7 Top-Rated Small Towns In The Poconos
There's no denying the Pocono Mountains are a special place. The mountains rise to the west of the Delaware River and possess a stunning beauty that attracts tourists every year. One of the best places to see the brilliance of the Pocono mountains is by visiting the small towns. Milford is one of the most popular towns to visit in the Poconos. The town is the perfect mix of stunning natural scenery and historic landmarks. Honesdale is another town combining natural beauty and history with its brilliant 108-mile-long canal. Avid hikers will love visiting the Promised Land State Park and Prompton State Park in Hawley. These are only a couple of the most magnificent towns in the area. From nature trails to historic buildings, there is something for everyone in these small towns in the Pocono Mountains.
Milford
An essential town to visit in the Poconos is Milford. The town is a mix of rich history and stunning natural scenery. One of the historical landmarks in the town is the renowned Grey Towers. The towers are the old estate of Governor Gifford Pinchot, and the estate is a National Historic Site.
Milford is also home to a special local treasure, Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in the region. To get a good view of the falls, hike the quick Raymondskill Falls Loop trail. The 0.8-km loop takes around 15 minutes to complete and offers good viewing points of the falls.
Gouldsboro
A picture-perfect Poconos town is Gouldsboro. Artists will love the natural scenery of the town. The area is full of pristine lakes, lush state parks, and dense forests. One of the most popular attractions in Gouldsboro is Gouldsboro State Park. The park offers a variety of trails to hike or bike while enjoying natural scenery. A popular trail to hike is the Old 611 trail. The 1.25-mile trail follows a section of the Route 611, an old abandoned route. At the park, visit Gouldsboro Lake for some water activities, such as kayaking or canoeing. After some outdoor adventures, head back to Gouldsboro and check out the great restaurants. One of the most popular is Murphy's Loft. The rustic log cabin serves delicious dishes for every meal of the day. From sandwiches to pasta, there is a comfort meal for everyone to enjoy.
Hawley
A neighboring town to the beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos is Hawley. The small town is on the north shore of the lake, making it the perfect destination for boaters, anglers, swimmers, and water skiers. There are also places for kayaking and plenty of walking trails. For more walking trails, you can visit Promised Land State Park and Prompton State Park. The park is just a short trip from the town.
In the fall and winter, Hawley hosts some popular events, including the Harvest Hoedown and the Hawley Winter Fest. To enjoy the small-town ambiance Hawley offers, visit The Settlers Inn. The Inn is a popular tourist attraction and part of the Hawley Trail. The trail showcases the town's history on a 5.5. mile trail system, going from Palmyra to the Settlers Inn and leading hikers to Lake Wallenpaupack.
Honesdale
Honesdale is another picturesque town in the Poconos. The small mountain town has a historic charm, with Victorian-style architecture and a 108-mile-long canal. The town relied on waterways for transportation for a good portion of its history. You can learn more about the town's history by visiting the Wayne County Historical Society.
Honesdale also has some of the coolest shops to visit. Gather and Maude & Main Gift Shop are two popular shops to stop at for a souvenir. To see some of the town's natural beauty, visit the exposed rock face, Irving Cliff. You can get to the cliff by hiking up Honesdale Gibbons Memorial Park off Cliff Street. The cliff gets its name from Washington Irving, the author of American classics such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The author used to sit on the cliff to write.
Jim Thorpe
One of the most charming towns in the Poconos is Jim Thorpe. The town has sweeping mountain views and historic architecture. The European-style architecture in Jim Thorpe gave the town its nickname, "The Switzerland of America." The Greek revival mansions, grand opera house, and Richardsonian federal buildings make you feel like you are walking around the streets in Europe. A popular building to visit in the downtown core is the St. Mark's and St. John's Episcopal Church. The church dates back to 1867 and is a brilliant example of masonry architectural style. You can enjoy more of Jim Thorpe's history with a visit to the Number 9 Coal Mine and Memorial. Here, visitors take a train into the mine and see its two-century history. The tour of the mine shows what it was like to be a worker at the time. Afterward, visit the mine museum and see memorabilia such as tools, gasoline cans, blasting machinery, and a clothing wash shack. In December, the town comes alive for Christmas. The Poconos mountain town looks magical, with its historical buildings lit up for the holidays. For three weekends in December, the town has an Olde Time Christmas Festival, where there are many festivities taking place, from carolers and musicians on the streets to holiday shopping and family activities.
Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg is a small town with scenic mountain views and quaint, delicious eateries. A popular shop to stop at in town is Jane's Ice Cream Eatery. The Eatery is an old-fashioned roadside stand serving Jimmy's Ice Cream. The homemade ice cream is the best in town. Another must-go-to eatery is Sarah Street Grill. The restaurant is an American-style grill serving everything from sushi to burgers. There is often live music at the restaurant. Dine indoors and enjoy a brew at the bar.
Stroudsburg also has one of the most charming markets in the Poconos. The Stroudsburg Old Time Market is in front of the Old American Ribbon Company building. They run on Saturdays from May to October and sell everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to flowers and homemade bread. After enjoying the delicious local food, head to Sherman Theater, a cute historic 1920s venue that hosts live music.
Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna is the perfect town in the Poconos for outdoor adventure lovers. The town has Tobyhanna State Park. The park offers activities in all seasons, from swimming in the summer to snowshoeing in the winter and hiking all year round; there is something for every outdoor enthusiast at the park. The park has more than 10 miles of scenic hiking trails. The Lakeside trail is an easy hike. The trail is 5.1 miles around the perimeter of the lake and takes around 2.5 hours to complete. Throughout the year, the park has a variety of programs, such as guided hikes and educational programs. For those interested more in history, there are also tours of historic buildings in Tobyhanna. The tour shows important historical landmarks such as an original farmhouse built in the 18th century and the old sawmill. The sawmill processed timber for the local lumber industry starting in the 18th century.
The magic of the Pocono Mountains is best seen in the area's small towns. The trails at Tobyhanna State Park showcase the stunning vistas of the mountains. Stroudsburg is the place for foodies who love the mountains. One of the most unique Pocono mountain towns is Honesdale, with its 108-mile-long canal. Not only is the canal a natural beauty, but it is an important piece of the town's history. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, history buff, or foodie, these Poconos towns have something for everyone to appreciate.
