A Postcard from the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
We've invited all the cousins to come up for the weekend, so our kids can get to know each other. Our A-frame house is perfect, as the kids hang out in the loft, and the adults sit under the golden leaved trees, catching up. We love our second home here.

About the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

A rare combination of beautiful scenery, rich history and accessibility creates a perfect second home destination in the Pocono Mountains. With 2,400 square miles of mountains and lakes, rivers and woodlands, and only 1.5 hours from New York City, the Pocono Mountains in Northeast Pennsylvania has earned and maintained its fine reputation for vacation living.

Traditionally encompassing four Pennsylvania Counties, Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, it also touches the more populated areas of Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. Main destination towns in the Pocono Mountains include:

Milford - Pike County

Strousburg - Monroe County

Jim Thorpe - Carbon County

Honesdale - Wayne County

Scranton - Lackawanna County

Wilkes Barre - Luzerne County

Hazelton - Luzerne County

Each of these are the county seat, surrounded by innumerable other small towns perfect for vacation homes.

People buy homes here for enjoying four season recreation. The natural beauty is perfect for everything, from boating on the rivers to skiing down the mountains. In addition to the woodlands and mountains, there are over 150 lakes, and 3 main rivers.

In addition to fine living, the Pocono Mountains also offer a great value, as prices have not skyrocketed as they have in coastal areas. This is a great investment place as well as place to bring the family for vacations.

Local History

The area of the Poconos is rich in history. With large Native American Indian populations, many of the towns go back as far as 1733. The area is also famed for being the birthplace of the American Railroad, with the first engine delivered to the area. During the early days, the industrys of coal mining and wood provided the means for heat and shelter for the newly growing metropolitan areas of New York and Boston. Pocono is a Native American word meaning, "stream between two mountains," named as the Delaware River cuts a gap between two mountains.

An Average Lifestyle in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

When you picture life in the Poconos, include a wooden cabin or cottage in the woods, wood burning stove, and beautiful foliage in the fall. People come here because it is quiet, simple, and totally fun. Families love to come for the easy skiing for kids, and the great simple life in the summers.

Housing

For second homes, many people prefer cabins and cottages in the woods. A-frames are popular. However, with all the lakes there are also lots of lake front property as well as mountain property. Best advice for the Poconos is to decide what your favorite recreational activity is, and then buy near it. Prices vary.  See the table under Demographics below for Census prices.

 
Things to Do in the Poconos

Hike to over 20 Waterfalls

Skiing

Snowboarding

Boating and sailing on lakes

Canoe

NASCAR racing

Antique shopping

Biking

Bird Watching

Camping

Golfing at 76 locations

Hiking

Hunting and Fishing >

Visit over 32 State and National Parks

Visit local wineries and breweries

Tennis

Whitewater rafting

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Cultural Activities in the Poconos

Art museums

Dance performances

Museums

Theater

Zoos

Historical Museums

National Historic Parks

Historic Railroads

Near-By Excursions

New York City

Catskill Mountains

Location
Northeast Pennsylvania

Elevation: Varies, Mt. Ararat, Preston, in Wayne County is 2,654 feet, Bushkill, PA, in Pike county is 340 feet.

Size: 2400 sq. miles

Distance to other major cities

Scranton/Wilkes Barre: 35 miles

New York City: 1.5 hours (100 miles)

Boston: 6 hours

Harrisburg, PA; 2 hours

Philadelphia, PA: 2 hours (150 miles)

Getting To The Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

By car, or by air to major airports at:

  
Lehigh Valley International Airport 
Kennedy Airport/JFK International Airport 
LaGuardia International Airport 
Newark International Airport 
Philadelphia International Airport 
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
 

Weather
Four Season weather

Annual Average Temperature: Jan: 20's; April: 40's; July: 70's; October: 50's.

Annual Average Rainfall:  Less than 50 inches; however some places get winter snow, such as Stroudsburg (49 inches); Milford: 46 inches.

Economics and Demographics

County	Pop.	Median age	Median Inc.	Med. Housing  Cost
Monroe	138,687	37.2	51,995	125,200
Pike	46,302	39.6	44,608	118,300
Lackawanna	213,295	40.3	34,438	93,400
Wayne	47,722	40.8	40,589	102,100
Luzerne	319,250	40.8	43,335	84,800
Carbon	58,802	40.6	35,113	82,10

Principle Industries
Tourism