1 Night In Scranton / Harrisburg And The World's My Oyster (Wilkes-Barre: hotel, closing)

[v_astro]

Howdy,

I'm coming up next week for one night in Scranton and one night in Harrisburg.

As I have zero expectations, I'm really excited about it.

So some questions:

Where should I spend the night?

Where should I go eat?

Where should I go drink?

I'm a family guy, but I like to get my drink on when I have no responsibilities and am known to do a pretty good Neil Diamond impersonation while singing karaoke to "I Am, I Said".

Point me in the right direction, NEPA!

[Riverside4ever]

Sounds like a boring night all alone .. maybe hit up craigslist and find someone to party with ..What kind of Hotel do you want a $40 a night fleabag or a $500 4 star ?

Drinking and driving will get you a free night in the county jail..

Have Fun Be careful . Whistles is a decent place to drink .. and has a good after work crowd last time I was there..

[v_astro]

I'm going up with a work colleague. I'm not looking for anything on Craigslist. My vices are good beer and karaoke. And I've got plenty of money for cab fare.

Not looking to stay in a $40 a night fleabag unless it has charm and panache. Have enough in per diem to cover the nicest hotel in either city.

[Riverside4ever]

Hit up the Holiday Inn or the Raddison . I dont know about Karaoke check out this link

I hope it helps .. Have a great time

Electric City/Diamond City - Northeast PA's free entertainment weekly. Find events and restaurants in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and NEPA.

[nkotb]

Going out alone is NOT boring !!! If your friendly and out going your not alone long and its a great opportunity to meet other people ! If your with a friend you tend to stick together ! I have traveled to the islands, New York, Chicago and driven half way across the country alone - wonderful adventure !!

[PeeAye Native]

I'll also recommend the Radisson in Scranton. The entire building just oozes history and old times. It's easy to imagine the coal and railroad robber barons hanging out in the in lobby, smoking fat cigars after having a drink with the local politicians in the lobby bar. Cutting back room deals and keeping their politicians well fed and lubricated. They scuffed their shoes on the same marble floors you'll be standing on. Go in and hang out in the lobby and the lobby bar even if you don't stay there.

If you get bored, walk two blocks to the downtown courthouse square, there are various bars (from new Martini and Cigar bars to total dive, punk rock joints) all along there, and within a block or two of that central point. I forget the actual names at the moment.

In Harrisburg, stay in the downtown (the two choices in the immediate downtown are a Crowne Plaza and a Hilton). Walk along this five or six block length, and pick a bar to hang out in. If the weather is nice, several of the bars will open their front areas, where you're inside, but big doors or windows are open to the outside. It's nice for a drink and some leisurely people watching. I forget the actual bar names, if the one you choose first doesn't suit you, get up and walk down the block to the next one.

Report back and let us know how it went. I'll be curious to hear what your impressions are of the differences between the Harrisburg and Scranton downtowns.

[scrantonluna]

Either the Radisson or the Hilton will put you right in the downtown, depends on
what you're looking for - the Radisson is a historic train station turned hotel, and
the Hilton is only a few years old. It's too bad you won't be able to stick around
for a day, the night life is a little limited. Due to the downturn in the economy,
several establishments in the downtwon have recently closed.

Kildares, right across from the Radisson, may very well have karaoke, but I can't
say for sure. Same with the Hilton. You need to have at least one beer in the
Banshee on Penn. If you like cigars, stop in the Steamtown Cigar Shop in the 400
block of Spruce. Leather recliners, good conversation, and there's always a game
on the big screen.

What kind of food are you looking for? La Trattoria, at the bottom of Moosic St. and
walkable from the downtown, has great italian food at good prices. The Radisson has
more upscale dishes. The Hilton has a great lunch buffet, which you won't be able to
try, but I assume their dinners are good as well. I've heard good things about the
Sambuca Grill.

[scrantonluna]

I should mention that Coney Island weiners, probably THE signature dish of the
Scranton faithful, is usually open until I think 8pm or so. Just a word of caution
though, for some it's like hitting CTRL+ALT+DEL on your colon. Lol

Has anybody been to Brixx lately? They were a favorite of mine, but I don't know
how they are doing these days and there have been rumors of it closing in the near
future. I sent a lot of people there and never had a single complaint.

[v_astro]

Thanks for all of the good info. I'll be sure to report back.

Any suggestions on Harrisburg?

[EnyaGirl]

Originally Posted by v_astro

Thanks for all of the good info. I'll be sure to report back.

Any suggestions on Harrisburg?

You might have better luck on the general "Pennsylvania" forum for questions about Harrisburg. Just go to top of page where it says "City Data Forum > US Forums> Pennsylvania"