Historic Towns: This 4-day itinerary takes you through the historic Victorian towns of the Pocono Mountains/Endless Mountains Region of eastern Pennsylvania.
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Day 1 - Scranton |
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Day 2 - Honesdale |
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Day 3 - Stroudsburg |
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Day 4 - Jim Thorpe |
Day 1 - Scranton
In Scranton, you can roll into the history of railroading at Steamtown
National Historic Site, the only national park solely dedicated to railroad
history, created to interpret the story of mainline railroading between 1850
and 1950. The park occupies more than 40 acres of former rail yard and includes
historic railroad buildings. The Steamtown National Historic Site also operates
three steam locomotives. Bring the whole family for a hands-on learning experience
as you tour roundhouses and ride the rails. Open year round, seven days a week.
Then dig deep into our industrial past at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, helping visitors to understand and appreciate the rich religious and ethnic heritage of the anthracite coal region, or drop 300 feet into a real coal mine at the Lackawanna Coal Mine.
After that, get a good night's rest. Check into a charming bed & breakfast, such as Heritage House on the Park in Carbondale, or the Bischwind Bed & Breakfast.
Kids Would Love:
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Everhart Museum |
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Red Barons Baseball |
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Pinchot Trail, Northern Loop |
Nearby Lodging:
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Howard Johnson Inn - Scranton |
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Hilton Scranton and Conference Center |
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Clarion Hotel Scranton |
Nearby Highways: Interstates 81, 476 and 380
Day 2 - Honesdale
The county seat of Wayne County, Honesdale
is the birthplace of the American Railroad, the last stop on the famous gravity
railroad and the beginning of the Delaware & Hudson Canal. Start your tour
on Ninth Street, home to the Lincoln Building, where the "Boom for Lincoln"
was masterminded by influential political leaders of the era for the presidential
candidate. Also, known as "Maple City" in 1847, 1500 shade trees were
planted in Honesdale. Today the canopy is 150 years old.
For lunch, be sure to stop at the Town House Diner, serving classic American food in the great diner atmosphere.
For an outdoor experience, take in the Double "W" Ranch for your afternoon - with 183 mountain acres, the Ranch is an excellent place to explore the natural beauties that surround it on all sides. From hiking to fishing to hayrides, there is much to do. Ride a horse from the Ranch's stables and see the land from horseback.
Kids Would Love:
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Stourbridge Rail Line Excursions |
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Honesdale Fire Museum |
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Wayne County Historical Society |
Nearby Lodging:
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Oliver's Bed and Breakfast |
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Settler's Inn |
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Caesars Cove Haven |
Nearby Highways: US Route 6 and Route 191
An eclectic combination of historic roots and contemporary finds is what awaits you on Day 3 on a visit to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. During any season, Monroe County's Stroudsburg promises a taste of history and something for everyone, whether it's a unique shopping or dining experience, being in the midst of spectacular local artistry, or attending one of the many exciting festivals.
Stroudsburg's incorporation in 1815 brought mostly lumber and textile mills, tanneries, and eventually vacationers to the area with the advent of the locomotive. Today, its popularity as a vacation destination is alive and well. Tourists can admire the historic architecture which includes terra cotta panels on late 19th century buildings and slate sidewalks. Many of Stroudsburg's original buildings have been restored and are being utilized for various purposes. For example, the Stroud Mansion, built in 1795 by Stroudsburg's founder Jacob Stroud, is now home to the Monroe County Historical Association. Visitors are invited to tour the museum, which features an early bedroom, a tool and weapon room, an extensive collection of Native American artifacts, and a colonial kitchen.
Stroudsburg's downtown area now consists of a main street with numerous side streets peppered with shops, restaurants, art galleries, cafés, and much more. One of Stroudsburg's most popular activities is shopping along Main Street. With the abundance of unique clothing, jewelry, books, food, and hand-crafted items to be found, it's a great chance to find the perfect gift for a loved one, or even yourself. All of that shopping will work up an appetite, so visitors can conveniently stop for a bite at a restaurant or deli, or relax at a café right on Main Street.
Kids Would Love:
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Outdoor World - Timothy Lake Resort |
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Brownie's in the Burgh |
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Big Wheel Family Lake Resort |
Nearby Lodging:
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Sheraton Four Points - Stroudsburg |
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Stroudsmoor Country Inn |
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Best Western Pocono Inn |
Nearby Highways: Interstate 80, US Route 3.
Wind down your excursion in the town of Jim Thorpe. Originally known as Mauch Chunk, it was renamed in honor of the great Native American athlete, Olympian and Baseball player. (Did you know that Jim Thorpe once hit home runs into 3 different states in the same game?) Jim Thorpe makes for a great Day 4 destination - it is an idyllic example of Victorian architecture and historic destinations, such as the Jim Thorpe Train Station and the Harry Packer Mansion (the inspiration for Disneyworld's Haunted House).
For lunch, try the Sunrise Diner, serving American and Polish food and some of the items that you can find on the menu are homemade pierogies, halupki (stuffed cabbage), soup, roast turkey, and homemade cakes and pies.
For the adventurous, try Pocono Whitewater Adventures - taking visitors on an expert-guided tour of the Lehigh Gorge to see the first blooms of spring or spectacular fall foliage. There's also heart-pumping whitewater rides through the gorge.
Wind up your day with dinner at Sequoyah House, offering affordably priced gourmet cuisine made with fresh, natural, organic ingredients.
Kids Would Love:
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The Mauch Chunk Museum |
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Rail Tours, Inc. |
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Old Mauch Chunk Model Train Display |
Nearby Lodging:
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A Manor at Opera House Square |
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The Minnie Victoria Bed and Breakfast |
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Hill Home Forge Bed and Breakfast |
Nearby Highways: Jim Thorpe is located a few miles from Exit 34 off I-476 (Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike). Follow Route 209 South through Lehighton and into Jim Thorpe.
