Pocono Region – Long Weekend Guide
Is the Pocono Region a honeymooner’s paradise or a destination for adventure?
Both! The Pocono Region has beautiful scenery and lots of strolling options for those looking for a low-key destination, as well as white water rafting, mountain biking, and challenging hikes for those in search of a thrill.
If you are a National Park (NP) fan, Stroudsburg is a great base point for a trip. Stroudsburg is located near the southerly end of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and within a two-hour drive of other NP sites.
NP sites in this region are generally open starting Memorial Day weekend, close in the fall season and are not open every day. Check the park websites to find out what activities/destinations will be available before scheduling your trip!
White water rafting (Class I-III) season typically stretches from May through mid-October (keep an eye on the dam release dates for more rapids)! Most rafting places offer ½-day or full-day rides; one place has under-the-stars rafting!
Bike rentals are also available for reasonable rates, and a shuttle service is available!
Tip: Be sure to check to see what days locations are open! Often, the NP sites close one or two days per week, and other activities are typically only open on weekends until early summer.
On this trip, we visited six National Park units. Here are some highlights and a schedule.
Before You Go (Trip Snapshot)
- Trip length: 2 to 4 days
- Best seasons: Late spring to early fall; foliage peaks late September to mid-October
- Good for: Couples, friends, solo travelers, families with school-age kids
- Vibe: Outdoorsy days, small-town evenings, cozy stays
My take: I’ve visited all 50 US states, and the Poconos stand out for easy access to waterfalls, scenic rail rides, and low-stress planning. It’s an approachable mountain escape.
Where to Stay in the Poconos
Cozy Cabins and A-Frames
- The James Manning House B&B, Bethany: Historic, quiet, great breakfast. Best for couples.
- Pocono Mountains A-Frame Rentals: Modern A-frames with hot tubs and fire pits; confirm 4WD in winter.
- Countryside Cottages near Lake Wallenpaupack: Simple, affordable, close to water.
- Tip: Book at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead for weekends; 8 to 10 during fall foliage.
Boutique Inns and Historic Stays
- The Inn at Jim Thorpe: Walk to shops, dining, and the scenic railway. Ask for a room with a balcony.
- Sayre Mansion, Bethlehem (nearby stopover): Elegant rooms, 45 minutes from Jim Thorpe; good if you’re flying into ABE.
- The Frogtown Inn, Canadensis: Country inn vibe, on-site dining, easy to reach waterfalls.
- Tip: Ask about parking passes if you plan to stay in or near Jim Thorpe.
Family-Friendly Resorts
- Skytop Lodge: Classic mountain resort, hiking, lake, boating, and indoor pool; a good rainy-day base.
- Kalahari Resort: Huge indoor waterpark; convenient dining; expect resort fees and crowds on weekends.
- Woodloch Resort (Hawley): Award-winning family programming, lake activities,-meals-included plans..
- Tip: Compare resort fees and parking costs; they add up.
Practical Notes
- Pet-friendly stays are common, but expect a fee.
- Many cabins have well water. Bring a Brita or bottled water if you’re picky.
- Winter stays: confirm 4WD access and road plowing with your host.
Best Places to Eat
Breakfast and Coffee
- Muggles’ Mug Coffee Shop, Jim Thorpe: Fun theme, good lattes; go early on weekends.
- Cocoon Coffee House, Hawley: Great pastries and breakfast sandwiches near the Silk Mill.
- Village Diner, Delaware Water Gap: Classic diner plates before a hiking day.
Lunch
- Hawley Pie (Hawley): Wood-fired pizza; easy with kids; takeout friendly.
- Notch Eight Craft House, Jim Thorpe: Sandwiches, salads, local beers.
- Derailed Taphouse, East Stroudsburg: Burgers and wings; TVs for game days.
Dinner
- Moya, Jim Thorpe: Seasonal menu, intimate; book ahead Friday and Saturday.
- The Settlers Inn, Hawley: Farm-to-table; cozy dining room; nice for a date night.
- Garlic Restaurant & Bar, Tannersville: Big portions, lively vibe; reservations recommended.
Treats
- Asa Packer Mansion area ice cream stands, Jim Thorpe: Quick cones after sightseeing.
- Mill Market at Hawley Silk Mill: Gelato and sweets; browse shops after.
- Chantilly Goods, Blakeslee: Old-fashioned soda fountain and ice cream.
Day 1: Saturday
12:30 pm –1:30 pm: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Zane Grey is notably known as a Western adventure novelist. The Zane Grey Museum took us about 20 minutes to explore.
