By: Emily Whalen
Take advantage of the warm weather and long hours of daylight while they last. Treat yourself to an end-of-summer vacation in the Pocono Mountains! Whether you’re looking for exciting events, fresh-air adventure or charming small town strolls, we’ve got regional itinerary suggestions to help you have a great Labor Day weekend.
The Pocono region encompasses 2,400 square miles and four counties in Pennsylvania, which means there’s a lot to see and do! We’ve packed one county per day into the itinerary below, but feel free to pick and choose your favorites and take your trip at a more leisurely pace. You could always extend your four-day weekend to take advantage of midweek deals or plan to come again to discover more and experience another season.
Friday: Explore Historic Jim Thorpe
Saturday: Get Outdoors in the Heart of the Poconos
Sunday: Experience Milford and Lake Wallenpaupack
Monday: Discover Hawley and Honesdale
Friday: Explore Historic Jim Thorpe
Morning: Hop aboard the Jim Thorpe Trolley Company for a tour of the historic town of Jim Thorpe and the beautiful surrounding area! It’s the perfect way to learn about the area’s rich past while taking in the local landscape. The trolley makes a continuous loop, and the Historic Trolley Tour Pass allows for unlimited re-boarding. You can park for free at Penn’s Peak, and when you’re ready to eat, why not grab some lunch at Roadies Restaurant while enjoying the panoramic view.
Afternoon: Step back in time and experience an authentic coal mine as you journey 1,600 feet into the mountain while touring No. 9 Mine & Museum. Visitors can walk the “mule-way” and examine the original mine shaft, opened in 1855 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. If you’re hungry, the nearby Coal Miners’ Bar & Grill is a great place to grab wings, burgers and more.
Evening: Take time during your visit to stroll through the picturesque streets of town! Embark on the self-guided Jim Thorpe Walking Tour to take in the local sights. You’ll pass the imposing Victorian train station, home to the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, the Old Jail Museum, where one of the most infamous events in Jim Thorpe’s history took place, plus beautiful historic structures that have been given new life, like the Marion Hose Bar which is located in the old brick fire house. It’s a great spot to grab some evening drinks, or you can find brews and food at Broadway Grille & Pub or Molly Maguires Pub and Steakhouse.
When it comes to places to stay, Jim Thorpe boasts a wide variety of accommodations, from Hotel Switzerland, founded in 1830 and the oldest commercial building operating in Jim Thorpe, to charming bed and breakfasts like Dolon House or Times House.
Saturday: Get Outdoors in the Heart of the Poconos
Morning: A great way to get outside and experience the beautiful forests and hills in our region–with some extra action and challenge thrown in–is to plan an outing to an adventure park! Test your skills on a treetop ropes course, zip line or rock climbing wall. Adventure Center at Skytop Lodge, Camelback Mountain Adventures, Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures and Pocono TreeVentures all offer fantastic thrills.
Afternoon: Spend the daylight hours canoeing or kayaking on the Delaware River. Adventure Sports, Chamberlain Canoes and Edge of the Woods Outfitters all service guided trips downstream. Choose from a variety of day rentals, including tubing and rafting, and set out for a calming ride on the river. Pets are welcome; be sure to call ahead to confirm the details of your trip!
Evening: After all that fresh air, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. Feast on authentic Peruvian dishes at Inti Cuisine, and grab a scoop at Llama Ice Cream afterwards. You’ll find plenty more dining and drinks options in downtown Stroudsburg, like Siamsa Irish Pub.
Time for a good night’s rest! Whether you’d like to sleep under the stars at a local campground like Mountain Vista Campground or check into a historic hotel like The Penn Stroud, you’ll find lots of welcoming lodgings in the area.
Sunday: Experience Milford and Lake Wallenpaupack
Morning: Follow the Delaware River north as you journey into the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Beat the crowds and enjoy the fresh mountain air on a morning hike. Both Pocono Environmental Education Center and Bushkill Falls feature waterfalls on their trails. Remember to visit responsibly and leave no trace.
Afternoon: Continue into charming Milford for lunch and some sightseeing. Watch small town life go by as you dine out on the porch at Bar Louis at the Hotel Fauchere, Tom Quick Inn Restaurant, or The Dimmick Inn.
The beautiful buildings throughout town make these streets ideal for an afternoon stroll. Columns Museum houses the Pike County Historical Society as well as all sorts of treasures from the past. Once home to Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark is located nearby, with incredible grounds to explore.
Evening: Ever tried paddleboarding? Located about half an hour away from Milford, Lake Wallenpaupack is the perfect place to find your balance. Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour & Boat Rentals and Pine Crest Marina both offer paddleboard rentals until 6 p.m.
As the sun sinks below the horizon, catch a stunning summer sunset over the water as you enjoy dinner at The Dock on Wallenpaupack or The Boat House.
Whether staying along the shore or in the surrounding countryside, accommodations near Lake Wallenpaupack are sure to please!
Monday: Discover Hawley and Honesdale
Morning: Don’t leave the Pocono Mountains without indulging in our farm-to-table dining! Whether growing their own herbs or partnering with nearby farms, local farm-to-table restaurants are committed to sustainability and serve up meals featuring fresh, regional flavors. Handcrafted, signature dishes make for the perfect breakfast or brunch at The Settlers Inn, Cocoon Coffeehouse & Bakery and TREE Restaurant and Bar.
Afternoon: You never know what you’ll discover at local shops, boutiques, antique stores and galleries throughout the northern end of the Poconos. Hunt through Hawley Silk Mill and Penny Lane Candies & Candles in Hawley or track down unique gifts at Gather and Wallflower in Honesdale.
Evening: Bring your own wheels and enjoy a bike ride and a beautiful sunset at Prompton State Park. Trails are open until dusk, with 26 miles of varying terrain waiting to be pedaled. This park’s paths are more on the challenging side, so be sure to wear your helmet and watch out for other cyclers during the evening adventure.
Choose from a combination of these activities to create your own holiday weekend itinerary! Looking for even more ideas? Browse our calendar of events! Stroudfest and the Greene Dreher Sterling Fair take place during Labor Day weekend this year.
Take advantage of our area’s renowned resorts, historic hotels, charming bed and breakfasts and tranquil campgrounds to give yourself more time to explore, and don’t forget to sample delicious local dining during your trip. You’ll find plenty of exciting experiences to end the summer right in the Pocono Mountains.
Emily Whalen is the Communications Manager for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. A small town coffee shop connoisseur and lifelong lover of the mountains, she is excited to share tips to help visitors make the most of their stay in the Poconos.
