6 Poconos Towns Where Time Stands Still
To understand what makes the Poconos in Pennsylvania truly magnificent, you have to go beyond the map and into the places where life slows down. Spanning 2,500 square miles across four counties, the Pocono Mountains are often celebrated as an outdoor enthusiast’s playground — home to hiking trails, ski slopes, whitewater rapids, tubing runs, and mountain biking routes.
But the Poconos offer more than adrenaline. In towns like Hawley, White Haven, Bushkill, Jim Thorpe, Honesdale, and Tobyhanna, history is preserved in local museums and monuments, and the real magic lies in the quiet moments between adventures. It’s the charm, solitude, and sense of timelessness that define the region. Discover all that these small towns and sweeping mountains have to offer in six Poconos communities where time truly stands still.
Jim Thorpe
The man, the myth, the town. Originally established in 1818 under the name Mauch Chunk, the town was renamed to Jim Thorpe, after the first Native American to win a gold medal for the US in the Olympics. Jim Thorpe was also a man who never set foot in the town named after him. His widow had reached a deal to rename the struggling town after the athlete to attract more tourism, on the condition that he be honored in that town. Jim Thorpe, the man, is honored at the Jim Thorpe Memorial. The historical park is Thorpe’s final resting place, and it includes his grave, statues, and educational displays and information. Walking the grounds allows visitors to learn about his life, achievements, and lifelong influence on sports.
Uncover more about the town’s famous and infamous departed at The Old Jail Museum. Known for its connections and eventual execution of part of The Molly Maguires, the jailhouse offers tours of 27 Original Cell, The Mysterious Handprint, and the Eerie Dungeon. The mysterious handprint is a fascinating tale of an inmate who left his imprint in cell 17 as proof of his innocence since 1877. Despite washing, painting, and rebuilding parts of the wall, the handprint, created from dirt from the cell floor, remains to this day.
Partake in a more lighthearted activity with a visit to the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. Take a ride in the open-air cars, standard coach, crown class coach, vista-class dome car, and so many more. Train excursions include autumn leaf Trips from the Reading Outer Station, Port Clinton Station, and Tamaqua Station to Jim Thorpe and back again. Be a part of the town’s significant rail history with a trip down the historically relevant Reading & Northern Railroad.
Honesdale
Originally called Dyberry Forks, Honesdale was renamed in honor of Philip Hone, the first president of the D&H Canal Company. Honesdale was the depot of the D&H Canal, which was used to carry coal from the coal fields to New York City. When the canal was created, Honesdale, then Dyberry Forks, was established as a town.
From water passageways to land passageways, experience a trip on the Stourbridge Line. Book an excursion in the standard coach or table car and experience a rail trip through the Northern Pocono Mountains and along the Lackawaxen River Valley. For another excursion with views of the Lackawaxen River, climb the steep trail up to Irving Cliff. Named for the famous author Washington Irving, the trail takes visitors through scenic forests, past wildflowers, and up to a grassy summit.
Hawley
Another town heavily influenced by the canal and named after a major proprietor in the business is that of Hawley. Take advantage of the significance of railroading in the town and partake in an authentic experience. Pedal down the Pennsylvania Rail Bike and immerse yourself in nature with one of the planned excursions. "I Scream, U Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream" bicycling tour and the Peddlin' & Pumpkin Pickin' Tour are just two of the unique experiences offered.
While in Hawley, stay at the breathtaking Ledges Hotel. Carved into cliffs that stand above the Paupack High Falls, the historic 1890s Federalist-style building is nestled amongst rock ledges and cascading water. The hotel, which was once a glass factory, will make visitors feel as if they’re in a castle during medieval times. Another historic building updated for modern use is the Hawley Silk Mill. The National Historic Landmark lies in the center of what was once the state’s silk industry and has been transformed into a shopping center offering boutiques, coffee shops, wellness studios and an assortment of events.
White Haven
Established in 1843, White Haven was a monumental hub for coal and lumber transportation in the 19th century. Like the aforementioned towns, White Haven was also named for a significant figure in the town. White Haven was named in honor of Josiah White, co-owner of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. Discover more of White Haven’s history through its landscapes with a visit to Hickory Run State Park. Over 20,000 years ago, the park and Hickory Run Lake were buried under a one-mile-thick slab of ice. The glacier created unique scenery, including Boulder Field, bogs, moraines, rocks, sand, and other debris.
Enjoy the 40 miles of hiking trails, three separate natural areas, and miles of trout streams at this park located in the foothills of the Poconos Mountains. Enjoy another enlightening scenic journey at Hickory Run Lavender Park. Participate in a tour through the lavender field, explore the fields and pollinator garden, visit the farm shop, or plan to attend one of the farm's scheduled events. Immerse yourself in all the beauty White Haven has to offer at Lehigh Tannery Historic Site. Located within Hickory Run State Park, the historic site features the remnants of a mid-19th-century village. The skeleton of a tannery can be found on the grounds, missing its entire upper half. This former tannery was the largest in the US from 1860 to 1874, at one point producing 80,000 hides a year.
Bushkill
Bushkill is traditionally celebrated for its agricultural and natural area that became a prominent tourism destination. Founded in 1904, Bushkill Falls, also known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania, was opened to the public at a cost of 10 cents a visitor. The diverse collection of eight waterfalls, huddled deep in the woodlands of the Pocono Mountains, is the main attraction after following a series of hiking trails and bridges. Within the natural land area, take one of four trails and view the Main Falls, Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, Upper Canyon, Pennell Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Hike the trails, view the scenery, and try your hand at striking it rich! Within the falls area, the Bushkill Falls Mining Co. allows guests to sift through a pile of mining rough in the sluice, a trough that circulates water. All panners will also receive a playing card detailing the gems they discovered. Experience Bushkill from the outer edges of town at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The recreation area offers serene landscapes, rich history, and approximately 40 miles of the Delaware River, a major free-flowing river in the eastern United States. Spend multiple days there engaging in various activities of hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting.
Tobyhanna
Evolving from a 19th-century lumber, clothespin, and silk milling hub to a natural recreational area, Tobyhanna is filled with history, landscape, and culture. Immerse yourself in the vast beauty of this nature-filled town at Tobyhanna State Park. Over 5,440 park acres include the beloved Tobyhanna Lake and plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, camping, and more. The flat swamplands are intertwined with low hills and a covering of hardwood forests, and in a past life served as a military base during World War I.
Enjoy a serene hike through the park or view it and others from above the clouds. Book a tour with Hi-Tech Helicopters, Inc. and get an aerial view of spaces like Lake Harmony, Delaware Water Gap, or Pocono Raceway. Spend between 20 minutes and an hour in the sky, taking in the sights and scenes of Tobyhanna and the surrounding areas. After a thrilling day outdoors, relax and grab a bite to eat at The Brookside Inn. The historic 1850s neighborhood bar and restaurant offers cold beverages, good times, and great food in an establishment that residents have deemed one of the most popular pizzerias.
Step back in time and enjoy solitude, calmness, and tranquility in these small towns in the heart of the Poconos. Multiple state parks, historic sites, and unique hotels are sure to entice any visitor to spend a weekend in the mountains. Trek up to Bushkill Falls and then relax overnight at one of the many charming local hotels or inns nearby. Learn all about how many of these towns had a hand in the coal or lumber industry or simply visit a town because it was named after a famed Olympian. No matter how you spend your time, don’t miss a chance to visit these six Poconos towns where time stands still.
