Sometimes the weather may put a damper on your outdoor plans. But that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Check out these 10 things to do in the Poconos when it rains. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or shopping enthusiast, you’ll find the perfect way to spend a stormy day.
1. Pocono Axe Works
Throw down with your group at Pocono Axe Works. This rustic barn in Lakeville lets you take part in the craze that’s taking the country by storm. Up to 10 people may reserve a lane for one or two hours. Each lane is furnished with a picnic table to take advantage of the bring-your-own refreshments set up. Sessions include a mandatory safety briefing followed by instructor-led training. Visitors 14 years of age and older may participate. Close-toed shoes are required. Elevate the game with projected targets of different designs or glow in the dark axe throwing.
2. Big Screen Escapes
Test your wits in one of three challenging escape rooms. Each space has a movie-set vibe with authentic staging relating to the theme. Choose from Nuclear Family, a retro 1940s room, Trapped ’88 with its rad ‘80s surroundings, or Solitude, which puts you in a secluded cabin in the woods. Games accommodate between three and 10 people. Join forces to find clues, solve puzzles and win the game within a 60-minute period. Big Screen Escapes is in Mount Pocono and is always a unique option for things to do in the Poconos when it rains.
3. Pocono Environmental Education Center
Explore some of nature’s most inaccessible places. Ecozone at Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry re-creates a beaver lodge, bat cave, eagle’s nest and fossil pit in life-sized proportions. Visitors of all ages will enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment.
4. Columns Museum
Go inside a Milford, PA landmark to discover the history of Pike County. The grand Neo-Classical mansion along Broad Street dates to 1904. Today it serves as the Pike County Historical Society housing two floors of artifacts. Can’t miss exhibits include an American flag purported to have cushioned Abraham Lincoln’s head after he was shot at Ford’s Theatre and a completely restored Hiawatha stagecoach.
5. Crossings Premium Outlets
Shop ‘til you drop. Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville features more than 100 designer and brand name outlets making it one of the most poular things to do in the Poconos. Stroll the covered network of sidewalks to enjoy savings from 25 to 65 percent at stores such as Vera Bradley, Ann Taylor, Coach, Nike, Old Navy and Under Armour.
6. Zane Grey Museum
See the inspiration for one of America’s most prolific authors of western fiction. Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen is operated by the National Park Service. The renowned author made his home here from 1905 to 1919. At this beautiful spot perched above the confluence of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers he wrote many of his famous works including “Riders of the Purple Sage.” Take a self-guided tour of the home, which displays artifacts and exhibits from Grey’s life and career.
7. Milford Theater
See a show while taking in the beauty of this vintage 1920s movie house. The classic art deco stage of the Milford Theater hosts live music concerts, plays, movie screenings and dance performances. Visit the large bar in the lobby for a pre-show cocktail.
8. Wayne County Historical Society Museum
Uncover over 150 years of Wayne County history. The historical society is headquartered in an original Delaware & Hudson Canal Company office building in Honesdale that dates to 1860. The vast collection features rotating and permanent exhibits. Highlights include a full-size replica of the Stourbridge Lion, the first commercial locomotive in the United States and The Eclipse a luxurious D&H passenger car from the Gravity Railroad. Faces in Clay features over 4,600 artifacts on the area’s Native American history. Wayne County’s Glass: Windowpanes to White House Crystal boasts almost 200 pieces of glass produced or decorated in Wayne County from the 1820s to the 1980s. A Children’s History Lab offers plenty of hands-on experiences on the Native American way of life, European homesteaders, geology and science.
9. Pocono Rocks
Climb, swing and jump the day away. The fun is non-stop at Pocono Rocks in Mount Pocono. The centerpiece of the family fun center is a 16-foot-high climbing wall. It’s designed to help beginners of all ages learn balance and technique but there are also advanced routes for experienced climbers. If you’re not a fan of heights, you can opt for the ninja warrior obstacle course or one of the many bounce houses.
10. Grey Towers National Historic Site
Walk in the footsteps of history. Grey Towers National Historic Site is the former home of two-time Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy dedicated the estate a historic landmark under the ownership of the Forest Service. Pinchot founded the U.S. Forest Service and served as its first chief. Today visitors can tour the French chateau-style mansion which dates to 1886. Must-see spots include the Greytoat Hall, Gifford Pinchot’s library and the quirky outdoor dining room and fingerbowl table.
Come Inside the Hawley Silk Mill
You can’t miss this spot on your tour of things to do in the Poconos when it rains! The Hawley Silk Mill is the largest Pennsylvania Bluestone building in the world. In the 1880s it was a bustling factory. Today it’s a repurposed lifestyle center and once again a hub for community activity. You’ll find a collection of specialty shops, a state-of-the-art gym, an art gallery, salon and professional offices. Make sure to stop in to Cocoon Coffeehouse and Bakery for craft coffee, artisan sandwiches and gourmet pastries.