6 Things to do in Poconos, Pennsylvania

September 18, 2019 Pennsylvania, USA

Things to do in Poconos Pennsylvania

If you ever visiting the Poconos region of Pennsylvania, here is a guide to help you plan your upcoming trip!

Poconos, Pennsylvania.
This mountainous region in northeastern Pennsylvania is known for being a place for family vacations, couple getaways, honeymooners, a popular skiing spot, an ideal summer-home-location, a retreat to get away from the city life, and for those who just love the outdoors. It's a destination for everyone to enjoy with many activities and things to do all year round. In the Poconos, you can get a totally rural and/or small-town experience just a few hours away from major cities like New York and Philadelphia.

The Pocono Region encompasses 4 counties over 2,400 square miles. Northeast Pennsylvania’s Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties are home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands, 150 lakes, 170 miles of winding rivers and 261 miles of hiking trails via 126 trails. For those who enjoy the true outdoors, the Poconos provides you with many options to partake in such as skiing, mountain biking, fishing, golfing, swimming, NASCAR and so much more. Less than a 2 hour drive from New York City, this is an easy weekend getaway destination to check out and have a change of scenery without going too far.

I remember coming to the Poconos when I was younger thanks to my parents. They use to visit here when they were dating and continued coming here for family vacations. I haven't visited the Poconos as an adult so I thought it would be fun to re-visit and explore the area again. I invited my mother and grandma to join me on this adventure. We took a spontaneous road trip here and spent a few days just unplugging from our day to day routine and reconnecting. This was more of a relaxing trip rather than a trip with a busy itinerary. This is what we got up to during our stay in the Poconos and what I would recommend if you're coming here for more of a relaxing- laid back trip!

*There's many activities to do in the Poconos depending on the season you visit, so this isn't a complete list of things to do there. This was just what I got up to during my short visit.*

Stay in a Resort.
The Poconos region is known for their accommodations. If you're a New Yorker like myself, you're constantly hearing new promotions of resorts in the Poconos through the different radio stations and TV commercials all year long. There are accommodations of all sorts available for every budget. You can also narrow down your decision if you want to stay in a family-friendly resort, couples resort, cabins, hotels, and so on and so forth. For this trip we decided to stay at the Magnolia Streamside Resort. It was our first time staying here and I must say I can't stop raving about this place. I do have a full review on this property already up so (click here) to read all about my experience. 

Laural Cottage Magnolia Streamside Resort


Mt. Pocono State Park.
Perched on top of Camelback Mountain, Big Pocono State Park is a scenic park to visit. A paved, 1.4-mile drive encircles the mountaintop, providing magnificent views of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The park has 8.5 miles of trails to check out. I've always enjoyed visiting a state parks where ever I visit because you will always find a scenic view. There are many state parks in the state of Pennsylvania, this just happened to be the closest one near us. There are two places to park your car and check out viewpoints. At the summit parking area, there's also picnic tables everywhere where you can enjoy a meal if this your rest stop. I would have to say the views were gorgeous but I think coming here during the Fall season would be more stunning with the colorful foliage around. Nonetheless I recommend visiting this state park whenever in the area!

Big Pocono State Park Pennsylvania, Travel Photographer, Visit Pennsylvania, Poconos Pennsylvania

Things to do in Poconos Pennsylvania

Mt. Pocono State Park Pennsylvania

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza.
During our stay in the Poconos, we cooked majority of our meals in our accommodation. I wanted to to mention that in the Poconos area you will find more mom and pop eateries as opposed to popular chain restaurants. Don't get me wrong there are still a few chain restaurants scattered around but the majority are mom and pop places. I love going to places like this because you're exposed to new places and get to try out new things that maybe you would never  have tried otherwise.

So while flipping through one of the tourist attraction booklets, we kept seeing Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza popping up. We decided to go check it with the original thought to go wine tasting. We all have never been wine tasting before so we thought why not check it out. By the time we got there we were so hungry we just went straight to the pizzeria restaurant. So when you get here they have a stand alone wine store and in the middle between the wine store and restaurant you have the vineyard, a seating area, pond, and photo opportunities.

