The Poconos Guidebook
The Poconos mountains get over 25 million visitors a year, and we always have people looking to get a tattoo or piercing while they are staying out this way asking for our recommendations for their stay. So, this is our collected recommendations for food, outdoors activities, and more! Whether your visiting from far away or your a local just trying to find some new undiscovered spots, we wanted to share our support for the local businesses and the beautiful landscapes that we enjoy.
The Great Outdoors
and experiences
Looking to get out and stretch your legs? We love to get out into the great outdoors ourselves, we will let you know what are the good spots that aren't too over crowed or are overall great places. From hiking to winter activities, we know what's good.
Food and Drinks
Our favorite local food and drink spots from wineries, and distilleries to hidden unique eats and classic American bar food restaurants. We gotcha covered!
Room and Board
If your visiting the area or your just looking for a stay-cation don't get stuck guessing which places are best for your nights in the Poconos. We will let you in on the best local stay or the nice hotels with all the amedities.
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Food and Drinks
Noir Dark Spirits
$$
Ok so maybe its not super local, located in Scranton PA, BUT it is so worth it to take the trip. This Goth bar of your dreams has amazing drinks with dry ice to add that spooky vibe and delicious eats with a twist.
Renegade Winery
$$
This place has some of the most unique wine flavors around including Seans favorite Jalapeño Wine! While your there enjoy the live music they will have there from time to time and order from their digital menu from "The Charcuterie" a great food spot that walks you food up from just a block away to your table at the Renegade!
Sango Kura
$$
An Innovative spot for some unique eats and drinks. This Sake Distillery has a view right inside the actual Willy Wonka-esk work shop for sake and while your sipping your sake order up some delicious asian inspired bowls
Desaki
$$$
If your looking for a little bit more of a "boujie" meal with a live performance Desaki Hibachi and Sushi is the place to go. Sit at the hibachi grill and get a fun cooking performance or sit and the bar and order some sushi rolls.
Brothers Pizza
$
Located right below the tattoo shop, this is one of our favorite quick bites that doesn't compromise on taste! The two brothers who own it make great food and are always friendly. Great for a slice while you're getting tattoo'd.
Cafe Duet
$$
This coffee and small bites stop is located right in the center of Stroudsburg off of Main Street. Good coffee and great food it has a super cute outdoor patio for enjoying your beverage. The square that the cafe is located in has a farmers market on Saturdays so you won't be able to park on the street but you can definitley take a walk and enjoy the market. Don't forget to grab a savory scone, Hannas go to!
The Farmhouse
$$
The Farmhouse Eatery has some of the best food and drinks for your brunch outing. This chic restaurant is decorated to the nines with floral wallpaper and crystal chandeliers. Order yourself some delicious specialty drinks from their full cocktail bar to go with your stack of chicken and waffles or French toast.
Derailed
$$
Located on crystal street across from the historic old train station is a great American food bar and grill. The front of the building is made of garage doors that flip open to the street where you can hear the live music spill onto the sidewalk when they have bands come to play on the weekends. Great burgers and drinks but the atmosphere is welcoming and fun. While your there stop by the ice cream place a few doors down for a cold bite after your burgers and beer.
Bliss Cheesecake
$$
Don't let the name fool you they have more than just cheesecakes, and honestly we love their food almost as much as their cheesecakes (if not more). They have a wide variety of food choices and some of their best stuff is their more latin inspired dishes. The empanadas and the Mac n cheese are such a great indulgent treat for lunch.
3rd and Ferry Fish Market
$$
Now, its a little far out in Easton but it will be totally worth the drive. This is Hanna's favorite spot for fresh seafood and oysters. Right down the corner from the main square so its super easy to get to from the other fun stuff in Easton. The raw oyster bar there is amazing with regularly restocked oysters at least two times per day. The bar is a little glimpse into the speakeasy-type era, and their cocktails are great. Most seafood is market price but everything else is fairly affordable for such an amazing dinner. Definitely worth just to be able to pick your own oysters from their menu.
Sorrenti Winery and Pizzeria
$$
For a Winery this place has some of the BEST wood fire pizza around! The Winery has a gorgeous property to walk around and enjoy their tasty wine or get yourself a flight and go over the the pizzeria and get some awesome food to go with.
Yard of Ale
$$
If your looking for some good American bar food then this is your spot. The building itself is very nice inside with all the original brick and authentic bar decor. Good drinks and good burgers what else do you need?
Sarah Street Grill
$$
An American grill with a twist, they have a stage for live music as well as a sushi bar complete with signature rolls and asian appetizers. If you looking for a good burger Hanna's favorite is the Tex Mex burger with guac and salsa. And to wash it down some delicious mixed drinks from the bar.
