14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Scranton, PA (2024)

Written by Joni Sweet
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Revived as a tourist destination in the mid-2000s by NBC's hit comedy The Office, Scranton is a historic city with tons of things to do.

Its top attraction, Steamtown National Historic Site, gives tourists the chance to step inside antique steam locomotives and learn about the culture of the railroad. You can ride vintage trolleys at the Electric City Trolley Museum, which celebrates Scranton's success as the first place in the country to have streetcars powered solely by electricity.

14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Scranton, PA (1)

You can also learn about the history of coal mining at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, and 300 feet underground on the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.

There are also plenty of attractions for outdoor enthusiasts and culture hounds to enjoy. You can see a concert at the Scranton Cultural Center, visit a beloved tree house in Nay Aug Park, walk a portion of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, and gaze at American folk art on display at the Everhart Museum–just to name a few highlights.

Make the most of your trip to the "Electric City" with our list of the top things to do in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

On This Page:

  • 1. Ring a Locomotive Bell at Steamtown National Historic Site
  • 2. Step inside a Tree House at Nay Aug Park
  • 3. Ride a Vintage Trolley at the Electric City Trolley Museum
  • 5. Learn about Deep Coal Mining at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum
  • 6. Take a Stroll around Lake Scranton
  • 7. Go Snow Tubing at Montage Mountain
  • 8. Check Out American Folk Art at the Everhart Museum
  • 9. Walk a Portion of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail
  • 10. Shop at The Marketplace at Steamtown
  • 11. Tour the Scranton Cultural Center
  • 12. Visit the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square
  • 13. Peek inside the Abandoned Scranton Iron Furnaces
  • 14. Take the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
  • Map of Things to Do in Scranton, PA
  • Scranton, PA - Climate Chart

1. Ring a Locomotive Bell at Steamtown National Historic Site

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Steamtown displays the history and culture of steam railroading in America. Easily accessible from a pedestrian bridge at The Marketplace at Steamtown, this National Historic Site is a mecca for train lovers of all ages.

You can get up close to a collection of steam locomotives amassed by millionaire F. Nelson Blount in the mid-20th century, some of which offer seasonal excursions for tourists.

The 62-acre complex also houses a theater, historic roundhouse, turntable, repair shop, and outbuildings that date back to 1899-1902.

The on-site technology museum is also worth a visit. It has dozens of interactive exhibits, including a fun guessing game on what various train horns are trying to communicate that will turn just about anyone into a train enthusiast.

Hot tip: You can climb inside the shiny black steam locomotive near the turntable and ring its bell. It's a thrill!

Address: 350 Cliff Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm

2. Step inside a Tree House at Nay Aug Park

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Established in 1893, Nay Aug Park is the largest park in Scranton, stretching across both banks of Roaring Brook.

Between its scenery and its attractions, including the beloved Everhart Museum, two Olympic-size swimming pools, a rose garden, picnic areas, and playgrounds, tourists could easily spend an entire day in this green oasis.

If you just have an hour to spare, there are a couple of must-see places to visit. Start at the David Wenzel Tree House. The wooden structure, which rises 150 feet from the ground, was the first of its kind in the state when it opened in 2007. It offers a fantastic view of the area, especially the foliage in the fall.

Then, take a short, easy hike down the path to Rie Rie Overlook, where you can see a view of the Nay Aug Gorge and Waterfall (a National Natural Landmark). Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic red-tailed hawks that live in the area.

Address: 500 Arthur Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.nayaugpark.org

3. Ride a Vintage Trolley at the Electric City Trolley Museum

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Trains aren't the only mode of transportation celebrated in Scranton. Next to Steamtown National Historic Site, a 19th-century mill building now houses the Electric City Trolly Museum.

It traces the history of eastern Pennsylvania's electric railway through displays of restored vintage trolleys that once ran through the city streets, collections of signal equipment and mine railway artifacts, antique street lights, and kid-friendly exhibits.

The museum also invites tourists to take rides on authentic vintage trolleys from 1926 and 1932. The scenic 5.5-mile rides run parallel to Roaring Brook, past the Historic Iron Furnaces, and through the Crown Avenue Tunnel. Running more than 4,700 feet, it's one of the world's longest interurban tunnels.

