11 Adorable Small Towns In the Poconos
The Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Harboring nine state parks, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, it is chock-full of fun activities for ardent outdoorsmen. Nested within its rolling forests and along its scenic rivers are countless small communities that epitomize rural charm. From historic villages to mountain hamlets, they welcome exploration at a leisurely pace.
Multiple small towns spread throughout the Poconos make ideal weekend getaways. Whether your interests lie in driving scenic routes, hiking lush trails, or wandering quaint downtowns, each destination offers its own brand of rustic appeal. So for a taste of rural living surrounded by nature's splendor, consider exploring some of these adorable towns in towns in the Poconos.
Stroudsburg
The seat of Monroe County, Stroudsburg is a laid-back Pocono Mountains community offering the perfect base to explore the region. It provides visitors with easy access to multiple park spaces and nature areas, including the Delaware Water Gap, just 5 miles from the town. Locally, it is home to Yetter Park, which offers recreation amenities, including walking trails and an 18-hole disc golf course, with exquisite views of Brodhead Creek.
Stroudsburg downtown features a charming mix of museums, galleries, antique stores, and restaurants. The district has an inviting atmosphere, with notable spots like Gamut Art Gallery inviting newcomers to sample the local art scene. Meanwhile, one of the best experiences for tourists involves shopping at the weekly Monroe Farmers Market. Besides interacting with friendly townsfolk to learn more about their culture, it is an opportunity to buy unique handmade crafts and get a taste of the region's scrumptious cuisine.
Dingmans Ferry
This outdoor oasis in Pike County makes up part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It boasts beautiful outdoors, with the Delaware River cutting through, and presents multiple opportunities for lovers of the open spaces. Among the major points of interest in Dingmans Ferry is the Pocono Environmental Education Center. Sitting in the heart of the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area, it is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding wilderness, offering up to 6 hiking trails.
Nature photographers will be excited to run into Dingmans Falls, a gorgeous natural wonder inside the Delaware Water Gap, making for a postcard-worthy photo opportunity. Meanwhile, the over 85,000-acre Delaware State Forest is the ultimate playground for adventurers, presenting fun activities like hiking, camping, nature viewing, and mountain biking.
Milford
The birthplace of the American Conservation Movement, Milford delights with natural splendor, featuring a rich network of lush outdoor spaces. It welcomes visitors to venture into its lovely backcountry and discover treasures like Raymondskill Falls. The tallest cascade in Pennsylvania, this breathtaking, three-tiered waterfall remains a favorite of sightseers and nature photographers. Elsewhere, Cornelia & Florence Bridge Nature Preserve offers the ideal setting to picnic and commune with Mother Nature. It straddles 300 acres, comprising a mix of wetlands, forests, and meadows, with a tranquil atmosphere.
Milford also boasts a National Historical Landmark in the Grey Towers National Historic Site. This huge French chateau-style mansion was built in the late 19th century and belonged to Gifford Pinchot. However, for a deep dive into the area's past, you can stop by the Columns Museum of the Pike County Historical Society to browse a collection of artifacts, archives, and memorabilia.
Tobyhanna
This tiny village in Monroe County beckons outdoorsy travelers to come and explore its beautiful wilderness, commonplace in the Poconos. It charms with an eclectic mix of green spaces, highlighted by the Tobyhanna State Park. Straddling more than 5,400 acres, this awesome oasis harbors all manner of recreation opportunities, from fishing and hiking to boating and camping. For many visitors, the best place to soak in Tobyhanna's natural grandeur is above. Thanks to Pocono Helitours, you can launch into the air on a sightseeing helicopter ride for an awesome bird's eye perfective of the varied town landscapes.
But immersing in the great outdoors is not the only pursuit available for visitors to Tobyhanna. Its quiet town center features a couple of hangouts that can be very accommodating after a long day of exploration. At the Brookside Inn, the atmosphere is perfect for catching up with friends over a refreshing glass of cocktail and mingling with welcoming locals.
Tannersville
Set in the heart of the Poconos, Tannersville is endowed with exquisite scenery, world-class resorts, and fun adventures, serving as the ideal base for a family-friendly getaway. The town is known for hosting Camelback Resort & Indoor Waterpark, which overwhelms young visitors with its fun adventures. From exciting rides and adrenaline-filled slides to climbing walls and swing ropes, families can look forward to unadulterated fun for all ages. The fun continues around the year in Tannersville, thanks to the Camelback Ski Resort. This popular ski center offers countless opportunities for snow sports enthusiasts, featuring the most skiable terrain in the Pocono Mountains region.
Elsewhere, adults in the town can have their own brand of fun by venturing into the sprawling Big Pocono State Park. With more than 1,000 acres of wilderness to explore, recreation opportunities abound, ranging from hiking and skiing to mountaineering.
