The flag that cushioned Lincoln’s head after he was shot, a haunted history trail and a Hindu temple.
These destinations are just a few of the sights that await adventurers just a couple of hours’ drive from Scranton. With summer at the doorstep, the great American road trip provides Northeast Pennsylvanians access to stories and culture, and a chance to learn about the extended regional footprint while maybe even discovering a little bit more about the place called home.
First stop, upstate New York.
Grey Towers, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, in Milford, Pa. (PoconoMountains.com / Submitted)
One of the six carousels that make Binghamton the “Carousel capital of the world.”
(VisitBinghamton.org / Submitted)
A scenic photograph taken in the area of Binghamton, New York. (VisitBinghamton.org / Submitted)
The Marie Antoinette Lookout in Bradford County. (VisitBradfordCounty.com / Submitted)
A roller coaster at Knoebels.
(Knoebels / Submitted)
Binghamton, New York (1.5-hour drive north)
Binghamton shares a rich industrial history with Scranton, particularly in the areas of railroads and manufacturing, as is displayed in the Roberson Museum. The area yielded a number of industrial magnates, whose opulence became a part of the local history, exemplified by Phelps Mansion Museum.
Those planning road trips for later in the fall or who like a good spooking any time of year are additionally in luck. The aforementioned homes plus two more make up the “four haunted mansions” in the area, said Judy Hess, the director of VisitBinghamton.org, adding that New York state has a “haunted history trail” that includes Bundy Museum of History and Art, and castle-esque Kilmer Mansion, home of a wealthy area family who, back in the day, owned a horse that won the Kentucky Derby.
The whole family may appreciate Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, a walk-through zoo, and the Preserve, adjacent to the zoo, a drive-through “safari” type adventure. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the region’s “dozen different golf courses,” citing En-Joie Golf Club as the site of a PGA Tour Champions event. Hess gave honorable mentions to the New York Susquehanna Water Trail for kayakers, hikers and birders, and propped up the area’s “amazing restaurant scene” and “incredible craft beverage trail.”
Additionally, Binghamton serves as the hometown of Rod Serling, the creator of the longtime hit science-fiction television show “The Twilight Zone.” An homage to his childhood, he wrote the episode “Walking Distance” about a middle-aged man yearning and nostalgic for a simpler time of leisure and carousel rides, like the one in Binghamton’s Recreation Park. The city, with its six carousels, is known as the “Carousel Capital of the World.” All are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hess said the region “left a mark on” Serling.
Milford, Pennsylvania (1-hour drive east)
In Pike County along the upper Delaware River lies the borough of Milford, not to be confused with Milford, New Jersey, an hour and a half away from its twinly named town. In Milford, visitors with interest in conservation and architecture can stop into the Grey Towers National Historic Site, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service and former Pennsylvania governor, who often worked alongside Scranton political figures.
Not far from there, the Columns Museum, open in short stints at odd hours, holds artifacts such as “the Lincoln flag,” a 36-star flag where President Abraham Lincoln’s head was rested after he was shot, among other historical novelties and treasures.
Jim Hamill, a public relations officer for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, shouted out BetterWorld Cafe, Milford Theater and Milford Wine & Cheese Co., where visitors can sample cheese and wine. “They’re pretty fantastic,” Hamill said.
He additionally gave a nod to the historic Forest Hall, where he said the Yale School of Forestry was initially located, residing in the heart of downtown Milford. “It’s got this amazing art gallery there, and some shops downstairs,” Hamill explained.
Milford Beach, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, provides a grassy swimming hole for summer visitors with lifeguards on duty weekends from mid-June through August.
McDade Trail through the National Park Service lands, a slew of waterfalls and “fishing, hunting and hiking” abound, said Mike Mrozinski, the planning director of Pike County, adding that Milford boasts “hiking and exploring throughout the county” and “numerous historic structures.” Notables include the photogenic George W. Childs Recreation Site, and just a short jaunt over the Dingman’s Ferry Bridge offers Van Campens Glen Falls down Old Mine Road, a tour of a ghost town at Walpack, New Jersey, and a collection of eerie, ramshackle farms and houses — stark reminders of the 1955 flood of the Delaware River and the Tocks Island Dam fiasco that followed.
Somerset County, New Jersey (1.45-hour drive east)
This semirural region mixing farmland, historic estates and low-key luxury lends itself well to a grown-up getaway with surprises for kids in tow. The county is known for equestrian culture, as a golf aficionado’s paradise, its many ties to Colonial and American history, and scenic trails and gardens.
