Beginning around 1900, New Yorkers and Philadelphians flocked to the Pocono Mountains for vacations away from the city. By the end of World War II, the area had gained a reputation as a wedding destination with bathtubs shaped like champagne glasses and rotating, heart-shaped beds. But the kitsch is mainly gone, leaving a landscape of tumbling waterfalls, deep gorges and country roads dotted with historical markers. Accommodations for travelers are still abundant, and you can take advantage of free or inexpensive attractions and economical lodging for a budget friendly getaway.
A boulder field, designated a National Natural Landmark, is the highlight of the 15,990-acre Hickory Run State Park in the Pocono foothills. The park has 44 miles of hiking trails, stocked trout streams and a seasonal sandy beach on a lake. Visitors can choose from three budget-friendly overnight accommodations. A primitive campground has modern bathhouses with hot showers. Rustic camping cottages have heat and light, but no bathroom facilities. Deluxe cottages have kitchens. Boating, fishing and hiking are among the top activities at Tobyhanna State Park, which straddles Monroe and Wayne counties. A trail around the park’s lake is suitable for mountain bikers. Some sites at Tobyhanna’s rustic campground are pet-friendly.
Rainbow Mountain Resort, an all-inclusive property on 25 mountaintop acres near East Stroudsburg, prides itself on its retro feel. Buildings, including cottages, a main lodge and a motor court-style motel, date to the mid-20th century. The resort has sports courts, a swimming pool, a dance club and a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight rates that include a meal are lowest from fall through spring, and the most inexpensive accommodations are in dorm rooms. Oneida Campground near New Milford opened in 1980. The clothing-optional campground has a swimming pool and disco, as well as tent sites, cabins and lodge rooms.
Get a taste of Pennsylvania’s railroad and coal history with a stay in Jim Thorpe, a town that changed its name from Mauch Chunk in the 1950s when the Native American Olympian was buried there. While the Switchback Gravity Railroad, built in 1827, is no longer in operation, sites around town provide a glimpse into the railroad’s history. You can also take the 18-mile hike that traces the Switchback’s route. Drive by or schedule a tour of the Asa Packer Mansion, built in 1861 by the wealthy railroad magnate, and the Harry Packer Mansion, a huge Gothic-Victorian home built in 1874 by Asa for his son. The Jim Thorpe camping resort, adjacent to the Switchback Trail, has camping cabins as well as traditional campsites. About 10 miles southwest, Lansford is the site of the No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum, where you can ride a coal car into the mine.
Many Poconos resorts offer price cuts during the off-season and midweek, or two-for-one deals on all-inclusive vacations. Packages might include discounted accommodations, meals, concert tickets or a round of golf. At the time of publication, Crescent Lodge & Country Inn offered an inexpensive package that included overnight accommodations for two, continental breakfast, a wine tasting and two wine glasses. Keep in mind that special offers change frequently; holidays and special event weekends are usually exempt from specials, and prices change seasonally.
