Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre is well-known as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s major population centers. It’s the largest city in Luzerne County and second largest, behind Scranton, in the wider Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city is home to a wide variety of safe, family-friendly neighborhoods. At its heart, it’s a river town with plenty of activity and history along the Susquehanna River. As the seat of Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre serves as one of the political, cultural and economic centers of the greater Wyoming Valley. It is home to many local, small businesses and restaurants as well as plenty of regionally-celebrated cultural and entertainment venues.

Wilkes-Barre is home to many festivals, parades and community events throughout the year

From the Fine Arts Fiesta on Public Square to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Main Street to the Cherry Blossom Festival at Kirby Park, there’s always something going on in Wilkes-Barre. Whether you’re looking to fill your basket with fresh goodies from the Farmer’s Market, or standing in line for potato pancakes at a church bazaar, the odds are you’re not alone. Popular, seasonal events draw thousands of visitors to Wilkes-Barre from neighboring communities and beyond all year long.

The hottest tickets in town

In the fall and winter, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza is home to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. The “Pens,” as they’re known locally, host almost 40 home games from October through April. And if you travel about 15 minutes up I-81 to Scranton, you can catch the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, AAA affiliate to the NY Yankees, in action all spring and summer. The RailRiders light up PNC Field for over 70 home match ups every season.

From Main Street to Public Square to all the busy neighborhoods, Wilkes-Barre strives to keep it local

Enjoy a walk around Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on a warm weekend. Stop for a coffee. Do a little local shopping. Plan a leisurely lunch, or venture into the outlying neighborhoods for some authentic NEPA pizza or tacos. And, of course, if you prefer to slow it down a little, stop by the River Common and enjoy the tranquil scenery of the Susquehanna River.

Explore cuisine from all over the world in Wilkes-Barre

You’re never far from some of NEPA’s favorite restaurants in Wilkes-Barre. Whether you’re planning to get dressed up for a night of fine dining or hitting the neighborhood pub to catch a game, the city’s restaurant scene has you covered.

You can put together a little, local pizza tour. Hit up one of NEPA’s most famous hot dog joints. Make it a night of margaritas and guacamole, grab a few pints at the brewery, or do a little wining and dining. From ethnic delicacies and ice cream to hotspots for brunch, lunch and dinner and everything in between, you definitely won’t go hungry in Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes-Barre celebrates education & opportunity

Students from all over the country and beyond come to Wilkes-Barre to pursue higher education. King’s College and Wilkes University offer a vibrant, youthful vitality to the city. Luzerne County Community College also has a satellite center directly on Public Square. A short trip up the Cross Valley Expressway to Dallas will bring you to Penn State University’s Wilkes-Barre Campus. Students can also commute with ease to many of NEPA’s colleges, universities and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton.