Are you planning a trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania? Whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, Scranton has accommodations to meet your needs as well as plenty to see and do during your stay.

About Scranton

Scranton is located in the northeast area of Pennsylvania. The city is best described as being hilly, having mountains on both the east and west sides. It is approximately 25 square miles with a population of just under 77,000 people.

Scranton is especially colorful in the fall when the leaves turn to bright red, yellow and orange in the city as well as the surrounding mountains.

Getting To Scranton By Plane

If you will be flying into Scranton, the closest airport is the Wilkes Barre/Scranton International Airport, which is just 15 minutes from the city. Should you wish to fly into New York, New Jersey or Philadelphia, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and Philadelphia International Airports are all within a three hour drive of Scranton.

If you need a rental car, you’ll find all the major rental car companies located at the airport terminal of any of the above airports. While it is best to reserve your car in advance of your trip to make sure that the kind of car you want is available, you can get your rental car on the spot when you arrive if you need to.

Getting Around The City

The best way to travel around Scranton is by car, however the city is also served by COLTS – the Lackawanna Transit System – which has buses that run throughout Scranton as well as the outlaying portions of the city. Should you choose to ride the bus, you should be aware that it will take you approximately twice as long to reach your destination as it would by car, and the buses are not in service on Sundays or major holidays.

If you don’t have a rental car and don’t have the extra time to take the bus, a third option is to use a private taxi service. Should this method of travel fit your needs, you will need to call a taxi company by phone as taxis in Scranton cannot be hired on the street the way they can in other cities.

It is generally safe to walk in Scranton, so if you have a rental car you can park it in a parking garage for the day and see the city on foot. Downtown Scranton is comprised of about 24 city blocks, and many of the city’s tourist attractions will be found here.

Where To Stay In Scranton

Scranton offers a variety of hotels to meet your travel needs, whether you’re traveling to the city for business or you’re vacationing with the kids. Here are a few for you to consider.

If you’ll be visiting Scranton for business purposes, The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, The Inn At Nichols Village, and Courtyard by Marriott will each be able to accommodate you with amenities such as high speed internet and airport shuttle service, as well as other amenities which vary by location such as fax machines and business phones.

Will you be in Scranton for pleasure? The Holiday Inn Scranton, which houses the city’s only tropical atrium, is a comfortable hotel that offers many amenities, including an indoor pool, jacuzzi and fitness room for guests.

The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel is a great place to unwind. This six story hotel, which was once a train station, has been completely renovated and updated is now a historic landmark. Guests can enjoy a massage, a workout in the fitness center, or a leisurely meal at Carmen’s Ristorante and Wine Bar – the hotel’s restaurant.

What To Do In Scranton

There’s something for the whole family in Scranton. Do you like to ski? Try the slopes at Sno Mountain. And if you’re visiting during the summer when skiing isn’t in season, you’ll be able to enjoy Sno Cove – the resort’s water park. Sno Cove offers fun for even the youngest family member, and the water is a cool treat on a hot day.

The Lackawanna Coal Mine was once a real working mine and is now open for tours. The Mine is at the top of the list for things to do in Scranton. When you begin the tour, you’ll get on board a mine car that will take you deep into the mine. When the tour is over, stop by the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, which is next to the mine, to discover more about the region’s mining and people.

Steamtown National Historic Site is a fun place as well as one of the top destinations for train lovers. If you like to get up close and personal with locomotives, Steamtown is a must see!

It’s all here in Scranton, Pennsylvania!