Get to Know the Poconos in Pennsylvania

	A Horse Drawn Carriage in the Poconos 1

The First Nations term Pocono roughly translates to "stream between two mountains". It is obvious how aptly named the Pocono Mountains are. The area's lush, mountainous terrain is divided by the Delaware River, as it flows from New York State in the north to Wilmington, Delaware in the south, then drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The district spans four separate counties—Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne—and its miles of wooded peaks, river valleys, cascading waterfalls and sparkling lakes provide those in the area with year-round outdoor adventure and family activities. The Poconos are famous not only for their natural beauty and the quaint, historical towns scattered about the land, but also for their hundreds of resorts, attractions and places to stay—in short, an ideal vacation environment.

A PEEK AT THE POCONOS' TOURISM HISTORY

Found in the far northeast corner of Pennsylvania, the boundaries of the Poconos Mountains are vague, but the region covers about 2,400 sq mi (6,200 sq km). The Poconos are mountainous; however, they are not a mountain chain. Rather, they are a mature dissected plateau—an uplifted land mass that has, overtime, eroded into a sharp relief. Their highest summit, Elk Hill’s North Knob, reaches 2,693 ft (821 m), while their lowest elevation is in Pike County at 350 ft (107 m) above sea level.

Though originally inhabited by the Delaware, Iriquois, Shawnee, Minisink, Lenape and Paupack peoples, it was the Dutch who first colonized the mountains in 1659. However, by 1742 these newcomers were forced to leave by the English and German settlers who were taking up residency there.

The first hotel built in the area was established by 1857. Less than 50 years later, the region was attracting thousands of vacationers annually from the growing cities of Philadelphia and New York. Known as a place far from the city where people could get reacquainted with nature, the region quickly became a desirable destination, but it wasn't until 1946 and the opening of the region's first commercial ski hill, Big Boulder Ski Area, that the Poconos became the four-season attraction it is today.

Recognized today as the Honeymoon Capital of the World, these rolling hills were once the destination of World War II GIs who, while on leave, sought a romantic getaway with their girlfriends. Due to the region's secluded feel, it is plain to see why those young people would choose the Poconos for that special time and why the area continues to draw couples in for some romance in the mountains.

In the latter part of the century, tourist attractions in the Pocono Mountains developed slow and steady. Then, the '90s brought about a period of revitalization in the area, producing many of the high quality accommodation facilities and tourist attractions that now pervade the area. During this time, a large inflation of golf courses and resorts arose, providing golfers today with over 35 courses to play on.

Since the dawn of the new millennium, Pocono Mountains propertie developers have continued to invest millions of dollars in attractions and accommodations in order to improve the visitor experience and shape the region into a world-class vacation destination.

	Harry Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe 2

CLIMATE

The climate in the Poconos region is relatively mild. The weather ranges from light snowfalls in the winter to warm breezy days in the summer, creating great opportunities in every season.

Springtime fills the Pocono countryside with blossoming wild flowers. This is an ideal time for that first round of golf, a fishing trip, an early paddle in a canoe or maybe some exciting whitewater rafting.

Summer days are warm and long. At this time, visitors will want to find one of the area's many pristine rivers or lakes for a refreshing break. There they can take a lazy tube ride downstream or set sail and drift across a lake, then make a splash on-board a jet ski. Summertime family fun is common at all the region's amusment parks, and with events like NASCAR Racing and festivals like the Milford Music Festival and the Poconos Blues Festival, summer promises to be hot, not only temperature-wise.

Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the Pocono Mountains. It's at this time that the foliage of the area steals the show as millions of leaves change color from green to red to orange to yellow. Visitors can take in this beautiful time while on a nature walk or a leisurely horseback ride, or they can find a view of it all by riding a chairlift at one of the region's many ski areas. Come September, the Jazz and Arts Festival is a great way to spend an autumn day.

Winter brings snow to the Poconos, and when that white stuff makes an appearance, people hit the slopes, skate atop frozen ponds and head out to the great cross country skiing trails and snowmobile parks prevalent in these parts.

