Pennsylvania

8 Cutest Small Towns In The Poconos To Visit In 2024

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2024

8 Cutest Small Towns In The Poconos To Visit In 2024

Generations of travelers, especially from cities along the eastern seaboard, have vacationed in the Pocono Mountains region of northeastern Pennsylvania. The kitschy honeymoon motels with heart-shaped bathtubs have largely been replaced with big resorts (several with indoor water parks), but the natural grandeur of the Poconos remains. There are also still dozens of small towns tucked away in the Poconos, full of history and charm and just waiting to be explored. Check out our list of eight must-see small towns for 2024.

Lehighton

Beltzville State Park in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. Editorial credit: Helen89 / Shutterstock.com.

Coal mining in the Poconos goes back centuries, and Lehighton was long an important coal-shipping town along the Lehigh River and the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Nearly all of the coal mines have long since closed, so Lehighton now thrives on tourists seeking to explore the beautiful outdoors that surround the town. Nearby natural highlights include Lehigh Gorge State Park and the D&L National Heritage Trail. Lehighton also hosts lots of fun community events, such as the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival in October, held at the “World’s Largest General Store,” Country Junction.

Jim Thorpe

Once called Mauch Chunk, the town of Jim Thorpe is named for one of the greatest American athletes of the twentieth century, who is also buried in town. Most of the buildings downtown long predate the 1954 name change and represent an impressive array of architectural styles, making Jim Thorpe perfect for a walking tour. After checking out the Asa Packer Mansion Museum, book a trip on the 16-mile-long Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for some lovely natural sightseeing. Jim Thorpe also keeps a busy community social calendar, with highlights including the Independent Film Festival (April), Fall Foliage Festival (October), and Olde Time Christmas Weekends (December).

Stroudsburg

Stroudsburg (population 6,000) is the largest town in the Poconos, and as a result, it bustles with festivals and community events all year long. To name just a few examples, Stroudsburg hosts the Quiet Valley Farm Animal Frolic in May, the Pride Festival and Juneteenth in June, the Pocono State Craft Festival in August, and StroudFest in September. Even if there is not a festival going on in town, Stroudsburg is a great place to explore, with longtime shops such as Dunkelberger’s and historic highlights like the 1795 Stroud Mansion and 1890 Monroe County Courthouse. The fantastic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is also just a short drive away.

Bushkill

The little community of Bushkill is home to one of the region’s most famous natural features: Bushkill Falls, a series of eight waterfalls known as the “Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania.” Visiting the falls requires some hiking, but the stunning beauty of the natural scenery is more than worth the effort. Bushkill is also home to Poconos Park, a 10,000-seat amphitheater that hosts some of the region’s biggest events. The 2024 calendar includes TacoFest (May), Motorcycle-themed (May), and 1980s-themed (July) music festivals, an Independence Day carnival (July), a haunted house (October), and drive-through holiday lights (December).

Delaware Water Gap

The town of Delaware Water Gap is named for the towering and narrow mountain pass cut through by the Delaware River. The community sits on the valley floor, and the Appalachian Trail leads up Mt. Minsi for an elevated view of the area. Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy mountain biking on the McDade Recreational Trail, whitewater rafting along the river, and migratory bird watching (and much more) at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The town is also a live music hotbed and hosts the annual COTA Jazz and Arts Festival in September.

Honesdale

Honesdale is called the “Birthplace of American Railroading” and maintains a replica of the nation’s first commercial steam locomotive, the 1829 Stourbridge Lion, at the Wayne County Historical Museum. The Stourbridge Rail Line used to haul coal but now serves as a 25-mile-long scenic railway that is particularly beautiful in autumn. Honesdale’s residents also showcase their lovely little town with fun events all year long, including the Roots and Rhythm Music and Arts Festival in June, Wayne County Fair in August, Harvest and Heritage Days in October, and Winter Wonderland at the end of November.

