indian mountain lake/lake harmony pa (Scranton, Harrisburg: crime, home, gated community) - City-Data Forum

jbct · 07-15-2006, 04:37 PM

I am trying to decide which area to take a family vacation (2nd wk Aug). Would love to hear your thoughts on these areas. Also would like to know how far is Hershey from these locations.

Thanks for your advice..

jbct · 07-18-2006, 05:41 PM

Appreciate hearing your thoughts.

SteelCityRising · 07-18-2006, 06:55 PM

It's nice to see someone interested in vacationing up in my neck 'o the woods for a change. ;o) The two communities you mentioned are both VERY similar in location and atmosphere, so I can't really offer you any advice there. I know Lake Harmony is home to the Big Boulder/Jack Frost resort area, which is more popular for its great skiing in the winter, but is also home to quite a few festivals, concerts, etc. during the summer, so Lake Harmony might gain a bonus for that. Lake Harmony is also a bit closer to Jim Thorpe, a quaint town that you and your spouse would probably adore for its historic architecture, beautiful scenery, great shopping, train excursions, mountain biking, hiking, etc., but your kids (if you have any) would probably be bored out of their minds in Jim Thorpe (I knew I was growing up when my parents would make their annual pilgrimage there from Scranton! LOL!)

As far as Hershey is concerned, it's a GREAT place to visit!!! You'll never tire of that unmistakeable aroma of cocoa as you enter town, and the park is awesome. Your children will love it there. Unfortunately, I don't know how well you researched your vacation plans, but it's also a LONG drive from the Poconos---About an hour and fifteen minutes. Hershey is a suburb of Harrisburg, so it's easiest to access it by taking I-80 West from the Poconos to I-81 South. I'm a native of the Pocono/Scranton area, so if you have any more questions about how to make your stay enjoyable for your family, then feel free to ask away, or you can e-mail me at paullaure@kings.edu.

P.S. I don't know how into "history" you are, but Scranton, about 45 minutes to the north, is a hot-spot for people interested in steam railroads, the coal mining industry, cable-cars, etc. Also, about an hour away from the Lake Harmony area is Easton, where you'll find the Crayola Factory for your children's eyes to light up. Then again, most people head to the Poconos to just relax on a back porch and enjoy the sounds of crickets vs. car horns (Although overdevelopment in recent years from NJ/NY commuters continues to threaten that)

Enjoy!

jbct · 07-24-2006, 02:16 PM

Thanks for your response. We are traveling with another family and hope to have a nice dinner out with and without the kids. Any recommendations on restaurants in the area. We will be staying on Clairmont Drive in Albrightsville.

Thanks again for your input...

enviroman · 07-24-2006, 08:39 PM

Hershey is about 2 and a half hours from that area, according to google maps...

SteelCityRising · 07-24-2006, 08:43 PM

Unfortunately, my experiences dining in the Poconos have just been to Perkins, Burger King, etc., so I can't be much help here! LOL! However, nearby Jim Thorpe offers a nice selection of sleepy little cafes in town. I haven't been to the area in about five years now, but the last time we were there we ate at the Black Bread Cafe along Race Street in Jim Thorpe and enjoyed it very much. I believe there's also a very nice gourmet restaurant on-premises at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, not far at all from Albrightsville. My advice to you would be to just ask some of the locals for a great spot for dinner when you do arrive. I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance, but my flair for food doesn't quite make it up to the standards of prime rib and salmon---Just give me and my date a sloppy burger and chilli cheese fries every night and we're set for life! LOL!

SteelCityRising · 07-24-2006, 08:50 PM

Hershey is only about an hour and a half from my home near Wilkes-Barre, but it's just a straight shot for us down I-81 (at 80 miles per hour with my reckless driving! LOL!) I just assumed it wouldn't be much different from the Poconos. From Albrightsville, I'd take Route 903 South right into Jim Thorpe. From there, you'd want to Route 54 (South or West) all the way to the onramp of Exit 131 of I-81 near Mahanoy City. From there, stay on I-81 Southbound to the Grantville/Hershey exit (I believe it's Exit 81). From there, take Route 39 South right into Hershey.

You'll be on I-81 for about an hour, and then you'd take about ten minutes off the exit to reach the park. It would take around 45 minutes to get from Albrightsville onto I-81, so overall you're looking at a two hour drive to Hershey Park.

enviroman · 07-25-2006, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Hershey is only about an hour and a half from my home near Wilkes-Barre, but it's just a straight shot for us down I-81 (at 80 miles per hour with my reckless driving! LOL!) I just assumed it wouldn't be much different from the Poconos. From Albrightsville, I'd take Route 903 South right into Jim Thorpe. From there, you'd want to Route 54 (South or West) all the way to the onramp of Exit 131 of I-81 near Mahanoy City. From there, stay on I-81 Southbound to the Grantville/Hershey exit (I believe it's Exit 81). From there, take Route 39 South right into Hershey.

You'll be on I-81 for about an hour, and then you'd take about ten minutes off the exit to reach the park. It would take around 45 minutes to get from Albrightsville onto I-81, so overall you're looking at a two hour drive to Hershey Park.

lol

Well, yeah, that'll cut off some time.

roberalexa · 07-25-2006, 06:24 PM

is indian moutain lakes a good area. my sister-in-law is builing in that area in a gated community.

SteelCityRising · 07-26-2006, 07:27 AM

Indian Mountain Lakes is a good area in which to live. It's very safe and straddles the Monroe/Carbon County line, just north of Effort. It's only a little over thirty minutes from the Wilkes-Barre area and all of its chain retailers, sporting events, etc., and Stroudsburg is far enough away to keep the crime out but still close enough for conveniences.