Free Things to Do in the Poconos

Planning a trip on a budget? There are lots of free things to do and see in the Pocono Mountains. We’ve lined up seven no-cost activities in the Poconos to start experiencing today.

From exploring our beautiful downtowns to experiencing the great outdoors, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a Poconos vacation without breaking the bank. If you're coming from nearby Northeastern US cities like New York City and Philadelphia, you'll save on gas as well! The Poconos is just a short drive away. Add these free activities to your summer must-do list.

Take a Downtown Stroll
Attend a Free Summer Concert
Explore the Pocono History & Art Trail
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike)
Watch for Wildlife
Meet Local Farmers
Plan a Picnic and Hike

1. Take a Downtown Stroll

Whether you're just passing through for an afternoon or staying in accommodations nearby, our region's picture-perfect small towns are well worth the visit. Step back in time in the quaint borough of Delaware Water Gap, located along the Appalachian Trail, do some window shopping in Lehighton, located along the D&L Trail, or take advantage of free BikeShare rentals to explore Hawley, tucked away on Route 6 between the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack and the banks of the Lackawaxen Rvier. Wander through the charming streets and admire the historic architecture in our county seats of Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, Milford and Honesdale.

2. Attend a Free Summer Concert

Join the community for some live music during one of several free summer concert series happening throughout the Poconos! Listen to talented local musicians select dates June through August during the Wayne County Creative Arts Council Summer Concert Series in Honesdale on Mondays and Thursdays, Concerts in the Square on Thursday nights in Stroudsburg, St. Paul's Summer Concerts every Saturday afternoon in Hawley, as well as Lansford Music in the Park on Sunday evenings in Kennedy Park. The Milford Music Festival and the Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival are also great opportunities to enjoy toe tapping live performances for free. Don't forget to check out our events calendar for free seasonal festivals and community celebrations all year round.

Wayne County Creative Arts Council Summer Concert Series

06/16/2025 - 07/28/2025

Join the Wayne County Creative Arts Council for a summer concert and take in the beauty of the…

Concerts in the Square

06/19/2025 - 08/21/2025

Spend the night listening to music and enjoying beautiful downtown Stroudsburg. June 12: The Story…

St. Paul's Summer Concerts

06/21/2025 - 08/16/2025

Join St. Paul's Lutheran Church every Saturday from June 7 to August 16 for a rotating lineup of…

Lansford Music in the Park

06/15/2025 - 08/31/2025

Join Lansford Alive each Sunday at Kennedy Park and enjoy live music from all genres. You won't want…

Milford Music Festival

06/20/2025 - 06/22/2025

Visit Milford Borough for its weekend-long, annual Milford Music Festival, where music lines the…

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival

06/21/2025

The Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music and Arts Festival is back on June 21, 2025. Spend the morning…

3. Explore the Pocono History & Art Trail

Learn about the history of the United States with a trip along the brand new, free Pocono History & Art Trail. This digital pass includes information and audio narration that will introduce you to culturally significant sites throughout the Poconos region, including our National Historic Landmarks.

Located along the Upper Delaware River, the Roebling Aqueduct Bridge is the oldest existing wire suspension bridge and is designated as both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark. It was designed in 1847 by engineer John A. Roebling, who went on to create the Brooklyn Bridge. The beautiful Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford once belonged to Gifford Pinchot, known as the "Father of the American Conservation Movement," and offers free parking and admission to the beautiful estate grounds. There is a ticket cost for the indoor mansion tours, but free visitor films are offered on tour days in the historic Baitbox. To dive into the ancient past, head to Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park. Formed from glacier melt, this unique landscape is a National Natural Landmark and has remained relatively unchanged for more than 20,000 years. For even more historic places, sign up for the Pocono History & Art Trail, check out our guide to historical markers in the Poconos and more museums in the area.

4. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike)

Bring your own set of wheels and fly through lush, historic biking paths in the Pocono Mountains. Notable trails include the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, also known as the D&L Trail, which stretches 165 miles from New Jersey through Pennsylvania. Catch glimpse's of our region's mining history as you cycle the 37 miles of the D&L which lie within the Poconos. Both the Levee Loop Trail in East Stroudsburg running parallel to the Brodhead Creek and the McDade Recreational Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area running parallel to the Delaware River are popular with bikers.

Enjoy two of the popular riverside biking paths during free Pocono events this June! The Carbon County D&L Trail Fest is an inaugural festival at Lehighton Outdoor Center highlighting the beauty of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, while the Delaware River Festival "Year of the River" at Minisink Park is a celebration of the Delaware's win for "Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year."

5. Watch for Wildlife

Meet the "locals" during your time in the Poconos: catch a glimpse of our indigenous wildlife. Encompassing over 500 acres, Lacawac Sanctuary provides a home for numerous species of birds. Wander the nine miles of trails and see how many you can spot: don't forget your binoculars! Lilliana's Nature Discovery Area at Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center is a great place for kids to discover nature, and the two and half miles of trails and observation dock on the two ponds provide plenty of vantage points to spot wildlife on land and in the water. See how many creatures you can spot on the approximately 600 acres at the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary in White Mills or the over 700 acres at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

6. Meet Local Farmers

As you drive through the Poconos, you'll pass many pastoral fields belonging to local farms and markets. Why not make a stop to see their produce and learn more about their work? Many towns and communities host farmers' markets with free admission that are a feast for the eyes. Take a stroll to browse the colorful food stalls and locally-grown products at the Monroe Farmer's Market in Stroudsburg's Courthouse Square, the Hawley Farmer's Market, the Lehighton Downtown Farmers Market, the Milford Farmers Market on Broad Street, and the Wayne County Farmer's Market in Honesdale.

7. Plan a Picnic and Hike

Open sunrise to sunset, our national, state and local parks are accessible year-round. Pack some snacks or a picnic lunch and head to Prompton State Park, Big Pocono State Park, Delaware State Forest, Gouldsboro State Park, or Promised Land State Park. These five are also pet-friendly, so you can bring along your dog! Enjoy your meal al fresco against the rolling hills, pristine lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful scenery of the region. Remember to take any trash with you and leave no trace. Check out the new series on state parks from Pocono Television Network to find the perfect park for you.

Pocono Vacation Savings

Find more ways to save money on your Poconos vacation: take a look at our special offers on both day activities and accommodations. From campsites to hotels, check out places to stay for every price point and plan an overnight visit so you can experience as much as possible. Find even more things to do and browse local restaurants to plan out what delicious food you'll try during your trip. See you in the Poconos!

Top

7 Fun and Free Things to Do in the Poconos

Take a Downtown Stroll

1. Take a Downtown Stroll

Attend a Free Summer Concert

2. Attend a Free Summer Concert

Explore the Pocono History & Art Trail

3. Explore the Pocono History & Art Trail

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike)

4. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike)

Watch for Wildlife

5. Watch for Wildlife

Meet Local Farmers

6. Meet Local Farmers

Plan a Picnic and Hike

7. Plan a Picnic and Hike

Pocono Vacation Savings

Special Offers

Restaurants & Dining

Places to Stay

Things To Do

Emily Whalen