Area Attractions
- Elk Mountain
- New York Yankees Triple A affiliate the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
- Sno Mountain
- Steamtown National Historic Site
- Pennsylvania's Northeast Territory
- Lackawanna Coal Mine
- Houdini Museum
- Endless Mountains
- Greystone Gardens
- Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority
- The Carriage Barn Antiques
- Electric City Trolley Station and Museum
- Montage Summer Amphitheater
- Penguins AAA Hockey
- The Scranton Cultural Center
- Everhart Museum in Nay Aug Park
- Historic Route 6
- Dorflinger Glass Museum
- Stourbridge Line Rail Excursion Scranton
- Scranton Iron Furnaces
- Pocono Downs Harness Racing/The New Mohegan Sun Casino
- Phoebe Snow Tour of Historic Scranton
- The Mall at Steamtown
- Shop Viewmont Mall
- The Shoppes at Montage
- Circle Drive In
- Scranton's Steamtown National Historic Museum dedicated to railroading
- NASCAR - Pocono Raceway
- Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains
- Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
- Bartolai Winery
- Stonehedge Golf Course
- Mohegan Sun Arena
- IL Vino Novello Co- Certified Sommelier. Wine Education & Consulting
The Scranton / Wilkes Barre area is proud to introduce the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Yankees to PNC Field.
Don't forget to make your reservations when you come to the game and stay at the Nichols Village Hotel & Spa.
The Electric City Trolley Museum is a collaborative effort involving many partners. Together they have created a premier electric railway museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1887, Scranton was Pennsylvania’s first city with a successful pioneer trolley line and became known as “The Electric City.” The museum collection provides a highly representative picture of the electric railway history of eastern Pennsylvania, from the Philadelphia region to Northeast Pennsylvania.
The museum was created by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. Lackawanna County manages the museum day-to-day. The facility itself, located on the Steamtown National Historic Site, is on long-term lease from the National Park Service. The trolleys operate over tracks owned by both Steamtown and the Lackawanna County Rail Authority, including a portion of the historic Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley “Laurel Line” third-rail interurban right-of-way.
The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is housed in one of the most glorious pieces of architecture to be found in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Originally built as the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral, the building is significant as an example of the work of Raymond M. Hood (1881-1934), a prominent architect of the 1920's and early 1930's, and as a unique example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Scranton.
Raymond Hood's productive career spanned from 1922, when he and a collaborator won the Chicago Tribune design competition, to his untimely death at 53 in 1934. Hood became a nationally prominent architect trained in the Beaux Arts tradition and proficient with historic styles. During those 12 years, Hood was the principle designer or primary collaborator in a number of high-profile progressive skyscraper designs, mainly in New York City, where he designed the Daily News Building and the McGraw-Hill Building in mid-town Manhattan, and was part of the team that designed Radio City Music Hall. His best known work being Rockefeller Center.
The Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral is located at 420 North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton. The 1930 Temple-cathedral is a highly stylized Neo-Gothic and Romanesque pastiche executed by Hood. The design of the building was to be a monument to Masonry. Masonic lodges in Scranton for years felt the need for a suitable home or temple, and prior to the construction of this building they used an old armory. Bids for construction were taken in January, 1927.
The Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral was inaugurated on January 2, 1930 when the first meeting was held in the building. The rectangular plan building is clad in coursed ashlars of Indiana limestone supported by a structural steel framework. At approximately 180,000 square feet, the building houses 2 theatres, meeting rooms, a grand ballroom as well as numerous other rooms and areas.
Over time the Masonic Fraternity realized the need to utilize the facility in more non-traditional ways. A grass roots effort was launched to form a not-for-profit organization dedicated to both preserving the physical structure of the temple and providing an ongoing programming source for the community. This unique partnership of the community as well as the Masonic Fraternity has proven successful and beneficial to all parties.
