Scranton may not be the biggest city in the world, or even the biggest city in the state of Pennsylvania, but there are some great things to do in this small city that resides in the middle of the state. From amazing restaurants to museums and historical sites, check out these things to do in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
1. Slip and slide at Montage Mountain Ski Resort
While skiing is a huge activity in the winter months, there are a lot of events that go on during the summertime as well. It’s a lot of fun for kids and families of any size to visit the Montage Mountain Ski Resort any time of the year. This is a great option if you don’t know what to do in Scranton. It contains PA’s longest snow tubing trails and in the summer they have the Montage Mountain Waterpark, which is located on the ski area grounds. It contains six water attractions including a lazy river, wave pool, and water slides. Dry attractions include batting cages, beach volleyball and mini golf for visitors of all ages. So whether the trip is in the winter or in the summer, Montage Mountain is a great place to visit.
Montage Mountain Ski Resort
Address: 1000 Montage Mountain Rd, Scranton, PA 18507
Website: Montage Mountain Ski Resort
2. Visit Lackawanna Coal Mine
There are quite a few coal mines all over Pennsylvania since at one point in time, coal was a main source energy for a lot of different things. Now though, this particular coal mine is one that people can go through to experience the traumas that coal miners went through and the difficult tasks they faced when working in the dangerous mines. Visitors can even get a real piece of coal to take home from their visit at the Lackawanna coal mine!
Lackawanna Coal Mine
Address: Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, PA 18504
Website: Lackawanna Coal Mine
3. Learn about steam trains at Steamtown National Historic Site
The Scranton Limited on September 18, 2011. Power for the day was Canadian National no. 3254 and coach 613 We caught them rolling alongside Ridge Row in Scranton. NPS Photo, Tim O'Malley.
Posted by Steamtown National Historic Site on Sunday, 11 June 2017
This is definitely a place to visit for those who are into different trains and how they work. Steam trains were once the main unit for transportation for people and products as well as a huge help to the industrial world as we now know it. The purpose of the National Historic Site is to further the knowledge of steam trains of the people that know very little about them. It really is a fascinating way to spend a few hours of a nice afternoon.
Steamtown National Historic Site
Address: Lackawanna Ave at Cliff St, Scranton, PA 18503
Website: Steamtown National Historic Site
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4. Go on a fun trolley ride at Electric City Trolley Station and Museum
This is another interesting way to spend a few hours. Most kids don’t know that trolleys were the main way to get around different towns, and they are no longer in most cities. Scranton is one of the select few that still has a running trolley that people can take a short ride on. While it doesn’t go all over the city like so many of them used to do, it is still a nice little ride for people to take on a sunny day.
Electric City Trolley Station and Museum
Address: 300 Cliff St, Scranton, PA 18503
5. View the exhibits at Everhart Museum
Just like many other museums, the Everhart Museum has different exhibits for explorers of all kinds. Unlike other museums though, there are special exhibits that are there for only a short time, then they leave and are very rarely brought back. It’s awesome to be able to experience one of these exhibits as they are never there for a long period of time. It’s so cool to experience fine art, different cultures, and ancient history in a smaller area such as Scranton, PA. Be sure to check the website to see what their special exhibits are before visiting or just go and be surprised!
Everhart Museum
Address: 1901 Mulberry St, Scranton, PA 18510
Website: Everhart Museum
6. Teach your kids how to play baseball at Lahey Family Fun Park
Posted by Lahey Family Fun Park on Saturday, 27 May 2017
Another hot Bumper Boat kinda day!
Posted by Lahey Family Fun Park on Friday, 8 July 2016
The Lahey Family Fun Park is a great place to take kids of all ages. They have mini golf, arcades, go-carts, and even some batting cages for the kids that want to learn how to hit a baseball! The park opens at 10 in the morning and closes around 11 at night, so families who choose to visit this particular theme park can choose anytime to go. And when the sun does finally set, those kids will more than likely fall asleep on the car ride home from having so much fun.
