A Definitive "Must-Do" List of NEPA Adventures
Whether you call NEPA home, or you just find yourself coming back again and again, you’ve got to get to work on the DiscoverNEPA Bucket List. From ambitious “out-of-the-box” ideas to more “let’s take it easy” adventures, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do right here in our own backyard.
Sure, there will be wild options like sky diving, zooming around the track in a race car or even running a marathon. And some will be simple, everyday sort of things like enjoying a pint at America’s oldest brewery. All of them, however, are specific to Northeastern Pennsylvania. From amazing, once-in-a-lifetime activities to awesome, family-friendly adventures, this list features some of the region’s most unique locations and action-packed experiences.
Get out there and dive right into your DiscoverNEPA Bucket List!
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Jump out of an airplane… with a professional and a parachute, of course. It takes a bit of courage to step out of a perfectly good airplane, but all the best experiences do. Take flight with the help of NEPA’s awesome skydiving attractions.
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It might not be as “extreme” as skiing or snowboarding, but it’s just as much (if not more) fun. Challenge friends to a race down the hill or take a few solo slides. You can find snowtubing adventures at all NEPA ski resorts.
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Sure, there are probably several dozen towns calling themselves some form of “pizza capital,” but few offer up a truly unique take on one of the world’s most widely recognized treats. It’s different. It’s a tray, not a pie. It’s a cut, not a slice. And it’s completely NEPA.
Pittston, PA
It’s not a NEPA summer without the Pittston Tomato Festival. Fill up on delicious tomato-centric dishes from your favorite vendors and restaurants. When you need a breather, stop and enjoy the annual parade or check out some live music.
Pennsylvania Rail Bike — Hawley, PA
Hop on a custom-made rail bike for a tour of the incredible natural scenery of the Lackawaxen River and Pocono Mountains. Led by a guide, this laidback excursion makes for both a fun and informational trip.
Stock Car Racing Experience — Blakeslee, PA
Pocono Raceway was designed for the most skilled drivers in the world…and apparently amateur daredevils looking for a 600-horsepower, 150 mph-challenge. Get behind the wheel and floor it around the track in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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Gather a trusty team to navigate NEPA’s rolling rivers. From the cool, swift Lehigh and Lackawanna to the mighty Delaware and Susquehanna, you can pack in three seasons of kayaking, canoeing and rafting adventures all over NEPA.
Knoebels Amusement Resort — Elysburg, PA
This classic NEPA amusement park has been welcoming visitors since 1926 and every year, they add something new. Enjoy daring thrill rides, vintage classics, plenty of kid-friendly fun and some of the best theme park food in America.
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Whether you’re putting in a long day volunteering, stopping by to check out all the adorable animals, or taking on a giant corn maze, NEPA’s working farms offer hours of family fun.
Steamtown Marathon — Scranton, PA
It might seem impossible now, but with a few months of training and a bit of determination, no marathon is out of reach. Set your goal, put in the work and, come October, hit the streets of Scranton for the world-famous Steamtown Marathon.
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Experience the great outdoors like never before on a wide range of ATV trails at several NEPA adventure parks. Bring your own ride or rent one and take on miles of muddy trails, sketchy rock crawls and stunning scenic overlooks.
Yuengling Brewery — Pottsville, PA
Open since 1829, Yuengling probably knows what they’re doing when it comes to brewing. Take a tour of America’s oldest brewery — from the hand-dug bedrock beer cellar to the massive boil kettles — before sampling a pint or two in the tasting room.
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Sometimes you just need to let a few axes fly. Grab some beers and snacks, round up your friends and embrace your inner Viking at these awesome, stress-reducing axe-throwing experiences all over NEPA.
La Festa Italiana — Scranton, PA
There is no shortage of great Italian food in NEPA. And, every Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Scranton, the area’s best restaurants and vendors set up shop to dish out traditional Italian favorites at this beloved festival. Be sure to save room for a cannoli or two…or three.
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Rejuvenate in the fresh, clean mountain air. Go waterfall spotting. Snap those awesome wildlife pics. Or, just kill some time with a leisurely Sunday walk in nature. Whatever the reason, NEPA’s got miles and miles of incredible, accessible hiking trails.
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Drop in on steep plunging trails. Shred through some of the coolest terrain parks. Or, hop on a tube and take it easy. Whether you prefer skis or a snowboard (or a tube), NEPA offers some of the best powder-covered mountain runs on the east coast.
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Spend the summer finding your new favorite NEPA ice cream spot. Luckily, we have a comprehensive list of over 70 sweet shops and stands. Each location has something totally unique to offer, so be sure to try as many sundaes, shakes and cones as possible.
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It takes a certain kind of person to willingly jump into a frozen lake or pond. Leave it to the hearty citizens of Northeastern PA to make it look easy. Break out the bathing suit for icy plunges at Lake Wallenpaupack and Montage Mountain.