Today the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple operates the facility as a regional performance and cultural hub. The Center serves as the residence for national tours of Broadway musicals and concerts and hosts many of the area’s top regional companies. It also has kept to its earliest purposes by continuing to serve as the center of Masonic activity in the region.
We have proudly hosted performances that range from Frank Sinatra to Rob Zombie. Our stage has been graced by Yul Brenner in The King and I, George Carlin, NSync and Britney Spears, Barry Manilow, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Doc Watson and Bela Fleck. And so many other entertainers it would take pages to include.
Today the Center is undergoing a several phased, multi-million dollar restoration. To date work has been done on many areas of the facility. In the mid 1990's new roofs were installed including a complete replacement of the copper roof system and gutters over the south end of the building. Lead paint and asbestos issues were addressed in the late 1990's. Since then all new electric services have been installed, air conditioning was incorporated into the theatre and ballroom. The grand ballroom received major restoration work to the walls and ceilings and the main lobbies are currently being restored. Our most recent renovation was the addition of the Raymond Hood Room in the Lower Level.
Future work will include restoration work to the theatre walls and ceiling, new stage lighting and sound reinforcement systems, replacement of the 75 year old stage floor, updated dressing rooms, installation of elevated, portable seating in our 4th floor theatre (Shopland Hall), and air conditioning of our 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor spaces.
Dr. Everhart wrote a will in 1905 that specified that funds from his estate should be used to construct the “Dr. I.F. Everhart general museum to be built in Nay Aug Park in the City of Scranton, Pennsylvania,” and that additional funds were to be used for an endowment to support the institution. Three years after his will was prepared, Dr. Everhart continued to collect specimens, and as his collections grew he recognized the need to build the museum during his lifetime. In 1907 he publicly announced that he would provide funds and guidance for the creation of a Museum “for the young and old of this generation and for all of those who follow after…for their pleasure and education.” Construction soon began and the original building of the Everhart Museum was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1908. At that time, the Museum’s collections primarily consisted of Dr. Everhart’s ornithological specimens. In 1908, Dr. Everhart established an endowment fund in investment bonds in order to provide perpetual care for his Museum.
In honor of the Museum’s founder, a bronze statue of Dr. Everhart and Lake Everhart were dedicated on May 20, 1911. Dr. Everhart died just five days later on May 25th 1911.
FUN FACT: Did you know that US Route 6 was named the Grand Army of the Republic Highway by the same group that started Memorial Day? The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War are responsible for the legislation creating Memorial Day and for convincing 14 states to dedicate US Route 6 as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Governor James Duff designated Pennsylvania's portion in 1948.
Route 6 History Overview
The Pennsylvania Route 6 experience encompasses eleven counties, stretches over 400 miles across northern PA and encounters many of the Keystone State's historic treasures and scenic places. Join us on a journey along Pennsylvania's Route 6. Come see for yourself why National Geographic called this span of road "One of America's most scenic drives."
Route 6 in Pennsylvania enjoys a storied past. The route can be traced back to 1807 when state officials mandated a road be cut through the Moosic Mountains to enable easier travel to the western parts of the state. As the state and nation grew, so too did the road. Carved out of hundreds of miles of wilderness, the road eventually united all of the county seats in Pennsylvania's northern tier. The fledgling highway quickly became a vital link between the industry of the west and the railroads in the east. Along its length sprung up charming villages, plentiful farming communities and thriving towns.
In 1925, Route 6 in Pennsylvania was incorporated into a highway system that would connect the United States from coast to coast. Names US Route 6, the road stretched from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California. It became one of America's first transcontinental highways. Today the road remains one of the longest highways in the nation.
The property that is now known as the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary was purchased in 1851 by Captain Aaron Flower, a New York hotelier. At that time, the main building was the farmhouse of a working farm complete with outbuildings, barns and extensive pastures.
In 1862, Captain Flower sold the property to his friend Christian Dorflinger. Dorflinger, who often visited the farm as a respite from his busy glass manufacturing works in Brooklyn, New York, moved his family permanently to White Mills in the mid-1860's.
