Renowned for its great rich history and offering valleys, woods, rolling hills along with the fresh breeze of air, Hazleton in Pennsylvania is one of the few places that you shouldn’t miss on your vacation to the Poconos. Before knowing more about Hazleton, the very first thing you should get to know is about its history and how it became the place it is now.
During 1830, as Asa Packer started mining canal operations and mining the region for anthracite coal which made Hazleton as the one pocket of the only two anthracite coal in the entire world. Later on in 1891, the city became the third one to have a citywide electric grid in the United States. Furthermore, Hazleton is now a combination of urban, suburban and rural living with many popular attractions.
However, in this blog, I’ll write about the various things to do in Hazleton, PA as per my experience there. So make sure you stay along with me until the end.
How To Reach Hazleton From New York City
Getting to Hazleton from New York City is actually pretty simple. You could reach there by two ways: Bus or Car. However, the one I would suggest is a drive as it is much faster and convenient. If you travel by bus, it would take almost 4 hours for you to reach, meanwhile in the car it would take just 2 hours and 30 mins.
So my best pick would always be a drive from NYC to Hazleton, in which you could enjoy the scenery and feel the fresh air whenever you want. Also this is the route which you should follow for the road trip:
- First, you have to take the Hudson St and I-78 then to NJ-139 W in Jersey City
- Then follow I-280 W and I-80 W to PA 309 S in Drums
- Now from I-80 take the exit 262
- Now take the route PA 309 to reach the place N Lee Ct in Hazleton
Best Times to Visit Hazleton
For me, the best time to visit the region would be between April and October and the second weekend of September is the one you shouldn’t miss as that’s when the annual funfest happens! In that colorful fest there will be car shows, live music, parades, races, eating competitions and even kid’s activities.
Moreover, you may also visit the region during winter as there are many thrilling things to do in Hazleton like skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, winter hiking, non-touristy things and many more present in the region.
The weather in Hazleton is pretty much normal as the summer is from the month of May to September and the winter is from December to March. The hottest month would be July and the coldest is January. Moreover, the place is partially cloudy throughout the whole year.
Places You Shouldn’t Miss in Hazleton
There are so many attractions in Hazleton, PA, from historical and cultural spots to family fun places. Let’s break it down one by one shall we?
Historic and Cultural Spots
The cultural attractions near Hazleton, PA are really unique. Here are some of the popular historic spots in the region of Hazleton:
- Hazleton Area Public Library: A member of Luzerne County Library System, this library was once a Greek Revival Building which is situated at the center of Hazleton. The library provides more than 160,000 books and several other research materials. They offer regular story times and events scheduled just for the children of all age groups.
- Hazleton Art League: Now this is a nonprofit community which provides cultural art galleries and local artworks throughout. Hazleton Art league has been holding events, classes and exhibitions for almost 75 years now, and even provides programs like painting, drawing, pottery, jewelry making and many more. It is located at the Hayden Family Center for the Arts.
Outdoor Adventure Spots
Hazleton is a place that offers many adventures for its visitors. Therefore, there are some specific spots in Hazleton that you should definitely visit for an amusing outdoor escapade. Here are some of my favorite spots for a great day filled with fun and amusement with Hazleton things to do.
| Name | Highlights |
| CAN DO Community Park | Kids activities |
| Hazle Township Community Park | Lake, Hiking Trails, Soccer & Baseball Fields |
| Nescopeck State Park | Trails, Environmental Education Center, Fishing |
| Mauch Chunk Lake Park | Swimming, Camping, Fall Hayrides |
| Greater Hazleton Rails To Trails | Hiking Area |
| Bailey’s Bark Park | Dog Park |
Family-Friendly Destinations
The region of Hazleton offers something for each and every one of the visitors. There are some really exciting places for you to visit in Hazleton along with your loved ones:
| Name | Highlights |
| Cyber Quest at Wind Creek Bethlehem | Arcades, Kids Activities |
| Chuck E. Cheese | Arcades, Kids Activities |
| Color Me Mine | Paint Your Own Pottery |
| The Lands At Hillside Farms | Counseling & Mental Health Programs, Farms |
| Fun Factory | Trampoline, Ball Pit, Wall Climbing |
Hazleton, PA: Things To Do & Recreational Activities
Located in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, there are many activities to do there. Hiking, Boating, Golfing, Skiing and much more, you name it. Now let’s take a look at the various popular activities to do in Hazleton and the perfect spots for it:
Golfing
Enjoy a great day of Golfing along with your friends & family. Hazleton has some of the best golf courses in Pennsylvania which offer many events alongside. Here are some of the renowned golf courses in the region:
- Valley Country Club
- Edgewood Course
- Eagle Rock
- Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club
Hiking
One of the best things to do in Hazleton, PA today. Get in touch with nature and explore more of the woods and meadows of the regions. Hazleton is home for many hiking trails which are maintained and groomed throughout the year. You may explore the wilderness and many scenic spots while hiking through these trails. Some of the best and my favorite hiking trails in Hazleton are:
| Name | Length | Difficulty |
| Mt Tanmay Lookout Loop via Blue Dot Trail | 4.2 miles | Easy |
| Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle Loop Trail | 8.4 miles | Difficult |
| Falls Trail from PA 118 | 8.0 miles | Moderate |
| Falls Trail from Beach Lot | 5 miles | Easy |
Skiing
Winter can also be fun in Hazleton with the various winter adventures in the region. Skiing is one of my first picks when it comes to Hazleton winter. Eagle Rock is the chief ski area in Hazleton and it is situated 15 kilometers from the heart of the town.