The pizzeria has an assortment of fresh homemade brick oven pizzas to choose from and a fantastic menu. We ended up sharing the Vineyard pizza pie and Harvest salad that had a delicious raspberry vinaigrette. We also enjoyed a pitcher of mango sangria which was so good! Highly recommend this restaurant if you want to support a mom and pop place while visiting the Poconos!

6 Things to do in Poconos Pennsylvania

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard, Poconos Pennsylvania

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza

Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza.

Mount Airy Casino.
This is a fairly new renovated property in the Poconos but also very big! Not only is it a casino but it's also a hotel that has it's very own golf course. My mother and grandma love to go to casinos so of course we had to make a pit stop here. The casino is very big with many slot machine options, card tables, roulette, craps, tournaments and etc. There's also many restaurants to choose from if you get a bit hungry after gambling. You may find events that are happening while you're there such as concerts, special performances, and seasonal events. Check out the Mount Airy Casino website for up to date information. 

Mount Airy Casino Poconos Pennsylvania

Shop at the Crossings Premium Outlet Mall.
Near the Mount Airy Casino, there is an outlet mall you can go to if you want to do some shopping. It's an outdoor mall with many stores to shop at with awesome deals. If you're driving through the Poconos, this is great place to make a rest stop to walking around and stretch out your legs. Or if your vacationing around here and forgot to pack something, you can always stop by here and find what you're looking for.
Crossings Premium Outlet Mall Poconos Pennsylvania

Pocono Cheesecake Factory.
While driving around the area, we constantly saw billboards promoting the Pocono Cheesecake Factory. This isn't your typical cheesecake factory restaurant you are used to. We were intrigued in trying this place out after seeing promotions for it everywhere. Upon arriving, you will always find the parking lot with many cars. We decided to make a stop here before making our way back home. We came around 10 am, and there were so many people ready to get their cheesecake! When you go inside you're hit with all the aromas that fills the space. You're able to get a taste bite before actually deciding on what flavor you want to purchase. Another cool aspect of the place is you can actually see the bakers make everything fresh behind a glass wall. If cheesecake isn't your thing, they also sell other dessert options that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Pocono Cheesecake Factory Pennsylvania

Places to Eat in Poconos Pennsylvania

Pocono Cheesecake Factory Pennsylvania

Youtube Video.


Comment Below,
Have you visited the Poconos before?

81 comments

  1. Your photos are just amazing! I definitely want to visit Pennsylvania!

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  2. I love the Poconos and the surrounding area. I want to go back there and check out these spots!

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  3. How nice! Looks like there is a lot to do there. It also looks very beautiful.

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    1. Yes! There's so many activities to entertain every age group.

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  4. Thank you thank you thank you! I can't even tell you how close I am to the Poconos and I have honestly never been there. After seeing this I'm absolutely going to plan a trip for my family to visit here

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    1. So happy to hear this! You and your family will surely love your time there.

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  5. Crazily enough I have never been to PA before - it's crazy for me because I do travel a lot - but it certainly looks picturesque and like a beautiful escape from reality!

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    1. Highly recommend visiting Pennsylvania, you will love it!

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  6. I was just in Pennsylvania in September. I wish I would have known. Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures.

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  7. I would love to take a drive to the Mt. Pocono State Park and start walking and hiking. The picnic tables is a plus for relaxing and enjoy the view.

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  8. Very cool! I have never been to Pennsylvania but will definitely check out the Poconos if I head that way.

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  9. Sounds like a great place for a weekend getaway! The cheesecake factory looks like a tasty place to be in, heh. Loved the photos!

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  10. No, I haven't been here before! It looks very quiet and that makes it exactly my kind of place to stay in for a while.

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  11. I've heard great things about the Poconos but your review really bring the experience to life. Thanks for sharing it!

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  12. Poconos, Pennsylvania looks like a lovely place to visit for a weekend getaway. You took some amazing photos and I would love to visit there myself someday and try the Pocono Cheesecake Factory. It looks delicious.

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    1. The cheesecake was so delicious, highly recommend going there!

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  13. That resort looks so nice and I'd love to explore that state park!

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  14. I promise you the "Pokonos" song has been in my head! I just came off a 7 day cruise so I must've heard it somewhere. The Pokonos are definitely on my bucket-list. Beautiful pictures!