History buffs may want to trace the Five Generals Bus Tour, which showcases a handful of original and historic Somerset County homes where general staff were headquartered during the Revolutionary War. Stops include the Jacobus Vanderveer House, the Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage, Abraham Staats House, the Van Veghten and the Van Horne House, said Melissa Defreest, the vice president of Somerset County Tourism. Of special note is the Wallace House.
“That was where Washington stayed for two winters, I believe,” said Defreest. “And his wife joined him, and that was where they entertained a lot of dignitaries,” Defreest explained, adding that annually, the region holds a Civil War reenactment of the Battle of Bound Brook.
“It’s a fun event that they have,” said Defreest.
Those interested in seeing historic places of worship may appreciate Pluckemin Presbyterian Church in Bedminster, a sprawling, lily-white building with a playground tucked at the far end of the property, or the Hindu Temple in Bridgewater.
For garden and nature fans, the 170-acre Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster boasts meadows, a stream, a ring garden and a community garden. ShedFest music festival in early June helps raise funds for the Raritan Headwaters. A stop at the 33-acre Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills is also worthwhile.
Elysburg, Pennsylvania (1.3-hour drive southwest)
The family-owned, award-winning Knoebels Amusement Resort is a rite of passage for scores of Pennsylvanians who embark there annually for a day trip or camping adventure to relive their childhood or introduce a new generation to the free-admission theme park. While some attractions at the nearly 100-year-old tourist mecca do require additional pay, the freebies include many rides. A number of roller coasters, some of them wooden, haunted houses, a pirate ship, steam locomotive, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, flume ride, water slides and swimming, plus more, bring the park’s ride count to over 60 in all.
The Three Ponds golf course offers 18 holes a short drive away from the park, which offers a “kids kamp” and a ladies clinic.
“It’s a unique, challenging course and it’s very close to the park,” said Bob Medon, the manager of the pro shop there, adding that NASCAR drivers, professional baseball players and other athletes visit the course. Tee times can be booked in advance online or by phone.
While Knoebels provides countless ways to spend the days, off-site stops include a huge pool at a local park in town, the Ashland Mine Tunnel Tour, and lots of covered bridges. The population is intermixed with Mennonites and Amish, meaning lots of farms, boasting locally sourced homemade foods and shopping. A few to try include Rohrback’s Farm Market, Bakery & Gift Shop, Green’s Fruit Farm, or Sensenig Produce & Green House.
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, an ATV and dirt bike park, as well as Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train are stops about 20 minutes south of Knoebels, which opened for the year Saturday.
Bradford County, Pennsylvania (1.5-hour drive northwest)
About an hour and a half northwest in Bradford County, fans of European royalty may enjoy the Marie Antoinette Lookout in Wyalusing. The story goes, at the end of the 1700s, a French settlement popped up there consisting of folks fleeing the French Revolution. The area is now known as the French Azilum Historic Site. Rumor has it that Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, planned to call the town of Towanda her forever home, if the French could just get her to safety.
While Marie Antoinette didn’t make it to Pennsylvania, the panoramic view bearing her name sits frozen in time. The slightly hidden lookout is located just off Route 6.
After visiting Marie Antoinette’s walkway, history fans may also wish to pay a visit to Bradford County Historical Society & Museum, about a quarter of a mile away from the stone structure bearing the queen’s name.
Other activities in the area include a visit Knapp’s Covered Bridge, perhaps the highest covered bridge in the commonwealth, and fishing in Stephen Foster Lake at Mount Pisgah State Park about 30 minutes west.
Wine enthusiasts may enjoy the Grovedale Winery in Wyalusing, said Robyn Cummings, the executive director of Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, which boasts rare and hard-to-find wines, events such as classes and trivia, and a wine club.
Jess Gunther, the tasting room manager and event coordinator at the winery, says the space ticks a lot of boxes.
“It’s a great place to visit, it’s very relaxing, a good place to unwind,” she said, adding live music, game nights and more keep visitors entertained.
Theater fans may appreciate the area’s many historic theaters. The Bradford County Regional Arts Council oversees at least two theaters, which present shows and summer programs for people of all ages. The brick-faced Keystone Theatre in Towanda shows movies, concerts and live performances. The quaint Sayre Theatre, converted from a 1914 opera house, screens films and presents other events. The Rialto Theater in Canton hosts live music, comedy and stage plays.