Old White MillsIn 1865, Christian set about building a new glassworks, which soon became the most important glass manufacturing company in the country. In 1873, the Dorflinger family moved to the St. Charles Hotel in the village of White Mills, and the farmhouse was rented to a series of tenants and divided to accommodate several families, including some who worked in the glass factory.
Upon Christian's death in 1915, the farm was bequeathed to his unmarried daughters, Nellie Jane and Katharine Louise. A third daughter, Mary Elizabeth Dorflinger Suydam, lived at the farm for a number of years. Some years later, her son Frederick Suydam and his wife, Dorothy Grant, began using the main house as a summer residence.
In 1980, under the guidance of Roger M. Blough, the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc., was formed to further natural history, conservation, artistic and cultural education and to serve the people as an agency for popular enlightenment, cultural improvement and scientific progress, recognizing through its programs the essential relationship among the natural, artistic and historic elements of the area.
The Suydams lovingly cared for the property for more than 50 years. Today we have the Suydams to thank for the extraordinary setting and beauty of the Sanctuary. The trees they planted decades ago provide us with the serene view we encounter as we walk along the trails. Fred and Dorothy's generous gift of their home to the community will be treasured by visitors well into the next millenium. As we wander through the grounds, let us not forget to stop and say "thank you" to Fred and Dorothy!
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce owns and operates the Stourbridge Line Rail Excursions.
Your first step onto the Stourbridge Line takes you back into history - you board this passenger train on the site of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company's boat basin. From this terminus, anthracite coal - brought to the basin by the D&H's gravity railroad from Carbondale and the Lackawanna Valley - made its 108-mile journey from northeastern Pennsylvania to New York City. If you would have gazed westward (up the hill) from this point in those days, you would have seen nothing but coal.
Honesdale is the birthplace of the American railroad. On August 8, 1829, the Delaware & Hudson operated the first commercial locomotive on rails in the western hemisphere. That locomotive left from this spot, ran three miles to Seelyville and returned.
Located near the Steamtown National Historic Site, the Scranton Iron Furnaces represent the early iron industry in the United States. The four massive stone blast furnaces are the remnants of a once extensive plant operated by the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company. Started in 1840 as Scranton, Grant & Company, the firm had the largest iron production capacity in the United States by 1865. By 1880 it poured 125,000 tons of pig iron, which was converted in its rolling mill and foundry into T-rails and other end products. In 1902, the company dismantled the plant and moved it to Lackawanna, New York to be closer to the high-grade iron ores coming out of the Mesabi Range.
The Scranton Iron Furnaces, situated in a historic park setting, are open to visitors year round from dawn to dusk. In the summer months facilities are available for picnics.
Accessible by car or a Historic Trolley ride, the Visitor Center, which is open on a seasonal basis April through October from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., contains exhibits on iron and steel making, a small gift shop and offers an interpretive tour. Call ahead (570-963.4804) for the days and hours of operation.
Racing Post Times
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The following is a list of post times for the 2011 racing season. Times are subject to change without notice.
- » March 22 - November 12
Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat
The Phoebe Snow image was created by the Lackawanna Railroad to foster the idea that riding coal run trains was a clean event, hence the white dress. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. The old steam engines blew soot onto passengers riding the trains with open windows on warm days. Included in this series is a model railraod train of the era depicting the logo, etc.
Mall History
The Mall at Steamtown is a joint venture between an affiliate of the Shopco Group LP and Boscov’s Realty Group, an affiliate of Boscov’s. These two entities combined their collective talents and resources to form Steamtown Mall Partners, L.P.
Today, The Mall at Steamtown is a vital economic force in Lackawanna County, home to a myriad of retail stores that employ and serve thousands of our neighbors and friends. But it hasn’t always been that way.
Back in 1981, Boscov’s indicated that they might open a store in Scranton. A number of buildings and properties were offered up as development options, but none proved to be a really good fit.
