The Scranton center point is approximately the area of Steamtown National Historic Site and the area of Catlin House Museum.
There's something to do and see in Scranton no matter what time of year you visit. Scranton experiences all four seasons and tends to be cold for about half the year. To enjoy warmer weather, the best times to visit Scranton are in late spring through early autumn.
However, many visitors come to Scranton for convenient and fun skiing and winter sports in the Poconos mountains. About 8 miles from downtown Scranton, the Montage Mountain Resorts is a prime skiing destination in this area, featuring 26 downhill trails, two terrain parks, and a large snow tubing area. Ski season in the Poconos typically starts in mid- to late-November. Most resorts are open by the beginning of December. However, nature doesn't always follow a schedule. Your best bet is to enjoy skiing and other winter sports in the region in January through early March.
Snag a discount on your stay in Scranton and save even more on your vacation or business trip. The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center offers military and government discounts. Located in downtown Scranton, the hotel's rooms have flat-screen TVs, MP3 docking stations, pillowtop beds with luxurious down comforters and Egyptian cotton sheets, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
After a day of sightseeing or hitting the slopes, you'll love the hotel's amenities, which include an indoor pool and spa tub, a television in a common area, a business center, and gift shops. Grab a bite to eat at P.J.'s 1910 Pub, one of the hotel's two restaurants, or order room service. A full free breakfast is also offered each morning. A complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle operates 24 hours per day.
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Scranton in Dickson City, about 4 miles from Scranton, offers government and military discounts. Rooms are equipped with mini fridges, flat-screen TVs, and free wired and wireless internet access. The hotel provides an indoor pool, spa tub, fitness center, 24-hour business center, complimentary reception, and free breakfast. A free shuttle operates within 5 miles.
The Scranton area offers a number of hotels that provide great value without costing an arm and a leg. The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton is located in a beautiful converted grand train station. This is one of the best hotels in downtown Scranton, and you can save while you stay there. The Radisson is located in central Scranton and is less than a 15-minute drive from Montage Mountain Resorts. The Radisson's 146 air-conditioned rooms include flat-screen TVs with cable programming, refrigerators, hair dryers, and free Wi-Fi.
Guests at the Radisson enjoy the 24-hour fitness center, concierge services, and the delicious meals at the Trax Bar and a coffee shop/cafe. There's also a bar/lounge where you can grab a drink.
Another great option in Scranton if you're hoping to be closer to the mountains is Comfort Suites at Montage Mountain. This value-rich hotel features suites, which each include a refrigerator, microwave, iron, and ironing board. One- and two-bedroom suites and Jacuzzi rooms are also available. Families love the indoor pool and spa, exercise room, and game room. A free deluxe continental breakfast is served up every morning that includes waffles, eggs, bagels, hot and cold cereal, and more yummy items.
Montage Mountain Resorts in Scranton offers plenty of exciting activities for everyone in the family all year long. In the winter, enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Montage Mountain. The mountain features 140 skiable acres, 26 trails, and night skiing across the whole mountain. You'll find is easy terrain for beginners and those who are learning, as well as expert trails. Kids can attend ski school while adults enjoy the slopes.
Montage Mountain is a great place to visit in the summer months too. That's because it also features the vast Montage Mountain Waterpark. There's a Polar Bear Pond, an extensive lazy river, alpine water slides, a wave pool, and much more that kids will love. Take in the waterpark's famous zip line, which enables you to go to the very top of the mountain, one of the highest points in northeastern Pennsylvania, and fly all the way down on the ZipRider.
While kids play, adults will love relaxing at one of the private cabanas near the lazy river and wave pool. Each private cabana has lounge chairs and complimentary fresh fruit and bottled water. The cabanas also get full service from the Tiki Deck Bar & Grill, including menu items such as pizza, hummus and veggies, chips and dip, and fresh-baked desserts.
Whether you're looking for an unforgettable family vacation or a business retreat, Scranton, Pennsylvania, has so much to offer. Book your trip here soon!
Below are reviews of the city of Scranton, PA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Family loved the Italian Festival! Outstanding food! Coopers seafood restaurant is great and so is the mine tour.
The downtown was very nice.
Enjoyed food and Fire Grill & Tap House and the mountain view!
Restaurant on site: PJ's great food ( steak and chicken sandwich)
Scranton is such a loving versatile city. The people are nice and welcoming. It's also colorful at night. Great city.
Downtown architecture
My hometown
A nice place to visit...but not enough time to visit places of interest. Our stay was limited to 3 days Fri, Sat, Sun.
It was fun to learn about the growth of our country. Visited Steamtown National Historic Site, Lackawanna Coal Mines, and the Electric City Trolley Museum.
Scranton isn't much of a tourist destination. It was difficult to find restaurants (non-chain) that could accommodate our large group. I do highly suggest Nana's Pasta House in Moosic! A great small family owned Italian restaurant. The watermark at Montage Mountain was fun, but for about $45 per person for food, their zip-rider, and admission, it was a little overpriced. After about 4 hours, we had had enough. It is definitely geared toward younger families and kids, not teenagers. Marywood University hosted our group during our week of service and they were fantastic. The dorms were great, the food was above and beyond what we typically expect, and they were available (suggest local places) to help when needed. Overall we enjoyed our stay in Scranton where our youth group was able to repair homes of the elderly, disabled, and low-income families.
I grew up in Scranton and moved away over 50 years ago. There were many changes made to the city and our old neighborhoods. The downtown area has undergone many changes and modernization. New businesses and a Medical School in Central City were welcome additions. The courthouse area has undergone renovations and really looks good.