Families flock to Tannersville for its abundant all-age activities. With Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor waterpark, the Camelback Mountain Resort draws crowds in every season. In Bushkill and Delaware Water Gap, nature takes the front seat, showcasing the region’s waterfalls and ridges. Hawley, on the other hand, strikes a balance between its historic downtown and outdoor attractions along Lake Wallenpaupack. Each of these Poconos towns ranks among US favorites in 2026, but you’ll still want to choose the right town for you.

Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe’s mountain-backed main street draws half a million people each year. The Poconos town is centered on Broadway, a road seemingly untouched by time. At its western end, the 1881 Mauch Chunk Opera House is one of America’s oldest vaudeville theatres, hinting at the history still to come. Continuing east, 19th-century storefronts are another staple, housing businesses like Sellers Books & Art. Capping the end of Broadway, the 1893 Carbon County Courthouse draws visitors with its clock tower.

A short way further, travelers can board a vintage train ride with the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. The round-trip ride traverses the Lehigh River, crossing bridges and cliffs into Lehigh Gorge State Park. The park’s canyon walls and woodlands are scenic year-round, but fall foliage makes the Lehigh Gorge pop that much more. For panoramic vistas, the Lehigh Gorge Overlook Trail spotlights these hues from overhead.

Delaware Water Gap

Delaware Water Gap is a Pennsylvania borough with an epic backyard. The town’s namesake national recreation area covers over 70,000 forested acres, attracting 4 to 5 million annual visitors with its dramatic scenes and recreation. Carved by the Delaware River, the mile-long “gap” is a hiking hub and sightseeing paradise.

The recreation area stretches roughly 40 miles north of the gap itself, and some of its best hikes sit at that northern end near Milford and Dingmans Ferry. For overlooks and river views, the 2.8-mile Cliff Trail winds atop Raymondskill Ridge just south of Milford. Waterfall chasing is another popular pastime on the George W. Childs Park loop near Dingmans Ferry. Surrounded by hemlock groves, this trail leads to 3 main cascades: Factory Falls, Fulmer Falls, and Deer Leap Falls. With so much to see at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, consider a night under the stars at its Dingmans Campground. Alternatively, you can book a stay back in town at the Deer Head Inn, a historic jazz club and lodge.

Bushkill

Around fourteen miles north of Delaware Water Gap, Bushkill draws crowds with the “Niagara of Pennsylvania.” Located outside the gap’s recreation area, Bushkill Falls is all about waterfalls. Open April through November, this privately-owned Poconos park features 8 cascades across 2 miles of trails. Crossing bridges, stairs, and walkways, the Red Trail is perfect for hikers who want to see all the waterfalls in one go. Bridal Veil Falls and its 2 tumbling “bridesmaids” are just some of the cascades you’ll encounter.

For a shorter hike, the Green Trail centers on Bushkill’s Main Falls. Its 100-foot plunge is a highlight of the park. Once you’ve had your fill of waterfall hikes, Bushkill also leads back to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The town’s Park Access Point features parking, restrooms, a kayak launch, and a boat launch along the Delaware River. It also extends to the McDade Recreational Trailhead, a bike-friendly route extending through most of the park.

Milford

Further north, Milford has one of the prettiest historic districts in the country. Founded along the Delaware River in 1796, the town became a popular Poconos retreat in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, Milford’s historic grid layout makes it a breeze to explore on foot, showcasing a shift between eras. Built circa 1740, the Harford Smith House is the town’s oldest structure. Deeper downtown, Victorian structures like Hotel Fauchère reflect Milford’s shift to tourism. Built in 1880, the Italianate-style structure is a short walk from shops and cafes like The Naked Bagel.

The most famous landmark in Milford requires a short drive to the outskirts of town. The Grey Towers National Historic Site preserves the legacy and inherited home of Gifford Pinchot, the founder and first head of the US Forest Service. Completed in 1886, the stone mansion is renowned for its castle-like appearance, which visitors can tour inside from Memorial Day through October. The grounds can also be explored on self-guided tours of the Marble Court, Walled Garden, and Forest Discovery Trail.

Stroudsburg

Often called the “heart of the Poconos,” Stroudsburg is another borough anchored by its downtown. Much like Milford, Stroudsburg’s history stretches back to the 1700s. The Georgian-style Stroud Mansion is its oldest surviving building, dating back to 1795. Now a museum and home base for the Monroe County Historical Association, the town-founder’s home is a centerpiece of downtown.