In May 1986, Steamtown USA made the first major commitment to the project by generously donating 10 acres of property. With a location in hand, the search for funding began in earnest.
Occasional setbacks were all but forgotten when, in the Fall of 1986, U.S. Representative Joseph McDade proposed funding for the creation of Steamtown National Historic Site. Eventually, President Ronald Reagan signed the proposal into law.
In 1987, plans were approved that connected The Mall at Steamtown and the National Historic Site. This was also a year of turbulence as property acquisitions caused the initial cost estimate of the project to increase from $65 million to $85 million. At this point, Arnold Praver and Shopco joined Al Boscov and his team to build a dream, The Mall at Steamtown.
Development Research, Inc., did a feasibility study in 1988 and found that building a mall in downtown Scranton would greatly enhance and encourage the revitalization of the area. After this research was released, the City Planning Commission and The Redevelopment Authority supported the Urban Renewal Plan. This was a long, drawn-out process, fraught with many pitfalls.
By October 1991, the new projection for the mall’s development exceeded $100 million. But that didn’t deter the visionaries. This was the year they showed the people of Scranton that “the dream” of The Mall at Steamtown was about to become a reality. Demolition started on October 7, 1991. In November 1991, Governor Casey committed the state to occupying the Samter Building. On December 19th, officials unveiled renderings of The Mall at Steamtown and the renovation of the Oppenheim Building. The implosion of the properties on Lackawanna Avenue occurred on April 5, 1992. Crowds gathered to witness the historic event. It was also broadcast live by local stations and aired internationally on CNN. This heralded the beginning of construction that would last through October 1993.
The Mall at Steamtown hosted a much-anticipated Grand Opening on October 23, 1993.
Almost a decade in the making, the mall’s developers struggled to see their dreams become a reality. The mall was one of only five in the country to open in 1993. Of the five, it was unique because it was built in a location to help revitalize a once bustling downtown area and was the only enclosed mall to open in the Northeast during those financially-troubled times.
The financing for the project came from a variety of sources, none of which were banks. Due to the position and risk they took to aid in the revitalization of downtown Scranton, Scranton Mall Associates were able to draw on non-traditional financing sources. Some of the eventual sources for financing included an Urban Development Action Grant from the Federal Government, a financial commitment from the state in recognition for the potential economic rebirth of Scranton and the Northeast, the Public Employees Retirement Board, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from its pension fund to finance construction.
As mentioned earlier, one very unique feature about The Mall at Steamtown is its connection to a National Historic Site via a pedestrian bridge. This insight on the part of the developers provides access to the center for visitors of the park, which at the time of the project’s development was estimated to be 500,000 a year.
The Mall at Steamtown opened with 65 retailers and 3 anchors: Boscov’s, Montgomery Ward and The Globe. The Globe, an historic Scranton retailer, was connected to the mall via the bridge space. Unfortunately, the struggling anchor closed its doors in 1995. The building has since been redeveloped and is now known as Metro Tech Center, home of Diversified Information Technologies.
The Mall at Steamtown is currently managed by
Prizm Asset Management Co.
Located in the center of the region's retail hub with nearly 1.5 million sf of retail space within a ¼ mile
1.9 miles east of (Scranton) • Exit 191-A off I-81
on Business Route 6 East, in Dickson City, PA
Steam locomotives excite the senses and Steamtown keeps their stories alive!
Feel the heat from the firebox. Hear the bell and whistle. Smell the hot steam and oil. Feel the ground vibrate under your feet. See the one ton drive rods turn the wheels. Hear the chuff-chuff of the smokestack. Today, you can relive the era of steam as the engines come back to life. The cinders and grease, the oil and steam, the people and stories of railroading have returned.Dear Race Fans,
Some of you have been our fans since 1968 but a lot of you have joined us along the way these past 32 years. We would just like to take this opportunity to inform you of where we have been and to thank you for making it possible for us to survive all these past difficult years.