Long Pond
Long Pond's claim to fame is home to the renowned Pocono Raceway. Popularly known as "The Tricky Triangle," the superspeedway attracts racing enthusiasts from within and outside the state whenever it hosts the Pocono 400 and other NASCAR races. The atmosphere is always electric, presenting tourists with one of the best experiences in Long Pond. Racing aside, the town is enveloped by a trademark Poconos wilderness waiting to be explored. Courtesy of Pocono Outdoor Adventures Tours, guests can immerse in the rugged outdoors during a fun ATV excursion.
The same applies to Alvins Offroad Playground, inviting friends and family to take advantage of remarkable off-road tours by plowing through the rugged terrain in the Poconos on an ATV or dirt bike.
East Stroudsburg
A diverse mix of experiences, from natural to historical and cultural, makes East Stroudsburg one of the most exciting towns in the Poconos to visit. It has a little bit of something for everyone, with vacationing families gravitating towards the Schisler Museum and McMunn Planetarium. This remarkable venue houses over 100 wildlife specimens from around the globe offering an exciting lesson on science and astronomy. The Pocono Snake and Animal Farm is another hit with tourists, providing rare and up-close encounters with beautiful species, featuring a petting zoo and animal feeding sessions.
For the artistically inclined, Frazetta Art Museum is a must-visit, with a chance to explore a vast collection of awesome pieces by Frazetta. Finally, nature lovers will feel more at home chilling at Zacharias Pond Park, which charms with a serene setting and a cute pond as the focal point.
Bushkill
The ultimate gateway to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Bushkill is a favorite of adventurers looking to immerse themselves in the Poconos wilderness. The town is jam-packed with outdoor opportunities, and Bushkill Falls is top among its highlights. It is home to a series of eight gorgeous waterfalls and picturesque hiking trails waiting to be explored. Besides admiring the stunning natural wonder, the site also delivers activities like fishing, boating, picnicking, and photography.
Bushkill also houses Poconos Park, a picturesque lakefront event center boasting a 10,000-seater amphitheater. Renowned for hosting world-class shows and concerts, the venue is popular among locals and visitors alike.
Lehighton
Christened "Gateway to Carbon County," Lehighton owes its existence to the 19th-century industrial boom, which saw the emergence of factories and businesses in the community, spurred on by power from the Lehigh River. Today, it draws travelers with its stunning outdoor scenery, best exemplified by the 3,000-acre Beltzville State Park. Boasting 15 miles of hiking trails and a 19-mile shoreline on Beltzville Lake, the preserve is a perfect playground for adventurers, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and more.
Visiting families will have a fun time at Picnic Woods Alpacas, with a chance to pet cute, silky-smooth alpacas on a friendly farm and shop for cute alpaca-made products. Finally, Lehighton offers delectable wining and dining opportunities, with trendy spots like the Radical Wine Company welcoming visitors for wine tastings.
Honesdale
Honesdale's rich railroad heritage saw the first steam locomotive run on its territory in 1829, earning the town the nickname "Birthplace of the American Railroad.” This and more captivating history of the community is well preserved and documented at the Wayne County Historical Society, where visitors can peruse a broad collection of artifacts and archives housed in a mid-19th century building. Being a Pocono Mountains borough, Honesdale delights with exquisite natural scenery that visitors can explore aboard the Stourbridge Line Train during a sightseeing tour.
Honesdale is also known for its bustling art scene. Connoisseurs can take the chance to sample exhibits of sculptures, photographs, paintings, drawings, and other forms of art by local artists at the Wayne County Arts Alliance.
Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe is one of the more famous towns in the Pocono Mountains region, favored for its rich historical heritage. It was named after the iconic Native American athlete and harbors a captivating history, which travelers can learn more about with a tour of the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center. The town houses a fair share of historical markers to show for its storied legacy, including the Asa Packer Mansion Museum. Built in 1861, the historic homestead belonged to philanthropist Asa Packer and offers a window into middle-class life during the Victorian era Jim Thorpe.
As with any other Poconos town, Jim Thorpe is surrounded by a lush wilderness, punctuated with dense forests and rolling mountains. Most visitors ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway to appreciate its magical outdoors, and the scenery does not get better than fall, with the changing leaves.
The Takeaway
Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains present tourists with one of the most beautiful natural scenery in the state, with countless outdoor adventures waiting to be explored. They deliver an idyllic getaway from urban life, offering a laid-back rural atmosphere that brings out the charm of Pennsylvania's countryside. The beautiful towns in the Poconos highlighted above are proof of the fun visitors can have in the region, whether on a quick weekend trip or a month-long vacation. From outdoor marvels and historical sites to culinary delights, they make for unforgettable holiday experiences in the United States.
