The Best of the Poconos – Local Flavor, Finds & Fresh Air
The Poconos region of Pennsylvania is a hidden gem known for its scenic beauty, creative spirit, and warm, welcoming communities. From charming small towns like Honesdale to peaceful lakeside trails and unexpected culinary finds, it’s the perfect place to slow down and explore. Whether you’re in the mood for local eats, artisan shopping, or a little outdoor adventure, the Poconos has something special for everyone. Here’s our guide to the best spots to eat, shop, and discover along the way.
1. Cafe Duet
📍Location: 810 Main St, Honesdale, PA
Cafe Duet is the kind of place where time slows down. Thoughtfully brewed coffee, beautiful interiors, and the kind of vibe that makes you linger a little longer than planned. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or journaling solo, it’s your cozy haven on Main Street.
2. Pocono Organics
📍Location: 1015 Long Pond Rd, Long Pond, PA
Pocono Organics blends wellness, sustainability, and local flavor all in one place. Stock up on farm-fresh produce, natural beauty products, and organic pantry staples that feel good in every way. With its on-site café and healing vibes, it’s part market, part mini-retreat.
3. Mountain View Vineyard
📍Location: 2332 Walters Rd, Stroudsburg, PA
Mountain View Vineyard feels like a little escape. Sip wine, beer, or spirits made right on site, all while soaking up stunning views and relaxed vibes. Their tasting room is a must, especially when paired with a cheese board and golden hour light.
4. Calkins Creamery
📍Location: 288 Calkins Rd, Honesdale, PA
Handcrafted cheese in a postcard-worthy setting? Yes, please. Calkins Creamery has been producing award-winning artisanal cheese on a fifth-generation family farm, and the results are as delicious as they are local. Grab a wedge (or three) and create the cheeseboard of your dreams.
5. Wallenpaupack Brewing Company
📍Location: 73 Welwood Ave, Hawley, PA
At Wallenpaupack Brewing Company, craft beer meets community hangout. With seasonal brews, hearty bites, and indoor-outdoor seating, it’s the perfect spot to kick back after a lake day or hiking adventure. Don’t skip the flight, it’s a great way to discover a new favorite.
6. Be Kind Bakehouse
📍Location: 936 Texas Palmyra Hwy, Honesdale, PA
At Be Kind Bakehouse, the name says it all. This sweet little spot serves up next-level pastries with a big helping of warmth. Everything is made from scratch, and the energy is as uplifting as the croissants are flaky.
7. Llama Ice Cream
📍Location: 623 Main St, Honesdale, PA
Llama Ice Cream brings big flavor with playful energy. Made with love and always full of surprises, it’s the place to go for a scoop (or two) that feels like a celebration. Their ever-changing menu means there’s always something new to try.
8. Sango Kura
📍Location: 1536 PA-739, Dingmans Ferry, PA
Sango Kura isn’t just Pennsylvania’s only sake brewery, it’s also a cozy pub where locals gather for ramen, small plates, and a totally unique sipping experience. The sake is brewed on-site and the atmosphere is as welcoming as it is unexpected.
9. Mabacol Handmade
📍Location: 1013 Main St, Honesdale, PA
Mabacol Handmade is a treasure chest of artisan goods, all carefully curated and beautifully displayed. Whether you’re hunting for gifts or treating yourself, you’ll walk out with something truly one-of-a-kind. Expect to find handwoven textiles, pottery, and pieces that tell a story.
10. Native Honesdale
📍Location: 920 Church St, Honesdale, PA
Native Honesdale feels like stepping into the town’s creative heart. With a mix of local goods, cozy staples, and a warm community feel, it’s a boutique that tells a story with every shelf. It’s the kind of shop that keeps calling you back.
11. Wild Elder
📍Location: 516 Church St, Hawley, PA
Wild Elder is a charming wine and cider house with a wild heart and a local soul. Tucked along Broadway in downtown Jim Thorpe, it serves up small-batch pours infused with foraged fruits, herbs, and flowers. Stop in for a glass of elderberry cider or botanical wine.
12. Bà & Me
📍Location: 105 6th St, Honesdale, PA
Bà & Me brings the flavor, and then some. This bright and modern spot serves up Thai and Vietnamese classics with a cozy, casual vibe. Their banh mi and pho are local legends, and it’s the kind of place you’ll find yourself craving again tomorrow.
13. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
📍Location: 1 Susquehanna St, Jim Thorpe, PA
Hop aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and get a front-row seat to Pennsylvania’s wild beauty. The vintage train winds through forests, rivers, and rock tunnels, all at a pace that lets you actually take it in. It’s part nostalgia, part nature show, and all charm.
14. Moka Origins
📍Location: 952 Bethany Turnpike, Honesdale, PA
Chocolate and coffee, roasted and crafted with purpose. Moka Origins is part roastery, part chocolate factory, and 100% worth a visit. Get the full behind-the-scenes tour or just enjoy a hot cup and dark chocolate bar made with beans they sourced themselves.
15. The Delaware Water Gap
📍Location: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PA
The Delaware Water Gap is nature doing its thing—majestic, quiet, and breathtaking in every season. Whether you’re hiking, kayaking, or simply watching the river move, it’s the kind of place that reminds you to breathe deeper. It’s not just a destination—it’s a reset button.
There’s no wrong way to do the Poconos. One minute you’re sipping sake, the next you’re chasing waterfalls or scoring the best croissant of your life. With so many hidden gems packed into one place, all you really need is a sense of adventure (and maybe a roomy tote bag). Join the Red Cottage Poconos portfolio today!
