Surely there's weirdness in NE PA?

January 3, 2008 7:45 PM

Some weekend this January or maybe February my boyfriend and I will be making our way from our home in Philly to Stroudsburg, PA to partake in some indoor go-karting activities (as a belated Xmas gift for him), and to get the hell out of town to a destination other than relatives.

It's a bit of a hike and, like I said, we need to get out of the city for a bit. If we tried to make a weekend of it, is there some offbeat stuff we could do as we make our way along 476N to Allentown, 78E past Bethlehem to Easton, and 209N to Stroudsburg (and back)? I mean goofy museums, odd shopping, strange places to stay, weird photo ops. I saw a billboard for an Unclaimed Freight store and I'm checking roadsideamerica.com, but I'm not coming up with much as you can see and any help would be greatly appreciated.

posted by killerinsideme to travel & transportation around Stroudsburg, PA (4 answers total)

Unclaimed Freight, contrary to their radio ads, isn't really that great. Harbor Freight has a store in Allentown, which is entertaining if you get their catalog.
Lost River Caverns is a few miles off of 78 exit 67 (Bethlehem). The Velodrome in Trexlertown is closed right now for resurfacing, but might be open by later in the month. The National Museum of Industrial History does previews of their collection Sundays 12-4, if you're into getting up close to big machines with no fancy displays.
posted by djb at 8:05 PM on January 3, 2008

You might consider stopping by a little town called Jim Thorpe, affectionately referred to as the Switzerland of America. It is quickly becoming a weekend destination spot for Philadelphians and New Yorkers wanting to get away from the city. Check out www.jimthorpe.org for more specific information.
posted by LiveLurker at 8:41 PM on January 3, 2008

If we tried to make a weekend of it, is there some offbeat stuff we could do as we make our way along 476N to Allentown, 78E past Bethlehem to Easton, and 209N to Stroudsburg (and back)?

You're not going to find much really interesting driving up the Northeast Extention (476N) and following the interstates. Why not lay out a route along the Delaware River and follow the old canal route? Take Rt. 1 out of Philly - the old national route between Philadelphia and New York - to 413 N and go through Washington's Crossing - New Hope - Peddler's Village - cross back and forth into Jersey.
posted by three blind mice at 4:58 AM on January 4, 2008

Centralia.
posted by electroboy at 6:44 AM on January 4, 2008