7 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in the Poconos

The Pocono Mountains are a region within Northeastern Pennsylvania known for its immense natural beauty and its close proximity to New York City. The name comes from the original Indigenous Munsee name for the region, "Pokawachne," meaning "Creek Between Two Hills."  The region is only a few hour's drive away from both New York City and Philadelphia, making it an ideal destination for a day trip for urbanites looking to make lasting memories enveloped in natural beauty. For those looking to spend more than a day visiting the valleys, forests, and mountains of the Poconos, there is also an abundance of resorts, hotels, lodges, and campgrounds ideal for multi-day ventures in the most unforgettable small towns.

Honesdale

Honesdale, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Wayne County, is the host of the Wayne County Fair, which begins in the first week of August for nine days and attracts roughly 100,00 visitors a year. The unique town is also known for its numerous Victorian-era buildings, which are a source of pride for the town. In the world of fiction, Honesdale is listed as the home of Schrute Farms Bed and Breakfast from the famous NBC sitcom The Office. It is also considered to be the "birthplace of the American railroad," as the first commercial steam locomotive made its departure from the town, three miles to the town of Seelyville and back. To this day, the town is also known for the Stourbridge Rail Line, which provides seasonally-themed scenic train rides along the Lackawaxen River.

Hawley

Located near Honesdale, along the Lackawaxen River, in what's known as the Lake Region of the Poconos lies the friendly town of Hawley, known for its golf courses and beautiful use of green space. It is also home to Costa's Family Fun Park, which has a water park, mini-golf, laser tag, arcade, and a go-karting track. Another attraction that draws visitors to the town is the Pennsylvania Rail Bike, an opportunity to tour their retired railway along the Lackawaxen on electric "rail bikes," which are fitted to the tracks and can fit two to four people at a time, providing an incredibly unique and unforgettable adventure. The tour also passes by the man-made Lake Wallenpaupack, which is home to a thriving population of bald eagles, who nest there every August.

Pocono Pines

Pocono Pines, a community located in the Pocono's Mountain region, sits on the man-made Lake Naomi. The town is renowned for its natural beauty and has a number of hotels, lodges, and restaurants for visitors to avail themselves of. The town has many recreational amenities, including beaches, pools, and golf courses, though they are all presided over by the "Lake Naomi Club," to which membership is only granted to local homeowners in the community. Thankfully, most of the restaurants and the beautifully quaint farmer's market and country store is open to the public.

Bushkill

Bushkill is an unincorporated community in the Delaware River region of the Poconos. Despite being small, it is home to the Bushkill Falls hiking trails: a network of trails of varying skill levels that lead into the Pocono mountains, from which eight beautiful waterfalls make their descent into the Delaware River. Some of the waterfalls are easily accessible even by inexperienced hikers, while others are more demanding. The Bushkill Falls trails are not on public land, however, and those looking to visit will have to purchase tickets in order to explore the forest. The area also offers designated fishing sites, picnic sites, a children's playground, a gift shop, and a bakery.

Stroudsburg

For those looking for a more urban-focused venture into the Poconos, Stroudsburg is the perfect stop, being the largest municipality in the Poconos, with a whopping population of 5,900 people. While home to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center and boasting a number of beautiful woodland trails in true Pocono fashion, its downtown street is the commercial hub of the surrounding region. There, one can find cafes, clothing stores, antique shops, art galleries, hotels, and more. The town is also renowned for its "Spooky Stroudsburg" event, where the businesses that line the downtown strip decorate their storefronts in the classic Halloween tradition. The town also organizes a Halloween-themed street fair, where they put on a pumpkin painting event, businesses hand out candy to passersby, and there is a wildlife presentation, along with a magic show and dance performance in the town square.

Delaware Water Gap

For those looking to slip out of the comforts of civilization and appreciate the natural beauty of the Poconos rather than quaint urban amenities, the Delaware Water Gap is the ideal stop. The town itself has a population under 700 but shares both a name and proximity with the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area, which is jointly overseen by the US National Park Services and the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. The water gap was created over millions of years as what is now called the Delaware River carved itself a path through the Appalachian's Blue Mountain, effectively splitting it in two. Today, it is one of the top destinations in the Poconos for those looking to go canoeing, fishing, hiking, or even rock climbing. It is also famous for its many high points along the mountains, from which one can see for miles around, providing unforgettable, breathtaking views to those willing to brave the mountain trails.

White Haven

Sitting along the Lehigh River lies the pretty town of White Haven, the birthplace of the fictional Liz Lemon from the NBC show 30 Rock. Encompassing the river is the Lehigh Gorge State Park, which provides endless recreational opportunities to both White Haven residents and visitors to the Poconos alike, ranging from cycling to hiking, fishing, and even snowmobiling. In particular, the river is famous for its white-water rafting down the Lehigh River, overseen by Whitewater Challengers Adventure Center. These include easier rapids in which first-timers and families alike can hop in a raft downriver for an exhilarating yet secure adventure, or those looking for more of a challenge, there is also a longer route that goes over 20 miles long and will require more experience than the family-style rapids.

Whether one is looking to escape the city for a day, a weekend, a week, or a lifetime, the Poconos is full of enough natural beauty to provide you with a trove of lasting memories you won't soon forget!