Things to do near Tamiment, pa (Scranton, Harrisburg: rent, hotels, home)

[Caladium]

I've been invited to spend a week this summer with friends who are renting a timeshare in Tamiment, PA. IS there much to do for entertainment up there? I'd love suggestions of things we could do for fun within a 20-30 minute drive of this area. I see there is something called the Mt. Laurel Performing Arts Center there. Is that a good place for concerts or plays? We also love hiking and kayaking--any good suggestions for that?

Also would love a suggestion of a web site with a listing of local events. The ones the google sends you to are difficult to use and make you sift through lots of pages without providing much actual information. Maybe a site from a local newspaper would be better?

[Riverside4ever]

You have the Delaware river right down the road , Within driving distance there is a slew of OUTDOORS things to do ... The concerts ther are hit and miss ... They have been having issues with that venue ...

Lots of golf , fishing , boating , swimming , hiking .. in that area .

[Caladium]

Thanks! I forgot to mention that this trip will be June 30-July 7 so we'll be there for July 4th, if there are local events. Are any of the nearby towns fun places to visit for an afternoon? Is it realistic to ride bikes to a nearby town, and then maybe wander the downtown for a few hours? Also, any museums or train-oriented things? One member of our group is 84, so he won't want to go hiking. He likes museums, plays, concerts, and is a huge train buff. It would be great if we could find something that would be fun for him.

I see there is a town called Bushkill nearby. The top attractions seem to be something called Country Kettle and an Indian museum. Has anyone been to this town or these attractions, and did you like them?

[Riverside4ever]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Thanks! I forgot to mention that this trip will be June 30-July 7 so we'll be there for July 4th, if there are local events. Are any of the nearby towns fun places to visit for an afternoon? Is it realistic to ride bikes to a nearby town, and then maybe wander the downtown for a few hours? Also, any museums or train-oriented things? One member of our group is 84, so he won't want to go hiking. He likes museums, plays, concerts, and is a huge train buff. It would be great if we could find something that would be fun for him.

I see there is a town called Bushkill nearby. The top attractions seem to be something called Country Kettle and an Indian museum. Has anyone been to this town or these attractions, and did you like them?

LOTS of HILLS in that area I would leave the bikes at home unless they have engines .. There are a few small museums scattered about the area ,, Fireworks will be all over the place ( weather permitting ) Bushkill is the main town in that area ,,, there are lots of stores and a short 25 min drive away is the crossing outlets and the stroud mall too //

[Caladium]

Thanks! Tell me about this Country Kettle place. Is it worth making a trip into town, or is it just a store like any other store?

[NEPA-x-pat]

You mention kayaking....are you inerested in white water or still water?

[poconomomof5]

you say you are going in the summer, so bushkill falls.. the country kettle is cool.. i like their candy.. its worth it because its not that far of a drive from where you are.. you also wont be far from the pocono snake and animal farm which is fun..

[Caladium]

Still water kayaking, although a few mild riffles are fine. A place with lots of birds would be fantastic.

[Caladium]

This trip is starting to come together. We've decided we want to stop overnight on the way up there and on the way back since there are some fun little towns to explore in PA. We can stop anywhere between Harrisburg and Tamiment. I'm guessing that Jim Thorpe should be one of our choices? We're very open to suggestions. We've already been to Hershey, but might do it again. That's a fun little town.

[Gettingouttahere]

Hi - I've lived in the Bushkill area for 12 years so can answer you with some useful information, hopefully.

Mountain Laurel - probably not going to have anything going on while you're there. As someone else said, there are Issues. They have the occasional concert, but it's hit-or-miss, and the traffic is nightmarish.

Bushkill Falls - I boycott the place, as they charge, and there are plenty of waterfalls within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that are FREE. (Such as Dingmans, Raymondskill and Childs Park, though that may still be closed for renovation when you come; I'm not sure)

They do have nice waterfalls at Bushkill Falls. But it's not a good visit for an elderly person -- lots of up-and-down. Dingmans is a much better choice - flat level boardwalk to the first falls, and those in better shape can climb the boardwalk to the second part of the falls while the older person stays below on a bench.

