East Stroudsburg
Around East Stroudsburg
Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Pennsylvania · 166k people
East Stroudsburg
Locals say The Poconos
Where the mountains meet your soul.
East Stroudsburg University redPocono forest green
Welcome to the Poconos, where the mountains meet the river and every season brings its own adventure. Whether you're here for the trails, the lakes, or just the friendly vibe, you'll find a home among the pines.
Clubs for East Stroudsburg
No clubs for East Stroudsburg yet.
The room
One room for everyone around East Stroudsburg. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around East Stroudsburg. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area River, waterfalls, and miles of trails
- Bushkill Falls The 'Niagara of Pennsylvania'
- Camelback Mountain Resort Skiing in winter, waterpark in summer
- Pocono Raceway NASCAR races on a tri-oval track
- Big Pocono State Park Summit views of the Poconos
- Hickory Run State Park Home to the famous Boulder Field
- Outdoors Hike the Appalachian Trail
- Outdoors Kayak on the Delaware River
- With kids Visit Bushkill Falls
- With kids Explore the Pocono Environmental Education Center
- Evenings Catch a show at the Sherman Theater
- Evenings Bar hop on Main Street, Stroudsburg
- Locals love Ski resorts
- Locals love Lake beaches
Through the year
- Pocono Raceway NASCAR weekends June and July NASCAR races at the tri-oval track
- West End Fair August County fair with rides, food, and exhibits
- Pocono Garlic Festival September Garlic-themed food, crafts, and live music
- Stroudsburg Winterfest December Winter celebration with ice sculptures and activities
- Quiet Valley Harvest Festival October Historic farm harvest celebration with demonstrations
The Poconos have four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor adventures. Best: Late spring and early fall are ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Poconos”
- Refers to the region itself
- “The Gap”
- A local term for the area around the Delaware Water Gap
Getaways
- Lehigh Valley Shopping, dining, and attractions in Allentown and Bethlehem
- Scranton Electric City attractions, museums, and nightlife
- Hudson Valley Scenic river towns, wineries, and historic sites
- Monticello Casino, racetrack, and outdoor recreation
Local flavour
Teams
- East Stroudsburg University Warriors NCAA Division II
Also rooting for Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers
Eat and drink
- Pierogies
- Kielbasa Smoked sausage staple at local gatherings.
- Pocono-style pancakes Hearty breakfasts at local diners and resorts.
- Wawa hoagies Regional convenience store chain beloved for made-to-order hoagies.
Where people go
- Ski resorts Camelback, Shawnee, and other slopes define winter recreation.
- Lake resorts Lake Wallenpaupack and smaller lakes offer boating and relaxation.
- Hiking trails The Appalachian Trail and many state parks.
- Waterfalls Bushkill Falls and other scenic cascades.
- Mountain cabins Rustic getaways and year-round retreats.
Heritage and traditions
The Poconos are proud of their natural beauty and long history as a getaway for honeymooners and families, with a rich mix of Pennsylvania Dutch, Slavic, and resort culture.
This time of year in East Stroudsburg
- Leaf peeping Fall Autumn foliage draws visitors to the mountains.
- Quiet Valley Harvest Festival October Historic farm celebrates autumn with traditional crafts and activities.
Say it like a local: “pierogi (peh-ROH-gee)” — A filled dumpling of Central European origin, commonly made at home
Festivals
- Stroudsburg Jazz Festival June A weekend of jazz performances across downtown venues.
- Pocono Garlic Festival September Celebrates garlic with vendors, cooking demos, and live music.
- Quiet Valley Harvest Festival October Historic farm celebrates autumn with traditional crafts and activities.
- West End Fair August A classic agricultural fair with rides, food, and livestock.
- Pocono State Craft Festival July Showcases regional artisans and their handmade works.
- Stroudsburg Winterfest December A holiday festival with ice carving, carriage rides, and local crafts.
Landmarks with a story
- Millbrook Village A restored 19th-century village within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
- Shawnee Inn A grand hotel from 1911, known for its golf course and riverside setting.
- Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm A 19th-century farmstead that demonstrates rural life in the Poconos.
- Stroud Mansion Home of the Stroud family, now a museum of local history.
- Pocono Indian Museum A small museum in Bushkill showcasing Lenape artifacts and history.
Food traditions
- Pierogi-making parties Families gather to make pierogies for Christmas and Easter, a tradition passed down from Polish and Slovak ancestors.
- Haluski A hearty dish of cabbage and noodles, often served with kielbasa, reflecting the region's Slavic heritage.
- Resort smorgasbord The Poconos' resort hotels popularized the all-you-can-eat smorgasbord, a nod to the area's hospitality history.
- Shoofly pie A Pennsylvania Dutch dessert found in some local bakeries, a sweet molasses crumb pie.
Music and arts
- Stroudsburg jazz scene The Stroudsburg Jazz Festival and local clubs keep jazz alive.
- Sherman Theater live performances A historic venue hosting concerts, comedy, and community events.
- Pocono Arts Council Promotes local artists and art education across the region.
- Pocono Community Theater Community theater productions in East Stroudsburg.
A little history
- Pre-1700s Lenape settlement
- 1850s Railroad arrival
- 1940s–1960s Honeymoon capital
- 1965 Delaware Water Gap NRA established
- 1960s Ski resort boom
Rivalries
- East Stroudsburg University vs. West Chester University PSAC football rivalry
- Game day ESU Warriors football games
- Game day Pocono Raceway NASCAR weekends
- Outdoors Snow tubing at local ski areas
- Outdoors Zip lining through the treetops
- With kids Visiting Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
- With kids Playing at the Boulder Field
Locals speak with a blend of Philadelphia and New York influences, so you'll hear 'youse' and 'wooder' from some, while others say 'you guys' and 'water'. The area also has a mix of Pennsylvania Dutch and Slavic words, especially around food.
Only here
- Heart-shaped bathtubs at the honeymoon resorts, a quirky legacy of the 1960s.
- The 'Tricky Triangle' nickname for Pocono Raceway, known for its unique triangular shape.
- The Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park, a National Natural Landmark with massive rocks.
- The Delaware Water Gap, a stunning river gap through the Appalachian Mountains.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for snow in winter, especially in higher elevations—keep a shovel in your car.
- Traffic on I-80 can be heavy on weekends with NYC/NJ visitors; plan trips accordingly.
- Try a local diner for pierogies and kielbasa—you'll find them on many menus.
- Learn the local pronunciation: 'po-KO-no' (not 'PO-ko-no').
- Explore the state parks and waterfalls—they're free and beautiful.
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Part of Allentown area
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East Stroudsburg, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.