Short films are available to view (we did not do this). The Museum provides lovely views of the Upper Delaware River, one of the longest and cleanest free-flowing rivers in the eastern United States.
Roebling Delaware Aqueduct (aka Roebling Bridge), is the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the US.
Being a civil engineer, I find bridges always interesting, and this bridge is no exception—it is a National Civil Engineering Landmark! The bridge was opened in 1849 and has been converted, so you can walk and drive over it today!
Roebling Bridge Toll House is located on the New Jersey side of the bridge. It is a little building with some historic information inside of it.
Tips: Everything is free at the above-mentioned locations! Cell service is spotty in this area.
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Millbrook Village is open seasonally, with buildings only open on the weekends. The peak population of Millbrook Village was about 75 inhabitants in 1875. The park relies largely on volunteers.
We spent roughly 2 hours exploring the buildings and talking to the volunteers.
Tip: Road 739 was very rough, and there is a $1 toll to cross the bridge at Dingmans Ferry. Millbrook Days takes place in September.
5:00pm-6:00pm: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kittatinny Point Visitor Center is home to the covenant NSP passport stamp for the area. There are some displays and numerous rangers on hand to answer any questions you might have.
Tips: Parking is often hard to find between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends—plan accordingly. There is a shuttle service available.
Day 2: Sunday
9 am-11 am: Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt. The grounds and Old Orchard Museum are free to visit; however, you will need a ticket to access the interior of the home.
Tip: A limited number of tickets are available and tend to sell out before noon ($10/ticket for age 15 and over, free for youth). Arrive early to get tickets or reserve in advance. No interior building photography is allowed. Check out the virtual tour.
The park is currently open Wednesday through Sunday. House tours last 45 minutes to one hour. A ¾ mile round trip nature trail that takes you down to the beach is available. Allow up to an hour to visit the Old Orchard Museum.
Note: Cell phone coverage is limited at this location.
1 pm-2:30 pm: Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Thomas Edison National Historical Park is open Thursday through Sunday. The main laboratory is a large complex consisting of 3 floors of exhibits.
Exhibits include artifacts from the collection, phonograph gallery, precision machine shop areas, heavy machine shop areas, music rooms, and libraries.
Each building on site has information posted and placed on a sign. If staffing allows, additional buildings are open to the public.
The Glenmont home is available for tours; however, tickets sell out quickly and cannot be reserved in advance.
Tip: Arrive early to get tickets to tour the Glenmont House.
3 pm-4:30 pm: Morristown National Historical Park
Morristown has a few places to visit. The same 15-minute video plays at the Washington Headquarters Museum and the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center. There are three exhibit galleries in Washington’s Headquarters Museum.
Hiking is available at the Jockey Hollow portion of the site. You can also visit the John Wick home in the Jockey Hollow area.
The Ford Mansion – Washington’s Headquarters, is open for guided tours only. Tickets for the tour are available at the Washington Headquarters Museum. The Mansion is one of the oldest house museums in the United States.
The park was more interesting than I had expected. It honors the site where the Continental Army wintered from December 1779 to June 1780, the coldest winter on record.
Tip: Ford Mansion tickets sell out quickly; plan to arrive early to get tickets.
Day 3: Monday
8 am-8:30 am: Resica Falls
Resica is a free waterfall located on the Resica Fall Scout Reservation. It is beautiful and easy to find and navigate.
9 am-12 pm: Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls, or as it claims, “The Niagara of Pennsylvania,” is a privately owned area that comprises many waterfalls. Admission to the falls rates varies depending on what day of the week you visit and your age.
There are also many other activities you can pay to participate in – mining for gemstones, mini-golf, fishing, paddleboat rental…
Four hiking options exist once you enter the park. The shortest hike is 15 minutes long, and the longest is 2.5 hours long.
The area closest to where you entered was the most packed, but the trails were enjoyable once you got out of the crowds.
Tip: Despite large parking lots, you will have the best odds of finding parking before noon.
1 pm-6 pm: Delaware Water Gap Hiking Trails
We spent the afternoon trying out a few hikes in the area. Again, many trails closed because of storm damage, but we tried to make the best of it!
We hiked the following trails in the Slatesford, PA area:
Arrow Island Trail (0.9 miles, one way)
Slateford Trail (composed of a few loop trails)
Appalachian Trail: Lake Lenape (there is a 10.6-mile loop)
Day 4: Tuesday
We headed into New York City to catch some National Park Services Sites.
