The Greater Wilkes-Barre Area

Posted: January 18, 2018
Welcome to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Area!
At the heart of the Wyoming Valley, with easy access to I-81 and I-476, is the seat of Luzerne County, the city of Wilkes-Barre. Founded in the late 18th century by early American settlers moving from Connecticut, the city and its surrounding areas rapidly grew in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Driving down River Street bears witness to the history of the area, but further evidence of those historic days of growth span across the Susquehanna River and in all directions of the city’s borders. The boroughs of Forty Fort, Edwardsville, and Luzerne; the municipality of Kingston; and the townships of Plains, Hanover, Wilkes-Barre, and Bear Creek are filled with homes and commercial spaces that add to the area’s beauty and richness.


Wilkes-Barre Market Street Bridge
The Greater Wilkes-Barre Area is the perfect place to call home. Here you’ll find move-in ready and fixer-upper single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and duplexes in a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle. There are many styles of homes with varied lot sizes to suit your needs in urban or country settings. Wherever you land, you will have easy, quick access to the wonderful resources of downtown; but don’t worry, each surrounding community is filled with resources of its own.


The Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre
Popular Attractions


Kirby Park
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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Seven Tubs Recreation Area
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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River Common
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
Wilkes-Barre Twp., PA
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900 Rutter Ave.
Forty Fort, PA
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Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre Twp., PA
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F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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Three Dog Bakery
Kingston, PA
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Nesbitt Park
Kingston, PA
View DetailsWith both King’s College and Wilkes University campuses on either side of Public Square and along the River Common, life in downtown Wilkes-Barre is filled with youthful vitality and proud locals. Recent revitalization efforts have enticed more young professionals, families, and those who are young at heart to make downtown Wilkes-Barre their home.


Wilkes University Campus, Wilkes-Barre
Residents moving into character-filled homes and luxury apartments in retrofitted historic buildings are loving the walkability to shopping at the Farmer’s Market, fine dining at The Vault Restaurant, natural beauty in Kirby Park, and entertainment at The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts or R/C Movies 14. Diverse bars, restaurants, and shops are filling the storefronts, and passers-by are taking notice.


Wilkes-Barre Farmers’ Market
Soon after settling in, you’ll learn why the Greater Wilke-Barre area’s people and visitors rave about their food options. With choices like Bistro on the Avenue, Nucleus Raw Foods, and AmberDonia Bakery and Pizza, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by these establishments’ big-city taste in casual and comfortable surroundings.
Locals also love their access to sports, shows, and more at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, where they can watch the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL franchise of the Pittsburgh Penguins, play. Frequent shows at local bars like River Street Jazz Café and Canteen Park draw in crowds of music lovers. And, with copious and diverse shopping options like Showroom 56, Three Dog Bakery, Wyoming Valley Mall, and Marquis Art & Frame, you’ll always find the perfect gift for a friend, or even for yourself, all while shopping local.


Pastries on display at Canteen 900, Forty Fort
For those who hear the call of the great outdoors, recreation space is plentiful throughout the Greater Wilkes-Barre area. Check out Seven Tubs Nature Area, or “the tubs” as locals affectionately call it, which is a perfect place for fresh air and magnificent scenery year-round. The rock formations and waterfalls confirm that living here is naturally neat.


Seven Tubs Nature Area, Wilkes-Barre
If you’re looking for a place to walk the dog or ride bikes with your family, follow the trails located on either side of the Susquehanna River, which make for a lovely outing. There is even a public disc golf course on the west bank, in Nesbitt Park, to make your time on the River Common a little less commonplace.


River Common, Wilkes-Barre
Even as the weather chills, exercise options are available in gyms like the YMCA, CYC, Vive Health & Fitness, or Danko’s. Each of these locations offers you ways to shake up your exercise routine, form community ties, and focus on your personal growth and wellness.
Within the Greater Wilkes-Barre area, you can easily find some of the best boating, fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, farming, skiing, walking, running, and dining America has to offer.
Come check us out. There’s so much to do and see that you just might stay!

