I moved to the Poconos in 2010 with my mother and sister. Being a little kid, I didn’t realize the beauty of my new home until I left. I didn’t admire the beautiful fall scenery and activities enough while they were all around me.
Now that I’m away from home for the entire fall season, here is everything I miss about autumn in the Poconos.
- The SPooky Setting
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The one thing the Poconos does not lack is haunted attractions.
A year round staple is the Haunted Candle Shoppe of the Poconos in Swiftwater. Aside from being an actual candle shop, the venue hosts a tour of the premises.
The tour highlights the spooky nature of the property, featuring monkey cages the original owner used to conduct experiments when he owned the property in the early 20th century.
The Old Jail Museum is a Jim Thorpe attraction that runs year round. The Old Jail Museum features a 30-minute guided tour through the old cell blocks and gallows.
Reaper’s Revenge was like a folklore in my elementary school. It is a seasonal haunted hayride with several other intricate attractions with their own back stories. Other kids my age couldn’t wait to be old enough to participate.
Another fall staple activity for my family was Mazezilla. Mazezilla is not a typical corn maze. Their facility houses a pumpkin patch, fresh produce stand, pumpkin launch, barn animals and they even provide wagon rides.
- Points of Interest
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Before the weather becomes too cold to bare, a hike through one of the many scenic trails can be fun. You can choose from Bushkill Falls, Big Pocono State Park, Hickory Run State Park and many more. There are varying levels of difficulty among the trails in the Poconos.
The natural landmarks aren’t the only ones of note. Some of the best places to go during the fall season are actually a summer staple: the local waterparks
Waterparks don’t sound like the most autumn-centric activity, but September and October are the first months after the summer season when a big chunk of tourists have gone home. This is the time when my friends who worked at one of the indoor water parks in the Poconos would get free passes for us to enjoy.
The summer prices typically return to normal for locals to enjoy the amenities, so it’s definitely a great time to go.
- Food Staples
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Local restaurants in the Poconos are another reason to go. They’re not spectacular specialty cuisine or anything. It’s simple, cheap options that taste good.
A small town American dream for people who don’t live in rural areas and don’t typically get to experience cheap dining.
Jubilee, a staple restaurant in the Poconos hosts live bands on weekends. They are known for their wing nights on Thursdays and Sundays.
Compton’s Pancake House is an economically-friendly choice for breakfast if you’re in the Poconos, although it is technically located in Stroudsburg. They have low prices and decently sized portions.
Sarah Street Grill is a day-to-night restaurant located in downtown Stroudsburg. You could stop in for brunch after a night out, or head in for a quick meal on your way out to the bars. Their menu has a wide variety with something for any type of eater whether you’re picky or always looking to try something new.
Now, I may be biased given that I grew up there, but I believe a trip to the Poconos is an autumn essential. You can’t beat the low costs for activities.