PA Counties

11 Must-See Attractions in Lackawanna County

A collage of four photos taken in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Top left: Historic steam and diesel locomotives displayed at the Steamtown National Historic Site turntable. Top right: A Stegosaurus skeleton on exhibit inside the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science, and Art in Scranton. Bottom left: A vibrant mural of Dwight Schrute from the television show "The Office" painted on a wall in Scranton. Bottom right: A serene waterfall flowing through the rocky landscape of Nay Aug Gorge at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

If you’re looking for the best things to see and do in Lackawanna County, you’re in the right place!

A map of all 67 Pennsylvania counties, with Lackawanna County highlighted in red.

Lackawanna County is the youngest of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, having been formed on August 13, 1878 from the northern part of Luzerne County.

A close-up photo of a historical marker in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The marker provides information about the county, stating it was formed on August 13, 1878, from Luzerne County and is Pennsylvania's 67th and last county. The name Lackawanna is derived from an Indian word meaning "stream that forks." The marker also mentions that Scranton, the county seat, became a city in 1866 and that the region became the anthracite coal mining capital of the world. The Pennsylvania state seal and crest are visible at the top of the marker.

The county seat is Scranton, PA’s seventh-largest city and the one-time “Anthracite Coal Mining Capital of the World.”

Nighttime scene of the Scranton Courthouse Plaza with the iconic 'Electric City' sign glowing brightly in the background atop a classic building. The courthouse is illuminated by green lights, highlighting its stone architecture. A person sits on a bench in the plaza, under the soft glow of street lamps, creating a peaceful evening atmosphere.

In the 1880’s, the first electric street car system in the United States was built in Scranton, thus earning it the nickname “The Electric City”.

A close-up photo of a historical marker in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, titled "First Electric Cars." The marker describes the first streetcar system in the United States that was built entirely for operation by electric power, located in Scranton. The system began operation on November 30, 1886, with the initial run between central Scranton and the Green Ridge section. The Pennsylvania state seal and crest are visible at the top of the marker, and the paint on the lower section of the sign shows signs of weathering. Trees with autumn foliage and a park-like setting are visible in the background.

Scranton is also famously known as the setting for the popular NBC mockumentary “The Office,” which which aired for nine seasons between 2005 to 2013.

Close-up of a colorful mural in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, featuring lifelike black and white portraits of characters from the television show 'The Office' against a backdrop of vibrant, multicolored squares. Notable quotes and symbols from the series, such as 'That's what she said' and a beet, add to the playful homage. One character holds a mug labeled 'WORLD'S BEST BOSS'.

From museums and historic sites to coal mine tours and PA’s second-largest aquarium, here are 11 of the best things to see and do in Lackawanna County.

Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to read more in-depth information about each destination.

Outside view of the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with vintage trolleys on display, museum signage, and festive wreaths on a sunny day.

1. The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour offers a rare glimpse into the life of an underground coal miner by taking visitors deep below ground into an actual anthracite coal mine.

Collage of four photos from the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. Top left: The welcome sign against a backdrop of the tour building and clear skies. Top right: View from inside a mine car, with visitors wearing hard hats. Bottom left: A tour guide in reflective gear stands before a statue of a miner and a mule at the mine's entrance. Bottom right: A dimly lit mine tunnel with a wooden walkway and electrical lighting extending into the darkness, showcasing the mine's depth and historical ambiance.

2. The Anthracite Heritage Museum

The Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton preserves the history of the anthracite coal mining industry in northeastern PA, including the cultural legacy of the European immigrants who toiled to extract the region’s “black diamonds.”

A collage of four photos from the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton, PA. The top left photo shows a large piece of anthracite coal on display in the museum's exhibit hall. The top right photo features a recreated coal miner's chapel with wooden pews and an altar. The bottom left photo depicts a diorama of a miner's home kitchen, while the bottom right photo displays a historical black and white photograph of a miner's family. Together, these images provide a comprehensive overview of the museum's dedication to preserving the history of coal mining and the lifestyle of miners and their families in Pennsylvania.

3. The Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den

The Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den in Scranton is PA’s second-largest aquarium.

Collage of Electric City Aquarium exhibits in Scranton: mural entrance, shark display, coral reef tanks, and a crocodile.

4. The Electric City Trolley Museum

The Electric City Trolley Museum offers a captivating journey into the heart of the city’s once-vibrant streetcar network.

A collage of photos capturing the history and charm of the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

5. Steamtown National Historic Site

Steamtown National Historic Site is both a museum and an active railyard, located on the site of the former Scranton yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W).

A four-image collage from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA. Upper left shows a vintage steam engine number 26 inside a roundhouse with steam rising. Upper right features two locomotives, including engine 790, displayed on a turntable with a modern building in the background. Lower left is the Union Pacific 'Big Boy' steam engine number 4012, a large black locomotive parked outside. Lower right is the National Park Service round emblem displayed at the historic site.

6. Nay Aug Falls

Nay Aug Falls is a rarity amongst waterfalls in Pennsylvania, in that it is located in and owned by a city (in this case – Scranton).

