7 Small Towns In The Poconos With Unmatched Friendliness

In the Poconos area of northeastern Pennsylvania, there are towns where being friendly to the stranger in your midst is still part of the culture. These are not tourist-curated towns, but simply towns where things move slowly and people are both friendly and won’t treat you like an outsider. Some of them have railroad tracks running through them, some have lakes beside them, and most have at least one festival where the whole town shows up to participate. Whether your thing is walking trails or having a beer with friends and family at the town fair, these seven towns rise above the standardly unremarkable. They’re not perfect by any means, but they are anything but unwelcoming. And in the end, that’s what matters.

Jim Thorpe

Victorian buildings and mountain views set the scene, but it’s the rhythm of daily life that makes you feel connected to Jim Thorpe. Residents pass by the Asa Packer Mansion, where school groups and inquisitive visitors hear tales of coal and rail year-round. A short walk leads to Mauch Chunk Lake Park, where families fish, paddle, or spread out on a grassy spot.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway boards just off the main street and follows the river trail past waterfalls and hikers. The town explodes in October during the Fall Foliage Festival, with porch concerts and craft tents. Evenings wrap up at Molly Maguire’s Pub, where no one stays a stranger for long.

Honesdale

Known as the “Birthplace of the American Railroad,” Honesdale preserves its history at the Wayne County Historical Society Museum, where the Stourbridge Lion steam train replica chronicles the town’s industrial roots. The Irving Cliff Overlook offers panoramic views, while the Dyberry Creek trails wind through peaceful woodlands, perfect for quiet strolls and fishing.

Honesdalers come together through music, food, and shared traditions. Neighborhood streets come alive during the annual Roots & Rhythm Festival, filled with live music and artwork, bringing tourists and locals together. Community tables and small-batch brews set the stage for friendly conversation at Here & Now Brewing Company, where regulars share stories and guests feel like locals from the start.

Milford

Bookshops, benches, and porch flags give this town a lived-in pace. In Milford, residents volunteer as guides at Grey Towers, the former estate of conservationist Gifford Pinchot. Just outside town is Raymondskill Falls, where locals often bring friends and family to see the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. A short drive farther leads to the Columns Museum, home to the bloodstained Lincoln flag and handwritten letters from local soldiers.

The Milford Music Festival takes over sidewalks and stoops every June with bluegrass, jazz, and indie sets. To mingle with locals, drop by the Waterwheel Café, a 19th-century gristmill now serving live music and coffee to a loyal crowd.

Stroudsburg

Stroudsburg thrives on its strong sense of community, where local culture, festivals, and landmarks tie everything together. The 100-year-old Sherman Theater remains the go-to venue for concerts and productions that bring locals and visitors under one roof. Winterfest turns Main Street into a gathering place, with fireplaces, ice sculptures, hot drinks, and good conversations.

History stays close through the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, where costumed interpreters reenact daily life from the 1760s to 1913. The Monroe County Historical Association, housed in an 18th-century home, showcases local stories through preserved artifacts. Just off the main street, Glen Park offers shaded trails and a quiet creek where residents picnic and slow down.

Bangor

Stone walls and quiet blocks reflect this town’s slate-quarry roots, but Bangor still moves with purpose. The Slate Belt Heritage Center shares stories of immigrant workers and slate-cutter families, while Bangor Memorial Park is always active with youth leagues and walkers. Up the road, hikers pass the large “Big Rock” formation, a local landmark often covered in chalked initials and jokes.

Each summer, the Bangor Park Concert Series brings neighbors outside for music, lemonade, and lawn chairs under the pavilion lights. Later, regulars make their way to The Broadway Pub, where the burgers are heavy, the stories louder, and chances are the bartender knows your name before you sit down.

Mount Pocono

In Mount Pocono, there’s no shortage of conversation starters. Sit on a bench along the Mount Pocono Trail, and someone will likely join you within minutes. On nearby Fairview Avenue, the Women Veterans Museum honors the stories of servicewomen through uniforms, letters, and quiet pride. The Pocono Mountain Carnival Grounds hosts bingo nights, car shows, and other events for locals to catch up.

When the weather’s decent, neighbors show up at Tobyhanna State Park with fishing poles, picnic coolers, and dogs that never stay dry. August’s Mount Pocono Community Days brings the crowds together with food, music, and familiar faces. At Fork Street Bistro, the daily special often comes with a refill of coffee and some local gossip.

Hawley

Life in Hawley revolves around Lake Wallenpaupack, where both visitors and locals stroll, fish, or hop on a boat. The Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour & Rentals shares both the lake’s sights and its history. Close to the shore, Bingham Park stays active year-round with shaded trails, playgrounds, and picnic spots.

The town’s small size adds to its appeal. The historic Hawley Silk Mill, once a 19th-century manufacturing site, now houses galleries, shops, and cafés where regulars are greeted by name. Come fall, the Hawley Harvest Hoedown fills the streets with music, crafts, and local food, and no one has to pretend they’re from here to be treated like it.

Conclusion

Not every corner of the Poconos is known for being warm and welcoming, but these towns are. It shows in how people show up for local events, remember your name after one visit, or jump into a conversation without pulling out their phone. These places aren’t shiny or polished, but they have a lived-in feel that’s completely authentic. They offer connection, whether it’s at a diner, on a park bench, or across some folding chairs at a festival. If you’re tired of towns where no one looks up, this is your alternative. It’s not perfect. But it’s real, and that means something.