Address: 300 Cliff St., Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.ectma.org

4. Visit the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den

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The Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den shines a spotlight on fascinating creatures from around the world in its 20,000-square-foot facility on the first floor of the Marketplace at Steamtown. Visits kick off on an immediate high note in the amphibian and reptile den, where you can see brightly colored poison dart frogs, yellow-bellied slider turtles, a comically massive African bullfrog, and a blue Komodo Island pit viper.

Your journey continues through the rainforest section. Here, you can see a mix of mammals (including a sloth, porcupine, and adorable kinkajous) and rainbow-feathered birds. Then, you'll reach the mesmerizing aquarium, which has tank after tank of rare fish swimming through crystal-blue waters.

Don't miss the National Geographic-worthy shark nursery. It lights up four transparent eggs at different stages of development, each containing a wriggling baby bamboo shark.

Address: 300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.electriccityaquarium.com

5. Learn about Deep Coal Mining at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum

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Hard coal mining in Pennsylvania comes with a fascinating history, and there's nowhere better to see it presented than the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum.

Just up the hill from the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, this robust museum teaches visitors about the harsh working conditions endured by coal miners, including child laborers, through a mix of rare photographs and artifacts (such as documents that recorded injuries and deaths by ethnicity).

It also traces the rise of workers' rights movements and unionization, as well as the communities and cultures that developed among coal miners.

The museum boasts several life-size recreations of important spaces for mine workers, including an authentic family home and a church that contains the original altar of the Immaculate Conception Church in Berwick, PA, which was founded by Irish immigrants in 1902.

Address: 22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.anthracitemuseum.org

6. Take a Stroll around Lake Scranton

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A five-minute drive from downtown brings you to Lake Scranton Trail, a 3.5-mile asphalt trail that loops around the city's reservoir.

The pretty path is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a long drive. The mostly flat terrain makes for easy walking or jogging. And in the fall, the views of the spectacular foliage reflecting on the serene water can't be beat.

Free parking is available on a lot next to Route 307 on the eastern edge of Lake Scranton.

Address: Route 307, Scranton, Pennsylvania

7. Go Snow Tubing at Montage Mountain

Snow sports are one of the top things to do in Scranton in the winter, and you have your choice of chilly adventures on Montage Mountain. Located just eight miles from downtown Scranton, the ski area boasts one of the longest and fastest snow tubing attractions in Pennsylvania.

There are also 27 ski and snowboard trails, more than half of which are ranked beginner or intermediate. After hitting the slopes, warm up with a hot cocoa around the fire pits.

In the summer, Montage Mountain opens its popular water park. Take a float on the lazy river, zip down one of the thrilling waterslides, and bob around the wave pool. You can also hit speeds of up to 50 miles per hour on the resort's ZipRider, a zipline-style attraction that offers a panoramic view of Scranton and Wilkes Barre.

Address: 1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.montagemountainresorts.com

8. Check Out American Folk Art at the Everhart Museum

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Standing on the west side of Nay Aug Park is the Everhart Museum. Founded by a Civil War veteran in 1908, this revered institution is one of the region's oldest museums. It focuses on art, natural history, and science in more than a dozen galleries.

The museum's early mission to document regional bird species still comes through today in its collection of more than 2,300 specimens in the Bird Gallery.

The museum's natural science collection also includes thousands of other specimens, like rare shells, beetles, butterflies, primates, reptiles, fossils, and fluorescent rocks and minerals that glow in their case.

Art fills the second-floor Main Gallery. Here, you'll find a substantial collection of American folk art. You can also see a mix of 19th-century paintings from local and national artists and a decorative arts collection that includes prestigious Dorflinger Glass.

Address: 1901 Mulberry Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.everhart-museum.org

9. Walk a Portion of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail

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Opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound in Scranton. In addition to Nay Aug Park and the Lake Scranton Trail, there's also the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

Walkers, runners, and cyclists can travel up to 70 miles on this scenic rail trail, which stretches from the border of New York State to Pittston, PA. Scranton is home to a 6.1-mile portion of the trail.

Tourists can access it at several trailheads, including one block north of the South Side Shopping Center and just southeast of the intersection of Depot Street and Pond Avenue.

