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By: Emily Whalen
Haven’t made plans for your Memorial Day holiday yet? Pack your bags and head to the Pocono Mountains! Find places to go on Memorial Day Weekend: we’ve got plenty of events, water recreation, and outdoor adventure, all within a short drive of major cities like New York and Philadelphia.
As a time to honor those who have served, Memorial Day also provides an opportunity to spend time with loved ones and welcome the warmer months of the year and all the fun activities that come with them. Browse the itinerary suggestions below for ways to enjoy your holiday weekend.
Friday: Experience the Great Outdoors in Pike County
Saturday: Find Family Fun in Monroe County
Sunday: Enjoy Lehigh Gorge and Carbon County
Monday: Discover Fresh Food and Fresh Air around Lake Wallenpaupack and Wayne County
Friday: Experience the Great Outdoors in Pike County
Morning:
The Pocono Mountains is known for its many beautiful waterfalls, perfect places to visit on Memorial Day Weekend. Start your trip with a visit the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls , located just outside Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA). Follow scenic boardwalk trails through idyllic forest glades, with eight waterfalls located throughout the property’s 300 acres. In the heart of DWGNRA, the Pocono Environmental Education Center has six trails to explore including the Tumbling Waters Trail . Just off Route 6, the graceful cascade at Shohola Falls can be reached via a short trail down the forest steps and is a must-visit for waterfall lovers.
Afternoon:
You won’t want to miss the picturesque small towns of the Poconos during your trip. Stroll through the charming and historic streets of downtown Milford to find museums, boutiques, and places to get lunch! Waterwheel Cafe, Bakery and Bar is a neighborhood favorite featuring a delicious menu of sandwiches, salads, and Vietnamese dishes like bánh mì and rice noodle salad. Get a taste of the Yucatan Peninsula when you dine at La Posada & Felix’s Cantina, not far from the Delaware River.
Perched in the hills above town, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark was once home to the “Father of the American Conservation Movement,” Gifford Pinchot, and has beautiful gardens to explore. Wander beneath the soaring trees that Pinchot was so proud of and take a look inside his family’s magnificent summer estate. Guided mansion tours take place on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the grounds are open until sundown.
Evening:
Find a place to stay where you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. Each of the adorable accommodations at Babbling Brook Cottages has its own outdoor deck or patio and fire pit, and many of the cabins are dog-friendly. Kittatinny’s River Beach Campground offers water view sites that allow you to set up your tent or park your RV close the shore. Located in the Upper Delaware Region, the family-owned Sylvania Tree Farm & Country Lodging is an ideal place to enjoy the peace and solitude of nature, with secluded cabins and campsites spread out across the 1,200-acre estate.
Saturday: Find Family Fun in Monroe County
Morning:
Explore the southern end of DWGNRA with a jaunt to the quaint borough that gave the recreation area its name: Delaware Water Gap. This area has been beloved by generations of vacationers! Learn more about the Victorians who spent leisurely summers enjoying the mountain air when you sign up for Tour the Castle Inn or The Pocono Historic Trolley Tour . When you’re finished, don’t forget to take some time to enjoy the great local businesses, shops, and restaurants in town.
Afternoon:
The Pocono Mountains events calendar is full of fun things to do this Memorial Day Weekend! Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm just outside of Stroudsburg hosts their Farm Animal Frolic at this time of year, with plenty of cute baby animals to meet and greet. Looking for more action? Take flight at the 27th Annual Community Aviation Day at The Mountain Center in Tobyhanna, which will feature international food trucks and the tradition of the “candy drop.” Camelback Mountain will be hosting their third annual Hometown Heroes Muster on Saturday, where firemen and fire buffs alike will gather to show off their trucks and skills.
Evening:
Looking for somewhere to eat after the airshow? Head to nearby Lake Harmony to choose from family-friendly lakeside dining like seafood and steaks at Boulder View Tavern or burgers and pizza at Nick’s Lake House . Looking for dinner and drinks? Sip from the impressive wine list at Louie’s Prime Steakhouse or enjoy music, sports, and fun at Shenanigans.
Monroe County is known for its impressive indoor waterpark resorts, which offer comfortable accommodations, onsite restaurants and activities, and incredible splash playgrounds, with waterpark admission included with your overnight stay. Book a room or suite at Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark , Great Wolf Lodge , Kalahari Resorts and Conventions , or Split Rock Resort to pack plenty of pool and slide time into your vacation.
