Hemlock Farms

Around Hemlock Farms

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Town and around · Pennsylvania · 62k people

Hemlock Farms

Locals say Poconos · “Lake Region”

Lakes, woods, and four seasons of calm.

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Welcome to the Poconos! Whether you're here for the lakes, the woods, or the small-town charm, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors. Grab a whoopie pie and settle in—there's always a trail to hike or a fire to sit by.

Clubs for Hemlock Farms

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The room

One room for everyone around Hemlock Farms. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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Marketplace

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Things to do

  • Promised Land State Park State park with a lake, hiking trails, and camping
  • Lake Wallenpaupack Large reservoir for boating, fishing, and lakeside fun
  • Honesdale Historic District 19th-century downtown with shops and eateries
  • Stourbridge Lion Monument Commemorates America's first locomotive
  • Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Scenic river valley with hiking and waterfalls
  • Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain Local ski area with slopes for all levels
  • Outdoors Boating and kayaking on Lake Wallenpaupack
  • Outdoors Hiking the trails at Promised Land State Park
  • With kids Visit the Wayne County Historical Society Museum
  • With kids Ride the Stourbridge Line train
  • Evenings Concerts at The Cooperage Project
  • Evenings Trivia nights at Honesdale pubs
  • Locals love Lake houses and cabins
  • Locals love Boat launches and marinas

Through the year

  • Wayne County Fair August August county fair with rides, livestock, and local food
  • Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival May May festival featuring live bands and local artisans
  • Lake Wallenpaupack Polar Bear Plunge January January charity dip into icy waters
  • Honesdale Winterfest January January celebration with ice sculptures, sledding, and hot cocoa

The Poconos have four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and mild summers. The best time to be out is from late spring through early fall, when the lakes and trails are at their best. Best: Summer and early fall are ideal for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“The Lake”
Lake Wallenpaupack
“Camp”
A lake house or cabin
“The Gap”
Delaware Water Gap

Getaways

  • East Stroudsburg Closest city with shopping and dining
  • Scranton Electric City, museums, and minor league baseball
  • Lehigh Valley Dorney Park, the Crayola Experience, and the Allentown Art Museum
  • Hudson Valley Historic towns, wineries, and the Walkway Over the Hudson

Local flavour

Rooting for Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)

Eat and drink

  • Pierogies Common in PA, but not unique to this area
  • Halushki Cabbage and noodle dish, regional
  • Whoopie pies PA Dutch dessert, but less common here

Where people go

  • Resorts and lake houses Historic honeymoon and summer resorts
  • State parks and hiking trails Promised Land, Lackawanna, and other parks
  • Ski areas Alpine and cross-country slopes
  • Summer camps Traditional sleepaway camps by the lakes

Heritage and traditions

This region is proud of its deep railroad and glassmaking heritage, its unspoiled lakes and forests, and its role as a beloved weekend escape for generations of families.

This time of year in Hemlock Farms

  • Fall foliage drives October October brings spectacular leaf-peeping along Route 6 and the Delaware River.

Say it like a local: “wooder” — A local pronunciation of 'water', influenced by the nearby Philadelphia area.

Festivals

  • Honesdale Fireman's Carnival July A summer carnival with rides, games, and local food, held annually in July.
  • Honesdale Christmas on Main December An old-fashioned holiday celebration with caroling, lights, and a visit from Santa on Main Street.
  • Wayne County Fair August A traditional county fair with agricultural exhibits, rides, and live entertainment in August.
  • Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival June A free music and arts festival featuring local and regional performers in June.
  • Lackawaxen River Sojourn June A guided paddling trip down the Lackawaxen River, celebrating the waterway's natural beauty.
  • Honesdale Winterfest February A winter festival with ice sculptures, sleigh rides, and hot cocoa in February.

Landmarks with a story

  • Dorflinger Glass Museum Housed in the former Dorflinger Glass Works, this museum showcases fine cut glass and the factory's history.
  • Zane Grey Museum The author's home and study, preserved to show where he wrote many of his Western novels.
  • Roebling Bridge (Delaware Aqueduct) An 1848 suspension bridge designed by John Roebling, now a pedestrian crossing over the Delaware River.
  • Wayne County Courthouse A striking 1898 Romanesque Revival building in Honesdale, a symbol of local government and pride.
  • Stourbridge Lion Monument Commemorates the first locomotive to run on rails in the United States, which debuted in Honesdale in 1829.
  • D&H Canal Park Remnants of the Delaware and Hudson Canal, which once connected the coal fields to the Hudson River.

Food traditions

  • Pierogies A staple from the region's Eastern European heritage, often served boiled or fried with onions and sour cream.
  • Halushki A hearty dish of cabbage, noodles, and butter, reflecting the area's Slavic roots.
  • Whoopie pies A Pennsylvania Dutch dessert that's a local favorite, especially at bake sales and fairs.
  • Pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day A tradition brought by German immigrants, believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.
  • Fastnacht on Fat Tuesday A Pennsylvania Dutch treat—a fried potato doughnut—enjoyed before Lent begins.

Music and arts

  • Folk and bluegrass music The Roots & Rhythm festival and local jam sessions keep a tradition of acoustic music alive.
  • Glassmaking The Dorflinger heritage continues with artisan glass studios and the museum's collection.
  • Wayne County Arts Alliance A local organization that supports visual and performing arts, hosting exhibits and workshops.
  • Community theater Local groups stage productions at venues like the Honesdale High School auditorium.

A little history

  • 1829 The Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to run on rails in the US, made its debut in Honesdale.
  • 1828 The Delaware and Hudson Canal opened, linking the region to New York and spurring growth.
  • 1852 Christian Dorflinger founded the Dorflinger Glass Works in White Mills, which became famous for fine cut glass.
  • 1905-1918 Zane Grey lived in Lackawaxen and wrote many of his Western novels there.
  • 1926 Lake Wallenpaupack was created by damming the Lackawaxen River, providing hydroelectric power and a major recreation area.

Rivalries

  • Honesdale vs. Hawley Friendly high school football rivalry
  • Game day Polar Bear Plunge
  • Game day High school football
  • Outdoors Hiking the Appalachian Trail
  • Outdoors Canoeing or kayaking the Delaware River
  • With kids Visiting the Dorflinger Glass Museum
  • With kids Exploring the Zane Grey Museum

The local accent is a mix of Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic influences, with some New York City spillover. People often say 'youse' or 'you's guys' for the plural 'you', and 'wooder' for water. Place names like Honesdale are pronounced with a long 'o'.

Only here

  • The Stourbridge Lion, the first locomotive to run on rails in the US, is commemorated in Honesdale.
  • The Dorflinger Glass Works produced some of the finest cut glass in the world, now displayed in White Mills.
  • Zane Grey wrote many of his Western novels while living in Lackawaxen.
  • The Roebling Bridge is the oldest existing suspension bridge in the US, designed by John Roebling.
New here? A few tips
  • Be ready for winter: snow can be heavy, so invest in a good snow shovel and warm boots.
  • Weekends bring an influx of visitors from New York and New Jersey, so plan errands on weekdays if possible.
  • Learn to pronounce 'Honesdale' with a long 'o' (Hones-dale) to sound like a local.
  • Try the pierogies at local diners or church suppers—they're a regional staple.
  • If you live in a private lake community like Hemlock Farms or The Hideout, check the rules about lake access and amenities.

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Part of Greater New York

Hemlock Farms, 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.

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