Callie’s Candy Kitchen & Pretzel Factory

Some Poconos traditions are non-negotiable, and a stop at Callie’s is one of them. This family-run candy kitchen has been hand-making chocolates in Mountainhome since 1952, and walking in still feels like stepping into a Willy Wonka fever dream: barrels of fudge, chocolate-covered everything (the chocolate-covered potato chips are the sleeper hit), and free samples that will derail any dinner plans. The main event is the candy-making demonstration, where you’ll watch the copper kettles at work and the kids will press their noses against the glass. Just down the road, the sister Pretzel Factory serves hot hand-rolled soft pretzels — get the cinnamon sugar one, thank us later. It’s an easy add-on to a Promised Land State Park or Skytop day, about 25 minutes from our Mount Pocono Pads. Budget more time (and money) than you think; nobody has ever left Callie’s with a small bag. Your Pad’s fire pit s’mores just found their upgrade: marshmallows dipped in Callie’s chocolate.