If you had a day to drive up through the Poconos from Allentown, which way would you go and what you like to see?

Next stop is Elysburg.

Who is on this trip? What season? Are you going to Knobel's?
I would take PA 304 through Tamaqua to Hometown and then west.
Avoid Shamokin and Centralia.

Correction: PA 309 to Hometown and then PA 54 west.
PA 304 is near Mifflinburg where I used to live. My kids always loved a trip to Knobel's but I don't know if I would fly in from far away to go there.

It is an amusement-park themed trip, kind of my thing. So yes, Knoebels and several other parks-- big, small and historic. We have all that mapped out but wanted a sense of it was doable to take time for at least a nice drive through the Poconos.

We also made time for Philly, Gettysburg and Atlantic City. Just me and my hubby.

Thanks for the route suggestions, tomfuller.

It's easy to get to Atlantic City on New Jersey Transit from Philadelphia 30th St. station. You don't really need a rental car for that part. Are you also visiting Hershey Park?

Tom-- about how long do you estimate it would take to do the Poconos drive, including a few stops along the way?

Regarding Atlantic City, we talked on my Philly lodging thread about that...turning in the car when we get back to Philly and taking trains for the rest of the trip before flying home.

Yes, Hershey is on the list, of course!

A lot of people go to the Poconos to see Bushkill Falls (tourist trap with a fee). However, to see the best falls in the Poconos, I would recommend a trip to Ricketts Glen State Park (Free). There are 22 different waterfalls to see over several hiking trails.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar.../rickettsglen/

I see you have Knoebel's Amusement Park on your list of things to do. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!! Free admission, Free Parking, Free picnic tables (so pack a picnic lunch). You pay for only the rides that you want to go on. Ride the carousel and catch the brass ring for a free ride. Or take the 1 1/2 mile train ride through the woods. Or ride one of the top 10 wooden roller coasters (The Phoenix). Or have fun on the old fashioned bumper cars. You just can't beat Knoebels Grove for a fun and affordable time. Enjoy!

Robyn

Thanks, Robyn...Ricketts Glen looks beautiful and my hubby loves waterfalls!

I have wanted to visit Knoebel's since I watched a travel channel special on historic amusement parks years ago. I love the whole idea that places like this have so much history.

Knobels has had at least two floods since I was there last.
They have spent a lot of time and effort to make it as good or better than it was. https://www.google.com/search?q=knoe...g&ved=0CDcQsAQ
As for the Poconos - I tried to stay out of them because of all the coal mining scars. I worked in the Ridge and Valley part of the Aleghenies (west of the Susquehanna)

If you're coming up this way, to Knoebel's or Ricketts Glen, and you're into quirky things, you might want to check out Centralia.

Centralia is a coal mine town that has been on fire for over 50 years. It's pretty much a ghost town, with only 7-10 people still living there. Although you can't see fire, you can usually see smoke and steam leaking from the ground. It's especially smokey when it rains.

Robyn

Just for the record- there were no coal mines- and consequently are no coal mining scars- in the Pocono's- the coal areas are west of there- around Wilkes Barre and Scranton

Centralia sounds cool. We have some leeway in our schedule and actually booked for our first night a room at one of those retro 70s resorts in Marshall's Creek. We will fly into Philly, arriving about noon, rent a car and head up to the resort. We would love to know about cool or quirky things that don't take much time and could be seen on the way.

The next day we will check out and drive to Dorney but don't know where we will spend the night. Like I said-- there's some flexibility on this first leg of the trip, which will be follow a loop that takes includes short stops at Degrasso and Lakemont parks, and then to Kennywood, (hopefully with a little time see Pittsburgh.)

A day at Gettysburg will be a break from amusement parks before heading for a day/night in Hershey. Then, return to Philly, drop the car and see Philly and AC for the second leg of the trip.

See the trains at Strassburg before you turn in the car in Philly.

Ricketts Glen State Park and hiking area is NOT in the Poconos.

It is in the Endless Mountains.

Eagles Mere is close by and is a cute town.


Thin

Thanks for the Knoebels photos, Tom. I imagine that park has seen its share of natural "disasters." The photos really give a nice sense for the feel of the park, which looks absolutely lovely.

Endless Mountains-- what a cool name. I am going to do more research for that area, including Eagles Mere. To me the hardest part of a trip is narrowing down what to see and do. Of course in this case it really is driven by proximity to the areas where the parks are located.

An hour outside of Pittsburgh: http://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm It does not take long to walk thru and it is very moving.

Pittsburgh is nowhere near the Poconos.

It takes about 6 hours to drive from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Pittsburgh.

Rickets Glenn is STUNNING!


Thin

Another thing:

Elysburg-Knoebel's Grove is NOT in the Poconos.


Thin

To clarify, we will start our adventure in the Poconos. This thread has expanded to include other stops during the trip.