Sunday: Enjoy Lehigh Gorge and Carbon County
Morning:
Ready to whitewater raft? Enjoy a dam release set for Memorial Day Weekend! Outfitters like Whitewater Rafting Adventures , Jim Thorpe River Adventures , Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers and Pocono Whitewater Adventures can accommodate both fast-paced excursions and more leisurely, family-style trips. Take on the rapids of the Lehigh River as you navigate through the stunning Lehigh Gorge.
Afternoon:
Learn more about the history of Carbon County with a visit to the No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum in Lansford. Ride by rail and take a walking tour to journey deep underground along the original mine shaft where the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company mined a large vein of Anthracite coal known as the Mammoth Vein in the mid-nineteenth century. Enjoy the museum and a special weekend festival: a car cruise and ethnic food picnic will be taking place at No. 9 on Sunday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ready to eat? There are plenty of restaurants near the Jim Thorpe area. Find eateries close to the D&L Trail in Lehighton and Weissport, like the Bonnie & Clyde Pub and Grill or the The Gorge Eatery . Memorial Day is the kickoff of the summer, which means ice cream is a must. Choose your favorite from the selection of 28 flavors at Chantilly Goods , a vintage soda fountain and ice cream parlor, or stop by Curiosities Coffee & Ice House for espresso and sundaes.
Evening:
As the sun sets, soak in the quaint downtown atmosphere of historic Jim Thorpe. Want to be able to call one of the beautiful Victorian buildings or quaint houses home for the night? Book a stay at retreats like Angel of Jim Thorpe Bed and Breakfast , The Gilded Cupid B&B , Rosemary Remembrances II Guest Lodging , or Trail’s End Bed and Breakfast.
Monday: Discover Fresh Food and Fresh Air around Lake Wallenpaupack and Wayne County
Morning:
Treat yourself to a delicious farm to table breakfast or brunch. Local restaurants like French Manor Inn & Spa and TREE Restaurant and Bar have adopted the culinary movement and are sourcing local and organic ingredients to craft unforgettable signature dishes. The Settlers Inn will be offering their Memorial Day Brunch a la carte menu on Monday morning. The Cocoon Coffeehouse & Bakery is another great spot for fresh breakfast baked goods and coffee.
Afternoon:
Wayne County’s pastoral fields are full of beautiful hiking trails and parks that will give you a glimpse of local wildlife. Pay a visit to Lacawac Sanctuary , the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary , the Van Scott Nature Reserve of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy , or Prompton State Park to enjoy communing with Mother Nature in a pristine and unspoiled setting.
Don’t let your time in the Poconos pass by without exploring the Pocono Beverage Trail! Download the free mobile passport to access discounts and earn prizes as you visit local wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Enjoy dinner and drinks at Runaway Train Brewery or pay a visit to the pastoral Second District Brew Farm during their opening weekend.
Evening:
Spend one last night soaking in the rural beauty of the Poconos. Take advantage of the Memorial Day Weekend special offer at East Shore Lodging to save on your stay on the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack. Treat yourself to a deluxe cottage or cabin at The Lodge at Keen Lake in Waymart for a final taste of Pocono rest and relaxation before returning home.
Looking for even more Memorial Day itinerary ideas? Head to one of our festivals and events! Get tickets to see a show like Don’t Panic and Keep Flying at Sherman Theater , the Neil Diamond Experience at The 80’s Bar , or Parrotbeach–A Premier Jimmy Buffet Tribute at Mount Airy Casino Resort . From the BL-2 and BBQ Train with The Stourbridge Line on Saturday to the Red Wine and Brew Food Truck Festival at Mountain View Vineyard Winery on Sunday, don’t miss these exciting holiday weekend happenings in the Poconos.
Be sure to check out incredible local dining and shopping during your trip! Mix and match the activities above to create your own weekend adventure and find a place to stay to maximize your time in the area. Take advantage of special offers on accommodations like the Memorial Weekend Two-Night Offer at the Carriage House . Many properties offer military discounts like the Active-Duty Military and Veterans Discount at Veteran Property Managers , the Military and First Responder Discounts at Whitewater Rafting Adventures , the Kalahari Salutes Military & Veteran Discount at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions , or the Active and Retired Military Rate at Pocono Mountain Villas .
As you enjoy the great outdoors, don’t forget what the weekend is all about: honoring those who have served our great nation. Happy Memorial Day from the Pocono Mountains!