The Warrior Bar and Grill
$$
This great spot for live music and good food. Ever day of the week they advertise a different deal for food or drinks so definitely keep an eye out for their cheesesteak Wednesdays! Friendly atmosphere and the perfect place to end or begin your night.
Tom X Pub
$$
One of Kaylas favorite spots to go to especially on Monday for their "Free Pool Night" and one of the most historic buildings you can get a drink in. Try the Black and Blue burger one of Kays favs!
PA Halal
$$
When this new spot opened downstairs we could not get enough of it! This Market/grill has some delicious food, gyros, falafel, and lunch platters. Our favorite thing to order is the lamb, chicken and steak combo with rice. The market has an awesome selection of an assortment of
The Mystical Mug
$$
Located on the cute Main Street of Delaware Water Gap this coffee shop takes residence inside of a beautiful historic building with the original bricks exposed. You can sit at a table and enjoy looking out onto the street and check out the other historic buildings close by. Don't forget to check out their local artist gift grabs that they have available. Great drinks and great gifts for your favorite bohemian.​
Daphnes Caribbean Cusine
$
If you are looking for COMFORT food this is definitely the spot. This Caribbean food place is family run by the sweetest people ever. Ox tail, goat, curry, and meat pies all packed with these warming delicious spices. The sizes are super generous and everything comes with rice, cabbage, and plantains. Don't forget to stop by on the weekend that's when they serve Mac 'n' cheese which is our favorite.
Ming Garden 3
$
If your looking for a Chinese food restaurant that you can trust this is the place. Just a really good option when you just want to have some take out. We love having them downstairs from us on those days we are feeling like we need our spare rib fix.
Yusan Sushi and Ramen
$$
This is just about our favorite Japanese spot locally. This place has some of the best sushi and ramen and not so much your going to break the bank which mean that we are always trying to order take out for lunch. Good for a date night out or a stay at home take out night.
The Great Outdoors
and experiences
Racoon Ridge
Located in Hardwick NJ its about a 30 min drive for some beautiful views. With a moderate hiking experience this is a great trail to see both sides of the Delaware Water Gap.
Shawnee Mountain
Shawnee in the wintertime is the best place to go for winter activities. Their lodges have cute fireplaces next to the bar so even if you don't participate you can still enjoy the wintery scene. Not too crowded for a well known mountain
Camelback
Even though camelback is big for their skiing and winter mountain the summer waterpark is actually super fun. They got great rides and a great lazy river for some chill
Dingmans Falls
If your looking for the falls like bush kill falls but you hate crowds then this is the next best option, a little further down the road from bush kills is Dingmans Falls which is just as nice.
Catfish Fire Tower
Another hike in Hardwick NJ this is a very easy hike up the emergency road to get to the fire tower which is connected to the Appellation trail. Really beautiful views with a picnic table for lunch. The fire tower often still has some in the look out and if you walk all the way up he can tell you all about the history of the tower since he had been a local fire fighter for a long time.
Mt Minsi
This is such a great hike for some exercise and a beautiful view of the NJ side of the Gap. If you go to the town of Delaware Water Gap the parking lot for the trail entrance is behind the Deer Head Inn which is a super popular spot for music and a stay in the Gap. Beginner to Moderate level of hike.
Bushkill Falls
If your looking for more of a WALK through the mountains instead of a HIKE then this is the perfect spot. The walking paths are fairly easy to navigate and you can see so many beautiful waterfalls along the way. It does get pretty crowded
Easton Garlic and Bacon Festival
These are some of the best times to having eating themed food and drinks and just enjoying Easton center square which is super cute to walk around. Garlic Fest is normally in October and Bacon fest is normally in November
Friday the 13th in Blairstown
If its Friday the 13th then head over to Blairstown NJ which is about a 30 min drive from here. The town had some of the filming of the movie done in the local diner on rt 94. Take a walk down main street enjoy the Friday the 13th museum and take some pictures with Jason will he walks around.
Room and Board
Pocono Palace
Remember hearing about those champagne glass hot tubs? This is where they are. 10 min away from the shop this is the perfect place for a little getaway and....I mean the champagne hot tub is really the selling point here. That being said be aware it is a VERY popular place for honeymoons... Other than that this place has all the aesthetics of its original 80's commercial. So it will be a good spot for some insta worthy photos.
Rainbow Mountain Resort
Another spot we haven't personally stayed at but they have been around for so long and we hear such great things about their stay. This campground has lots of renovated cabins and they PRIDE themselves on being queer-friendly. Their pool is also open to the public so even if you can't stay over night you can stop by the pool and enjoy their beautiful spot in the woods.
Mt Airy Casino Resort
Our resident gambler, Kayla, love to come to play some games and stay at the hotel for a weekend stay-cation. The casino is great and features a Guy Fieri restaurant that has some great food including the bucket nachos which are definitely a highlight for dinner.
