10 Best Towns In The Poconos For A Two-Day Recharge
Nestled in northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains are home to a collection of charming, picture-perfect small towns that invite relaxation in every season. Whether you're drawn to outdoor adventures, historic landmarks, arts and culture, or just want to unwind, the Poconos offer something for every kind of traveler. From peaceful getaways to lively weekend escapes, these ten towns stand out as some of the best places in the region for a refreshing two-day recharge.
Tobyhanna
The town of Tobyhanna, located in northwestern Monroe County, is home to approximately 8,300 people and offers a great weekend getaway destination. Located in the Pocono Plateau Region, Tobyhanna is just over 110 miles from Philadelphia and 115 miles from New York City. Pocono Mountains Regional Airport is in Tobyhanna. The nearest major airport is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, about 30 miles away.
Outdoor enthusiasts should check out Tobyhanna State Park, which spans 5,000 acres and offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, and hiking. If you're into auto racing, Pocono Raceway is just 20 minutes away in Blakeslee. The Kalahari Indoor Waterpark is one of the Poconos' largest indoor water parks and is filled with family-friendly activities. The Brookview Manor Inn is just 15 miles from Tobyhanna, located in nearby Canadensis, and offers comfortable, affordable accommodations.
Mount Pocono
Mount Pocono is centrally located, 90 miles from New York City and 100 miles from Philadelphia, in Monroe County. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is 24 miles away. This town of 3,000 is filled with plenty of things to keep you occupied on a two-day recharge.
Knob Overlook is one of the most popular viewpoints in the Poconos, offering panoramic views of New Jersey and New York. Walkers and hikers can take the newly opened Knob Trail, Mount Pocono's first official trail, to the overlook. If you prefer indoor activities, Mount Airy Casino Resort offers a variety of entertainment, dining, and lodging options, along with table games and slot machines.
Stroudsburg
The county seat of Monroe County, Stroudsburg, with a population of 6,000, is located 75 miles from New York City and 100 miles from Philadelphia. It is just 50 miles from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. This charming village is filled with historical finds, art, and culture.
The Sherman Theater, located on Main Street, stages live shows, music, entertainment, and festivals. Art galleries in Stroudsburg include the Gallery at 530 Main. If history is your interest, check out the Monroe County Historical Association, housed within the Stroud Mansion. Travelers who want to stay in the midst of Stroudsburg's action choose The Penn Stroud, a refined hotel located in a circa 1833 building on Main Street.
Bushkill
The town of Bushkill, an unincorporated community in Lehman Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania, is home to approximately 8,400 residents. It is famous for its landmark Bushkill Falls, known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania," which is actually a series of eight waterfalls accessible through a well-maintained trail network. This is just one of the many options in town to help you recharge on a visit to the Poconos.
Bushkill is conveniently 58 miles from New York City, 79 miles from Philadelphia, and 64 miles from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. The Pocono Environmental Education Center in Bushkill offers visitors information on the local flora and fauna. Lodging options near Bushkill include Pocono Mountain Villas by Exploria Resorts, just three miles from Bushkill Falls, in Middle Smithfield Township.
Jim Thorpe
Named after the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal for the US, Jim Thorpe, population 4,500, is a hiker's paradise in the Poconos. It is the county seat of Carbon County, just 117 miles from New York City and 83 miles from Philadelphia. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is 40 miles from Jim Thorpe.
Lehigh Gorge State Park in Jim Thorpe features 15 hiking and walking trails of varying difficulty, totaling 33 miles of trails. If you'd rather explore the area via train, take a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, which offers spectacular mountain vistas. The history of Jim Thorpe can be further explored by visiting the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center. Comfortable accommodations can be had at Angel of Jim Thorpe Bed & Breakfast, on North Street.
Lehighton
Another Carbon County town, just five miles south of Jim Thorpe, is the town of Lehighton, with a population of 5,200, situated on the banks of the Lehigh River. Just an hour and a half from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City, Lehighton is 45 minutes from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
Hikers and those who want to explore the Poconos' natural beauty will relish the 165 miles of trails on the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. This trail runs from Levittown to Wilkes-Barre, passing through Lehighton. Beltzville State Park in Lehighton features not only trails but also an almost 950-acre lake, perfect for swimming and boating. Visitors in October may be lucky enough to see the Annual Rocktoberfest held in town. The Hampton Inn Lehighton-Jim Thorpe, located on Interchange Road, is a central location to stay in and visit both towns.
Milford
The town of Milford in Pike County may have just 1,100 residents, but it is filled with plenty of things to do. About an hour and a half from New York City and two and a half hours from Philadelphia, Milford is 59 miles from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. It is a historical, often overlooked gem in the Poconos.
The Milford Historical District, located in the downtown area, encompasses over 22 acres of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Milford is a community with a welcoming feel, which is evident through events like the Milford Readers & Writers Festival held each September, and the Black Bear Film Festival in October. If you're looking for affordable and comfortable lodging, check out Myer Country Motel at Routes 6 and 209 in Milford.
Delaware Water Gap
The Delaware Water Gap, a gap between the Appalachian Mountains, is where the name "Poconos" originated, as "Pocono" is a Native American word meaning "stream between the mountains." This town of under 1000 residents in Monroe County is about 55 miles from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, an hour and a half from New York City, and two and a half hours from Philadelphia.
Visitors to the Delaware Water Gap must visit the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which spans over 70,000 acres of space for hiking, biking, nature watching, and camping. If you want to learn more about the town's history, check out the Antonie Dutot Museum and Gallery on Main Street (it is only open on weekends, so plan your visit accordingly). Music lovers should head to the Deer Head Inn on Main Street, the oldest continuously running jazz club in the US. Lodging is also provided at the Deer Head Inn.
Palmerton
The Carbon County town of Palmerton, located in the Poconos, is home to approximately 5,600 people. It is approximately two hours from Philadelphia, two hours and 15 minutes from New York City, and under an hour from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Palmerton is an interesting Poconos town with intriguing, unexpected lodging choices.
A trip to Palmerton should start with the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, a park featuring hiking and biking trails, as well as an educational center that hosts the "More or Less 10K Trail Run and 2-Mile Scamper" each October. One of Palmerton's most famous attractions is Blue Mountain Resort, a year-round, family-friendly resort that offers activities in both summer and winter. Sunny Rest Resort is a "clothes-free" resort in Palmerton that has been operating since 1945, from April through October. If that's not your idea of fun, or you are visiting Palmerton at other times of the year, the afore-mentioned Blue Mountain Resort also features comfortable, clothed lodging.
Hawley
Nestled in the Poconos along the Lackawaxen River, the town of Hawley, population about 1,200, in Wayne County, is two hours from New York City and two and a half hours from Philadelphia. It is just under an hour from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
Lake Wallenpaupack in Hawley provides hours of recreation for those who want to be on or near the water. Harmony in the Woods is an outdoor entertainment center in Hawley featuring local and national musical performers. The Ritz Company Playhouse in Hawley is a local community theater that stages live shows throughout the year, including at Christmas. If you want to stay by the water, Silver Birches in Hawley sits right on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack and is a great place to unwind and recharge.
These ten Pocono Mountains towns are perfect for relaxing, two-day getaways. When you need to recharge your batteries or rejuvenate your spirit, consider visiting places like Palmerton, Stroudsburg, and Jim Thorpe. The Poconos offer travelers an abundance of natural beauty, fascinating history, and cultural amenities to keep them entertained during a weekend jaunt. Head to the mountains the next time you feel in need of a peaceful yet lively retreat.
