If you’re a follower of our Sundance Vacations blog, you’re probably an expert on all that the Poconos has to offer in the fall and the winter—two extremely popular seasons to visit. If you’re looking to vacation in the Poconos, the great thing is that it’s a fantastic travel destination no matter the season! Summer is the perfect time to plan your getaway with your friends and family to experience things you sometimes can’t during the colder months.
Tours
Historic Jim Thorpe Trolley Tours
Whether it’s your first visit or your one-hundredth visit to Jim Thorpe, taking a ride with the Jim Thorpe Trolley Company is a must. Hop aboard an open-air trolley and discover the homey, bustling city of Jim Thorpe. If you enjoy historical tours, this fully narrated ride will carry you through the past, present, and future of the borough. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you can join one of the popular Wine and Shine Tours, which include stops at local wineries, diners, and pubs.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Train Excursions
Take it up a notch and trade in your trolley for a train. From now until September 29, you can purchase a ticket and take a ride in one of the vintage Scenic Railway coaches. Follow the Lehigh River and chug over bridges, through Glen Onoko, and into the Lehigh Gorge State Park. The 70-minute round-trip ride is recurring daily and the regular operating schedule can be found online. If you’d like to observe a train departing the station, you can also view a live stream on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway website.
The Pocono Historic Trolley Tour
Taking it back to trolleys with the Pocono Daytripper’s Historic Trolley Tour. Step back in time to experience the charming atmosphere of the Delaware Water Gap. Points of interest include The Historic Castle Inn, Village of Shawnee-On-Delaware, The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Portland Waterfront Park. This tour provides great opportunities to take photos of notable locations, landmarks, and scenery! Prices for adults and children can be found online, as well as senior and military discounts.
Walks, Hikes, and Scenic Activities
Wednesday Bog Walks
We talk about different hiking trails and outdoor adventures often on our blog, but this is our first time discussing a bog walk! This unique walk, led by an environmental educator, costs $6 per person and carries guests through the Tannersville Cranberry Bog. Learn about the unique plant and animal life that surrounds this protected area every Wednesday until September 13. This unique, natural transformation is well-preserved to prevent it from being lost to time.
Scenic Chairlift Rides
Why pick one place in the Poconos to visit when you can see it all at once? For $10/person, you can soar above the white oak and red maple trees as you glide through the air on the Comet Quad Chairlift. Rides are offered Thursday through Sunday by Blue Mountain Resort. If you’d rather walk the route and soak in the scenery from the ground, it’s about a .6 mile hike, though we recommended trying out this high-flying ride at least once.
Moonlight Rafting
Plan an unforgettable night with Pocono Whitewater Rafting and take your travel party on a moonlight rafting excursion. Gather 4-7 of your closest friends and journey down 8 miles of the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe. Grab a glowstick to light your way as your in-raft river guide leads you through the dimly lit Northeast Pennsylvania wilderness. After your return to the shore, enjoy a bonfire with ooey-gooey smores and delicious drinks! This is perfect if you’re looking for a spot of adventure on your trip to the Poconos.
Date Specific Events
162nd Annual Wayne County Fair
If there’s one thing that Pennsylvania is known for it’s the yearly fairs and festivals, and the Wayne County Fair is one of the most inclusive. Admission into the fair is $12 for those 24 months and older and includes free parking, rides, and most grandstand shows. This year’s entertainment schedule is shaping up to be one of the best with tractor pulls, harness racing, demolition derby, and a mix of bands playing a wide variety of different music!
Sunflower Festival
Nothing screams summer more than bunches and bunches of golden sunflowers! Yenser’s Tree Farm hosts this free, family-friendly festival jam-packed with fun activities. Enjoy a sunny day filled with sunflower mazes, hayrides, local artists, and food trucks. Sunflower season is from mid-to-late August, so this festival will be recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday from August 4 – August 13. Spend a day with the kiddos that they’re sure to love.
169th Bloomsburg Fair
If you’re a local, you know that one of the best things about the Bloomsburg Fair is the copious amount of mouthwatering food. NEPA’rogi, Difebo’s Hot Sausage, Moyer’s BBQ, and Uncle Paul’s Stuffed Pretzels are only a few of the hundreds of vendors that’ll be showing off their tasty treats. From the Dan & Galla Musical Show to the annual dog show, there’s plenty of entertainment to keep the family busy for hours. This year’s celebrity lineup is sure to leave you stars truck, with musicians like The Beach Boys, Riley Green, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive attending!
The Poconos is a premiere vacation spot that we love! If you’re looking to read more about vacationing in the Poconos, we have blog posts to lead you through every season. Check out favorites like Visit The Poconos for a Cozy Winter Getaway, Fall fun in the Poconos, and Things to do in the Poconos!
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