8 Towns In The Poconos With A Slower Pace Of Life

Amidst the cacophony and crises one might experience in everyday life, the soothing outdoors in the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania stand and grow as veritable retreats for you to rejuvenate and feel tranquil. Among the many beautiful and rejuvenating destinations to visit in this Pennsylvanian mountain range are these Poconos’ small towns with a slower pace of life, each embodying the laidback and luxurious atmosphere the Poconos is famous for. From the Catskill Mountains in the northeast, to the lowland cities and communities in the greater parts of Pennsylvania, the many flat-topped mountains and forested plateaus that compose the Poconos are filled with beautiful small towns with a slower pace of life for those seeking a getaway into the verdant and serene outdoors of the state.

Delaware Water Gap

At first glance, the name Delaware Water Gap might sound like a curious phrase, but this charming borough is anything but forgettable. Named after the striking geological formation where the Delaware River cuts through a mountain ridge, the town offers visitors a front-row seat to one of nature’s most impressive feats. The Antoine Dutot Museum & Gallery chronicles much of the town’s history as well as the actions of the town’s founder, Antoine Dutot. Meanwhile, the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area thrives as a prominently bucolic region teeming with the Poconos' many vivacious lifeforms and lifestyles.

Additionally, famous individuals such as Theodore Roosevelt, Fred Astaire, and Bette Davis once rested in Delaware Water Gap’s many historic lodgings. These days, travelers from the neighboring state of New Jersey and beyond are encouraged to explore Delawawre Water Gap’s many outdoor areas like the Columcille Megalith Park for its awesome monolithic structures. With its humble airs and pleasing proximity to the Delaware River, the slow-paced small town of Delaware Water Gap will leave a good and lasting impression in your mind.

White Mills

With the Lackawaxen River bisecting the town, White Mills is a slow-paced neighborhood with a big spirit. Since its inception in the 1860s, the town has served as a homebase for Dorflinger Works and its founder, Christian Dorflinger, who used this lax hamlet as a bustling industrial glass factory to produce excellent cut lead crystal and glassware that graced many of America’s finest tables, including those of several White House administrations. Within walking distance from Lake Wallenpaupack, newcomers to this laidback town can enjoy many recreational pursuits and activities along the lake’s resplendent strands.

Visitors to this quiet mountain location can also venture into the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary to admire the local flora and fauna that call the Poconos their home. If you prefer to marvel at the manmade wonders to behold in White Mills, then you can tour the impeccable halls and chambers of the Dorflinger Factory Museum, a site preserving the arts and culture that have persevered within the Poconos. Finally, you can be captivated by the adjacent Art Factory of White Mills which houses more stellar exhibits and galleries showcasing White Mills’ and other communities’ aesthetic aptitude.

Honesdale

Honesdale is a homely little borough in the Poconos and is a perfect retreat due to its slower pace of life. In spite of its simplistic and casual ambiance, Honesdale is honeyed with history, as this is considered the “Birthplace of the American Railroad” when, in 1829, the first steam locomotive to run on US commercial tracks started right in Honesdale’s area. The Stourbridge Line Train Excursions was where this historic first run was conducted, and even now it continues to deliver travelers from various locations throughout the Poconos. Visitors can learn more about Honesdale’s contributions to American history from the Wayne County Historical Society and Museum on Main Street. Beyond the town’s industrial confines, husbanded forests and parks such as the Prompton State Park and Irving Cliff are just some of the many dynamic destinations to gain fond memories of the Poconos’ perfect wilderness. Only around ten minutes from White Mills, travelers will find Honesdale’s languid and leisurely atmosphere a splendid opportunity worth retaking.

Jim Thorpe

Few athletes have an entire town named after them, but the town of Jim Thorpe owes its namesake to the greatest gridiron footballer and all-around Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe. The Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center not only elaborates on the history of the town and the man the town was named after, but also focuses on area’s coal mining history. Other museums such as the Stabin Museum showcase artworks full of quirks and character that embody the aesthetic qualities which communities on the Lehigh River are known for. Elsewhere, the Asa Packer Mansion Museum preserves the memorabilia and mementos of Asa Packer, an affluent coal baron who founded the Lehigh Valley Railroad to replace the canal in 1855. From the Christina Van Gelder Observation Deck, you can get a photogenic view of the Lehigh River as well as the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway whose historic trains you can certainly take to traverse various forested plateaus in the Poconos. Finally, within the Lehigh Gorge State Park, you can enjoy the sights of several wonderful waterfalls and streams worth cherishing in this athletically named small town.

