Spanning 2,400 square miles, the Pocono Mountains is an outdoor lovers paradise, while also featuring charming small towns with downtowns boasting unique shops, beautiful art galleries, and restaurants with menus based on the freshest local ingredients. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of seasonal sports or the tranquility of nature, the Pocono Mountains deliver. With four indoor waterpark resorts, six ski resorts, and endless hiking, biking, boating, and rafting options set against the backdrop of stunning natural landscapes, adventure knows no season. Visitors craving a more relaxing retreat can explore the Pocono Beverage Trail's 25 wineries, breweries, and distilleries, or wander through the region’s charming small towns such as Stroudsburg, Hawley, and Milford.
Less than a 2.5-hour drive from both Philadelphia and New York City, we have put together a 48-hour getaway guide that maps out some of our favorite and top picks to see, do, and devour to help you pack the most into your trip to the Pocono Mountains.
Please note, this itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Before you depart on The Great American Getaway to the Pocono Mountains, we highly recommend you check the websites of our suggested places to visit for any seasonal hours of operation and available offerings.
Day One
Afternoon — Begin your Pocono Mountains adventures with a delicious lunch at the Sycamore Grille in Delaware Water Gap. Known for serving up American favorites from wings and burgers to steaks and fresh seafood, the restaurant also boasts a full bar with a mouthwatering list of martinis, specialty drinks, and wide variety of beer but you might want to hold off on a boozy concoction until after you adventure in the great outdoors is done for the day.
After a hardy lunch, venture to Mount Minsi and stretch your legs on a scenic hike along the Appalachian Trail. Choose from two routes for this challenging adventure — go rocky and wooded or take the fire road up. When you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Up and back, this is about a five-mile hike.
Evening — Check in to your chosen accommodations (keep scrolling for our picks in Monroe County at the bottom of this page), then explore the charming shops and storefronts in downtown Stroudsburg, such as Pocono Soap where you’ll find a variety of locally made and deliciously scented soaps, the Potting Shed featuring beautiful home décor and plants and everything you need to make your garden grow, and the Apple Tree, a delightful boutique specializing in personal service and styling.
Enjoy a dinner of gastronomic delights at The Moor: Stroudsmoor’s Restaurant where you can indulge your taste buds dining a la carte or opting for their Grand or American Harvest Buffet. Whichever you choose, you are guaranteed not to leave hungry!
After dinner take in a show at the historic Sherman Theater, with a full calendar of entertaining events throughout the year ranging from intimate sets to large-scale concerts with headline acts and even festivals featuring local makers. Or, if you’re with a 21+ crowd, roll the dice and test your luck at Mount Airy Casino, home to more than 1,800 of the latest slot machines and hottest table games.
Day Two
Morning — During warmer months, wake up and drive an hour to Lake Wallenpaupack, grabbing coffee and breakfast bites on the go (keep scrolling for more places to stay in Pike and Wayne counties at the bottom of this page).
Rent a boat from The Boat Shop to make the most of your lake escape, choosing from premium boats, Runabout boats, pontoon boats, or jet skis for a few hours of fun on the lake.
Afternoon — After spending the morning on the water, slip into The Dock for a delightful lunch. Take in spectacular views of Lake Wallenpaupack while you enjoy your pick of water-inspired entrees or classic comfort foods including soups, snacks, salads, sandwiches, and light bites.
In the afternoon, cheers to your getaway with beautifully crafted artisanal wines at Three Hammers Winery. Located on 15 acres in Hawley, the winery, 1820 Farmhouse, and beautiful grounds are open year-round for you to savor tastings, walk the trails, or simply sit back and relax in and Adirondack chair by their pond.
Evening — Splurge on a fine dining experience among the treetops at TREE Restaurant & Bar. Located in the Lodge at Woodloch, they feature a diverse menu of creatively prepared gourmet dishes crafted from naturally raised meats and fish and organic, locally grown vegetables. Pair your meal with a selection from their award-winning wine list or a cocktail from the bar. If you’re looking for an interactive atmosphere to end the night, their Chef's Kitchen offers cooking demonstrations, Chef-hosted dinners, and special seasonal events, so be sure to check their class and activity schedules to see what’s available during your stay. Please note, reservations are required for dinner with a “resort casual” dress code, and guests at The Lodge at Woodloch must be at least 16 years of age.
If you’re looking for an elevated dinner option the whole family can enjoy, dine at The Settlers Inn. The Dining Room and Chestnut Tavern offer a warm ambiance combined with caring service and delicious food.
Day Three
Morning — Hop in the car and take a drive to start your day with a hearty breakfast at Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff in Honesdale. There are more than two dozen flavors of bagels on their breakfast menu to pair with more than a dozen toppings. Opt for one of their delicious breakfast sandwiches, which you can enjoy on a bagel, roll, or wrap.
Next up is a short trip to Pennsylvania Rail Bike where you’ll ride the rails pedaling in a two- or four-seat, custom-made rail car along scenic railway tracks while taking in the picturesque countryside views of Hawley. Their Feel the Power Tour! is electric—literally—and is 10 miles long with a few mild elevation changes, lasting approximately two hours.