Official site: www.lhva.org/HeritageTrail.php

10. Shop at The Marketplace at Steamtown

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Like many malls in the country, the Marketplace at Steamtown can feel a little sleepy. But given the mall's convenient location next to Steamtown Historic Site and its abundance of parking, tourists are likely to find themselves there at some point during their trip to Scranton.

Inside, you'll find tourist attractions, including the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den, on the first floor, along with restaurants and stores. A large book shop can be found on the second level.

The Marketplace at Steamtown also hosts events throughout the year, including holiday markets and free concerts.

Address: 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.themarketplaceatsteamtown.com

11. Tour the Scranton Cultural Center

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Performing arts, entertainment, and cultural happenings fill the events calendar at the Scranton Cultural Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Masonic Temple that houses the venue is as much of an attraction as the big-name acts that perform here.

The glorious Neo-Gothic structure was designed by esteemed architect Raymond Hood, who counted New York's Rockefeller Center among his best works. Masonic symbols, including shield motifs and two-headed eagles, can be found throughout the structure.

You can visit the building by attending one of its many events throughout the year, or on free public tours on Saturdays at 10am. Private tours can be arranged by appointment.

Address: 420 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.scrantonculturalcenter.org

12. Visit the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square

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The majestic Lackawanna County Courthouse Square is a must-see attraction in Scranton. The 4.7-acre lot is dominated by the historic Romanesque Revival-style courthouse, which was built in 1884 and added to the National Register of Historic Places 113 years later.

This courthouse is where the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission held hearings in 1902-1903, as mineworkers fought for six months to demand better working conditions, higher wages, and union recognition.

A monument to John Mitchell, then president of the United Mine Workers of America labor union, can be seen on the Adams Street side of the courthouse square today.

As you make your way around the square, you can also see monuments dedicated to a range of other historical figures, including General Philip H. Sheridan, Christopher Columbus, and George Washington.

13. Peek inside the Abandoned Scranton Iron Furnaces

14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Scranton, PA (13)

You can see the remains of four massive stone blast furnaces in a historic park setting near Steamtown National Historic Site. The Scranton Iron Furnaces are all that remain of a once extensive iron plant that made the iron rails for the Erie Railroad and produced a whopping 125,000 tons of pig iron in the year 1880. The plant was shut down in 1902.

The Scranton Iron Furnaces are now part of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum and help preserve the country's iron-making heritage for future generations. It's fascinating to wander around the giant stone structure and peer inside the abandoned spaces.

Address: 159 Cedar Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.anthracitemuseum.org/explore/iron-furnaces

14. Take the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Scranton, PA (14)

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour invites tourists to hop inside a mine car and descend 300 feet underground to explore the winding tunnels of a coal mine that opened in 1860. The award-winning tour, which is led by miners, highlights what life was like for workers who powered the Industrial Revolution.

The tour involves half a mile of walking in a chilly 53-degree Fahrenheit environment, so bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket.

Above ground, the property also displays some interesting artifacts, including a solid chunk of pure anthracite coal that weighs 13,000 pounds.

For more information on coal mining and the culture of the workers, make your way to the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum just up the hill.

Address: Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Official site: www.coalminetournepa.com

Map of Things to Do in Scranton, PA

Scranton, PA - Climate Chart

Average minimum and maximum temperatures for Scranton, PA in °C
JFMAMJJASOND
1 -8 3 -7 8 -2 15 3 22 9 26 14 28 16 27 16 22 12 16 6 9 1 4 -4
PlanetWare.com
Average monthly precipitation totals for Scranton, PA in mm.
63 53 68 83 94 101 95 79 98 77 79 65
Average monthly snowfall totals for Scranton, PA in cm.
32 27 20 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 22
Average minimum and maximum temperatures for Scranton, PA in °F
JFMAMJJASOND
34 18 37 20 47 28 59 38 71 48 78 57 83 61 81 60 72 53 61 42 49 34 39 24
PlanetWare.com
Average monthly precipitation totals for Scranton, PA in inches.
2.5 2.1 2.7 3.3 3.7 4.0 3.7 3.1 3.9 3.0 3.1 2.6
Average monthly snowfall totals for Scranton, PA in inches.
12 11 8.0 2.8 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.1 4.1 8.6
14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Scranton, PA (2024)

FAQs

What is Scranton, PA best known for? ›

As Northeastern Pennsylvania's largest city, Scranton boasts a rich heritage, including its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. While it may be best recognized as the hometown of the fictional Dunder Mifflin from NBC's hit show, The Office, Scranton's significance extends far beyond the world of pop culture.