Lahey Family Fun Park
Address: 500 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Website: The Lahey Family Fun Park
7. Visit the biggest park in the city: Nay Aug Park
Looking for things to do in Scranton this weekend? Head to the biggest park in the city! They have a pool with water slides that is open in the summer for the public to enjoy. The park used to have a zoo and an amusement park, but the amusement park was closed down in 1990 and the zoo was transformed into a natural research center to help raise money for the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs. The new theme park was built next to the Olympic sized pools and while it may be small, it’s a nice place to take the kids for a few hours. The Everhart Museum sits on the grounds next to the park, so everyone will enjoy their day here.
Nay Aug Park
Address: 500 Arthur Ave, Scranton, PA 18505
Website: Nay Aug Park
8. Learn a bit of history at Lackawanna Heritage Valley
This historical site is one of the best places to visit in Scranton. Lackawanna Heritage Valley is another great place to see some steam engine trains. The workers share the history of some of the trains and they give rides now and then as well. There is a really cool playground for the kids to play on too, made of wood but well sanded and decorated to keep their attention. They have shows here as well with different historical stories for every visitor to enjoy. And around the Christmas holiday, Santa comes for a visit on one of the trains to see the kids.
Lackawanna Heritage Valley
Address: 213 S 7th Ave, Scranton, PA 18505
Website: Lackawanna Heritage Valley
9. Enjoy an eye-opening visit to Houdini Museum
Posted by Earl HouserJr. on Saturday, 7 May 2016
The Houdini Museum is a history museum that shares everything anyone could ever want to know about Houdini and the magic tricks he performed throughout his career. For a short time, he was actually in Scranton, performing his neat tricks for those that wanted to see him perform. In the museum, there is Houdini’s history and there is even a psychic theatre for people to see their futures. If you want fun things to do in Scranton, this place is great for families with kids since there are all kinds of magical happenings here.
Houdini Museum
Address: 1433 N Main Ave, Scranton, PA 18508
Facebook: Houdini Museum
10. Sample wines at Ferrone Family Winery
This one is for the adults traveling to Scranton. They allow kids in the building, but it’s nicer to enjoy the many wines they have without the kids. They have over 28 wines to taste test; the fruity wines here are particularly scrumptious. They also have gift baskets and wine making classes, along with beer and wine making supplies so people can make their own products at home if they wish.
Ferrone Family Winery
Address: 400 Spruce St, Scranton, PA 18509
Website: Ferrone Family Winery
11. Enjoy an evening of family fun at Idle Hours South
Perfect for families with kids, Idle Hours South is where you and your loved ones can spend a couple of hours enjoying everything from bowling to laser tag. The arcade contains games like Jurassic Park, Big Bass Wheel, and Halo: Fireteam Raven. The more points you score, the better prizes you can claim, so feel free to indulge in a bit of healthy competition with your friend or sibling for a chance to get the best prize available!
Idle Hours South
Address: 125 Beech St, Scranton, PA 18505, United States
Website: Idle Hours South
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 3pm - 10pm; Sun - Mon: 3pm - 9pm
12. Catch a broadway show at Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
This theater and cultural center is housed in a building that’s listed in the US National Register of Historic Places. A notable structure in Scranton, be sure to block off an evening in your itinerary so you can spend it here. If you want to catch a broadway show during your holiday, be sure to check out their website so you know what’s on. Previous performances include famous repertoires such as Cats, Mamma Mia!, and Les Miserables.
Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
Address: 420 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503, United States
13. Take your kids to see sea creatures at Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
Aquarium visits never get old, so if you’re traveling to Scranton with your little ones, consider adding Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den to your itinerary. The rich aquatic life on display include stingrays, sharks, species of fish, and octopus. After checking out the creatures that live under the sea, head to the reptile den to see fascinating amphibians and reptiles such as lizards and snakes. Your kids will definitely find this a fun learning experience.
Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
Address: 300 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA 18503
Website: Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm
Price: 15.95 - 18.95 USD
Fun is everywhere
Even though Scranton, PA is not a huge area for visitors, it is full of a lot of different things to do. There are plenty of places to visit for those that are with small children, or just on a family trip. Be sure to check out some of these fun things to do in Scranton, PA!
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