Take advantage of the warm weather and long hours of daylight while they last. Treat yourself to an end-of-summer vacation in the Pocono Mountains! The region is only a few hours' drive away from big Northeastern US cities like New York and Philadelphia. Whether you're looking for exciting Labor Day events, fresh-air adventure or charming small town strolls, we've got regional itinerary suggestions to help you have a great Labor Day weekend in the Poconos.

The Pocono region encompasses 2,400 square miles and four counties in Pennsylvania, which means there's a lot to see and do! We've packed one county per day into the itinerary below, but feel free to pick and choose your favorites and take your trip at a more leisurely pace. You could always extend your four-day weekend to take advantage of midweek deals or plan to come again to discover more and experience another season.

Friday: Explore the Small Towns of Carbon County

Morning: Start the day with coffee and pastries from Uncommon Grounds at the Mill, then get ready for a hike or bike ride! The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, also known as the D&L Trail, is just steps away. Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers offers bike rentals and shuttles. Pedal or pace over the gravel track alongside the Lehigh River, and when you're ready for some early afternoon refreshment, make a stop to sample small-batch spirits at Insurrection Distillery.

D&L Trail - Biking

D&L Trail - Biking

  • 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road
  • (610) 923-3548

Discover the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Explore natural heritage and…

Insurrection Distillery is located right along the D&L Trail...and it's also a stop along the Pocono Beverage Trail! Be sure to download the brand new Pocono Beverage Trail digital pass to use throughout the weekend. As you visit local breweries, wineries, and distilleries, you can check off locations, earn points, and get access to exclusive discounts.

Afternoon: Step back in time to experience an authentic coal mine as you journey 1,600 feet into the mountain with No. 9 Mine & Museum in Lansford. Visitors can walk the "mule-way" and examine the original mine shaft, opened in 1855 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. Take advantage of First Fridays in Lansford with Lansford Alive to enjoy discounts at participating local businesses.

No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum

No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum

  • 9 Dock Street
  • (570) 645-7074

The No. 9 Coal mine was opened in 1855, but its origin traces back ten years earlier. The Mine was operated until 1972. At that time, it was the world's longest running anthracite coal mine. Visitors to the mine ride 1,600 feet along rail…

Lansford Alive

Lansford Alive

  • 10 Edgemont Road
  • (570) 645-5711

Lansford Alive is a 501-c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving Lansford, PA. The mission of Lansford Alive is to revitalize the traditional commercial district of Lansford. The organization's goals are community improvement…

Evening: Take time during your visit to stroll through the picturesque streets of historic Jim Thorpe! Embark on a self-guided Jim Thorpe Walking Tour to tour local sights and beautiful buildings. From Victorian architecture to contemporary culture, pay an evening visit to The Stabin Museum to take in eclectic, environmentally-conscious fine art. When it comes to dinner, there are plenty of delicious eats in town. Enjoy sushi and hibachi at MYST Restaurant or grab some small bites and drinks at Wild Elder Wine and Cider Co. Don't forget to download the Pocono Beverage Trail digital pass for 10% off your food purchase.

The Stabin Museum

The Stabin Museum

  • 268 West Broadway
  • (570) 325-5588

Showcasing environmentally conscious fine art including oil paintings and prints. The…

MYST Restaurant

MYST Restaurant

  • 34 Susquehanna Street
  • (570) 213-7011

Visit Jim Thorpe's only full-scale sushi-hibachi-gastropub! Offering Asian cuisine, fresh…

When it comes to places to stay, Carbon County and the Jim Thorpe area boast a wide variety of accommodations, from Hotel Switzerland, founded in 1830 and the oldest commercial building operating in Jim Thorpe, to charming bed and breakfasts like The Dolon House or Times House.

Saturday: Fun Events in the Heart of Monroe County

Morning: Start your Saturday in Stroudsburg for Labor Day Weekend events galore! The popular Stroudfest will once again take over the sidewalks from 5th to 9th Street with retail, craft, and food vendors plus live music across multiple performance stages. Browse the stalls and pick up something fresh to eat at the Monroe Farmers Market in Courthouse Square. Arts and crafts lovers will want to swing by Artisans on Ann to find makers displaying their photography, pottery, jewelry, soap making, glass work and more. Local galleries will also be putting on the First Saturday Art Walk between 6th and 7th Street.

StroudFest Sep 02

StroudFest

End the summer with Stroudfest! This free, family-friendly festival brings retail, craft…

Afternoon: A great way to get outside in Monroe County and experience the beautiful forests and hills in our region - with some extra action and challenge thrown in - is to plan an outing to an adventure park! Test your skills on a treetop ropes course, zip line or rock climbing wall. Adventure Center at Skytop Lodge, Camelback Mountain Adventures, Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures and Pocono TreeVentures all offer fantastic thrills.

Pocono TreeVentures

Pocono TreeVentures

  • 1575 Fairway Villas Boulevard
  • (800) 446-0231

Updated: Closed for the season. Take to the trees at Pocono TreeVentures aerial ropes…

Evening: After all that fresh air, you're sure to have worked up an appetite. Feast on authentic ethnic favorites at diverse local restaurants. Taste the flavors of India at Spice Route or take a culinary journey to Mexico at Los Tres Amigos. Latin flair and Portuguese BBQ are on the menu at Churrasqueria La Morena, while seafood takes center stage at Coco's Fresh Fish Market.