What food is Scranton, PA known for? ›

From family-owned trattorias to upscale Italian eateries, you'll experience an authentic taste of Italy in Scranton. But Scranton's culinary appeal doesn't end with Italian cuisine. You can try pierogies, a local favorite, and Polish and Irish food, which show the city's immigrant history.

What TV show was filmed in Scranton Pennsylvania? ›

John Krasinski and his friends famously filmed the opening credits of The Office from his car while exploring Scranton and researching for the show. They captured some of the city's most iconic spots, including the Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company building.

Was The Office actually filmed in Scranton? ›

The Office is set in Scranton, but the actual Dunder Mifflin offices were, for production reasons, laid out at a studio in California, where both interiors and exteriors for "Scranton Business Park" were filmed.

Why is Scranton, PA so cheap? ›

Ruddy says Scranton stands at number one due to lower property taxes and lower property value, offering prices that major cities can't compete with. “We've always been attractive to the bigger metro areas, Philadelphia, New York City, people in New Jersey.

Why is Scranton popular? ›

Despite its pivotal contributions to the Industrial Revolution, Scranton is now best known nationally as the home of Dunder Mifflin from NBC's hit show, The Office.

Is Scranton a walkable city? ›

Scranton is Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot.

Where is the Dunder Mifflin building located? ›

The office and warehouse of the Scranton branch office were sets on the production company's office in Van Nuys, California, although a real office was used in the show's first season. For episodes in season two and beyond, scenes set in the parking lot used the exterior of the production company's office building.

What is the number one food in Pennsylvania? ›

The cheesesteak is probably the most iconic Pennsylvania food on this list, but is there a difference between a cheesesteak and a Philly cheesesteak? Some say it's only a Philly cheesesteak when you use hoagie rolls from Amaroso, a Philly bread company.

What is the pizza capital of PA? ›

Old Forge is a small borough about 75 miles north of the Lehigh Valley. But while its downtown looks like a lot of other Main Street districts, Old Forge is more than just another small Pennsylvania town. It's the pizza capital of the world.

What is the nickname for Scranton PA? ›

The city's nickname "Electric City" began when electric lights were introduced in 1880 at the Dickson Manufacturing Company. Six years later, the United States' first streetcars powered only by electricity began operating in the city.

What crime family was in Scranton PA? ›

The Bufalino crime family, also known as the Pittston crime family, the Scranton Wilkes-Barre crime family, the Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Mafia, or the Scranton Mafia, was an Italian-American Mafia crime family active in Northeastern Pennsylvania, primarily in the cities of ...

Can you tour The Office set in Scranton? ›

So now is a great time to visit the city where the show was situated! Hello and welcome to Scranton! As you tour the setting of NBC's The Office, you and your pals may create your own episodes. Visit sites made famous by their inclusion in the hilarious popular program.

Why is Scranton, Pennsylvania famous? ›

Despite its pivotal contributions to the Industrial Revolution, Scranton is now best known nationally as the home of Dunder Mifflin from NBC's hit show, The Office.

What industry is Scranton, PA known for? ›

Development continued, and by the late 1880s, Scranton was one of the nation's leading industrial centers, earning the title of “Anthracite Capital of the World.” Laborers and entrepreneurs from around the world came to the city to mine anthracite coal, pour iron for tee rails, operate railroads, and work in textile ...

Why is Scranton called Steamtown? ›

The Scranton railroad yard, now the home of Steamtown National Historic Site, is representative of 20th-century steam-era facilities that were used for the handling of coal, freight, and passenger traffic and the service and repair of locomotives.

Is Scranton a distressed city? ›

In 2016, the City acquired a so-called “junk level” BB rating. Scranton's credit rating climbed one notch to BB+ in March 2022, shortly after the City shed its 30-year label as a financially distressed municipality.

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