9 am-10 am: St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site
St. Paul's Church tours are available at certain times of the day, or you could get lucky as we did and be able to hop into a school group tour; regardless, you should be able to walk around the interior of the church and the church grounds.
Tip: Parking is very limited; plan accordingly. Consider public transportation.
The church served as a hospital during the Revolutionary War, and the church Cemetery is one of the oldest in the nation – dating back to at least 1704.
Unfortunately, the timing did not work out for us to check out the church tower walk. The tower walk allows you to climb up the staircase to the 250-year-old metal bell, one of the oldest in the United States (1758).
The bell was hidden during the Revolutionary War despite being ordered to remove all church bells so they could be melted down and cast into cannons.
During the war, the wooden church was torn down for firewood. The church was rebuilt, and the bell returned from safekeeping.
12 pm-2 pm: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park / Paterson Museum
Paterson Great Falls is a relatively new National Park Service unit. Parking is available at the visitor center and many other places in the area. The visitor center also had a few videos to watch.
A self-guided walking tour takes you around the area of the falls. The Great Falls of the Passaic River is a National Natural Landmark. Excellent views are provided from Overlook Park and Mary Ellen Kramer Park.
You are welcome to take a stroll through Upper Raceway Park, a National Engineering Landmark, to view the raceway system that was constructed to take advantage of water power and some of the mills that were served by it.
The City of Paterson was the world’s first planned city of innovation. Alexander Hamilton founded it; you probably know the name mostly because he’s the guy on a ten-dollar bill.
His life story is rather interesting; you may want to visit the national park site that was created in his honor – Hamilton Grange National Memorial, which is located in New York City.
Nearby, visit the Paterson Museum. The museum is free (as is parking), and there are many exhibits to see.
The glowing rock display is really neat. A black-light charges the rocks, which causes them to glow once the light is turned off. If you need help, ask the museum staff!
Tip: Download the walking tour app before leaving the Paterson Great Falls visitor center for your private tour.
3 Easy Hikes with Great Payoff
If you are looking to spend more time out on the trails, check out these options!
Raymondskill Falls Loop (Milford)
- Distance: 0.7 miles roundtrip; easy to moderate with stairs
- Why go: Tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania; multiple viewing platforms
- Tip: Arrive before 10 a.m.; parking is limited
Tumbling Waters Trail, Pocono Environmental Education Center (Dingmans Ferry)
- Distance: 3 miles loop; moderate
- Why go: Forest, stream views, and a lovely falls; quieter than the big-name spots
- Tip: Counterclockwise offers gentler climbs
Glen Onoko Falls Trail Alternative: Switchback Rail-Trail + Lehigh Gorge Overlooks (Jim Thorpe)
- Distance: Choose-your-own, mostly flat gravel
- Why go: Scenic river views without the steep scramble; family-friendly
- Tip: Start near the Jim Thorpe trailhead; bike rentals available in town
Jim Thorpe Half-Day Plan
- Park at the county lot by the train station before 10 a.m.
- Coffee at Muggles’ Mug, then stroll Broadway and Race Street
- Photo stops: Stone Row, Opera House facade, bridge by the station
- Optional: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway ride (buy tickets early on weekends)
- Shop local: Galleries and boutiques along Broadway
- Casual lunch at Notch Eight or grab slices and eat by the river
Quick Tips for a Smoother Trip
- Crowds: Arrive at trailheads before 9 a.m. on weekends, especially in fall.
- Packing: Lightweight rain jacket, bug spray, grippy shoes; microspikes in winter.
- Navigation: Cell service drops in wooded areas; download offline maps.
- Safety: Waterfall rocks are slick even when dry. Keep a safe distance at overlooks.
- Money: Some small shops are cash-preferred; ATMs may run out during events.
- Seasonal note: Foliage weekends book out early; weekdays are calmer and cheaper.
FAQ's
Do I need reservations for dinner? On weekends, yes after 6 p.m.; weekdays are more flexible.
Where should I park in Jim Thorpe? The main lot by the station is easiest; bring cash or card for pay stations.
Are there easy hikes with good views? Yes. Choose short waterfall loops or overlooks near parking areas. If you want, I can add 3 specific trails with distances and elevation.
Is the Poconos good for solo travel? Yes. Stick to popular trails, start early, and share your plan with someone.
What’s the best time to visit? Late May to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October for weather and views.
Roundup: Pocono Region Activities
As you can see, there are a plethora of things to do and see in the Pocono Region! Where will your adventure take you? Action-packed adventures, relaxation, or historical sites…
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