View from the Nay Aug Falls overlook in Scranton PA

7. The Office & More Tour

The Office and More Tour is a 25-stop sightseeing adventure in Scranton that combines locations from “The Office” with some of the city’s most-prominent architectural and historical sites.

A collage of four photos taken in Scranton, Pennsylvania, featuring landmarks related to the television show 'The Office.' Top left: A golden statue of Dwight Schrute with the plaque reading 'Best Hometown of The Office presented by Peacock.' Top right: The exterior of a Boscov's department store, featured in the opening credits of 'The Office.' Bottom left: A sign reading 'Scranton Welcomes You - Embracing Our People, Our Traditions & Our Future,' as seen in the show. Bottom right: A colorful mural depicting the cast of 'The Office' with 'Scranton The Electric City' prominently displayed in the center.

8. The Everhart Museum

The Everhart Museum is a natural history, science, and art museum founded in 1908 by Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart, a prominent Scranton physician and passionate naturalist.

A collage showcasing various exhibits at the Everhart Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The top-left image features a reconstructed dinosaur skeleton in a dynamic pose. The top-right displays a collection of bronze busts. The bottom-left picture presents an array of bird taxidermy, and the bottom-right shows an art gallery with paintings hung on white walls, with a bench for contemplation. Each image captures the museum's diverse offerings, from natural history to fine arts, providing an engaging experience for visitors of all interests.

9. The Scranton Iron Furnaces

The Scranton Iron Furnaces stand as a monumental emblem of the city’s industrial past, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, when Scranton was a thriving center of iron production.

A collage of images from the Scranton Iron Furnaces in Scranton, PA. The upper left image shows the exterior of the stone furnaces with arches and a modern observation deck. The upper right image features a closer view of an interior arch with a protective gate. The lower left image is a view looking down into the depths of a furnace, revealing its brick lining. The lower right image displays the site's welcoming sign, indicating it is managed by the Anthracite Heritage Museum and designated as a state historic site by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

10. On and On Vintage Marketplace

On and On is a 6,000 square foot multivendor antique store and vintage marketplace, housed inside a repurposed factory building on the outskirts of downtown Scranton.

Exploring On and On Vintage and Antique Marketplace in Scranton PA

11. The Santa Parade

Since 1993, the Santa Parade in downtown Scranton has been spreading Christmas cheer throughout Lackawanna County; in 2024 the event will be held on November 23rd starting at 9:15 a.m.

A festive collage from the annual Santa Parade in Scranton, Pennsylvania, featuring four scenes: In the top left, a person dressed as Santa walks a small cow adorned with a red polka-dotted holiday outfit across a street in a downtown setting. The top right image shows a group of cheerleaders in red and white attire enthusiastically waving green and red pom-poms as they march down the street. The bottom left captures a holiday-themed float decorated with inflatable characters and Christmas ornaments moving through the city with onlookers lining the streets. The bottom right image shows a large float with holiday characters, including Snoopy's doghouse, a Christmas tree, and a giant inflatable reindeer, set against the backdrop of Scranton's historic downtown buildings and a clock tower.

Nearby Attractions

Concrete City in neighboring Luzerne County is one of the most-famous ghost towns in Pennsylvania, and it lies tucked away in an overgrown, wooded plot of land on the outskirts of Nanticoke.

Exploring Concrete City in Nanticoke Pennsylvania.

Resica Falls is a stunning roadside waterfall located 12 miles north of Stroudsburg in neighboring Monroe County.

This collage of five photos provides a comprehensive view of Resica Falls within the Scout Reservation in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The centerpiece is the broad, tiered waterfall, its white streams rushing over rocky ledges, surrounded by a forest of bare trees with a bridge visible in the distance. Adjacent to this are images of the surrounding natural environment and signage that guide and inform visitors. One sign provides a welcome and lists the regulations for visitors, including the hours of public access from dawn to dusk and the prohibition of dogs. Another warns against going beyond the railings and cables for safety. The entrance sign to the scenic overlook, framed by wooden posts, marks the starting point for visitors to explore the falls. Together, these images encapsulate the experience of visiting Resica Falls, emphasizing the natural beauty and the importance of safety and preservation in this outdoor setting.

The Tunkhannock Viaduct in neighboring Wyoming County is the largest concrete railroad bridge in the world, towering 240 feet above Tunkhannock Creek and the borough of Nicholson below.

Exploring the Tunkhannock Viaduct in Wyoming County Pennsylvania.

Tanners Falls is a 20 foot-tall, multi tiered roadside waterfall, located on State Game Lands 159 in neighboring Wayne County.

A stunning visual narrative is told through a collage of five images showcasing Tanners Falls in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The images depict the dynamic flow of the falls, the rugged beauty of the layered rock formations, and the rustic charm of the bridge that arches over the river. Each picture captures a different angle, highlighting the waterfall's power and the tranquility of the surrounding forested area, bare of leaves. The ruins of an old tannery add a touch of historical mystique to the natural splendor of the site, inviting viewers to contemplate the past amidst the beauty of the falls.

Salt Springs State Park in neighboring Susquehanna County is home to 3 superb waterfalls on the aptly-named Fall Brook.

Scenes from Salt Springs State Park in Pennsylvania.

Discover even more great destinations to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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