Autumn is my favorite season, but certain places are better for enjoying it than others. The Poconos Mountains is one of those places. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, the area is great for outdoor activities, spas, and being surrounded by fall foliage. The quaint, historic towns also make a great setting for Halloween festivities.
Here are some ideas for what to do when enjoying fall in the Poconos.
Where To Stay in the Poconos
I stayed at Split Rock Resort, located in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, named for the nearby lake. The resort is named after Split Rock, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Both Split Rock and Lake Harmony were created by glaciers that covered the land 300 million years ago. While there are a lot of amenities at the resort itself, including an indoor water park, fitness center, billiards, and movie theater, we spent most of our time hiking, eating, and exploring the historic town of Jim Thorpe.
Hiking in the Poconos Mountains
Hickory Run State Park includes a variety of hiking trails to choose from; we first hiked the Hawk Falls trail, which runs through a dense magnolia forest and leads hikers to a waterfall of the same name. Of course, the magnolias weren’t in bloom, but the rich fall colors did not disappoint.
We also hiked part of the Boulder Field trail, which leads to a boulder field created about 20,000 years ago during the most recent glacial period.
History, Wine, and Halloween in the Town of Jim Thorpe
Walking through the town of Jim Thorpe was one of the trip’s highlights. The town was originally called Mauch Chunk, which comes from the language of the Munsee-Lenape people. Located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, it was a railroad and coal mining town that now attracts visitors for its historic charm and mountain scenery. In 1953, the town name changed to Jim Thorpe when the Native American Olympic medal winner’s remains were moved there in a controversial series of events.
The town, also called “The Switzerland of America” or “The Gateway to the Poconos,” showcases a range of historic architectural styles, seasonal festivals, small shops and boutiques, and restaurants. In October, the Old Jail Museum offers ghost tours and a Fall Foliage Festival takes place throughout the month.
We also tasted 5 wines for $5 at the Big Creek Vineyard storefront and shopped at Historic Stone Row. The row of 16 houses was built for engineers and foremen of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Some of the homes are now small shops.
I’ve always found that being close to nature is a great way to recharge and center yourself before heading back to the routines and stressors of daily life. The scenery and relative seclusion of the Poconos provides the perfect environment to do that. Still, the area delivers for those interested in natural history and the history of a small mountain town like Jim Thorpe. I definitely recommend fall in the Poconos Mountains.
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