceries$400–600
Total$3,500–7,500
Save ~60–80% vs cruise

Beach House

Margate + AC
Lodging$4,200–10,500
Beach tags$80–160
Activities$500–800
Dining out$1,200–2,500
Groceries$300–500
Total$6,300–14,500
Save ~25–70% vs cruise

Casino Resort

Ocean Casino
4 rooms + fees$7,800–10,000
Parking$200–250
Activities$750–950
Dining$2,000–4,000
Groceries$0
Total$10,800–15,200
Save ~25–45% vs cruise

Booking Checklist

Do This Week

When You Book

  • Call Chef Vola's at 609-345-2022 immediately (1–2 month lead time)
  • Reserve Dock's Oyster House on Resy
  • Reserve Bistecca by Il Mulino on OpenTable (if Poconos)
  • Buy Kalahari day passes online early (if Poconos)
  • Book fishing guide — Mike Salamon at 570-335-8405 (if Poconos)
  • Buy Margate beach tags early at $10/person (if Margate)
  • Register with ALCA 3+ days before arrival to avoid $100 late fee (if Poconos)