Discover the Poconos: Pennsylvania's Ultimate Playground for Nature Lovers and Thrill Seekers

Tucked into the rolling highlands of northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains have long served as one of the Northeast's most beloved escapes. Whether you're drawn by the sound of cascading waterfalls, the smell of pine forests after rain, the roar of a NASCAR engine, or the quiet rhythm of a 19th-century farm, the Poconos deliver with remarkable generosity. This is a region that refuses to be defined by a single experience ?" and that, perhaps, is its greatest gift to travelers.

From family-friendly lakeside retreats to adrenaline-fueled racetracks, from Victorian mansions to underground coal mines, the Pocono Mountains offer a depth of discovery that surprises even seasoned visitors. Here, we've curated the ten best things to do in the Poconos, Pennsylvania ?" a definitive guide to making the most of every moment in this spectacular corner of the Keystone State.

1. Bushkill Falls: The Niagara of Pennsylvania

No visit to the Poconos is complete without standing at the edge of Bushkill Falls, the region's most iconic natural landmark. Nestled in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Leman Township, this privately owned park has been welcoming visitors since 1904, and it shows no signs of losing its magic. The centerpiece ?" a dramatic main waterfall plunging over 100 feet ?" earns its legendary nickname, "the Niagara of Pennsylvania," with ease.

What sets Bushkill Falls apart from a simple scenic overlook is its remarkable breadth. The park encompasses approximately 300 acres and features not one but eight distinct waterfalls, each with its own character. Bridal Veil Falls and Pennell Falls are particular standouts, offering perspectives that feel genuinely different from the main cascade. A well-designed network of hiking trails ensures that visitors of all fitness levels can find their own relationship with the landscape: the short, accessible Green Trail leads directly to the main falls, the Yellow Trail extends to the lower gorge and takes roughly 45 minutes, while the Red Trail spans nearly two miles and rewards hikers with views of all eight falls over approximately two hours.

Beyond the trails, Bushkill Falls functions as a full family destination. Paddle boating, fishing, miniature golf, and educational exhibits on local wildlife and Native American history round out the experience. A picnic area and an on-site fudge kitchen add a charming, unhurried quality to the visit. Admission is $20 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $10 for children aged four to ten. The park operates from April through November, making it an ideal spring or summer anchor for any Poconos itinerary.

2. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Nature on a Grand Scale

If Bushkill Falls offers nature in a concentrated, curated form, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area presents it in sweeping, almost overwhelming abundance. Stretching across both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, this vast protected landscape covers more than 70,000 acres of forests, ridgelines, river corridors, and wetlands ?" a genuine wilderness playground just a couple of hours from New York City.

The Delaware River is the beating heart of the recreation area, providing a natural highway for canoeists and kayakers of every skill level. Guided trips are available for beginners, while experienced paddlers can chart their own course through some of the region's most scenic water corridors. Hikers are equally well served: the challenging Red Dot Trail rewards those who tackle it with breathtaking views into the Delaware Water Gap itself, while the Blue Blaze Trail offers a more moderate experience with scenic overlooks that invite contemplative pauses.

Wildlife watchers will want to plan their visits for early morning or late afternoon, when deer, black bears, and dozens of bird species are most active along the trails. In summer, three designated swimming beaches ?" Turtle Beach, Smithfield Beach, and Milford Beach ?" offer lifeguarded swimming in a setting that feels worlds away from the crowded resort pool. Three visitor centers provide orientation, safety information, and park history, with Kittatinny Point standing out for its spectacular views of the Water Gap itself.

The Delaware Water Gap is not just about recreation ?" it's a place where visitors can immerse themselves in nature's tranquility while enjoying a remarkable range of outdoor activities.

3. Pocono Raceway: High-Octane Thrills at the Tricky Triangle

For travelers who find their pulse quickening at the sound of a racing engine, Pocono Raceway is a pilgrimage destination. Known affectionately as "the Tricky Triangle" for its unusual three-cornered configuration, this iconic circuit has hosted major NASCAR events for decades, drawing thousands of passionate fans to the Pennsylvania highlands each summer. The unique track layout ?" with three distinct turns, each with different banking and character ?" creates racing drama that few other venues can match.

