PA Counties

9 Must-See Attractions in Wayne County

Collage of four photos showcasing attractions in Wayne County, Pennsylvania: a vintage black and yellow Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive on display under a blue sky; a scenic overlook with a bench and interpretive sign offering panoramic views of Honesdale; an elegant gallery inside the Dorflinger Glass Museum featuring displays of art glass on white pedestals; and a picturesque waterfall cascading beneath a wooden footbridge surrounded by early spring woodland.

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

Map of Pennsylvania with Wayne County highlighted in red in the northeastern corner of the state.

The county was established in 1798 and is named in honor of General Anthony Wayne.

Close-up of the blue and gold Pennsylvania historical marker for Wayne County, located in front of a red-brick building in Honesdale. The marker details the county’s founding in 1798, its naming after General Anthony Wayne, and its significance as the site of the Stourbridge Lion’s first commercial locomotive run and the western terminus of the D&H Canal.

The county seat is Honesdale, which served as the western terminus of the Delaware & Hudson Canal, an engineering marvel of the early 19th century that connected Pennsylvania’s coal fields with markets in New York.

Front view of the historic Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, featuring a symmetrical red-brick façade with tall arched windows, white decorative trim, and a central tower rising above the main entrance. The courthouse is framed by bare tree branches and surrounded by neatly trimmed shrubs and a manicured lawn under an overcast sky.

Wayne County is renowned for its pivotal role in American transportation history, most notably as the site where the Stourbridge Lion – the nation’s first commercial steam locomotive – made its debut run on rails.

Colorful mural in downtown Honesdale, Pennsylvania depicting the Stourbridge Lion, the first commercial steam locomotive to run on rails in the United States. The mural features the black and red locomotive against a bright blue sky and green hills, with banners referencing the D&H Canal Company and the locomotive’s 1829 trial run. Cars are parked in front of the mural, and historic-style street lamps and banners line the street nearby.

From historical attractions and museums to waterfalls and scenic overlooks, here are 9 of the best things to see and do in Wayne 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.

Full-size replica of the Stourbridge Lion locomotive on display at the Wayne County Historical Society Museum in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, featuring a black iron body with red wheels and a yellow lion emblem on the front boiler.

1. The Wayne County Historical Society Museum

The Wayne County Historical Society Museum in Honesdale offers an engaging journey through the county’s people, industries, and innovations with its historic artifacts, interactive exhibits, and unique collections.

Collage of four scenes from the Wayne County Historical Society Museum in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, featuring a scale model of the Stourbridge Lion locomotive, a display of ornate cut glassware made in the county, a Delaware & Hudson Canal Company gravity railroad passenger car, and the exterior of the historic 1860 museum building.

2. The Stourbridge Line

The Stourbridge Line is a magnificent sightseeing train excursion that runs along the banks of the Lackawaxen River, between Honesdale and Hawley in Wayne County.

A collage of four photos from the Stourbridge Line sightseeing excursion in Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, featuring a black and yellow Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive 9880, scenic river views along the forested Lackawaxen River, the train curving through wooded terrain, and passengers seated inside a vintage railcar with blue upholstered seats.

3. The Dorflinger Factory Museum

The Dorflinger Factory Museum in Wayne County showcases exquisite historic glassware and the legacy of master glassmaker Christian Dorflinger within the confines of his original glass factory.

Collage of four photos from the Dorflinger Factory Museum in Wayne County, PA, featuring the main glassware exhibit hall, the museum entrance, a display of amber and green cut glass pieces, and a presidential table setting with glassware designed for Abraham Lincoln.

4. The Dorflinger Glass Museum

The Dorflinger Glass Museum in Wayne County, housed in Christian Dorflinger’s former home, displays over 1,000 pieces of brilliant-cut glass just a mile from the Dorflinger Factory Museum.

Collage of four scenes from the Dorflinger Glass Museum in Wayne County, PA, featuring ornate glass display cases, intricate cut-glass pieces, a green cut-to-clear punch bowl set, and the exterior of the museum building.

5. Irving Cliff

Irving Cliff is a fabulous roadside scenic overlook that sits high above Honesdale.

Collage of four photos taken at Irving Cliff in Wayne County, PA, featuring panoramic views of Honesdale from the scenic overlook, a double-bridge crossing the Lackawaxen River in the heart of town, and an informational sign detailing the connection between Washington Irving and the historic Irving Cliff Hotel.

6. Carley Brook Falls

Carley Brook Falls is a 20-foot multi-tiered waterfall located beside Black and Brass Coffee along Route 6 near Honesdale.

Carley Brook Falls in Wayne County, PA, a scenic 20-foot multi-tiered waterfall flowing over layered rock formations surrounded by early spring trees, with an old weathered building and small bridge visible near the top of the falls along Route 6 near Honesdale.

7. Tanners Falls

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

8. D&H Canal Park

The D&H Canal Park in Wayne County is a 16-acre site where visitors can explore 19th-century canal history amid the natural beauty of the Lackawaxen River valley.

Collage of four photos from the D\&H Canal Park in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, featuring the replica canal boat, the historic Daniels Farmhouse beside Lock 31, a scenic view of the Lackawaxen River, and the park entrance sign advertising the Canal Festival.

9. Birthplace of “Winter Wonderland”

Uncovering the Pennsylvania Roots of “Winter Wonderland” shows you the inspiration for one of the most beloved holiday songs of all time, Winter Wonderland, located in the heart of Honesdale.

Collage highlighting the Pennsylvania origins of "Winter Wonderland," featuring a historical marker honoring lyricist Richard "Dick" Smith, a photo of Smith at the piano, his childhood home in Honesdale, and the iconic sheet music cover depicting a winter scene.

Nearby Attractions

12 Must-See Attractions in Pike County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Wayne County’s neighbor to the southeast.

A collage of 4 images highlighting some of the best things to see and do in Pike County PA.

7 Must-See Attractions in Monroe County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Wayne County’s neighbor to the south.

A collage of four images highlighting attractions in Monroe County, Pennsylvania: the top left shows a hiker admiring Rattlesnake Falls cascading through a mossy woodland setting; the top right features the colorful entrance and vendor booths inside Olde Engine Works Market Place; the bottom left displays framed illustrations and sculptures in a gallery room at the Frazetta Art Museum; and the bottom right captures the rushing waters of Tumbling Waters surrounded by lush green forest.

14 Must-See Attractions in Lackawanna County is your guide to some of the best things to see and do in Wayne County’s neighbor to the southwest.

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.

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