Things to do / Travel Guide
You can be certain of beautiful views while driving through eastern Pennsylvania's northeast mountain area, which includes over 100 lakes, the Pocono Mountains, the Delaware River and the Susquehanna River.
Poconos Scenic Drives
Travel rugged terrain ascending the slopes of Camelback Mountain, located in Big Pocono State Park. From the summit, you can enjoy a magnificent view of a vast portion of eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey and New York. A paved, steeply-graded, scenic drive, 1½ miles long, encircles the mountaintop, permitting visitors to enjoy the beautiful view in all directions. Entrance to the park is from either State Road 715 or Exit 299 of I-80 at Tannersville.
Scenic Pennsylvania Drives
The Delaware Water Gap Scenic Drive is a 40-mile drive following the shore of the Delaware River upstream from Portland almost to Milford. Some of the vistas that await you are forests, deep ravines, waterfalls and great views. Dominating the forest is the eastern hemlock, Pennsylvania's state tree. Also commonly found in the area are white oak, red maple, and shagbark hickory.
Scenic Drives in Pennsylvania Dutch Country
The unique character of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country will provide you with scenery you won't find anywhere else in the U.S. One particular drive you can take through this area begins in Fogelsville, in Lehigh Country. Head southwest from there into Berks County. Search along the byways for the picturesque stone- and German-style bank barns painted with “sun wheel” hex signs, the colorful Pennsylvania Dutch folk art that bestows fertility, strength, and luck on the farm's owners. From there, head north to Blue Mountain where you can visit Hawk Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, one of North America's top hawk-watch outposts. Between August and December, an average of 20,000 hawks, eagles, and falcons pass over this sanctuary, so you'll have a good chance of seeing these birds of prey along your drive.
Because of its easy accessibility to major East Coast cities, expect Pennsylvania Dutch Country to be crowded on the weekends and in the summer months.
Scenic Drives near Philadelphia
Just about an hour's drive northeast of Philadelphia, you can take a scenic drive through Bucks County, concentrating on the areas between New Hope and Lahaska. This is an area of farmlands, small towns, and historic, wooden covered bridges. As the area is very popular, it's best to drive through on a weekday. Make your drive as long or short as you wish, and stop often to sample the regional food and browse the antique shops.
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