6 Most Eccentric Towns in the Poconos
The small alpine towns of the Pocono Mountains each have their own distinctive character but they do have something in common - these quirky communities all share the same spirit of resilience, respect for nature, and pride in their history and heritage. Around 30 million people visit the beautiful Poconos every year, enjoying the spectacular scenery and unique attractions of this stunning part of Pennsylvania. Here in these small towns, nestled among the peaks, you’ll find adventure, family-friendly fun, pristine wilderness, and lots of Pocono personality.
Jim Thorpe
Previously known as Mauch Chunk, Jim Thorpe is a small mountain town with a quirky name and an unusual history. Founded in 1818, this quaint community was originally a coal mining town. It changed its name in 1954 to honor Olympian and Native American athlete Jim Thorpe who is buried in town and celebrated every year with a spring festival.
There are several beautiful landmarks around town for history lovers, including Stone Row, 13 well preserved row houses built in 1848 for the staff of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The 1882 Mauch Chunk Opera House, one of America’s oldest operating vaudeville theaters, and the Old Jail Museum are also well worth a visit.
If you’re in the mood for something more adventurous, take an adrenalin-filled trip on the Lehigh River with Pocono Whitewater Adventures or hike/bike the Switchback Railroad, one of the most historic and scenic trails in Pennsylvania's Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. You can also see the breathtaking landscape around Jim Thorpe from the comfort of a vintage rail carriage on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad. This narrated roundtrip travels over the Lehigh River, through Glen Onoko, and into the Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Weissport
Close to Jim Thorpe is another picturesque town with a very eccentric event in the calendar. Visit Weissport in spring and you’ll be surrounded by Nordic warriors at the town’s Ragnarok Viking Festival. Celebrating the spring equinox, the event includes games, costumes, Scandinavian food, reenactments, and presentations on Norse mythology.
The festival takes place at the Hofford Mill, a popular year-round attraction. The mill features a farm-to-table eatery, a coffee bar, and an ebike rental. Continue your shopping over the Lehigh River at Country Junction, the world’s largest general store. The store is also a busy event space which regularly hosts seasonal activities such as the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival and Santa’s Gingerbread Party.
You can pick up the legendary D&L Trail from Weissport Trailhead. This beautiful 165 mile hiking and biking pathway traverses the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and showcases some of the Pocono’s most stunning natural attractions, winding through mountains, over gorges, and along rivers.
Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg is an eclectic community founded in 1815 which has grown into a thriving arts and cultural hub. Known for its historic downtown, packed with beautiful examples of 19th century architecture, this is where you’ll find the iconic Sherman Theater. Operating since 1913, it offers a busy schedule of live music, theater, concerts, and the American Ribbon Manufacturers, one of the largest ribbon collections in the Northeast as well as fabrics, crafts, and hobby supplies.
Just outside town, the Quiet Valley Historical Farm is a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. This interactive museum recreates a 19th century Pennsylvania German homestead with staff in period clothing, tours, special events, and a gift shop full of unique souvenirs.
Delaware Water Gap
Aerial Drone of Mount Tammany.
Known as the gateway to the eastern Poconos, Delaware Water Gap is how the mountains got their name—Pocono is the native American word for ‘stream between two mountains’. This beautiful town has been drawing visitors to the area since its founding in 1793 and quickly became known as a scenic ‘wonder of the world’.
See the wonders for yourself at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, open year-round for hiking, paddling, fishing, hunting, and camping. Check out the area’s many cascading waterfalls, the highlight of which is three-tiered Raymondskill Falls, the state’s tallest waterfall.
Back in town, step into the past and see a little of its rich history at the Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery on Main Street, housed in a 19th century brick schoolhouse. See more sights aboard the Pocono Historic Trolley Tour which departs from the 1906 Castle Inn and journeys around local landmarks with a narrated tour.
Honesdale
Known as the birthplace of the American railroad, Honesdale is a busy town that blends old and new, adding a drop of Pennsylvania charm into the mix. Hop on the Stourbridge Line, which departs from Main Street, to get a feel for the area and admire its breathtaking scenery. This vintage rail tour goes through the beautiful Lackawaxen River Valley and is especially stunning in leaf-peeping season when the fall foliage dazzles. For more beautiful scenes, head to Prompton State Park or climb Irving Cliff for panoramic views over the town.
In the winter, Honesdale is paradise for skiers with several cross-country trails to explore. The town takes the Christmas holiday season very seriously thanks to one famous former resident, Dick Smith who wrote the classic tune, Walking in a Winter Wonderland. In summer, the fun continues with the Wayne County Fair, featuring bull riding, fairground rides, live music, and lots more.
Bushkill
The boardwalk and stairs through Bushkill Falls canyon that located in Northeast Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in the United States.
Bushkill is home to the ‘Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania’, the towering Bushkill Falls reaches almost 100 feet and is surrounded by several other waterfalls and over two miles of walking trails. You can also stretch your legs or take your bike along the McDade Recreational Trail which runs through the Delaware Water Gap through farm fields, forests, and riverbanks.
For something a little different, stop by the Bushkill Riding Stables to enjoy the scenery on horseback or venture above the canopy for a thrill seeking adventure with Pocono Zip Racer where you can fly through the air at 35 miles per hour on the 1,000 foot dual racing zip lines.
Get Packing for a Trip to the Poconos
Typical tourists visiting the Poconos spend most of their time outdoors—birdwatching in the Delaware Water Gap, hiking the Bushkill Falls, rafting the Lehigh River Gorge, or biking the Lackawaxen River Valley. While enjoying the natural splendor of this pristine wilderness, don’t forget to spend some time in its quirky communities. These unique alpine towns offer memorable vacations packed with family fun, historical eccentricities, arts, and culture. Beautiful and inviting year-round, it’s easy to see why the Pocono Mountains are one of the top vacation spots in the United States.