Tannersville

Tannersville is one of the oldest communities in the region, with a history stretching back more than 250 years, but it is much better known today for its modern tourist amenities. Tannersville is home to a Poconos mega-resort, Camelback Resort, which offers luxury accommodations and year-round activities ranging from skiing to zip-lining, along with a giant indoor water park and events like UllrFest in November. Shoppers also flock to the Poconos Premium Outlets in Tannersville, home to more than 100 outlet shops. For a nature getaway, hike to the summit in Great Pocono State Park to soak in fantastic panoramic views.

Tobyhanna

Like Tannerville and Camelback Resort, the little community of Tobyhanna is home to a mega-resort (Kalahari Resort) that brings in vacationers and convention-goers from near and far. Kalahari’s African flora and fauna theme may not relate much to the Poconos, but the resort has excellent amenities, including a 220,000-square-foot indoor water park. For a more authentic Poconos experience, head to nearby Tobyhanna State Park for boating, hiking, and more. Or, zip over to Pocono Raceway, a famous auto racing track that hosts a NASCAR event each July and other races throughout the season.

The Poconos region of Carbon, Pike, Monroe, and Wayne counties has transformed itself into a true four-season destination. The region’s small towns play their part by hosting fun community events throughout the year, and also simply by being lovely little places to visit. Whether you prefer historic architecture, scenic railways, mountain trails, live jazz, or indoor water parks, you cannot go wrong exploring the small towns of the Poconos. So, make your 2024 travel plans today!

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Pennsylvania

Paul Wilson: Big Phama vs. Pennsylvania

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10 hours ago

April 3, 2026

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Pennsylvania

Disturbing footage | Pa. pediatric nurse faces charges for allegedly abusing infant

Published

22 hours ago

April 2, 2026

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Disturbing footage | Pa. pediatric nurse faces charges for allegedly abusing infant

A pediatric nurse in Pennsylvania has been accused of abusing a medically fragile infant, with disturbing surveillance footage revealing the incident.Disturbing surveillance A Ring camera captured a moment no parent should ever have to see. A pediatric nurse hired to care for a 1-year-old is now accused of abusing the child inside the child’s home.Cindy Desser, 58, is accused of slamming the Newtown Township baby in her crib. In the video from May of last year, Desser adjusts the baby’s medical equipment, walks away, but when the alarm sounds, she chokeslams the baby a second time.An attorney for the baby’s parents told NBC 10 they went to the police and have now filed a lawsuit against Desser and the company that employed her, Team Select Home Care.”They were utterly horrified seeing what they saw on the camera,” the attorney said. “As soon as they saw Desser treating their child like that and abusing her, they rushed into her room and confronted her. And then immediately they called Team Select. They said she cannot come back.”Baby born with spina bifida and needed 24-7 careThe baby was born with spina bifida and other medical complications. At the time of the incident, she was ventilator-dependent and needed 24-7 care.”So, while she was unable to defend herself or speak out on her own behalf and talk to her parents or cry for help, her vital signs, through her vital signs, she was screaming out for help and Team Select, who monitors those, was ignoring that,” the attorney said.Desser charged in separate caseOn March 27, Desser was charged in a separate Bucks County case, accused of abusing a three-year-old child while working for another home care company, Dynamic Home Care.Desser is facing several charges, including aggravated assault.Officials believe there may be more victims.”We firmly believe that given now that we’ve seen Desser assault two minor children who are medically compromised, that these are not isolated occurrences. These are rather part of her pattern,” the attorney said.The companies that Desser works for have yet to comment on the claims, as have her attorneys.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —

A pediatric nurse in Pennsylvania has been accused of abusing a medically fragile infant, with disturbing surveillance footage revealing the incident.

Disturbing surveillance

A Ring camera captured a moment no parent should ever have to see. A pediatric nurse hired to care for a 1-year-old is now accused of abusing the child inside the child’s home.

Cindy Desser, 58, is accused of slamming the Newtown Township baby in her crib. In the video from May of last year, Desser adjusts the baby’s medical equipment, walks away, but when the alarm sounds, she chokeslams the baby a second time.

Hearst OwnedWGAL

Cindy Desser

An attorney for the baby’s parents told NBC 10 they went to the police and have now filed a lawsuit against Desser and the company that employed her, Team Select Home Care.