But Pocono Raceway isn't merely a spectator destination. The facility offers stock car driving experiences that allow visitors to climb behind the wheel of a NASCAR-style vehicle and navigate the legendary circuit under professional guidance ?" an opportunity that transforms passive fans into active participants. Race weekends expand the experience further, with interactive exhibits, food vendors, and entertainment options designed to keep families engaged well beyond the green flag.

Throughout the year, the raceway also hosts motorcycle races and driving schools, ensuring that Motorsport enthusiasm has a home in the Poconos regardless of the season. Whether you're cheering from the grandstands or gripping a steering wheel yourself, Pocono Raceway delivers excitement in its purest, most unfiltered form.

4. Lake Wallenpaupack: Serenity Meets Adventure

Pennsylvania's third-largest lake, Lake Wallenpaupack offers 50 miles of shoreline and a remarkably diverse menu of activities that make it one of the Poconos' most versatile destinations. Whether you arrive seeking adrenaline or tranquility ?" or both, in succession ?" the lake and its surrounding area will meet you precisely where you are.

Water enthusiasts can rent kayaks or paddleboards from outfitters like Pocono Action Sports to explore the calm, clear waters at their own pace. Pontoon boats available from Lighthouse Harbor Marina transform an afternoon into a leisurely family outing. Fishing is enormously popular, with bass, trout, and walleye all present in healthy numbers. For those craving more intensity, water skiing and tubing provide the necessary thrill.

On shore, the Palmyra Township Public Beach offers a sandy shoreline, shallow swimming areas, a playground, and picnic facilities ?" an ideal setup for families with young children. Hikers should seek out the 1.8-mile Wallenpaupack Lake Trail for panoramic lake views, or venture into Shuman Point Natural Area for shaded, wildlife-rich exploration. As the day winds down, an evening cruise with Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours provides a graceful, unhurried way to watch the sun set over the water while absorbing the area's rich local history.

5. Camelback Mountain: A Four-Season Destination

Few destinations in the Poconos demonstrate the region's year-round appeal as vividly as Camelback Mountain. In winter, it operates as one of the Northeast's premier ski and snowboard resorts, with 39 diverse trails serviced by 16 lifts and night skiing available on all runs. The resort's snow tubing park ?" one of the largest in the United States with over 40 lanes ?" draws dedicated fans on its own merits, and the addition of Galactic Tubing after sunset gives the experience an almost otherworldly dimension.

The Camelback Ski and Ride Academy offers lessons across all experience levels, from first-timers to those looking to sharpen advanced technique, with specialized programs for children and families ensuring that no one gets left behind on the learning curve.

When the snow melts, Camelback undergoes a remarkable transformation. Camel Beach, Pennsylvania's largest outdoor water park, takes center stage, featuring more than 37 rides, slides, and attractions. Summer adventures on the mountain itself include a thrilling mountain coaster, zip lines, ATV tours, and Segway experiences ?" proof that Camelback's ambitions extend far beyond any single season. For families planning a Poconos trip, this versatile destination deserves serious consideration regardless of when you travel.

6. The Asa Packer Mansion Museum: Victorian Grandeur in Jim Thorpe

The charming borough of Jim Thorpe ?" often called the "Switzerland of America" for its dramatic hillside setting ?" is itself worth the journey, but the Asa Packer Mansion Museum provides a compelling focal point for the visit. Built in 1861 for industrialist and philanthropist Asa Packer at a cost of $14,000 ?" an extraordinary sum for the era ?" the three-story mansion is a masterwork of Italianate architecture designed by Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan.

Packer's life story is as compelling as the building itself. Beginning his career making canal boats, he ultimately became a millionaire who founded boatyards, mining companies, the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and Lehigh University. The mansion he built reflects that extraordinary arc, with a red ribbed tin roof, a central cupola, intricate wooden brackets, Gothic window arches, and trefoil motifs throughout. Inside, fine wood carvings by European artisans speak to both the wealth and the cosmopolitan taste of the Packer family. Stained glass windows in the main hall and dining room add a luminous, almost spiritual quality to interiors that have been preserved with exceptional care.