There is no recommended bike-riding here to speak of, unless you're in great shape. These are mountains - not the Rockies, granted, but you'll kill yourself on some of the hills, and let's not forget the safety factor - no bike lanes here and lots of fast drivers. Definitely not recommended.

The "town" of Bushkill is basically a wide spot in a pretty crappy road (Route 209). The Pocono Indian Museum, however, is quite worth the admission. We've been a few times. It won't take more than an hour or so, but it's a nice diversion, maybe on a rainy day.

You're visiting what can seem like a very tacky touristy area and you're likely to come away quite unimpressed unless you get steered the right way. I would skip the Country Kettle for that reason.

There's a reason for all the tacky stuff - the place is really beautiful. Unfortunately, a lot of tourists come here and never see many of the natural features that make this a tourist destination in the first place.
So, in no particular order:

Downtown Stroudsburg's Main Street on a weekend afternoon is wonderful in summer. Outdoor cafes, fascinating gift shops and art galleries. Definitely recommended.
A float trip on the Delaware River is a must. Kitatinny and Adventure Sports are two of the rafting companies that I've used. They also rent kayaks and tubes.
You have Promised Land State Park up Route 402, which has a nice beach/BBQ area for a picnic plus a nice island for a short hike.
Downtown Milford has some lovely antique shops and great old hotels to stop for a drink.
There is also Grey Towers. It's also in Milford and it's the mansion of the founder of the U.S. Forest Service. Definitely worth visiting and touring. Lovely grounds.
If you're stopping at Jim Thorpe (good idea), I would detour on the way north from there to take in Hickory Run State Park - a completely amazing boulder field there, left over from the last ice age, and absolutely highly recommended. (Pennsylvania's state parks are phenomenal, and this one is no exception)
For a great vista, drive up Camelback Mountain (Exit 299 off I-80) to Big Pocono State Park. Forever views, nice flat short trails around the top of the mountain, a place to get a snack.
Another rainy day idea; the Casino Theater in Mount Pocono - old-tyme ice cream shoppe and theater. With mini golf and an arcade. Just a cute place. Or, if you're into more old-tyme stuff, there are two drive-ins about an hour's drive from you - Becky's and Shankweilers, both in the Lehigh Valley area south of the Poconos. They are Googleable for more info. My family goes to Becky's several times a summer.
There are fireworks on July 4 at Shawnee Mountain - $10 a carload. Very small community feel - I think the volunteer fire department puts on the show, which is exceptional. There's an all-day July 4 festival in downtown East Stroudsburg's Dansbury Park, but I haven't been in three years so can't give you up-to-date data on that one. It was nice when we did go. There are also fireworks at Camelback (see previous mention) and probably other resort areas.
Casinos - we have one. If you're interested. Slots and table games. It's Mount Airy. Can't give you any firsthand knowledge.
A recreation of an ancient Celtic labyrinth and Stonehenge-type stone circle is on the top of Blue Mountain at Columcille. It's on the Web. Nice vibe, if you're into the new agey stuff. The Appalachian Trail cuts through Delaware Water Gap, also a nice couple of blocks to walk. There's a touristy trolley in the Water Gap and maybe you'll enjoy a couple of hours of someone else driving and narrating a tour.
Trains ... hmm.... Scranton has more train stuff, but I don't know the first thing about it. There is Stourbridge Rail Excursions in Honesdale, but I am not sure they run in the summer, just at fall foliage time.

Very important traffic note: The afore-mentioned Route 209 is under serious construction and there are MAJOR delays. They're building a bypass to get around all the traffic. The back way is to take Route 80 to Exit 310, River Road, and take that north to the end. You'll miss all the traffic, be on a scenic route along the river, and come out very close to Tamiment.

Oh, you'll pass Shawnee Playhouse on the way. Local amateur theater company.
Almost forgot - doh - the recreation area. That's the jumping off point for everything...

HTH!