12 Best Things to Do in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton is the county seat of Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania. Scranton is a small city that is big on history. At one time, it was the head of the anthracite coal mining industry in Pennsylvania and attracted immigrants from all over Europe. Today, Scranton, PA offers visitors the chance to explore history in their many museums and historic homes.

1.Everhart Museum

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.Things to Do in Scranton, PA: The Caitlin House

Built in 1912, the Caitlin House is a Tudor-style mansion that was originally the home of George H. Caitlin, 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 Caitlin House are offered Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 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

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. Next read: Water parks in PA.

1433 N Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18508, Phone: 570-342-5555

6.Lackawanna County Coal Mine, Scranton, Pennsylvania

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.

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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.

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8.Montage Mountain, Scranton, Pennsylvania

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

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9.Things to Do in Scranton, PA: Navy Aug Park

Navy 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. Navy Aug Park is open daily. Pool hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer, weather permitting.

1901 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA 18510, Phone: 570-348-4186

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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 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

11.Lake Scranton Walking Path, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Lake Scranton is a 16,000-acre reservoir that serves as the water supply for the city of Scranton. The lake is surrounded by the 3.5-mile-long Lake Scranton Walking Path. The path is completely paved, providing an easy walk or run with beautiful views of the lake and nearby East Mountain. Pets, bicycles, and motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

Route 307, Scranton, PA 18505

12.Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, PA

Steamtown National Historic Site is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of steam locomotives. These locomotives were once very important for transporting both coal and passengers through Pennsylvania.

Steamtown's museum exhibits include a restored steam locomotive, photographs, and memorabilia from the heyday of the railroad, exhibits depicting the life of a rail hand, and a roundhouse where technicians can perform repairs and upkeep on the trains. There is also a theatre where guests can see a brief film about the history of the railroad. The site is open daily except for major holidays. Hours vary by season.

350 Cliff St, Scranton, PA 18503, Phone: 570-340-5200