Scranton/NYC

[ncdebe]

My girls want to tour Scranton (The Office ~ enough said) and be able to access NYC by train or so ~ ideally,something in between

Which areas should I look in so that this can be accomplished with out TOOOO much hassle for mom. This is for summer '09.

Thanks for any and all input~any recommendations as to accomodations,food etc DEEPLY appreciated

 

[Bob D]

I am from Scranton, that said, there is not that much for teens to tour. Great University when it comes to College time. There is also a nice railroad museum/ride and a very interesting coal mine tour. Nice parks and lakes and the Pocono Mountains are 45-60 minutes away.
Not much for urban touring though.
As for transportation, its bus or car.
The last train to NYC departed in the 50's.
Lodging, the usual hotels and the nearest timeshare is near Tanglewood a small ski area and the Poconos. All of the timeshares would be 45-50 minutes away from Scranton but that much closer to NYC. Scranton to NYC is about 2 and 1/2 hours.

 

[LGinPA]

I live in a suburb of Scranton. Hopefully I can fill you in on anything you need to know.

The best way to get from here to NYC is Martz Trailways bus. The bus station is in downtown, and has several buses a day going into the Big Apple. I drive to NYC all the time, and get there in 2 hours flat. But most of the buses have stops, so they take closer to 3 hours.

Here's a link to the Lackawanna County visitor's bureau. Scranton is in Lackawanna county.

The Steamtown National Historic site is also in downtown, right near The Mall at Steamtown.

But I think one of the more interesting sites is one that Bob D mentioned, The Lackawanna coal mine tour. They actually take you down into the mines.

Since it will be in the summer, they may want to visit Nay Aug Park. There are beautiful trails to walk, with views over the Nay Aug gorge and waterfalls. That's near down town too.

Also, south just a little bit on Route 307 is Lake Scranton. There's a 3.5 mile paved rail around it that is a really beautiful wooded walk.

Hotels: Stay right in downtown Scranton. The choice are either the Radisson Lackawanna Station hotel or the Hilton Hotel & Conference center. Those are the only choices right in downtown Scranton.

If they're too much $, they can stay in one of the myriad of chain hotels in Clarks Summit, or Dunmore, or Moosic (at Montage mountain). But to get the real 'feel' of Scranton, I'd highly recommend one of the hotels downtown.

Last year there was an Offical Office Convention downtown, in the fall. We didn't have it this year because the courthouse square is under construction.

Would they have a car?

If you have any other questions, I'd be glad to answer them.

 

[Jbart74]

I find this thread sort of fascinating. I grew up in Northeastern, PA. I was in a town that was a little better off than Scranton. (Not much... trust me) I also watch The Office, and I enjoy it mostly when they refer the poor situation in which they live... mainly, Scranton.

Perhaps your girls can learn something from the experience, like where not to live, but if they are looking for anything more you might endeavor to show them that most of the irony of the show centers around the fact that the characters all live in Scranton. Take those characters, put them in Manhatten, or LA, or Philly, and it's a whole different dynamic.

I don't mean to bash Scranton, but that's what the show does. It is not a tourist attraction, I promise.

Okay... I'm ready for the beating now.....

 

[wackymother]

I don't mean to bash Scranton, but that's what the show does. It is not a tourist attraction, I promise.

I've been to Scranton and I agree with your assessment...but there was an article in the NY Times recently about how it has BECOME a bit of a tourist attraction, between The Office and as a "typical" struggling Pennsylvania city during the election. I just looked on the Times site and I can't find it--I'll look later for you.

 

[Steve]

Steamtown

Steamtown National Historic Site is an awesome place to visit. The park service has put together a first class museum and interpretive center with outstanding displays, lots of rolling stock, and a location right in the heart of a working rail yard. I was very impressed. Anyone who is interested in trains, or in history, would likely enjoy a visit very much. We stayed at the Radisson which, being the former grand old train station, enhanced the experience even more.

Steve