Need a Northeast getaway with coal country history, quirky charm, and mountain views? Head to Scranton! Known as “The Electric City,” Scranton blends industrial heritage with small-city vibes, pop culture fame, and scenic beauty. Whether you're exploring a historic train yard, catching a festival, or reliving moments from *The Office*, Scranton offers something unique for every traveler.
Scranton, PA Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike or ski at Montage Mountain – Enjoy snow sports in winter or water slides and hiking trails in the summer.
- For History Buffs: Explore Steamtown National Historic Site – Step into America’s railroad past with locomotives, tours, and museum exhibits.
- For Shoppers: Visit The Marketplace at Steamtown – Shop, dine, and explore local vendors in a downtown mall with an industrial twist.
- For Couples: Ride the Electric City Trolley – Take a scenic vintage ride through tunnels and trestles with a dose of local lore.
- For Families: Discover the Everhart Museum – Natural history, art, and science exhibits housed in beautiful Nay Aug Park.
Best Time to Visit Scranton, PA
The best time to visit Scranton is spring through fall (April through October), when you can enjoy parks, trails, and outdoor festivals. Winter is great for skiing and snow tubing at nearby Montage Mountain. Fall offers vibrant foliage in Lackawanna County’s hills.
How to Get to Scranton, PA
- If you are traveling by car: Scranton is located off I-81, I-84, and I-476, about 2 hours from Philadelphia or New York City.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP), about 15 minutes from downtown.
- By Bus: Greyhound, Martz Trailways, and other carriers provide direct bus service to and from NYC, Philly, and beyond.
Where to Stay in Scranton, PA
- Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel – Elegant hotel in a restored 1908 train station with historic ambiance and modern comfort.
- Hilton Scranton & Conference Center – Convenient downtown location with indoor pool and on-site dining.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dickson City-Scranton – Nearby, family-friendly option with easy highway access and free breakfast.
Museums and History
1. Everhart Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
The Everhart Museum was named for prominent Scranton physician Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart. Dr. Everhart gifted the city with what is now the Everhart Museum in 1907. Today, the museum contains exhibits featuring art, science, and natural history. The museum offers special hands-on education events for K-12 students as well as summer camps and adult education classes.
In September the museum hosts the annual Farm to Table meal, featuring locally grown, fresh ingredients. The Everhart Museum is open daily except Wednesdays, February through December, and is closed in the month of January for maintenance.
1901 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18510, Phone: 570-346-7186
2. Electric City Trolley Museum
In the late 1880's, Scranton became known as “The Electric City” because of its passenger trolley line, the first in the state of Pennsylvania. Today, the Electric City Trolley Museum seeks to preserve the history of the rail line in the city.
Exhibits include model trolleys and railways, headlights, railway lights, mine train equipment, a restored trolley car, and an interactive trolley exhibit for children. The museum also features a working trolley car that travels a line that starts at the museum and passes several historical sites. The museum is open 7 days a week, excluding major holidays.
300 Cliff Street, Scranton, PA 18503, Phone: 570-963-6590
3. Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society
For nearly 100 years, the Erie Lackawanna Railroad was known for serving fresh, gourmet meals to passengers travelling on its railway dining cars. Today, the mission of the Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society is to preserve the history of these cars and of railway travel.
The society has restored three dining cars, one sleeper car, and two Dieseliner coaches. Tours of the cars can be arranged by contacting the society directly. In addition, they offer train rides with meals at special events throughout the year. The events calendar can be found on the society's website.
201 South Blakeley Street #333, Dunmore, PA 18512, Phone: 570-209-5851
4. Catlin House
Built in 1912, Catlin House is a Tudor-style mansion that was originally the home of George H. Catlin, an early Scranton businessman. The home contains 16 rooms that have been beautifully preserved and furnished with period-specific décor and antiques.
Beautiful wood paneling, a wooden staircase, and stained glass windows are just a few of the details of the home. Guided tours of the Catlin House are offered on certain days. The mansion is also the headquarters of the Lackawanna Historical Society and contains a research library and lecture room.
232 Monroe Ave, Scranton, PA 18510, Phone: 570-344-3841
Unique Attractions
5. Houdini Museum
The Houdini Museum pays tribute to Harry Houdini, one of the most famous magicians and illusionists the world has ever known. The museum contains pictures, posters, and artifacts from Houdini's life and his stage career.
Visitors are treated to a tour of the museum, a film, and a live magic show with world-renowned magicians Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brooks. The entire museum experience lasts 2 ½ to 3 hours and a limited number of seats are available for each show. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be obtained by calling the museum directly.
1433 N Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18508, Phone: 570-342-5555
6. Lackawanna County Coal Mine
Coal mining has paid an integral part in the economy of Pennsylvania for decades. Visitors to Lackawanna County can experience what mining underground is like by taking a tour of the Lackawanna County Coal Mine, where they descend by elevator 300 feet underground and walk past three veins of coal.
Tour guides explain the history of coal mining as well as the equipment and mining methods used throughout the years. The coal mine tour is offered daily from April 1st through November 30th, excluding major holidays. The tour lasts approximately one hour. Walking shoes and a jacket are recommended.
Recommended Activities for Families
7. Lackawanna River Heritage Trail
Explore miles of beautiful woodland scenery along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. The trail extends for 70 miles through both rural and urban areas and is divided into sections of varying lengths. There are many points of interest along the trail and in the towns through which it passes.
Much of the trail is paved, making it excellent for walking, running, or cycling. Special events such as runs and walks, group bicycle rides, races, and trail clean-up days are held throughout the year by various area groups. At its northern end, the Heritage Trail connects with the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail.
8. Montage Mountain
Montage Mountain is the place to be for outdoor family fun in northern Pennsylvania. In the winter, Montage Mountain offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
There are also ski lessons for both children and adults. In the summer, the park offers zipline rides and a large water park with slides, a canal for floating, a large wave pool, and poolside cabanas. Guests can grab a quick bite to eat at the concession stand, or stay for a longer meal at the Slocum Hollow Bar & Restaurant. Park hours vary by season and can be found on the park's website.
100 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton, PA 18507, Phone: 570-969-7669
9. Nay Aug Park
Nay Aug Park is an escape to nature within the city of Scranton. The largest park in the city, Navy Aug contains beautifully landscaped walking trails and picnic areas as well as two playgrounds for children. The trails pass features such as rocky gorges, streams, and waterfalls.
In the summer, guests can beat the heat in the park's two Olympic-sized pools and large water slides. Children will love the park's large treehouse with long walkways stretching 150 feet into the air.
1901 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18510, Phone: 570-348-4186
10. Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum
In the 1800s many immigrants came to Pennsylvania to build a new life in the anthracite coal mining industry. The Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum seeks to tell the story of these immigrants and their families, work, and traditions.
The museum's exhibits include a replica of a typical coal miner's home, a replica saloon, and many photographs of workers and their families. There is also a nearby exhibit consisting of four large iron furnaces. These massive stone structures were used for smelting the iron that was produced by the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and is closed major holidays.
22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, PA 18504, Phone: 570-963-4804
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