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The Best Fall Day Trips to do in the Pocono Mountains

The best day trips this fall lie waiting for you in the Poconos Mountains! With wine tasting, hiking and kayaking all just a few hours away from Philadelphia or New York City it’s hard to go wrong. 

The Pocono Mountains are a beautiful, natural area with lots of attractions for the whole family. It’s tough to decide on what to do when you have so many options – that’s why we put together this list of our favorite day trips from the Poconos! We hope it helps make your decision easier. 

Fall in the Poconos is a great way to spend your weekend. There’s so much more than just leaves changing color – there are haunted houses, hay rides, corn mazes and apple cider donuts at every turn! It’s perfect for nature lovers who love the great outdoors.

For me, nothing beats Fall in the Pocono Mountains. Whether it’s pumpkin picking or hiking through a corn maze, there is no shortage of ways to spend this time-honored season!

The Pocono Mountains are in Pennsylvania, which is about a two-hour drive from the Big Apple, New York City on the East Coast in the United States.

pumpkins in poconos

The Best Ways to Get Scenic Views in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania

We conquered a local favorite – Mazezilla, an 11 acre corn maze! My kids had a blast and it was really nice to enjoy some family fun together. While there is a fee to conquer the maze, there were also so many free activities for my kids too! Be sure to pick some pumpkins while at Klingel’s Farm as well.

Hiking is a rewarding and great activity for families. The Poconos region of Pennsylvania has many options to offer, with Bushkill Falls, the Niagara of Pennsylvania, being one that should not be missed! You can also see falls at Dingmans Falls or Pinchot Falls.

bushkill falls

Big Pocono State Park in Monroe County in Northeastern Pennsylvania is a great place to explore acres of rugged terrain and enjoy the scenic views. During the winter you can enjoy the best things about the winter sports at Camelback Resort like snow tubing

If you love small towns, Downtown Milford is a quaint little town nestled in the Poconos. There are some really cool shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors and coffee places that make this perfect for an afternoon of relaxation after you’ve hiked Bushkill Falls.

Whether you decide to fish or hike, Mauch Chunk Lake Park will offer plenty of opportunities for recreational activities! Rent a kayak and explore every inch of the lake or head off on the biking trails before heading into downtown Jim Thorpe where there are plenty more outdoor activities are waiting for you.

pumpkin in chalk

Spend a low key afternoon enjoying the Fall Foliage Festival in Jim Thorpe before venturing out into town for some sightseeing. Get a taste of the beauty and charm of Jim Thorpe along the Lehigh Gorge on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. This scenic train ride will take you through Pennsylvania’s beautiful fall foliage.

scenic railway on lehigh gorge

Another lovely idea is to visit the Delaware Water Gap and enjoy all the activities offered, such as fishing, biking, swimming in the Delaware River or hiking on their 100+ miles of trails through the wooded Pocono Mountains. While you visit, make sure to stop by the Pocono Environmental Education Center. PEEC is a nature lover’s paradise with an abundance of outdoor activities.

Historical Sites in the Beautiful Pocono Mountains

The Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park is a natural landmark that has been around for over 20,000 years. It’s an amazing place to visit and experience the beauty of nature first hand!

Go back in time and experience life as it was 150 years ago on Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. This living history museum has animals at their petting zoo, family programs and hands-on activities all while showing you how people lived with more primitive amenities than they do today.

The Pocono region has a rich history that dates back to the Delaware Indians. Have you ever wondered about their lifestyle, how they lived and survived? Stop by the Pocono Indian Museum with its exhibits on canoe making techniques as well as family life in pre-European times.

Enjoy Thrills

The Pocono Mountains Region is the perfect place for those looking for a little adventure. Great Wolf Lodge and Camelback Mountain Resort are a great tourist attraction for water slides and water sports at these great water parks.

The Pocono Raceway has special events throughout the year and is a popular attraction if you like Nascar.

Enjoy the good food and wine while in the Pocono Mountains!

Pocono Mountains is home to amazing food and wine, so make sure you take the time to enjoy a meal while visiting! With great views of forests, rolling hills, lakes and mountains you will always have something beautiful to look at as well as taste!

Plus all your senses are treated with a relaxing ambiance in Pocono’s restaurants that serves fresh local ingredients from their gardens or Pennsylvania farms just miles away.

Let us know about how your day trips go in the Poconos!

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Sandy Weinstein

Tuesday 19th of October 2021

i went here many years ago. i went by myself to a health resort. it is beautiful country.

Tips for Hiking Bushkill Falls - Momma Lew

Thursday 12th of December 2019

[…] our stay in the Poconos, we were test driving the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring. The Poconos is a very mountainous area and the way the Mazda CX5 handled those mountains and curves of the road was just amazing. You […]

Amber Ludwig

Sunday 5th of November 2017

We love the Poconos!! My stepfather grew up there so we visit often! The fall is my favorite time because it is seriously so gorgeous!

HilLesha O'Nan

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

I have never been to the Pocono Mountains, but I'd love to visit someday. It looks like a lovely place to visit during this time of year!

Ayana Pitterson

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

We are planning on a girls weekend to the Poconos and I honestly didn't start to think of all the things we could do besides wine at the fireplace. Thanks for the list. Now I can say I have done some homework on it..lol

thrifting diva www.thriftingdiva.com