Stroudsburg’s timeless character is also tied to the district’s mix of old and new. Main Street’s Sherman Theater is a prime example. Built in the 1920s, it began as a venue for vaudeville acts and now stages a range of modern concerts and comedians. Just off Courthouse Square, Café Duet is another treasured locale set inside a historic landmark. Sitting opposite the Romanesque Revival-style Monroe County Courthouse, this artsy coffee shop was formerly a 19th-century firehouse.

Lehighton

Back toward Jim Thorpe, Lehighton is a southern gateway to the Poconos Mountains. At Extreme Adventure Travel Outfitters, river tubes and inflatable kayaks can be rented to use on the Lehigh River. For lake fun, paddleboats and kayaks are also available for rent at Beltzville State Park. Situated in the Poconos foothills, Beltzville Lake covers nearly 1,000 acres. In addition to paddling, parkgoers can water ski, swim, and relax on Beltzville’s beach.

Sightseeing is the next best activity in Beltzville State Park. Near its beach, parkgoers can find the Harrity Covered Bridge, a landmark built in 1841. Today, the bridge is a popular pedestrian-only photo spot, but it once hosted horse-drawn traffic. Sightseeing also extends to Beltzville’s 15 miles of marked trails. The 1-mile Falls Trail loops to a wooden footbridge hikers can cross to Wild Creek Falls. Spilling in 2 separate sections, the cascade is a must-see during your time in Lehighton.

Tannersville

Home to the Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville is a 4-season alpine retreat families love. Unlike other Poconos towns, winter is one of its busiest seasons. Camelback caters to all ski levels with its Ski & Ride Academy, offering lessons for all ages and abilities. 39% of trails are beginner-friendly, with a good mix of intermediate and advanced routes as well. If skiing isn’t your thing, the resort also has over 40 snow tubing lanes.

In the summertime, Camelbeach transforms into a Poconos adventure park. Parkgoers can cross treetop rope courses or soar above the trees on a 4,000-foot zipline. The park also has Pennsylvania’s only mountain coaster and its largest outdoor waterpark, with 37 rides and slides. Even outside summer months, visitors can enjoy 13 rides and slides at Camelback’s Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark. In addition to slides, the indoor park has splash pads, a lazy river, and a 2-level arcade.

Hawley

Hawley attracts a more laid-back vacation crowd with its lakefront and revitalized downtown. Lake Wallenpaupack’s 52-mile shoreline is packed with ways to unwind on the water. The Dock on Wallenpaupack serves cocktails and light bites along the lake’s edge, while sightseers can stroll the 3-mile Wallenpaupack Lake Trail. For a total lake-based adventure, Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour & Boat Rentals offers 50-minute tours of the reservoir. They also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoons for solo exploring.

Heading downtown, the historic Hawley Silk Mill is one of the coolest commercial hubs in the Poconos. The 1880s former textile mill is filled with boutiques, a coffee shop, and creative exhibitions like The Looking Glass Art Gallery. The rest of downtown Hawley has also been revitalized since its industrial boomtown days. Set inside historic brick facades, you can find businesses like Queen of Cups Coffee & Vintage, a cafe and vintage boutique. Nearby, Miss Elly’s Antiques & Such is another eclectic shop inside a clapboard-style Victorian home.

Honesdale

Just 9 miles north of Hawley, Honesdale’s historic downtown is equally eye-catching. Main Street is the central thoroughfare of this 19th-century railroad town, lined with wide sidewalks and Italianate-style brick buildings from when the town boomed. The nostalgic stretch is known for businesses like the Known Grove Books & More. Nearby, history extends to the Wayne County Courthouse, a grand Second Empire-style structure built in the late 19th century. Behind it, Honesdale’s Old Stone Jail is another fascinating site dating back to 1859.

Back toward Main Street, you can board a vintage railroad coach with the Stourbridge Line. Excursions range from themed dinner trains to sightseeing tours, each chugging through the Northern Poconos and Lackawaxen River Valley. Their Autumn Dinner Train is especially popular, pairing seasonal cuisine with views of the region’s fiery foliage. For a bird’s-eye view over Honesdale, Irving Cliff is another phenomenal site to visit in the fall. The Gibbons Park hillside is beautiful year-round, but the views in autumn are exceptional.

A Poconos Town For Every Taste

The Poconos region welcomes 27 to 30 million people annually, and these 9 mountain towns stand apart from the rest. Jim Thorpe is a constant favorite for access to its Victorian downtown and Lehigh Gorge State Park. Close behind, Lehighton’s lakefront draws major crowds to Beltzville State Park. For ski slopes, Tannersville takes the lead, but it also stays abuzz in the summer with Pennsylvania’s only mountain coaster. All the while, Bushkill’s 8 waterfalls put the small unincorporated community on the map.