A Look Back in History

Pennsylvania is brimming with historical sites and museums. Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, Lehighton and Honesdale (just to name a few of the cities) offer excellent history district where you can explore the past and learn more about the early settlers of the area. For a “hands on” experience, be sure to visit the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm in Stroudsburg. There you will find what is was like to live 150 years ago, including how they dressed, what they ate, and even what chores you would have!

National, State and Local Park a Plenty

The Poconos Mountain area boasts an impressive 21 National, State and Local Parks. The Steamtown National Historic Site relives the days of steam locomotives and life on the rail. Learn how to change the wheel on a steam engine, or take a ride on a train that helped build the nation in the 19th century. Lehigh Gorge State Park is a 21 mile canyon through the Poconos Plateau with steep walls, rocky outcroppings and waterfalls. This is a superb spot for some quiet reflection or white water explorations.

Drop a Line in River or Lake

It is said that an angler can fish a different body of water every day for month in the Poconos and never fish the same spot twice. Thanks to the hundreds of miles of river and streams, and hundreds of lakes and ponds, anyone with a desire to wet a hook can find lots of great places to relax and enjoy fishing.

Family Fun

If you’re looking for some family fun this summer, the Poconos is the place to be. Dozens of family park and attractions are open, including animal parks, water parks and amusement parks. Claw and Paws Wild Animal Park, just east of Hamlin, offers visitors the chance to see over 120 wild animals including a buffalo, a panther, a giraffe and even a white tiger! The Carousel Water and Fun Park in Beach Lake lets families enjoy water slides, go karts and miniature golf for all one price. If your family wants to experience a new state of the art scavenger hunt, don’t miss the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun. Only four year old, this resort lodge offers dining, shopping, lodging and MagiQuest, and exciting interactive scavenger hunt game. There is other Pocono Mountains lodging available as well.

No matter what your searching for summer, the Poconos Mountains offer visitors almost every type of vacation spot available.

Steamtown National Historic Site

Celebrating the historic significance of railroads in Scranton, the Steamtown National Historic Site is both a museum and a historic railroad. Here you will find a working replica roundhouse and turntable with two of the roundhouse sections being original to the DL&W Railroad of the early 1930′s. Steamtown opened in 1995 with the goal of telling the story of mainline steamrails between 1850 and 1950. There is a Visitor Center along with a Theater, History and Technology Museums. There are also plenty of Steamtown National Historic Site lodging available as well.

Park Rangers provide guided tours and summer camps are also offered. The park is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. The Park Entrance Fee is $6 for all visitors 17 and older. For an additional $3 for all visitors 6 and over there is a short train excursion available.

Pocono Mountains

The nearby Pocono Mountains provide year round fun. In the winter there are ample opportunities for snow skiing, even at night at some of the resorts. Sno Mountain Ski Resort features the steepest ski slope in all of Pennsylvania. In the summer many of the ski mountains turn into water parks. For summer fun, the Poconos include a national park, seven state parks and seventeen game lands. The many lakes and rivers lend themselves to activities such as white water rafting, canoeing and water skiing. In the fall the mountains are covered with brilliantly colored foliage and are a prime destination for campers. There are also Pocono Mountains hotels ranging from the economical to the luxurious.

Houdini Museum

Harry Houdini performed several times in Scranton and the Houdini Museum serves as a tribute to the magician. It includes artifacts, memorabilia and documents showcasing his life. There is also a magic show performed for visitors. Reservations are required.

Everhart Museum

This is a natural history museum located in Nay Aug Park. The museum is home to approximately 20,000 objects with about half focusing on the arts including a large display of folk art. The other half of the museum focuses on natural science specimens.

Plenty to See in Scranton PA

As you can see there are plenty of activities for your next visit to Scranton, PA. Don’t delay, plan your next trip today!