Summer

Some might say the best season of the year in NEPA is summer. We certainly don’t pick favorites around here, but we could see why these fleeting months filled with glorious sunshine, toasty temps, and all the outdoor adventures would rank as number one.

There’s no better time of year to embrace NEPA’s natural beauty and enjoy all this region has to offer. We’ve got 18 state parks to visit and only 13 official weeks of summer to explore them. All season long we’re livin’ on lake time, from boating, kayaking and fishing to conquering the white-water rapids on the Lehigh and Susquehanna Rivers. Keep cool at one of our many water parks or swimming pools and, of course, with lots of delicious ice cream.

From June through September, making the most out of every minute, from trips to Knoebels and strawberry picking at Pallman Farms, to the blooms and buttery festival at Lakeland Orchard, and making it our mission to dine on every outdoor patio in NEPA.

Summer is the season of adventures. It’s the time to get out and try something new. To enjoy those favorite family traditions that only happen this time of year. And boy, do we have everything you’ll need to create the ultimate summer of fun.

Enjoy a classic game of mini-golf at Lahey Family Fun Park. Experience the unforgettable rush as you go vertical on the Impulse at Knoebels. See our majestic mountains and rushing rapids up close while kayaking or white-water rafting with Pocono Whitewater or Whitewater Challengers.

Bushkill Falls, “The Niagra of Pennsylvania,” is an unforgettable adventure nestled in the wooded Pocono Mountains featuring eight unique waterfalls. Feed Jethro the giraffe, get up close with Lory Parrot and fawn over the big cats at Claws “N” Paws Wild Animal Park. Capture a bit of nostalgic magic at one of our four classic drive-in movie theaters.

And summer just wouldn’t be complete without baseball. Grab your hotdogs and snacks and root on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, our local Triple-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees.

That’s just the start. There are hundreds of summer fun outings, daytrips and experiences waiting in our backyards.

If there’s one thing we’re known for, it’s all the stunning natural beauty found in NEPA. Our 18 state parks are all part of that magical charm. From thousands of miles of hiking and biking trails, to picturesque lakes for fishing, boating and kayaking, plus plenty of space for hunting, the amenity-filled parks in our 10-county region are something special.

With lots of clean air and wide-open space, our peaceful state parks, state forests and nature preserves are the perfect place to enjoy a picnic with family, camp under the stars, or reconnect with nature. Enjoy some peace and quiet surrounded by lush forests, pristine lakes and, if you’re lucky, you might just spot some woodland creatures or beautiful migratory birds.

NEPA has some of the best indoor/outdoor waterparks, pools and splash pads that deliver exhilarating wet and wild fun. Beat the summer heat by splashing in a wave pool, speeding down a slide, or floating along a lazy river.

At Kalahari, one of the largest indoor waterpark in American, adrenaline junkies can test their limits on the Barreling Baboon water slide, full of soaring dips and twists.

Or, attempt North America’s longest uphill water coaster at Aquatopia. A cross between a waterslide and a roller coaster, Storm Chaser features 5 gravity-defying drops spanning 756-feet. And be sure to ride one of the giant waterslides at Montage Mountain Resorts outdoor waterpark.

Of course, many of our state parks feature sandy beaches for a relaxing afternoon in the gentle waves while there are plenty of community pools for practicing your high dive or floating in an inner tube. Whatever your speed, NEPA’s pools and waterparks are the perfect way to while away a beautiful summer day for both kids and adults alike.

Summer. That single noun is all the excuse we need to enjoy sweet, delicious ice cream daily. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of dairy farms, roadside stands and old-fashioned parlors all over NEPA.

We’re so hopelessly devoted to this creamy, smooth, delectable and refreshingly cool treat that we’ve created a handy list to help you map out the perfect sunny day sojourn of sweets and treats across our region. The challenge is, can you get to them all before summer ends?