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Make it a nice and easy adventure with a laidback float in a hot air balloon. Soar through lush valleys and over the scenic countryside. You can even cap off your voyage with a champagne toast in the sky.
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Even if you begin the day without a kilt you might go home wearing one. It’s no secret that St. Patrick’s Day is kind of a big deal around here. Check out festive parades in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Pittston to name a few.
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Get out there and explore some of NEPA’s most scenic locations in style. Take the wheel of a Polaris Slingshot, a cross between a motorcycle and a sports car, and head out in search of the tightest curves. Check out Pocono Slingshot Adventures in Newfoundland or Pocono Slingshot Rentals in Blakeslee.
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Enter a world where the humble pierogi reigns supreme at the Edwardsville Pierogi Festival. Or, roam from tent to tent sampling more kielbasa than any human should ever consume at the famous Plymouth Kielbasa Festival.
Festival of Lights — Tunkhannock, PA
You know it’s the holiday season once Stone Hedge Golf Course lights up in late-November. Each year the lighted displays get bigger and brighter and more cars line up to get a little taste of that feel-good holiday spirit.
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Sip your way from Schuylkill County to the Poconos to the Endless Mountains and everywhere in between using our comprehensive NEPA Wine Trail. From robust reds and crisp whites to fruit wines and more, our awesome wineries have it all.
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There’s no better way to see the quaint towns and majestic mountains of NEPA than by vintage steam train. And in Northeastern PA, trains are kind of our thing. Hop on a classic train car for a scenic experience of a lifetime.
Ricketts Glen State Park — Benton, PA
Some of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls are just a short hike into Ricketts Glen State Park. The iconic park features over 26 miles of trails, 22 waterfalls including the 94-foot Ganoga Falls, a 245-acre lake and so much more.
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Summers in NEPA are all about looking for new and interesting ways to cool off. Whether you’re renting a boat at Lake Wallenpaupack or water skiing your way across Harveys Lake, there’s no shortage of fun watersports throughout the region.
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On any given night in NEPA, you may find yourself enjoying live music, theatrical productions, art festivals and museums. Truly, our amazing arts & culture scene matches that of any major city and we’re not afraid to show it.
Skirmish Paintball — Albrightsville, PA
Gather your troops and gear up for the paintball battle of a lifetime. With special games structured after real, historical battles, you and a bunch of friends can get down and dirty in an attempt to walk away the victors.
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Between 40 publicly-accessible breweries stretched across 10 counties, 29 towns and over 400 miles, our Brewer’s Loop showcases the best places to simply grab a pint, hang with friends or even take a brewhouse tour behind the scenes of NEPA’s growing craft beer scene.
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Even if you’ve been holding a pole since you could walk, there’s always something new to learn when it comes to the art of trout fishing. All over NEPA, we’ve got cool, clear streams teeming with trophy trout for the avid angler, seasoned fly fisher, or the plucky novice.
The Bloomsburg Fair — Bloomsburg, PA
The fair is filled with sights from animals to midway games to rides and attractions, but the real star of everybody’s favorite September attraction is the unique food creations you find along the way. Where else can you wash down a peanut butter bacon hot dog with a blue birch beer?
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Beat the winter blues by taking on epic water slides, wave pools, surfing simulators and so much more at some of NEPA’s favorite indoor waterpark resorts. Book a weekend. Combine your waterpark fun with a little skiing, or just lounge poolside with no thoughts of snow, or shoveling.
Hausmann’s Hidden Hollow — Friendsville, PA
Located on 110 acres of rolling Susquehanna countryside, you can blast some sporting clays in peace. Whether you’re an old pro or a first-timer, everyone is welcome to fire off a few shots at Hausmann’s.
The Friedman Observatory — Lehman, PA
Penn State Wilkes-Barre is home to a little secret. Every Friday evening, the university’s observatory opens to the public, inviting guests to get a rare look at the cosmos using their high-powered telescope. Just check the forecast beforehand.
Electric City Aquarium — Scranton, PA
Spend a day with fascinating sea-dwelling creatures like sharks and turtles. Explore the reptile den with snakes, alligators and spiders. Enjoy 20,000 square feet of colorful, interactive space at this popular Scranton attraction.
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Golf in NEPA combines spectacular views with tricky terrain to create some of the most challenging, yet rewarding courses in the east. Try your luck on scenic mountainside greens and undulating valley fairways.
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Whether it’s fishing, hiking, boating, camping or swimming. Or if it’s picnicking, hunting, birdwatching, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Then again, maybe it’s frisbee golf, kayaking, wildlife spotting, snowmobiling or waterfall seeking. Our point – NEPA’s 18 incredible state parks have it all. Go check em’ out.
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 1/28/2019.