Afternoon — Enjoy a laid-back lunch at Wallenpaupack Brewing Company in Hawley, which won three gold awards for having the best beer in the U.S. at the 2022 World Beer Awards. Inspired by the lake and all that it offers, its brewpub and beer garden feature a menu of beers handcrafted on site and in-house prepared foods using locally sourced ingredients.
Before your Great American Getaway to the Pocono Mountains ends, the Dorflinger Glass Museum is a must-visit stop. Here you can admire one of the nation's largest public displays of Dorflinger crystal. The museum maintains elegant displays of fine cut, etched, engraved, gilded, and enameled crystal produced in Christian Dorflinger's factories between 1852 and 1921. An on-site gift shop features an array of wares including glass, jewelry, and handcrafted ornaments so you can take a piece of your getaway home with you.
Add A Day
Not ready for your Great American Getaway to the Pocono Mountains to end? Extend your stay to explore even more fun in PA. Scranton is less than an hour’s drive and it's so much more than just the setting of popular television show, The Office.
Train enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy visiting the Steamtown National Historic Site, the Scranton Iron Furnaces, and touring the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Looking for more outdoor adventures: Lake Scranton provides water recreation and jogging trails, while sports aficionados can join spirited baseball fans as they cheer on minor league's Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field, just a few miles away in Moosic.
Places to Stay
Monroe County
Mountain Springs Lake Resort — Nestled among more than 325 private woodland acres with a private lake and miles of hiking trails, Mountain Springs Lake Resort's charming cottages range from tastefully appointed wood frame cottages to authentic log cabins, natural cedar homes, and beautiful chalets with a 76-acre, spring-fed lake a few steps away. New Hill Suites are luxury lodgings for two, featuring serene baths, modern decor, and floods of natural light.
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort — Rediscover the outdoors at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort and be captivated by its majestic mountain scenery and historic charm. Just two miles from the Delaware Water Gap, the resort sits on the banks of the Delaware River on 250 acres of private property. Built in 1911, this historic retreat has welcomed generations of outdoor enthusiasts and is poised to write a new chapter in its celebrated history with modern twists to those beloved pastimes. Accommodations include resort rooms and suites, premium cottages, and tent glamping sites.
The Penn Stroud —Located in the heart of downtown Stroudsburg, you’re just steps away from numerous dining, shopping, art galleries, and entertainment options when you stay at The Penn Stroud. The historic boutique hotel, which originally opened in 1833, was built by a grandson of Jacob Stroud, founder of Stroudsburg. Recently completed renovations have transported this grand dame of hotels into the modern age, ushering in a new standard of modern elegance and service, with spacious, wonderfully appointed guest rooms and suites, and newly upgraded amenities.
Pike County
Babbling Brook Cottages — Escape to the tranquility of nature under a canopy of tall trees with your favorite special someone at Babbling Brook Cottages. Their five private, unique and secluded cabins can be considered the "original" tiny homes are in Dingmans Ferry in the heart of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and only minutes' drive to Bushkill Falls. Each cabin boasts all the modern conveniences including a flat screen HDTV with cable, high speed Wi-Fi, heat and air conditioning, and generator back up power. Enjoy your own private patio or deck, private firepit, and propane grill.
Hotel Fauchère — Located in the heart of Milford's Historic District and within walking distance of outdoor activities, heritage attractions, and shopping, the Hotel Fauchère is a beautiful, European-style boutique hotel. Dating back to 1852, the hotel was meticulously restored in 2006, reopened with contemporary amenities, including luxury hair and skin products, Frette linens, marble and bluestone bathrooms, a day spa, and three restaurants: The Delmonico Room, Bar Louis, and the Patisserie Fauchère.
Lodge at Woodloch — Enjoy an adults-only escape at the Lodge at Woodloch. Each of their 58 rooms offer the simple luxuries and warm comforts expected at an award-winning Pennsylvania resort. Reconnect to creative and stress-relieving outlets that will continue to benefit you long after you leave. This AAA Four Diamond, all-inclusive property offers luxurious accommodations, fitness and wellness classes, outdoor adventures, spa treatments, and cooking classes.
Wayne County
Lukan's Farm Resort — Family owned and operated for more than 70 years, Lukan's Farm Resort provides the comforts of home along with personalized service. Open from Easter weekend through the end of October, the resort is located on more than 250 acres with formal flower gardens, natural wooded areas and meadows, and a farm to table vegetable garden., along with beautiful views of woodlands, mountain vistas, and lakes.
The Settlers Inn — The Settlers Inn is an artfully decorated, craftsman-style property surrounded by lush gardens featuring 23 guest rooms, many with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. It features a spacious rear deck, cozy common areas, and an award-winning, farm-to-table restaurant.
The French Manor Inn and Spa — Another adult getaway, The French Manor has received the AAA Four Diamond Award for the past 18 consecutive years for both accommodations and restaurant. Its restaurant was described in Gourmet Magazine as one of Pennsylvania's Best Restaurants and by the Philadelphia Inquirer as "Dinner Fit for a King." At Le Spa Foret, indulge your senses and your body with a wide range of spa services. Experience the ultimate relaxation retreat complete with a salt water pool, hot tub, dry sauna, and more.
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