Best Day Trips from Poconos, Pennsylvania
The Poconos sit in northeastern Pennsylvania at the intersection of the Pocono Mountains and the Delaware River. Surrounding them are dramatic gorges, waterfalls, historic mining towns, and small communities with genuine character. Within an hour you’re in landscape that looks more like Vermont than Pennsylvania.
Delaware Water Gap — 15 Miles / 25 Minutes
A dramatic gorge carved by the Delaware River through the Pocono Mountains. A National Recreation Area protects 70,000 acres with hiking, fishing, and canoeing.
Why go: The gap itself is a geological wonder—the river cuts through 1,200-foot cliffs. The scenery from the overlooks is dramatic. Hiking trails descend to the river level. The Mt. Tammany Trail (3.5 miles, moderate) offers views of the gap from the ridgetop.
Must-see: The Delaware Water Gap overlooks (multiple scenic pullouts along Route 209). The hiking trails descending to river level. The river itself is beautiful.
Cost: Parking and hiking are free. Canoe rentals run $30-50 per day from area outfitters.
Bushkill Falls — 10 Miles / 20 Minutes
A series of eight waterfalls on Bushkill Creek, with trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 2 miles. Pennsylvania’s most visited natural attraction.
Why go: The falls are genuine—water flowing through a forest gorge with the energy and sound that makes waterfalls worth seeking out. The trails are well-maintained. The main falls is 100 feet high. The surrounding forest is peaceful.
Must-see: The main falls (shortest trail, about 1 mile roundtrip). If you have time, the longer trails connect additional falls.
Cost: Admission is $15.50 for adults. Trail length determines time spent ($10-15 depending on package).
Jim Thorpe — 30 Miles / 45 Minutes
A historic coal mining town turned arts destination with steep streets, preserved architecture, and a river gorge setting. The town sits on the Lehigh River.
Why go: Jim Thorpe is a survivor. The town was built on anthracite mining and declined as the mines closed. Now it’s an arts town with galleries, theaters, restaurants, and genuine character. The architecture is substantial—Victorian homes and stone buildings from when the town had wealth.
Must-see: The Old Jail ($6 tour—genuinely historic from 1871). The historic district and Victorian architecture. The Lehigh River overlook. The Steam Train runs excursions along the gorge in summer.
Cost: Most walking is free. Museums and attractions run $5-10. Restaurants are unpretentious ($12-30).
Scranton — 25 Miles / 40 Minutes
A city built on anthracite coal mining with genuine industrial heritage and museums dedicated to preserving that history.
Why go: Scranton’s identity is coal and manufacturing. The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour descends 300 feet into an actual anthracite mine. The Electric City Trolley Museum operates restored trolleys. The Radisson Lackawanna Building is an architectural gem from 1908.
Must-see: The Coal Mine Tour ($25—genuinely historical). The Electric City Trolley Museum ($15 for rides). The Steamtown National Historic Site (free) preserving railroad history.
Cost: Museums run $10-25. Restaurant meals are modestly priced ($12-30).
Milford — 20 Miles / 35 Minutes
A Delaware River town on the water with restaurants, shops, galleries, and a waterfront park. A working river town without the tourist overlay of some destinations.
Why go: Milford is smaller and quieter than Jim Thorpe but has genuine character. The waterfront walk is pleasant. Restaurants have river views. The town serves as a gateway to the Delaware River for kayaking and fishing.
Must-see: The waterfront walk and park. Restaurants like Delicious Orchards or Roscoe’s Grille with views. The river itself.
Cost: Walking is free. Restaurant meals run $12-35. Kayak rentals $30-50 per day.
Lehigh Gorge State Park — 25 Miles / 45 Minutes
A spectacular gorge carved by the Lehigh River through the mountains. The old railroad line (now a trail) runs through the gorge offering hiking and biking.
Why go: The gorge is dramatic—300-foot cliffs, the river, and a gentle trail along the water. The scenery changes with seasons. Wildlife includes bald eagles, deer, and great blue herons. The Lehigh Gorge Trail is a highlight.
Must-see: The Lehigh Gorge Trail (8 miles each way, easy to moderate). Scenic pullouts from Route 209 looking into the gorge.
Cost: Parking and hiking are free.
Bethlehem — 40 Miles / 1 Hour
A former industrial city on the Lehigh River with preserved architecture, museums, and a revitalized downtown. Home to Lehigh University and the Bethlehem Steel legacy.
Why go: Bethlehem shows post-industrial recovery. The historic district has substantial architecture. The Bethlehem Works (formerly Bethlehem Steel) offered tours showing the massive industrial complex. The Christmas festival is one of America’s most elaborate.
Must-see: The Moravian Museum (the oldest continuously occupied American site for European settlement, $8). The historic district. The Christmas festival if visiting in November-December.
Cost: Museums run $5-10. Restaurant meals are modest ($12-35).