For visitors with an appetite for American history and Victorian architecture, the Asa Packer Mansion Museum offers one of the Poconos' most genuinely educational and aesthetically rewarding experiences.

7. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway: A Journey Through Living History

There are few more civilized ways to experience the Poconos' natural splendor than from the comfort of a restored train car winding through Lehigh Gorge State Park. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway offers a 16-mile excursion through a landscape of lush forests, the rushing Lehigh River, and seasonal waterfalls ?" a journey that is particularly spectacular in autumn, when the surrounding foliage erupts into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.

Passengers can choose from standard coach seating with large viewing windows, Crown Class with more spacious appointments, or open-air coaches for those who want to feel the breeze and capture unobstructed photographs. Throughout the journey, conductors provide engaging commentary on the area's history and wildlife, weaving the natural beauty outside the windows into a richer narrative context. Onboard amenities ?" including restrooms and a concession stand ?" ensure that comfort is maintained for the duration of the ride.

The railway also connects passengers to the broader heritage of the region, reflecting the industrial railroading history that shaped the Lehigh Valley in the 19th century. It's a journey that moves through time as much as through landscape.

8. Hickory Run State Park, the Number Nine Coal Mine, and Quiet Valley Farm: Rounding Out the Pocono Experience

The Poconos' final trio of must-visit destinations reveals the region's remarkable range ?" from geological wonder to industrial heritage to living agricultural history.

Hickory Run State Park

At nearly 16,000 acres, Hickory Run State Park is one of Pennsylvania's great natural treasures. Its most extraordinary feature is Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark: a vast expanse of boulders deposited by the Laurentide continental glacier thousands of years ago. It's a landscape that feels genuinely primordial, and it makes for extraordinary photography. Beyond Boulder Field, more than 40 miles of hiking trails traverse dense forests, rocky inclines, and scenic waterfalls, while a 19-hole disc golf course, trout fishing streams, and camping facilities cater to a wide range of outdoor interests.

Number Nine Coal Mine and Museum

In Lansford, the Number Nine Coal Mine offers something genuinely rare: direct, experiential access to Pennsylvania's anthracite coal mining heritage. As one of the oldest continuously operated anthracite mines in North America, it takes visitors on guided underground tours that cover approximately half a mile and last about an hour. The on-site museum deepens the experience with artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that document the lives of the miners and the communities built around the coal industry ?" a chapter of Pennsylvania history that deserves to be remembered and understood.

Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm

For families with children, or anyone with a genuine curiosity about early American rural life, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm near Stroudsburg is an immersive and deeply human experience. This living history museum preserves the agricultural traditions of Pennsylvania German culture from the 19th century, with guides in period clothing leading tours of a farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings. Interactions with farm animals ?" goats, sheep, chickens, pigs ?" are a particular highlight for young visitors. Workshops in traditional crafts like candle making, weaving, and gardening, along with seasonal harvest festivals, transform a simple museum visit into genuine participation in a vanished way of life.

Planning Your Pocono Mountains Escape

The Pocono Mountains are, above all, a region of abundance ?" abundant scenery, abundant activity, and abundant opportunity for the kind of authentic, unhurried experiences that feel increasingly rare in contemporary travel. Whether you're chasing the thunder of a NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway, standing quietly at the edge of Bushkill Falls listening to the roar of water over ancient rock, or learning to identify a black bear's track on a Hickory Run trail, the Poconos meet you with something genuine.

The region is accessible year-round, with each season bringing its own particular rewards. Summer brings water parks, lake activities, and hiking trails in full green splendor. Autumn transforms the gorges and ridgelines into galleries of color. Winter delivers skiing, snow tubing, and cozy fireside retreats. Spring breathes life back into the waterfalls and wildflower meadows. Whatever month you choose, the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania stand ready to exceed your expectations ?" and very likely to bring you back again.