	A Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania 3

TRANSPORTATION

The Mountains' location could hardly be more convenient for travelers to access. Located only 90 minutes drive from New York City and less than two hours from Philadelphia, the Pocono Mountains are easily reached via super Interstate Highways, 80, 81, 84, and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Along with the five domestic airports in the surrounding area—Cherry Ridge, Flying Dollar, Jake Arner Memorial, Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport and Stroudsburg Pocono Airport—international air service is provided by neighboring cities and states via Lehigh Valley International Airport, Kennedy Airport/JFK International, LaGuardia International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

Within the district, bus services are provided by Martz Trailways and Greyhound Lines. Most cities possess car rentals and taxi services that are great for short trips. For people who like to ride in style, local limousines companies can provide door to door transport within the Pocono Mountains.

CITIES AND TOWNS

The area does not include any major city centers, instead it is populated by many small municipalities and counties. The larger centers in the area include the borough of Stroudsburg and the town of Jim Thorpe—originally called Mauch Chunk and later named after the First Nations sports hero who is buried there.

Many of the towns and villages spread throughout the four counties of the Poconos contain historic attractions that offer visitors a chance to glimpse the area's past. The great selection of character hotels, cozy bed and breakfasts and luxurious resort accommodations found in and around these towns provide guests with the lodging they will need to explore northeast Pennsylvania.

JIM THORPE'S OPERA HOUSE
Well over 100 years old, the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe has worn many hats in its time. Beginning as a market-house and public hall, the townspeople then converted it into an opera house, which became a regular stop on the old Vaudeville Circuit—a popular form of theatrical entertainment between 1875 and 1932. Later, the building was purchased and renovated into a movie house known as the Capitol Theater, which closed due to a decline in the movie theater business. Afterwards it was purchased by Berkeley Bags Co. and used as a warehouse. Finally, in 1975 the building was purchased by the Mauch Chunk Historical Society of Carbon County and was restored to its previous status as the jewel of the Jim Thorpe community.

	A Frozen Pond in the Poconos 4

It is said that the natural acoustics of this 19th century building rival that of Carnegie Hall. Productions at the Opera House include live music, dance, theater, art exhibits and film screenings.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Poconos Mountains are home to some 150 lakes, 18 waterfalls and 170 mi (273.6 km) of rivers, creating a virtual utopia for anglers, campers, boaters and sightseers. Approximately 27 mi (43 km) of the Appalachian Trail is located here, as well as 17 Pennsylvania State Parks and countless hiking trails. All that, plus over 35 golf courses and seven ski areas, insures that no matter where they stay, visitors are never far from fun.

LAKE WALLENPAUPACK
From 1924 to 1927, Pennsylvania's Power and Light Company—PPL Electric Utilities, Inc—worked to dam the Wallenpaupack Creek at Wilsonville, creating one of the largest man-made lakes in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lake Wallenpaupack. With 52 mi (84 km) of uninterrupted shoreline, the lake features many public-access recreation areas like Ledgedale, Ironwood Point, Wilsonville and Caffrey. Wallenpaupack now serves as a major tourism area and contributes to the many businesses that have sprung up around the lake.

	Canoeing Over Lake Wallenpaupack 5

THE DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
In northeastern Pennsylvania where the Delaware River winds into the Appalachian Mountains, the Delaware Water Gap extends from the town of Milford in the north to the city of Stroudsburg in the south. A water gap is the product of an established river that has cut through a newer mountain ridge. The gap that formed in the Poconos created a vast area of spectacular forests, rivers and waterfalls, as well as a practical route for roads and railroads to cross the mountain ridge—the perfect environment for a national recreation area.

Get to know the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area, as it contains many opportunities for those who love the outdoors, including one of the cleanest rivers around, suitable for swimming, fishing, boating, rafting and tubing. Try hiking the Endless Mountain where 27 mi (43 km) of the Appalachian Trail passes through the park. Experience spectacular waterfalls as the mountain streams roll off the Pocono Plateau and tumble down mountainsides into the river below. Also be sure to explore the historic structures that dot the park's scenic byways, like those at Millbrook Village. Open for weekend visits in the summer, the site hosts Millbrook Days in October.