12 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains are dotted with small towns known for scenic beauty and a welcoming feel. Lakeside spots like Lake Harmony and Hawley sit alongside historic places such as Jim Thorpe and Milford, each showing a different side of northeastern Pennsylvania. Visitors can hike waterfalls at Bushkill, walk antique-lined streets in Stroudsburg, or sip local wine after a morning on Lake Wallenpaupack. Winter brings cozy lodges and festive markets. Summer adds kayaking, biking, and outdoor concerts. Whether planning a fall foliage trip or a short retreat, these twelve towns blend nature and local character.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe, often called the “Switzerland of America,” has Victorian streets set between mountains and rivers. The Asa Packer Mansion Museum shows detailed period architecture, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway follows the curves of the Lehigh River for a slow, scenic ride. Adventurers can bike or walk the Lehigh Gorge Trail or paddle calm stretches of the river.
Downtown has cafés such as Muggles’ Mug Coffee Shop and independent boutiques suited to an easy stroll. The streets keep a relaxed pace that pairs well with the surrounding landscape. The Inn at Jim Thorpe sits in the heart of town and keeps visitors close to history, outdoor activities, and seasonal events.
Milford
Milford sits along the Delaware River and blends natural scenery with cultural depth. Grey Towers National Historic Site, the Gifford Pinchot family estate, has gardens and forested trails suited to short walks. Raymondskill Falls is a brief hike away and adds another highlight for waterfall enthusiasts.
Outdoor recreation continues in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Visitors can hike sections of the Appalachian Trail or follow routes such as the Dingmans Creek and Van Campens Glen Trails. The Delaware River allows quiet paddling and steady wildlife viewing, including eagles, deer, and black bears along wooded stretches. Drives on Route 209 and Old Mine Road show long views of the river and nearby mountains.
Hotel Fauchère, a 19th-century landmark inn, remains a central place to stay and keeps guests close to town streets, cafés, and local history.
Hawley
Hawley combines its setting on Lake Wallenpaupack with a steady artistic presence. The restored Hawley Silk Mill is now home to galleries, shops, and cafés, with views of the river that runs beside the building. Visitors can rent a kayak, paddleboard, or small boat on the lake for a straightforward time on the water.
The Ritz Company Playhouse hosts live theater in a historic venue, and performances add a cultural stop within walking distance of town streets. Nearby, the Wallenpaupack Creek Trail offers a quiet path with woodland scenery and an easy grade suited to short outings. These routes give visitors a clear sense of the area’s natural pace.
Ledges Hotel sits along the river and uses its tiered setting to frame views of the surrounding rock and water. Rooms maintain a clean, contemporary style that fits the building’s modern design.
Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg balances arts, history, and outdoor access in the center of the Poconos. Downtown streets have colorful murals along Main Street, local goods at the Monroe Farmers Market, and rotating exhibitions at the Pocono Arts Council. The Stroud Mansion Museum provides a look at 18th-century life, and the Pocono Indian Museum outlines the lifeways, culture, and history of the region’s early Native American inhabitants.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area sits close by with more than 100 miles of trails that run through forests and along high ridgelines. Popular routes include the Mount Tammany and Mount Minsi trails, which have long views of the Delaware River. The McDade Recreational Trail gives a gentler option for walking or biking along open stretches of the valley.
Visitors can also kayak or canoe the Delaware River, start from Smithfield Beach, or watch for birds at the Tocks Island overlook. These spots keep Stroudsburg connected to both quiet natural areas and an active town center.
Tannersville
Tannersville sits close to the slopes of Camelback Mountain and works well for four-season trips. Winter days can include skiing on Camelback’s runs, while warmer months bring zipline courses, aerial courses, and time at the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, which maintains steady warmth year-round. Big Pocono State Park has miles of trails that move through forests and rise to the Rim Road overlook, where visitors find wide views of the Delaware Valley and distant ridges.
After hiking, visitors can look through designer shops at The Crossings Premium Outlets or walk through town to see the bright public art that shaped its nickname, the Painted Village in the Sky. Evenings often center on Barley Creek Brewing Company, where guests can try craft brews, order simple pub meals, or attend live events.
Mount Pocono
Mount Pocono has a steady mix of outdoor activity and resort-style amenities. Visitors can play a round of golf or unwind at the Mount Airy Casino Resort, which includes a championship course, spa treatments, several dining options, and nightly entertainment. Nearby, the Yankee Run Nature Preserve Loop and the Kurmes Preserve give hikers wooded paths with wildlife and seasonal wildflowers.
Families can spend time at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, known for its indoor waterpark, arcade areas, and rope courses that stay active in all seasons. These spaces keep indoor and outdoor activities within a short drive of one another.
After a full day, visitors can stop at the Vintage Tavern for homestyle meals or try fine dining at Guy Fieri's Mt. Pocono Kitchen. Both sit close to central roads and remain convenient for a simple evening plan.