- First Race on the three-quarter mile track – 1968
- First 500 mile Indy race on two and one-half mile track – 1971
- First NASCAR 500 mile race – 1974
- Dark Days at Pocono – Due to many construction mistakes, the CART-USAC fight and a lot of inexperience, we suffered severe financial problems. We were almost bankrupt two or three times but were too dumb to realize it. We were on the verge of selling the track when we received a telephone call from Bill France Sr., who asked us to meet with him in New York. At the meeting he tried to convince me not to sell the track, to stick it out and stay the course. When I resisted his argument, he pulled out his card and wrote the message you see below. Needless to say, I took his advice and I didn’t wait. He gave us moral support and a lot of good advice. He and his wife, Annie B., came to the race the next two years to show their support for Pocono Raceway. Shortly thereafter he and his son, Bill Jr., gave us our second NASCAR race and as they say, the rest is history. Had it not been for Bill France Sr., Annie B. and Bill Jr., Pocono Raceway would not be here today.
- The Resurrection of Pocono Raceway – As I stated at the outset, we made a lot of mistakes in building Pocono Raceway and the only way we could achieve what we wanted was to tear down everything and rebuild it from the ground up. We started with a blank piece of paper and drew and designed what we felt, after 25 years of mistakes and trial and errors, were what the participants and the fans would like. So in 1990, very quietly and very slowly, we began to build Pocono Raceway all over again. Over a ten-year period we spent approximately $3 million every year. New crash walls, completely new paving, removed all the old garages and ¾ mile track, completely re-graded and cut and filled the old Garage Area. Built a one of a kind new Garage Area completely different and second to none. Built a 150-site motor home park for the participants, 124 of which have water, sewer and electricity, the only Sprint Cup track to have all this except for Talladega. Built the biggest and most fan friendly Paddock Area so that fans are only 56 feet away from the cars. Built the most beautiful of all Press Rooms on the circuit. Removed all of the old 375 toilets and replaced them all with Long John, the biggest toilet facility in the world, with 1000 stalls, so that we would be assured we would have no lines. Built the largest and most beautiful Midway with fourteen 40′ Blue Spruce, 200 picnic tables and gazebos all over. Today we feel that we have achieved our goal. Pocono PFC – Pocono Pretty, Friendly, Clean. We have no illusion of becoming the biggest or the richest or the most famous racetrack in the world. All we want to be is the Prettiest, Friendliest, and Cleanest and to have fun along the way with all of our loyal fans these past 32 years.
- Ahead to the Future – Most people don’t realize all of the unusual facets that Pocono has concerning its location and its structure. Pocono is in the Magic Triangle – New York, Philadelphia and Pocono Raceway are all 90 miles away from each other – with New York as the #1 TV market and Philadelphia as the #4 TV market. Pocono is within 200 miles of 60 million people and when you consider that the average NASCAR Sprint Cup fan travels 300 miles, we are in the highest population density of any other Sprint Cup track. Our unusual triangular configuration is conducive to many lead changes especially with the longest straightaway and the widest main straight with the longest and widest Pit Road. All of these features give Pocono uniqueness – a very enjoyable difference.
- Back to the Good Old Days – In the early 1900′s auto racing began by racing automobiles around horse racing tracks at fairgrounds, along with all the ambiance of the state fairs, all kinds of food, picnics, clowns, jugglers, acrobats, bands with lots of different music – that’s what you’ll see at Pocono with our Back to the Good Old Days motto. We thank all of you who have helped us to arrive at this point, especially Bill France Sr. and Annie B., who convinced us to stay the course.
The Pocono Mountains offer four seasons of endless fun and a tremendous variety of diversions, such as luxurious resorts, family attractions, outdoor adventures, bed and breakfasts and more. The Pocono Mountains is famous for its resorts, skiing, natural scenic beauty, 150 lakes including Lake Wallenpaupack, and the quaint, historical towns in the four county area. The Poconos in Pennsylvania have so much to offer to the adventurous soul.
