The Poconos's 10 Most Laid-Back Towns
The quieter corners of the Poconos are defined by laid-back towns that have fairytale settings. Jim Thorpe allows visitors to experience breathtaking natural scenery while riding 1920s‑style coaches of a historic railway line. Hawley offers access to the scenic lakefront of Lake Wallenpaupack and an outdoor musical venue right in the midst of a forest. Tannersville is the perfect family destination with its famed Camelback Mountain Resort providing plenty of recreational facilities for a memorable weekend vacation. Together, these ten laid-back towns in the Poconos represent the most relaxed pockets of the region.
Jim Thorpe
Just 118 miles west of New York City, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is one of Jim Thorpe’s signature experiences. It carries passengers in vintage 1920s‑style coaches along the forested curves of the Lehigh River and deep into the dramatic, cliff‑lined gorge. Outdoor lovers can explore Lehigh Gorge State Park, which is one of Pennsylvania’s most dramatic river‑carved gorges, offering waterfalls, rugged scenery, and a 26‑mile rail trail perfect for hiking and biking. History fans can tour the Asa Packer Mansion, a preserved 19th‑century Italianate villa built for railroad magnate and Lehigh University founder Asa Packer. The town also hosts seasonal events like the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival, which brings live music, craft vendors, and food stalls to the historic district.
Honesdale
One of the best experiences in Honesdale is riding the Stourbridge Line, a heritage train that glides through quiet farmland and wooded valleys. Just about 100 miles northwest of Newark, the town’s cultural calendar is surprisingly full, including the Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival, which brings free concerts and artisan booths to Main Street. Families also enjoy the long‑running Wayne County Fair, featuring agricultural shows, carnival rides, and local food. For a peaceful afternoon, visitors can stroll around Central Park, a leafy green space with a gazebo and walking paths.
Hawley
Hawley's star attraction is Lake Wallenpaupack, where visitors can kayak, paddleboard, or simply relax along the shoreline at Wallenpaupack Lake Trail. The beautifully restored 1800s Hawley Silk Mill was once a major part of Pennsylvania’s silk industry. It now houses shops, cafés, and art spaces, including Art on the Edge and Looking Glass Art Gallery, making it a great spot for browsing and slow mornings. Music lovers flock to Harmony in the Woods, an outdoor performance venue tucked into the forest. Hawley also hosts the Wally Lake Fest, a summer celebration with boat parades, craft markets, and lakeside concerts.
Milford
Milford is known for its elegant historic district, including the Grey Towers National Historic Site. The French château-style estate was built in 1886 and is best known as the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Today, it operates as a public historic site with trails, seasonal mansion tours, and conservation-focused exhibits. Nature lovers can explore Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania, located just minutes from town. The annual Milford Music Festival fills the streets with live performances each summer. For a quieter outdoor experience, visitors can explore trails such as Cliff Park Trailhead or Hackers Falls.
Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg's strong art scene includes the Sherman Theater, a historic 1,377‑seat nonprofit concert hall on Main Street. The theater hosts major touring acts, comedy, community events, and all‑ages shows year‑round. It is one of the Poconos’ premier live‑music venues, with a busy 2026 lineup including Fetty Wap, The Hu, Apocalyptica, and a walkable downtown location. Outdoor enthusiasts can head to the 14-acre Glen Park, a peaceful wooded area with hiking and biking trails. The town also hosts the StroudFest Labor Day Festival, which brings food trucks, live music, and local vendors to Main Street.
Tannersville
The centerpiece of Tannersville is the Camelback Mountain Resort, which is one of the Poconos’ most versatile four‑season destinations. Combining a full ski mountain, the Aquatopia indoor waterpark, the Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark, and a wide range of adventure attractions into one expansive family‑friendly property. In winter, visitors come for 39 ski trails, a large snow‑tubing park, and skiing. Warmer months bring mountain coasters, zip lines, treetop courses, and the region’s biggest outdoor waterpark. Big Pocono State Park is a 1,306‑acre mountaintop state park on Camelback Mountain offering panoramic views across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, plus rugged hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.
Lehighton
Lehighton sits on the D&L Trail, giving visitors easy access to riverside biking and walking. The Lehighton section of the D&L Trail is one of the most accessible and scenic stretches along the Lehigh River, offering a smooth, wide, crushed‑stone path ideal for casual riders, families, and long‑distance cyclists alike. Just outside town, Beltzville State Park offers about 3,000 acres of quiet beaches, wooded trails, and calm lake views. The 949‑acre Beltzville Lake is known for its sandy beach, boating, trout fishing, and 15 miles of forested hiking trails. The town also hosts the Lehighton Bike Night, a long‑running annual motorcycle event traditionally held on the second Saturday of August, drawing thousands of riders, vendors, and spectators.
Pocono Pines
The highlight of Pocono Pines is Lake Naomi, which anchors the Lake Naomi Club, a member‑owned community. It offers swimming, sailing, fishing, a large outdoor pool complex, indoor and outdoor tennis, a 56,000‑square‑foot community center, and access to more extensive surrounding woodland for members and their guests. Tucked into the quiet woods around Pocono Pines, the spot locals sometimes call Mystery Pond Lookout Point reflects the region’s tradition of hidden forest ponds and lightly traveled footpaths. Regional guides highlight similar hidden‑pond hikes throughout the Poconos, including lesser‑known forest pools and quiet overlooks that reward hikers with calm water, wildlife sightings, and soft forest light.
Mount Pocono
The Mount Airy Casino Resort is the centerpiece of Mount Pocono. It provides entertainment, restaurants, and a beautifully landscaped golf course that’s surprisingly peaceful on weekday mornings. Rooms and suites offer modern décor inspired by the surrounding mountains, with some overlooking the resort’s private lake. Ranked among USA Today’s Top Ten Casino Hotels, Mount Airy positions itself as a premier adult escape in the Poconos. Nearby Tobyhanna State Park offers quiet lakeside trails and picnic areas perfect for slow afternoons. Spanning 5,440 acres in northeastern Pennsylvania, the park centers on the Tobyhanna Lake, a quiet waterway ideal for paddling and fishing, and sits at an elevation of around 2,000 feet. The town also hosts small community events like the Mount Pocono Harvest Festival, featuring crafts, food, and live music. For a scenic drive, visitors can follow Route 611 through rolling hills and forested stretches.
Canadensis
Canadensis is one of the most tranquil towns in the Poconos, surrounded by dense forests, winding back roads, and charming retreats, including Spruce Lake Retreat. The retreat offers gentle nature walks, birdwatching, and sports programs in a peaceful setting. Visitors can explore Skytop Lodge’s extensive trail network spanning 5,500 acres, which includes waterfalls, lakes, and quiet woodland paths. The grounds were originally designed with input from the Olmsted Brothers, and are a member of Historic Hotels of America.
The most relaxed towns in the Poconos share a consistent profile: small populations, intact historic cores, dependable access to lakes or trail systems, and community events that reflect local participation rather than large‑scale tourism. Each place on this list offers a slower rhythm, supported by real infrastructure, walkable main streets, public parks, and cultural venues that remain active year-round. For travelers or residents seeking quieter pockets of the region, these towns provide a clear starting point, with enough variation in setting and character to suit different preferences without sacrificing the calm that defines this part of Pennsylvania.
