Wilkes-Barre is a city in northeast Pennsylvania with roughly 45,000 residents. Combined with nearby Scranton it ranks as the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. The area is also home to many treasured landmarks, entertainment establishments, and fine dining restaurants.
Outdoor Activities
Among the best of Wilkes-Barre’s treasured landmarks is the Seven Tubs Recreation Area, a natural park about four miles south of the city. It is so named because constantly flowing glacier meltwater carved out a number of smooth tubs over 12,000 years ago, leaving behind the “potholes” called the Seven Tubs today.
The location is popular among hikers and outdoors enthusiasts for its easy accessibility and scenic hiking trails. Seven Tubs is also close to several other state parks, including Archbald Pothole, Frances Slocum, Gouldsboro, Ricketts Glenn, and Tobyhanna, making it an indispensable stop on an epic hiking trip throughout Pennsylvania’s northeast.
Gambling at Mohegan Sun Pocono
For less scenic, more modern entertainment, there’s Mohegan Sun Pocono, one of the largest and most popular gambling and hotel destinations in the region – and the nation, for that matter. The casino and resort features 2,332 slot machines, 91 table games, high-limit slot room, private player’s lounge, and both smoking and non-smoking areas. Also available are hotel and spa services, live racing, a gift shop, and more. Complimentary wine and spirits are given to all players on the casino floor. The resort hotel also comes highly recommended.
Restaurants and Night Life
The Wilkes-Barre area has more to offer than nature sites and casinos, like second-to-none restaurants. Thai Thai Wilkes-Barre is a favorite of locals, especially government employees who storm the restaurant during the lunch hour each weekday. The portions are generous, the service is excellent, the wait time is almost non-existent and the food tastes wonderful. With over 129 Yelp ratings at a 4.5-star average, Thai Thai is one of the highest-rated and most highly-respected restaurants in Pennsylvania. It is open six days a week (closed Sundays) and opens at lunchtime.
If you prefer Mexican food, well then, you must visit La Tolteca, a must-experience restaurant that offers a genuine south-of-the-border dining experience. If you and 29 friends are feeling adventurous, they sell a “ground beef burrito bar” that feeds 30 people and costs a whopping $172.99! So it goes without saying that portions are generous, the food is top-notch, and it is no surprise that 130 Yelp reviews give La Tolteca nearly a four-star rating. The restaurant opens at lunchtime and closes at 10pm. Staff are bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish, which is a bonus and adds a bit of authenticity to the Mexican dining experience.
We’ve covered Mexican and Thai food, but if you want good old American fare in Wilkes-Barre, try Stations Grill. They serve the usual fare – hamburgers, fries, drinks, etc. – but it’s their world-famous Philly cheesesteak that’s worth noting. How could you possibly pass up the chance to eat an authentic Philly cheesesteak while you’re actually in Pennsylvania? Impossible. It’s no accident that 85 Yelp users gave this restaurant a 4.5-star rating, with most reviewers commenting on the fast service and excellent food quality. Open from lunchtime until 8pm (6pm on Sundays).
There’s plenty of fun to be had in Wilkes-Barre. Just pace yourself, with so many activities at hand. And make sure not to eat too much!