The Best Small Towns In The Poconos For A Weekend Retreat
The Poconos run through northeastern Pennsylvania across roughly 2,400 square miles and sit within easy reach of both New York and Philadelphia. That proximity (under two hours from either city) makes the region a natural fit for a weekend trip. The landscape shifts from forested ridges to lake country to river gorges in short stretches of driving, and each season brings different reasons to visit: waterfalls and hiking in spring and summer, foliage in fall, and ski hills running through winter. Bushkill Falls gets called Pennsylvania's Niagara and pulls the most attention, but smaller waterfalls, Victorian main streets, and lake resorts fill out the region beyond it. The seven towns below cover the Poconos' core.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe has fewer than 5,000 residents and is best known nationally for its Victorian architecture. Locally called JT, the town is home to the Mauch Chunk Opera House, a small and well-regarded concert venue originally built in 1881 and modernized over the years. Broadway, the town's main commercial spine, is lined with restaurants including Broadway Grille + Underground.
After a meal, Lehigh Gorge State Park is nearby for hiking trails and waterfalls. For an overnight, the Inn At Jim Thorpe sits at the foot of Broadway with a history that goes back more than 170 years (originally the White Swan Hotel, opened 1849).
Milford
The family home of Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service and a founding figure of American forestry, is Milford's most famous landmark. Known as Grey Towers, the chateau-style mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. A guided tour includes the house's interior and a short scenic trail on the grounds. Downtown, Milford's tree-lined streets feature several good restaurants, including the riverside Waterwheel Café.
For history travelers, the Columns Museum of the Pike County Historical Society houses a 36-star U.S. flag said to be stained with President Lincoln's blood. The flag was draped over the balustrade of Ford's Theatre's Presidential Box the night John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln. Outside town, Raymondskill Falls is among Pennsylvania's tallest waterfalls, with three tiers totaling roughly 175-180 feet. Scottish Inns is a comfortable overnight, close to Village Diner for a solid breakfast.
Honesdale
Honesdale sits at the confluence of the Lackawaxen and Dyberry rivers, about two and a half hours from New York City. It is known as the "Birthplace of the American Railroad" because the Stourbridge Lion (the first locomotive to run on commercial tracks in the United States) made its 1829 trial run here. A full-size replica sits in the Wayne County Historical Society Museum, housed in an 1860 Main Street building. Irving Cliff provides a top-down view of town and connects to local hiking trails.
On Main Street, Maude and Main stocks a solid range of unique gifts that can easily take up a morning. The Stourbridge Line Train Excursions also run out of town, offering a scenic ride through the surrounding countryside. For an overnight, Hotel Wayne sits in the historic district, and the Ledges Hotel is about 10 miles away in Hawley.
Hawley
The Lackawaxen River runs through Hawley, giving the town a scenic layout with river on one side and forest and hills on the other. Pennsylvania Rail Bike, one of the few rail-biking operations in the region, runs rides along the old rail corridor with river views throughout.
Hawley also sits alongside Lake Wallenpaupack, one of the largest lakes in Pennsylvania at 5,700 acres. For something different, Masters of the Skies runs falconry programs with hands-on demonstrations covering falcons, hawks, and other raptors. The Ledges Hotel overlooks Paupack Falls with rooms positioned for the view.
Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg has a walkable downtown and sits close to the Delaware Water Gap, a national recreation area with forests, fields, and waterfalls. The Water Gap handles the water side of things, with boating, swimming, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails, including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
Closer to town, Hickory Valley Park works for a quiet creek walk, and the Glen Brook Golf Club offers 18 holes with Mullally's Clubhouse Cafe overlooking the course. Dansbury Park has the Levee Loop Trail. Compton's Pancake House serves hearty breakfasts, and The Penn Stroud has been a local fixture since 1833.
Tannersville
Tannersville is mostly known as the jumping-off point for Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, one of the largest outdoor waterparks in the Poconos, with more than 30 rides and slides. For something quieter, the Tannersville Woods Nature Preserve and nearby Big Pocono State Park both have trails. New York Pizza & Family Restaurant serves classic Italian, and Smuggler's Cove handles the prime rib side. For an overnight, the Camelback Resort is the closest full-service option.
Mount Pocono
Mount Pocono is a small borough of about 3,000 residents in northeastern Pennsylvania. The town hosts the Mount Pocono Festival, one of the region's longer-running carnivals, each summer. Mount Pocono Campground runs 191 seasonal campsites with a nature trail of its own.
Memorytown, another local outdoor venue, has rustic cabins with a country-fair feel. The Knob is a well-known lookout with views out over Swiftwater, Mount Airy Casino, and the surrounding Pocono mountains.
Plan A Pocono Weekend
Whether the weekend calls for time on the water, mountain scenery, or winter skiing at places like Camelback Mountain Ski Resort, the Poconos handle a range of travel styles. The region's towns do not run at the scale of Chicago or other big cities, but they deliver authentic, nature-adjacent experiences at a slower pace. Jim Thorpe, Milford (associated with the early American conservation movement), and Honesdale (the site of the country's first commercial locomotive run) make strong anchors for any first trip.
