Scranton earned its nickname, “The Electric City,” after unveiling one of America’s first electric streetcar systems in 1886. Today, its historic rail yards, brick factories, and preserved iron furnaces sit beside leafy parks and a resurgent downtown. This itinerary layers living history with good coffee, hearty Pennsylvania fare, and low-key nightlife.

You’ll ride heritage trolleys, descend 300 feet into a real coal mine, and wander a National Park dedicated to steam locomotives. When the city quiets, head for waterfalls at Nay Aug Park or venture out to the Poconos for lake time, rail rides, and mountain views.

Scranton is compact and car-friendly (parking is straightforward), with a four-season calendar: skiing and tubing in winter, a waterpark and baseball in summer, bright foliage in fall, and museum-hopping year-round. Pack a light jacket for the coal mine’s constant 53°F, and bring an appetite—this is pierogi, pizza, and pasta country.

Scranton

At once gritty and welcoming, Scranton showcases the story of American industry in human scale. You’ll find locomotives the size of houses, immigrant tales at the Anthracite Heritage Museum, and an 1890s iron furnace complex standing stoic over the Lackawanna River.

• Top sights: Steamtown National Historic Site, Electric City Trolley Museum, Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, Nay Aug Park & Everhart Museum, Scranton Iron Furnaces, Anthracite Heritage Museum, Electric City Aquarium.
• Eat & drink: Bar Pazzo (house-made pasta), Cooper’s Seafood House (kitschy nautical landmark), Ale Mary’s at the Bittenbender (gastropub), Backyard Ale House (craft beer), Coney Island Lunch (Texas wieners), Old Forge pizza at Arcaro & Genell or Revello’s (nearby Old Forge).
• Fun facts: Scranton’s “Electric City” sign beams over downtown; a Union Pacific “Big Boy” locomotive—among the largest ever built—resides at Steamtown; and a mile-long trolley tunnel whisks you to the ballpark at Montage Mountain.

Where to stay: For historic character, the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel is a 1908 train station with a grand marble lobby. The Hilton Scranton is a reliable downtown base near coffee, museums, and bars. For more space, look for homes in the hill neighborhoods or near Nay Aug Park.

• Browse VRBO Scranton stays (good for families or longer stays).
• Search hotels on Hotels.com (compare rates for downtown properties).

Getting there: Fly into Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP); nonstop and 1‑stop options run via hubs like PHL, CLT, ORD, DTW. Typical roundtrip fares from major U.S. cities range ~$150–$400; flight times are ~1–4 hours plus connections. It’s a 2–2.5‑hour drive from NYC and ~2 hours from Philadelphia.

• Compare flights on Trip.com
• Check fares on Kiwi.com

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Stroll, Station Grandeur

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, grab an espresso and almond croissant at Northern Light Espresso Bar & Cafe—an artsy Scranton staple with rotating local art.

Afternoon: Check in, then step inside the Radisson Lackawanna Station lobby to admire its beaux-arts ceiling and stained glass. Walk to Courthouse Square and the Electric City sign viewpoint as you get your bearings downtown.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Bar Pazzo. Order the seasonal house-made pasta (pappardelle bolognese is a favorite) and wood-fired pizza, paired with a Negroni. Cap the night with a Pennsylvania craft pour at Backyard Ale House; their tap list spotlights regional breweries and the back patio is cozy.

Day 2: Steam, Trolleys, and The Electric City

Morning: Coffee at Adezzo (leafy, plant-filled space) and a light breakfast bowl. Head to Steamtown National Historic Site. Join a ranger tour of the roundhouse and locomotives; don’t miss the Union Pacific “Big Boy,” a crowd-pleasing giant. Allow 2–3 hours; special short train rides run seasonally ($9–$17; check times on-site).

Afternoon: Walk next door to the Electric City Trolley Museum. The 10‑mile trolley excursion runs through the 4,747‑foot Laurel Line tunnel to the ballpark near Montage Mountain (~1 hour roundtrip; ~$10–$15 when operating). For lunch, pop into Coney Island Lunch for a Scranton classic: Texas wieners with chili sauce and onions.

Evening: Dinner at Ale Mary’s at the Bittenbender, a brick-walled gastropub in a repurposed 19th‑century building. Try the pierogi appetizer and a smash burger or hot chicken sandwich. If there’s a show, catch a performance or tour at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple—its 1930s architecture is worth a peek even without tickets.

Day 3: Into the Mine, Park Trails, and Old Forge Pizza Night

Morning: Fuel up at Mansour’s Market (old-school diner comfort: challah French toast, omelets). Drive to McDade Park for the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour. Descend 300 feet in a mine car and walk the chilly tunnels with a former miner guide (about 1 hour; adult tickets typically ~$10–$15; wear closed-toe shoes and a jacket).