Hawley

Hawley is a tranquil and lovely gateway to the one of the greatest reservoirs in Pennsylvania, Lake Wallenpaupack. Over 5,700 acres of freshwater lake awaits you within this particular lake, and following after Raystown Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack is considered the second-largest lake contained entirely within Pennsylvania’s landlocked mass. Hawley has its own unique attractions and amenities to savor, particularly the Hawley Silk Mill that serves as a historic landmark commemorating the town’s contributions to the silk-weaving industry in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Rail Bike allows you to hop aboard historic train carts and handcars and visit many scenic wilderness areas all over Hawley. In this casual and leisurely small town bisected by Lackawaxen River and beside Lake Wallenpaupack, travelers can enjoy many watery delights and wonders in this slow-paced destination filled with life.

Milford

Originally known as Wells Ferry until Judge John Biddis and his family relocated to this town to escape the plagues of Philadelphia in 1793, Milford has prospered into a lovable Poconos town with a slower pace of life. With events such as the Milford Music Fest and the Black Bear Film Festival, there is much merriment and memories to make in this amazing small town beside the Delaware River. The Columns Museum of the Pike County Historical Society preserves many historic exhibits and memorabilia with its neoclassical mansion from 1904. Likewise, the Grey Towers National Historic Site stands as the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, a former Pennsylvania Governor, conservationist, and first Chief of the US Forest Service. Travelers with an urge to go gallivanting through the outdoors can satisfy their wanderlust when taking photographs of the Raymondskill Falls and Hackers Falls. You will find Milford’s cozy and exemplary atmosphere a much-needed respite from the quick and chaotic ways of daily life.

Stroudsburg

Less than fives miles away from Delaware Water Gap, the historic small town of Stroudsburg entreats visitors to riveting and informative explorations into the past. Renowned as the heart of the Poconos, Stroudsburg’s history is on full display at the Stroud Mansion, former dwelling of American Revolutionary War Colonel Jacob Stroud who founded the town. Nearby, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau informs newcomers to the Poconos all that they should expect and look out for in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountain Range. Similarly, the Schisler Museum and McMunn Planetarium educates all about the importance of the outdoors while also casting a curious eye at the stars. Each August, the town celebrates the beloved StroudFest with many family-friendly activities and events for everyone to enjoy a slower pace of life. Meanwhile, within the Hickory Valley Park, you can head over to the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm for workshops, tours, and camps within this rural and agrarian location. Stroudsburg is proud to maintain its slow-paced and relaxing lifestyle, and you can take all the time you like to soak in the simple and easy airs of this wonderful Poconos town.

Tannersville

Just around nine miles from Stroudsburg, the terrific and spectacular town of Tannersville maintains an amicable and outgoing attitude for locals and newcomers alike. As the homebase of the Camelback Mountain Resort, a popular ski and waterpark resort in the Poconos, Tannersville entreats and encourages visitors to explore the many snowy and watery wonders to experience in the Poconos. Travelers can venture deep within the forested paths and walkways of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve, an arboreal region brimming with secrets and mysteries to unlock. Similarly, the Big Pocono State Park allows trekkers and hikers to reach the summit of Camelback Mountain for more exquisite views of the Poconos’ mountainous terrain. Naturally, the most ideal time to visit Tannersville and Camelback Mountain is during the winter, when the snowfall blankets the area and provides ample routes and paths for skiing and snowboarding. There are plenty of more adventures and engaging activities to try out in Tannersville, so give this lovely little town a chance to showcase what a slower pace of life looks like.

Conclusion

Within the Pocono Mountains, you will discover several beautiful and revitalizing small towns that will rescue you from the chaos and turmoil of everyday life thanks to their many natural and cultural amenities to see. From Tannersville’s lush landscapes to Stroudsburg’s historic appeal, each of these Poconos small towns have their own characteristics and attractions to keep things slow-paced and leisurely. This year, give yourself a much-needed vacation by retreating into the many Poconos towns with a slower pace of life.