Honesdale
Honesdale highlights its railroad past at the Wayne County Historical Society Museum, where the Stourbridge Lion replica, modeled on the first locomotive to run on a commercial track in the United States, anchors a look at early rail history. From there, visitors reach streets lined with shops such as Gather, Wallflower, and Maude & Main, which suit slow browsing and short stops throughout the afternoon.
The town’s steady retail blocks pair well with a farm-to-table meal at Native, known for using locally sourced ingredients and keeping a simple, seasonal menu. Adventurous travelers can paddle or kayak the gentle waters of the Lackawaxen River, which moves through quiet stretches close to town. Those who prefer to stay on land can walk the Dike Trail, a route with rolling hills and creekside views that stays manageable for most visitors.
Bushkill
Bushkill is a small town in the Poconos with waterfalls, wooded hillsides, and steady opportunities for time outdoors. Its main draw, Bushkill Falls, often called the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” features eight cascades linked by boardwalks and looping trails. The short Green Trail suits quick visits, while the longer Red Trail takes about two hours and moves through deeper sections of the forest.
Beyond the falls, visitors can try panning for gemstones, follow a simple maze shaped like a flower, or rent paddleboats for quiet time on Twin Lakes. These activities keep the area approachable for families and for travelers who want a straightforward plan close to the water.
Fernwood Resort sits nearby and gives guests easy access to hiking paths, a golf course, and seasonal outdoor activities. Its location makes it practical for visitors who want to stay close to the falls while keeping short drives to other parts of the region.
Dingmans Ferry
Dingmans Ferry sits along the Delaware River and suits visitors seeking steady exploration and quiet surroundings. Short walks lead to Dingmans Falls and Silverthread Falls, two notable cascades within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Forested trails and river overlooks create clear, simple routes with regular wildlife sightings.
History-minded visitors can stop at the Dingmans Ferry Bridge, one of the last privately owned toll bridges in the United States. Its structure gives a direct look at 19th-century engineering and the role the crossing once played in local travel. The bridge remains a functional link across the river and stays close to trailheads and picnic areas.
For overnight stays, the Dingmans Ferry Bed & Breakfast has rooms set among wooded grounds. The quiet location keeps guests close to forest paths and the river corridor without long drives. Dingmans Ferry maintains a slow rhythm shaped by waterfalls, local history, and direct access to protected land.
Narrowsburg
Narrowsburg, New York, sits just across the Delaware River and works as an added option for travelers spending time in the Poconos region. Although it lies outside Pennsylvania, its close location makes it practical for visitors who plan to move between river towns. The Upper Delaware River is a steady draw here, and canoeing or kayaking remains one of the most common ways to spend time on the water.
Main Street has cafés such as Tusten Cup and the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, which hosts rotating exhibits and live performances. These small cultural stops keep the center of town active without feeling crowded. Hotel Darby, a 1960s lodge, and The Blue Hill House remain two recognized places to stay, both within short walking distance of the river and local shops.
Saylorsburg
Saylorsburg is a quiet Pocono town with rolling rural landscapes and a steady local feel. Visitors can sample wines at Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery or look through seasonal produce and handmade goods at the Saylorsburg Farmers Market, which gives a clear sense of the area’s food traditions. These stops keep the focus on small producers and simple regional flavors.
Nearby portions of the Appalachian Trail allow short hikes through forested routes where wildlife sightings are common. The terrain stays manageable and works well for visitors who want an easy outdoor plan without committing to longer distances. These paths link the town’s rural setting with surrounding ridgelines and wooded corridors.
For overnight stays, Stone Lake Inn, a bed and breakfast in Saylorsburg, has rooms with a farmhouse style, calm lake views, and homemade breakfasts. Its location keeps guests close to local roads, trail access, and the town’s small markets.
Blakeslee
Blakeslee is a quiet mountain town in the Poconos with steady access to natural areas and year-round activities. At its center is the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, a 130-acre preserve with trails such as the Pine Trail and Highland Trail. These paths run along Tobyhanna Creek to Tobyhanna Falls, where visitors find shaded spots suited to simple picnics and fishing.
A short drive away, Jack Frost and Big Boulder Ski Resorts provide skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking in warmer months. Their locations keep outdoor options close together and easy to plan around. Lodge Murphy’s Loft, a log cabin-style restaurant and motel in Blakeslee, serves classic comfort meals and has a patio and pool that stay active in summer. Its setting keeps guests near the main road and within minutes of nearby trails and slopes.
Pocono Raceway is also a brief drive from town, which makes Blakeslee a practical base during racing weekends.
Regional Overview of the Pocono Towns
From the Victorian streets of Jim Thorpe to the waterfalls in Bushkill and the artistic riverfront in Narrowsburg, the Poconos contain a wide range of settings. Each town keeps its own mix of natural areas, landmarks, and local character, from lakeside days in Hawley to the Gilded Age resort history noted in Milford. Cafés, small shops, marked trails, and quiet inns make it easy to move at a steady pace. With many towns close together, a short visit can include varied views, accessible attractions, and a clear sense of small-town Pennsylvania.