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  15. oh man. i have never been to poconos but the pizzeria looks so cute. love the atmosphere you caught in photos. joy

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  16. I have a friend who lived in the Poconos, and while she was there, she managed an Airbnb. I think if I ever visited, I'd want to stay there, because it was so cute! And it looks like the Poconos are an excellent place to travel to. I'll have to go with my husband some day!

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  17. i have a friend in this area. i really need to go visit so we can check this out.

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  18. This post made me want to travel more! I love that this an easy travel option (:

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  19. I've been to several parts of Pennsylvania but not the Poconos. Looks like it's next on my list now!

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  20. I have always heard good things about the Poconos. I see it in a new way because of your post.

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  21. thanks so much for this sharing, enjoy reading this & wish to visit Pennsylvania one day soon!
    cheers, siennylovesdrawing

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  22. I have never heard of the Poconos before! But 261 miles of hiking trails and wine tasting sounds good to me! It's handy that it is only 2 hours from NYC too

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  23. Pennsylvania is one of about 20 states I've not yet visited and I admit I had no image in my head of what its like, so it's good to read about it offering a great natural retreat to get away from big city life. I'll add the Pocono region to my wishlist for this part of the USA. I like the sound of visitin the Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard and pizzeria and that cheesecake factory too!

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  24. This looks really nice. I can remember my aunt and uncle going to The Poconos when I was a little girl all the time.

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  25. We live about two hours from the Poconos and my husband's family has a house up there so we go up a lot! That pizzeria is so cute. There are so many great little mom and pop type places. We found a restaurant we love near our place called Jubilee and we eat there almost every time we go up.

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    1. I will have to check Jubilee some time, thanks for the recommendation!

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  26. Gorgeous pictures! I love resorts in the middle of nature :)

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  27. I never heard of Poconos before (to be honest, I only driven through Penn State and never stopped anywhere) but I would love to check out this region. The State Park looks beautiful and is my kinda place but the resort you stayed in looks beautiful as well and can see myself unwinding here and using it as a base for hiking. Hopefully when i get to Penn I would check this place out.

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  28. I have been traveling in the USA for several months, but I have not been to Pennsylvania yet. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have not heard about the Poconos region so far. But you describe it in such an exciting way that I want to see it. I love wine and wine tasting during my trips. So the wine tasting from the Poconos local winery sounds perfect for me. Especially in combination with the cheesecake and hikes! It's inspirational post :)

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  29. I love that the Poconos are dominated by family-owned restaurants. That's almost a sure guarantee for exceptional local dishes! Plus I love how convenient it is to get to from major cities!

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    1. Yes! So many awesome places to dine in and check out :)

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  30. I would love to visit the Poconos for the nature and the cheesecake factory. I am going to send this to my mom as she lives closer to Poconos then me (I live in Japan, she lives in MD).

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    1. I hope she enjoys herself whilst visiting the Poconos :)

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  31. The Poconos is a great place to be with family and friends. Much to see and enjoy.

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  32. I have always wanted to go to the Poconos. Now that I know there's so much to do I'm definitely going to make the trip

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  33. I am a nature lover. Wow! Amazing view from the park. I would really love to explore Pennsylvania.Thank for sharing the beautiful pictures.

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    1. Thank you! I hope you get to visit Pennsylvania some day and experience it yourself.

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  34. Somehow this place seems quite raw and rustic and that honestly, is charming. Quite interesting to know that the mom and pop places exist. They must be adding to the authentic flavor of the valley. Even the wine tasting experience seems quite non-touristy. Cheesecakes must have been fun too. The smell of baking there is bound to increase your appetite

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    1. It's truly a great place to get away from the city's chaos!

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  35. Never been to Poconos before but that place looks absolutely amazing. Love the photos and the view looks beautiful.

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  36. This mountainous region in northeastern Pennsylvania looks worth visiting with full of nature and it is good to know that it covers 4 counties. Eating at Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard & Pizza would be my choice to as their pizza looks delicious. Mt. Pocono State Park is really scenic and that too on mountain top with view of Pennysylvania.

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  37. Love the scenery and the cheesecake looks so yummy! Glad you had a great time

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  38. The views from the mountaintop look stunning! Sounds like a great itinerary!

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    1. The views there are so spectacular. I hope you get to explore Pennsylvania some day!

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  39. wow! I thought it was the jungle, not Pennsylvania!

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