Annual Events & Festivals
One of my favorite things to do near Hazleton, PA is visiting the festivals. Hazleton is home to many of the very fascinating events and festivals of Poconos. These fun and exciting events are perfect for you to visit alongside your loved ones. Lemme list out some of my personal favorite festivals in the region.
Hazleton Area Children’s Festival
If you are seeking some family things to do around Hazleton, PA, then a perfect event for the families to attend which provides opportunities to highlight the present ideas and benefit them for the youth in the Greater Hazleton Area. There are many free activities, craft and food vendors, touch a truck and various other activities in the event.
Hazleton Rotary Wine & Beer Festival
A fundraising event and captivating annual event of Hazleton which displays more than 50 craft beers and a wide array of wineries. The event is also included with entertainment by Guilty Pleasure and UUU, food vendors and craft vendors.
Fine Dining Experience of Hazleton
It doesn’t matter where I go, a delicacy to fill my heart and my stomach is a must for me. However, Hazleton doesn’t disappoint in anything which makes it one of my favorite places with some of the best cuisines. Here is the list of my choices of exquisite restaurants in Hazleton:
| Name | Highlights |
| Carmen’s Bakery & Deli | Homemade Eateries like Sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps, cold pizza, cupcakes, cookies |
| Georgio’s Sub & Pizza Shoppe | Regular Pies, Sicilian, Old Forge Style and Bar, Pierogie Pizza |
| La Isla Restaurant | Sancocho, hearty, seven meat stew, asopao, creamy rice soup, shrimp, pork, mofongos |
| Jimmy’s Quick Lunch | Hot Dogs, Milkshakes, Lunch |
Hazleton’s Spiritual Sites
It is always a unique feeling to visit the churches in other regions whenever we travel. It provides us with a special time and chance to know more about the spirituality of the distinct places we visit.
I always love visiting these spiritual places whenever I travel and feel the positivity from these places. There are some really old and majestic churches among the many attractions in Hazleton, PA. Here are some of the most fascinating churches that I’ve been to in Hazleton:
- Diamond United Methodist Church
- Christ Lutheran Church
- Great Baptist Church
- Most Precious Blood Church
- Saint John’s Byzantine Catholic Church
- Faith UCC
- Saint John’s Lutheran Church
Where To Stay In Hazleton
Don’t be confused about where to stay in Hazleton as there are so many luxurious vacation rentals awaiting you there. From Lakefront cabins to luxury villas and cozy cabins. There is always something for you and you just have to pick what suits you the best. If you wish to stay in touch with nature even while you stay somewhere then go camping. Here’s a complete guide to camping for you.
However, don’t forget to book one before you head out! A place to crash at after a day filled with adventure is the most important thing while going for a vacation. Moreover, We HolidayKeepers are always ready to welcome you into our luxurious vacation rentals alongside the best amenities and hospitality.
Signing Off!
Now that we have gone through the beauty and serenity of Hazleton, it is time to conclude it. Hazleton is one of the very best places for a great vacation time as it has everything to offer from adventure sports to spiritual places. You can experience and know more about the history, feel the fresh air from the mountains, and have a great time with your family in festivals and restaurants.
Trust me, Hazleton is one of the few places that provides all the wonders in one place. So plan your next vacation to Hazleton and enjoy a great vacation getaway.
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