“They were utterly horrified seeing what they saw on the camera,” the attorney said. “As soon as they saw Desser treating their child like that and abusing her, they rushed into her room and confronted her. And then immediately they called Team Select. They said she cannot come back.”

Baby born with spina bifida and needed 24-7 care

The baby was born with spina bifida and other medical complications. At the time of the incident, she was ventilator-dependent and needed 24-7 care.

“So, while she was unable to defend herself or speak out on her own behalf and talk to her parents or cry for help, her vital signs, through her vital signs, she was screaming out for help and Team Select, who monitors those, was ignoring that,” the attorney said.

Desser charged in separate case

On March 27, Desser was charged in a separate Bucks County case, accused of abusing a three-year-old child while working for another home care company, Dynamic Home Care.

Desser is facing several charges, including aggravated assault.

Officials believe there may be more victims.

“We firmly believe that given now that we’ve seen Desser assault two minor children who are medically compromised, that these are not isolated occurrences. These are rather part of her pattern,” the attorney said.

The companies that Desser works for have yet to comment on the claims, as have her attorneys.

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Pennsylvania

FBI director Kash Patel attends fentanyl roundtable in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

FBI director Kash Patel attends fentanyl roundtable in Allentown, Pennsylvania

McCormick made fighting the fentanyl epidemic a significant part of his 2024 campaign and has even advocated employing the military to attack drug cartels in Mexico. He co-sponsored the Halt Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug, and was signed into law last year. Later, he introduced the Nitazene Control Act to similarly classify newer narcotics and, in March, introduced the Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025, to “improve federal coordination” to “go after trafficking organizations [and] address China’s central role in producing fentanyl precursors and laundering drug money.”

U.S. Attorney David Metcalf reinforced the importance of targeting higher levels of the drug supply chain.

“When you measure it by lives lost, the most significant criminal problem we face is still drugs,” he said. “We try to dismantle the problem at the highest level … with cartels and transnational organized crime.”

He noted that Pennsylvania removed more than 56 million doses of fentanyl in 2025 alone, calling it evidence of aggressive enforcement efforts while cautioning that progress must be sustained.

“Now’s the time where you triple down,” Sunday said.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who was not present during the discussion, later told WHYY News that said the city is “happy when our federal partners come to Allentown in a collaborative spirit,” but warned that enforcement alone is not enough as federal dollars for social programs remain at risk.

“I hope that the administration is focused on not just the big headline gravity stuff, but on doing things that strengthen cities,” he said. “They can do that by making smart investments and working closely and collaboratively with cities.”

Tuerk said that includes funding social services that prevent addiction and help offset potential losses in access to fentanyl treatment for Medicaid recipients who may lose coverage under new work requirements and eligibility changes. Medicaid currently pays for about 90% of all treatment.

“As a mayor and as a city leader, my concern is that the good work that law enforcement does to deal with fentanyl or other violent crime gets undercut by decisions that the administration has made that weakens a social safety net and it just creates more problems at the local level,” Tuerk said.

McCormick acknowledged ongoing concerns about funding and long-term strategy, particularly around addiction treatment and mental health services.

“None of us feel like we have conquered all the dimensions of this problem,” he said, adding that Medicaid funding has actually been increased, though reforms may “slow the pace of growth in spending.”

“That pace of growth will slow to about 3%, which is still higher inflation, so it’s still growing,” he said. “How those additional funds will be allocated, I think, is something that remains to be seen.”

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized that opioid settlement funds are being directed toward treatment and recovery programs, calling them “crucial” to reducing demand alongside supply-side crackdowns.

“We’re here talking about everything we’re doing today to address the supply, but at the same time, we have to just as vigorously go after the demand,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Allentown, noted that the Lehigh Valley has been heavily impacted due to its location along major trafficking routes, with “hundreds of families” affected over the years.

Sunday added a personal perspective, describing the crisis not just as a law enforcement issue, but as a fear shared by parents across the state.

“When I was a kid, if you made a mistake, you might not feel well for a day,” Sunday said. “In today’s world, one mistake can equal death. That’s not hyperbole, that is very, very real.”

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