Getaway Guide: Weekend Road Trip To Shawnee
Located in the scenic and historic Pocono Mountains, Shawnee-on-Delaware is less than a two-hour drive from Center City Philadelphia, but once you're there, it's clearly a world apart. A place of nature, adventure and history, Shawnee-on-Delaware lies within the Delaware Water Gap. Well-known for its boating, skiing, hiking, golf and other outdoor activities, the area also offers theater, concerts, crafts and the arts. The nearby Delaware Water Gap is also home to a number of waterfalls, including the famous, huge and much-visited Bushkill Falls, a scenic stop to round out this weekend getaway.
Getting There
The fastest route from Philadelphia (at about an hour and 40 minutes) is to take I-76 to I-476 North, (Pa Turnpike Northeast Extension). Continue driving north on I-476, toward US-22 East, to exit 56 Lehigh Valley. Take US-22 East to the US-33 North exit; follow US-33 North and exit onto I-80 East. From there, take exit 309 or 310. Exit 309, Pa 209 North, takes you to Bushkill Falls. Shawnee-on-Delaware is a few miles from the entrance to the Delaware Water Gap.
What To Do
Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls Road
Bushkill, PA 18324
(888) 287-4555
www.visitbushkiillfalls.com
Price: free
Bushkill Falls, known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, features a collection of Native American and wildlife exhibits in addition to its eight waterfalls. Other activities include a fudge kitchen, miniature golf, miles of nature trails, paddleboat rides, fishing in the Twin Lakes, a snack bar, gift and souvenir shops, and trail map adventures. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to take advantage of the picnic area here as well.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
HQ River Road
Bushkill, PA 18324
www.nps.gov/
Price: free
With low forested mountains, 40 miles of Delaware River, the 1000-foot-deep Water Gap and trout streams as the major draw, this national park also includes 100 miles of trails along ridges, mountains and streams, 67,000 acres of valley, a 27-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, historic villages, 200 miles of scenic roadways and 200 historic structures. The Delaware Water Gap is home to white-tailed deer, fox, wild turkey, bobcats, black bears and coyotes as well as bird watching for everything from ruby-throated hummingbirds to bald eagles and heron.
Borough of Milford
111 W. Catherine St.
Milford, PA 18337
(570) 296-7140
www.milfordboro.org
Incorporated on Christmas Day 1874, this historic village traces its history back to 1733 when Tom Quick first settled here. Explore Forest Hall, the Hotel Fauchere, the Court House, Grey Towers, the Columns, the Upper Mill, the Community House, Dimmick Inn and Tom Quick Inn. Known for its unique boutiques and cafés, Milford also has a reputation for being a wedding mecca. Ambience Furniture and Fine Gifts, located at 200 E. Hartford St., is known for its eclectic selection of handcrafted furniture by some of the most famous artisans, such as D.R. Dimes, Hancock & Moore, E.J. Victor and French Heritage. There are several fine art and craft galleries nearby to explore, including the ARTery and the Artisan Exchange, both located on Broad Street.
Lodging
The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort
124 Shawnee Inn Drive
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA 18356
(800) 742-9633
www.shawneeinn.com
Price: $89 per person midweek/$149 per person weekends
Known for its hosting of elite PGA and Championship golf events, this resort became a reality in the early 1900s, when business owner Charles Campbell Worthington, a native of New York, built a summer residence in Shawnee-on-Delaware. In 1904, he built Worthington Hall, home of the Shawnee Playhouse. Worthington's dream was to build an exclusive resort hotel, which he named the Buckwood Inn. It quickly became know as a gem of the Delaware Valley. His family also operated a ferry to taxi guests across the Delaware River to New Jersey in order to visit Buckwood Park. The private park featured a petting zoo, a wildlife sanctuary, an aviary and a teahouse. The 18-hole golf course on Shawnee Island, designed by A.W. Tillinghaast, is a center for professional golfers. In 1938, it hosted the PGA Championships. Play and Stay packages, such as "River Adventure," include one night at a bed and breakfast, a canoe and a raft or kayak trip on the Delaware River. The "Overnight Golf and Stay" package provides overnight accommodations, a full breakfast, 18 holes of golf on Shawnee Island course, green fees, cart and club storage.
Related: Top Bed And Breakfast Getaways In The Philadelphia Area
Foxwood Family Campground
400 Mount Nebo Road
East Strudsburg, PA 18301
(570) 421-1424
www.foxwoodcampground.com
Price: $35 per night for tent sites/$95 per night for two-bedroom cabins
Foxwood Family Campground features family-friendly, affordable accommodations including camp-fire friendly sites. A pond stocked with large-mouth bass, hiking trails and a pool round out the fun to make this an ideal place to spend the night. Located on 170 acres of woodlands, the campground features an 18-hole miniature golf course, tent and RV sites, as well as on-site cabins. It also hosts special activities during spring, summer and fall weekends, such as Christmas in July and Pirate Weekend in August.
Dining
The Gem & Keystone Brewpub
River Road
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA 18356
(570) 424-0990
www.gemandkeystone.com
The Gem and Keystone Brewpub offers a twist on the classic brewpub by serving handcrafted ales and lagers brewed on the premises. Enjoy a beer pairing with the seasonal menu of local and sustainable ingredients. The dinner menu features appetizers such as tomato and mozzarella salad, chili and roasted garlic hummus. A signature line of salads makes for a tasty start to a pub fare meal of the jumbo lump crabcake sandwich or the portabella panini. Entrees include steaks, house-smoked baby back ribs, pasta and fish.
Original Pocono Pub
Route 611
Bartonsville, PA 18321
(570) 421-2187
www.poconopub.com/
Featuring live entertainment nightly, the Original Pocono Pub been around for nearly 90 years. Known as the King of the Wings, its menu features hand-packed burgers and must-eat homemade soups as well. Enjoy live music and karaoke throughout the week, and every Friday, DJ Slim hosts.
Jeffrey B. Roth, has won numerous state and national news and feature-writing awards during his career. A well-known crime writer, investigative reporter and a feature writer, Roth writes for a number of magazines and newspapers. Listed in the Locus Index of SciFi and Fantasy authors, Roth is the author of a number of published short stories and poetry. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
