What is there to do in your town? (Scranton, Pittston: home, restaurants)

[melanell]

We just returned home from vacationing in a tourist-geared beach area. Each day we'd pack up the kids (2 and 9) and hit a new town. We'd see a beach or 2; hit a few shops; check out any museums, science exhibits, aquariums, etc., have a quick lunch; look for any parks or playgrounds, etc..


We'd fill a whole day in each town.

Now, given that most of the towns in NEPA are not tourist-driven areas, I know that we wouldn't find a full days worth of activities in most towns.

*But*, I'd love to take the kids for car rides during the summer and check out what the towns in the are do have to offer. Even if it's just a historical building, a small park or a library that's new to them, and a snack. But with 2 kids, I don't want to just aimlessly drive around towns searching for things to do, kwim?

On vacation each town had a little free tourist map with attractions, parks, restaurants marked on it, which I don't exactly have for Pittston or Meshoppen or Olyphant, kwim?


So if you'd like, I'd love to have some of you "sell me" on what we can do in your town for an hour or two. My 9 year old is still at an age where he is impressed with the little things, so pretty much anything new to him will make him very happy. And the 2 yr old loves going anywhere.

I'd like to stay within an hour of Scranton on weekdays when it is just me, but on weekends when we can all go together, we'd be willing to drive an extra hour to reach our destinations.


Thanks in advance!

[Riverside4ever]

In my town unless you fish or hunt or hike there is NOTHING to do ... Not one store . no nothing ... But to us its HEAVEN...

[MatildaLoo]

If you want history, I'd definitely consider coming to Jim Thorpe. Here you'll find train rides, museums, tons of outdoor activities, and much more. Just up the road on Rte. 903 is Bear Mountain Butterflies, a butterfly sanctuary. Go a little further and you'll find Skirmish USA,where you can play paintball. If you're up for it, and you think your kids are ready for it, you can take them whitewater rafting along the Lehigh River, although I would wait for calm river days if you have a two year old.

For your little one: a few miles outside of town on 209 is the original Country Junction, where they have a petting zoo.

Here's Jim Thorpe's website. There's so much to do here, you'll never run out of ideas.

Jim Thorpe PA Things To Do - Visitor Information

Oh yeah, and some famous athlete is buried here too.

[melanell]

You know, we went to Jim Thorpe once, and we didn't even begin to do all that is there. Thanks for the reminder. I'd love to go back.

[melanell]

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

In my town unless you fish or hunt or hike there is NOTHING to do ... Not one store . no nothing ... But to us its HEAVEN...

The 9 year old has been begging us to take him fishing this year.

[Riverside4ever]

Originally Posted by melanell

The 9 year old has been begging us to take him fishing this year.

Kids under the age of 16 can fish for free .... You can go with him BUT you are NOT allowed to reel in any fish on the line .. Only the child can( but you can help )

[melanell]

Thanks Riverside4ever. I haven't been fishing since I was a child, so it will be a learning experience for both of us.

[johnqpublic]

Lackawanna county mine tour at McDade park.. excellent, also the Steamtown Nat. Historic site/ trolley museum in downtown scranton..

[melanell]

Thanks, johnqpublic. My little guy is enthralled with trains right now. And I'm sure trolleys would make his day as well.

[johnqpublic]

both the mine museum and Steamtown are 5 minutes drive from each other, together it would be a rather full day fun and educational.