Spice Route

Spice Route

  • 3578 Route 611
  • (570) 664-8283

Spice Route is a specialty restaurant in the Poconos known for taste, ambiance, and…

Los Tres Amigos

Los Tres Amigos

  • 5224 Milford Road
  • (570) 588-3129

Homestyle Mexican and Spanish food made to order! Some of the selections of the menu…

Time for a good night's rest! Whether you'd like to sleep under the stars at a local campground like Mountain Vista Campground or check into a historic hotel like The Penn Stroud, you'll find lots of welcoming lodgings in the area.

Sunday: Experience Lake Wallenpaupack and Wayne County

Morning: Ever tried paddleboarding? Lake Wallenpaupack is the perfect place to find your balance. Pocono Action Sports at Lighthouse Habor Marina and Pine Crest Marina both offer paddleboard rentals. If you're looking for a little more action out on the water, enjoy water skiing and jet skiing with The Boat Shop or Rubber Duckie Boat Rentals. Don't forget to make reservations by phone or online ahead of time to confirm your rentals.

Pine Crest Marina

Pine Crest Marina

  • 839 Route 507
  • (570) 857-1850

Set out on a stand-up paddleboard! Take in the sights and test your balance on a stand-up…

The Boat Shop

The Boat Shop

  • 125 Boat Shop Road
  • (570) 226-4062

Get ready to create some waves on Lake Wallenpaupack! Stop by the Boat Shop and get set…

Afternoon: No matter what your idea of a fun afternoon out, you'll find options to please all ages in Wayne County. Head to the Greene Dreher Sterling Fair in Newfoundland for rides, games, festival food and more. The Stourbridge Line offers classic train rides between the small towns of Hawley and Honesdale. For something a little more out of the ordinary, try cycling on the railroad (when the trains aren't running!) with Soarin' Eagle Rail Tours.

The Stourbridge Line

The Stourbridge Line

  • 812 Main Street
  • (570) 470-2697

All aboard The Stourbridge Line! Scenic passenger trains through the Pocono Mountains…

Evening: Don’t leave the Pocono Mountains without indulging in our farm-to-table dining! Whether growing their own herbs or partnering with nearby farms, local farm-to-table restaurants are committed to sustainability and serve up meals featuring fresh, regional flavors. Handcrafted, signature dishes make for the perfect Sunday evening meal at Native, The Settlers Inn, TREE Restaurant and Bar, or The French Manor Inn & Spa. Be sure to call ahead to make a reservation.

Native

Native

  • 560 Main Street
  • (570) 647-4933

Native in ingredients and ownership. Enjoy locally sourced produce, house-made pasta…

The Settlers Inn

The Settlers Inn

  • 4 Main Avenue
  • (570) 226-2993

Winner of OpenTable's Diner's Choice in 2018, The Settlers Inn's innovative menus are…

Book a cozy cottage at Equestrian House or stay in a trendy downtown vacation rental like Wonder Honesdale. Browse comfortable accommodations in the area around Honesdale.

Monday: Get Outdoors in Pike County

Morning: Discover peace and refreshment as you soak in the natural beauty of the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River during a canoe or kayak trip. Book a rental or guided trip with Kittatinny Canoes, Lander's River Trips or Northeast Wilderness Experience. Keep an eye out for local wildlife along the shores of this pristine waterway.

Lander's River Trips

Lander's River Trips

  • 5961 State Route 97
  • (845) 252-3925

Venture through the Delaware River Valley in a canoe or kayak for the ultimate adventure…

Afternoon: Continue into charming Milford for lunch and some sightseeing. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the historic Waterwheel Cafe, Bakery and Bar and explore the Earthly Treasures shop next door. Check off another Pocono Beverage Trail stop at the atmospheric Jive Bar & Lounge. Once home to Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark is located nearby, with incredible grounds to explore.

Earthly Treasures

Earthly Treasures

  • Historic Upper Mill
  • (973) 945-6083

Located at the Historic Upper Mill in lovely Milford, Pennsylvania, Earthly Treasures is a…

Jive Bar & Lounge

Jive Bar & Lounge

  • 319 Broad Street
  • (570) 296-2500

Choose from two different atmospheres for an authentic Milford experience at this local…

Evening: Before the sun fades, enjoy some fresh mountain air with a hike in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Both Pocono Environmental Education Center and Bushkill Falls feature waterfalls on their trails. If you'd prefer a panoramic view, make your way up to heights of the Cliff Trail. Remember to visit responsibly and leave no trace.

Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls

  • 138 Bushkill Falls Trail
  • (570) 588-6682

Embark on an unforgettable waterfall adventure. Bushkill Falls, "The Niagara of…

Cliff Trail

Cliff Trail

  • Route 209
  • (570) 426-2452

Updated: Visit responsibly. Limited services available at some sites. Most park trails are…

Why not stay one last night? Milford offers boutique inns like the Hotel Fauchere or private riverfront cottages like Eagles' Landing on the Delaware.

Choose from a combination of these activities to create your own holiday weekend itinerary! Looking for even more ideas? Browse our calendar of events! Take advantage of our area’s renowned resorts, historic hotels, charming bed and breakfasts and tranquil campgrounds to give yourself more time to explore, and don't forget to sample delicious local dining during your trip. You’ll find plenty of exciting experiences to end the summer right in the Pocono Mountains.

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