Combined with its unique cultural heritage, the Pocono Mountains region is the favorite four-season playground in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is open from April 1 through November 30 and is closed on Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving Day. The box office opens at 10:00 AM and tours are scheduled on demand, usually 28 to a car. While waiting for your tour you can watch our introductory video about mining in our theater that is located in the interpretive center where the tickets for the tour are sold.
Phone numbers: 1-800-238-7245 and 1-570-963-6463
Email: coalmine@lackawannacounty.org
Just ask at the box office for the next available tour. The last tour leaves between 3:00 and 3:30 and you must arrive no later than 3:00 to be scheduled for the final tour of the day.
Isodore Bartolai and his family made small batches of wine from carefully selected hand picked grapes from the family vineyard. Fermented and aged in oak barrels in a hillside cave, Bartolai wines were born.
"Chief" brought his skills and technique to the Cork Lane section of Pittston Twp., passing on his craft on to our father Albert. Each fall wine was made at the family homestead using a hand made wine press. The wine was stored in a wine cellar dug out of solid rock.
Albert then passed on the family traditions to his son Albert Jr., who made wine with our cousins in the same way our grandfather did. My brother Vince and I got involved soon after. A family dinner of "polenta on the board" marks the end of the years wine making season.
Today the fourth generation of winemakers are involved in the process of making wine in the same way their fathers, grandfather, and great grandfather did. The tradition continues.
Bartolai Family wines have won numerous medals and awards, both locally and nationally.
We hope you enjoy our wines and olive oils. We are truly honored to share with you our passion of winemaking.
Welcome to Stonehedge Golf Course
Stonehedge is a premier semi-private golfing community; secluded by 265 acres in the Beautiful Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The 18 hole golf course has earned the reputation as one of the finest golf courses in the Northeast, and is surrounded by a planned development of single family home sites and luxury town-homes.
A beautiful setting.
Stonhedge is masterfully carved out of lush rolling hills and meadows of Northeast Pennsylvania's beautiful Endless Mountains. Truly, a relaxing natural habitat to play the game at its best.
Quality Play
The mature links are designed for quality play to give ultimate enjoyment and satisfaction on every hole of this 6,600 yard, 71 par course, covering 150 scenic acres.
A test of skill.
From strategically positioned multiple tees through wide-open, wooded and well manicured fairways onto meticulously groomed putting greens, each hole has its own unique character. Ample water, sand bunks, doglegs and roughs, bring out the best talents of professional and amateur golfers and invite a test of skill in every stroke.
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza is owned by the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, a government body appointed by the Luzerne County Commissioners.
The arena is managed by SMG, the world leader in entertainment and sports facilities management.
The arena opened on November 13, 1999 when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League made their debut.
Originally called the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena, the facility became First Union Arena at Casey Plaza when First Union bank purchased the naming rights. The name changed to Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in 2002 after a corporate merger.
The arena’s primary tenants are the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With over 8,000 permanent seats and a capacity of nearly 10,000 for concerts, the arena has played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Elton John, Cher, Neil Diamond, Janet Jackson, The Eagles, AC/DC and Simon & Garfunkel.
I have had a fulfilling and broad background in Wine and Spirits. I waitressed and attended Wine Classes as I was going through school. I still hadn’t realized my passion for wine. I went on to college and did other things. Until one day while watching an Oprah Winfrey Show, saw an Author talking about “Finding Your True Passion In Life”I went out bought the book and before I knew it I was on the Internet searching for schools on Wine Education. I enrolled in The Sommelier Society Of America in New York City, where I attended and was certified a Sommelier. I went on to take the higher accreditation course out of London, which was The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, also based in New York City.
My first job, I was a Sommelier for a 5-diamond Inn and Resort. I met people from all over the world who shared my passion for wine. I was a Sommelier for a small elite Restaurant and Culinary School. I went onto also work for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Wine and Spirits Specialty Store, where I worked and also taughtThe Basic Wine Class for new employees coming into the state.
Sommelier