Afternoon: Stay in McDade Park for the Anthracite Heritage Museum (moving exhibits on immigrant communities, mining families, and labor). Then head to Nay Aug Park: stroll the David Wenzel Treehouse, view the gorge waterfalls, and visit the Everhart Museum for regional art and natural history (adult tickets ~ $10).

Evening: Drive 10 minutes to Old Forge, the self-proclaimed “Pizza Capital of the World.” Order a red and a white “tray” at Arcaro & Genell (airy, cheesy squares with a crispy edge) or Revello’s (thicker sauce, nostalgic vibe). For dessert, hunt down a cone of Manning Farm Dairy ice cream—local, rich, and beloved.

Day 4: Day Trip to Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge

Morning: Coffee at Zummo’s Cafe (a neighborhood roaster since the 1940s), then drive ~55 minutes to Jim Thorpe, a Victorian gem tucked in the Lehigh Gorge. Start at the Asa Packer Mansion for a guided tour (~45–60 minutes; ~$12–$14) to learn how rail wealth shaped the town.

Afternoon: Stroll Broadway’s boutiques and galleries, then ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway (45–70 minutes; ~$20–$28) for river and forest views. Prefer to hike? The Switchback Rail Trail and Glen Onoko area offer moderate options; bring water and sturdy shoes.

Evening: Return to Scranton (about 1 hour). Grab late dinner at Cooper’s Seafood House—a quirky landmark packed with ship wheels, a lighthouse bar, and a deep menu (blackened fish tacos, crab-stuffed mushrooms, New England-style chowder). The attached tiki deck is a summer favorite.

Day 5: Montage Mountain and Baseball

Morning: Northern Light for a cappuccino, then head to Montage Mountain. In winter: ski and snowboard varied terrain or book snow tubing (2‑hour sessions often ~$30–$40; lift tickets vary, ~$60–$95). In summer: the waterpark features slides, a lazy river, and a zipline (day passes often ~$34–$49).

Afternoon: Lunch at The Shoppes at Montage—try Grateful Roast for a sandwich and cold brew. If it’s baseball season (April–September), catch the Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre RailRiders (AAA Yankees) at PNC Field; seats typically run ~$12–$20 and the open concourse is great for kids.

Evening: Head back downtown for dinner at Casa Bella (classic Italian: chicken francese, veal saltimbocca, generous house-made desserts). Nightcap at The Bog, a cozy Irish pub known for live music and a proper pint.

Day 6: Lake Day at Wallenpaupack

Morning: Breakfast at Glider Diner (a retro favorite—try the chipped-beef on toast or blueberry pancakes). Drive ~45 minutes to Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack. Rent kayaks or SUPs (often ~$25–$35 per hour) and paddle quiet coves with bald eagle sightings in season.

Afternoon: Lakeside lunch at The Dock on Wallenpaupack (fish and chips, ahi tacos, big salads) with water views. Walk the Wallenpaupack Lake Trail or join a scenic boat tour (seasonal, ~45–60 minutes). Swing through Hawley’s small-town shops for local honey, pottery, and candles.

Evening: Back in Scranton, book dinner at Peculiar Kitchen (modern American from-scratch plates—look for creative pastas, short rib, and seasonal small plates). For a mellow finish, stroll Courthouse Square or grab gelato downtown.

Day 7: Iron Furnaces, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Espresso and a pastry at Adezzo, then visit the Scranton Iron Furnaces—towering 19th‑century blast furnaces with clear interpretive panels explaining ironmaking and the city’s boom years (30–45 minutes). If it’s the first Friday of the month, downtown galleries and studios open for the First Friday Art Walk in the evening—time your trip if you can.

Afternoon: Pop into the Marketplace at Steamtown for the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den (sharks, rays, gators—great with kids; plan 60–90 minutes). Grab a quick lunch at a downtown deli or a final bowl of penne vodka at Bar Pazzo before departing.

Evening: Departure day. If you have a late flight, unwind with a gentle bike ride on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail (bring your own bikes or ask local shops about rentals) and toast the week with a last coffee at Northern Light.

Practical tips: A car is the easiest way to reach parks, Poconos towns, and Montage Mountain; rental counters are at AVP. Attractions like the Coal Mine Tour, trolley rides, baseball games, and Montage activities are seasonal—check same-week schedules and arrive a little early on weekends. Expect four distinct seasons: snow in winter, hot sunny days in July/August, and brilliant foliage from late September to mid-October.

Book your stay and travel: Compare lodging on Hotels.com or find family-ready homes via VRBO. For flights to AVP, browse Trip.com and Kiwi.com and plan to rent a car on arrival.

In one week, you’ll trace the arc of American industry from red-hot furnaces to steam era grandeur—and balance it with pine woods, river gorges, and small-town flavor. Scranton’s pace is easy, the stories are big, and the pizza squares are dangerously shareable. You’ll leave with coal dust tales, locomotive photos, and a new appreciation for Northeastern Pennsylvania’s quiet charisma.