Wilkes-Barre, the largest city, is the natural place to begin exploring Luzerne County. Wilkes-Barre's downtown is centered around a public square at the intersection of Market and Main Streets.

If you are arriving by bus, Martz Trailways makes stops just off the main square and only a two-minute walk from your lodging. For those driving to the area, street parking is generally metered, and there are parking lots less than a five-minute walk from the square. On the square, you'll find the Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

The largest concentration of commercial operations surrounds the square and extends two blocks in all directions. Just a few blocks to the West of the square is the River Common, a lovely riverside park bordering the Susquehanna River. For a taste of history, walk the River Street Historic District—home to over 200 historic buildings and included in the National Register of Historic Places, like the Red Cross Building above.  The Red Cross Building is now home to Arts YOUniverse, an artist co-op filled with potters, poets, dance studios, and more.

Tours of The Lion Brewery are offered every Saturday. Located on North Pennsylvania Avenue a few minutes from downtown Wilkes-Barre, tours of the century old brewery provide a unique look inside the brewing process.

Endless outdoor opportunities range from golf in the warmer months, to fall foliage viewing, to skiing and snowboarding when the snow flies. Driving the scenic countryside is strongly recommended in any season. Small highways and roads trace their way around the county, passing through or nearby many of the area's resorts, wineries and parks. Rolling its way westward across the county from the Wilkes-Barre area, Route 118 passes numerous farms before eventually leading to Ricketts Glen State Park.

With over 13,000 acres included within its borders, Ricketts Glen State Park is worthy of a weekend in itself. Hikers will delight in the twenty-two named waterfalls, while the Lake Jean area provides boaters a spot to lose themselves for a day. Climbers will find top-notch summer rock and winter ice on which to play and cross-country skiers will have countless secluded trails on which to glide. Route 118 enters the park through its southern tip. For complete information on the park, as well as its campsites, drive to the visitor's center (a ten-minute drive north on Route 487 from its intersection with 118).

If you are planning on doing any fishing in the area, be sure to stop at The Back Mountain Outfitters in Lehman, for its extensive selection of flies, gear and local advice. Back Mountain Outfitters also offers fly-fishing instruction, as well as guided fishing trips in the area. In need of a snack? Follow the signs past Lehman for Shadyrill Farm for its selection of fresh produce and delicious baked goods. For antiquing, the Mountain View Barn will be hard to miss as you follow 118 west to Ricketts Glen.

For the thrill of white water, head to White Haven, just south of Wilkes-Barre near the intersection of Route 487 and I-80. The Whitewater Challengers center offers a variety of river options. Whitewater rafting trips can be booked for a full or half day, and whitewater kayaking lessons can be scheduled as well. After you've achieved complete saturation, rent a bike at Whitewater Challengers and hit one of the nearby trails. Overnight camping is also available on the premises.

If you'd rather lace up golf shoes than hiking boots, Luzerne County has a selection of championship courses. If an afternoon of golf just isn't enough, try the Mill Race Golf and Camping Resort in Benton. The 18-hole championship public course has a restaurant, bar and full-service campground so you can stay and play. Open year-round, Hazelton's Eagle Rock Resort offers golf in the warmer months on its Arnold Palmer championship course as well as skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.

Stoney Acres Winery is guaranteed to please the wine connoisseur. Located on Route 239 north of Nescopeck Township, Stoney Acres provides a tasting room for its selection of wines and hard cider, and magnificent views of Nescopeck Mountain.

For even more family-oriented fun, head to Sno Mountain, just off I-81 north of Wilkes-Barre. Operating year-round, the ski resort offers a waterslide and batting cages as soon the snow melts.  In the summer, take in a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees AAA baseball game.

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(Or call the Luzerne Convention & Visitor's Bureau at 1-888-905-2872.)

If you have arrived in Wilkes-Barre by bus, the two closest options are the Ramada Inn facing the main square and the Best Western, Genetti Hotel & Conference Center just one block removed.

Located on the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre's commercial area, The Woodlands has spacious rooms, streamside dining, and nightlife in three seperate clubs. Need some exercise? Trails for running and jogging are located on-site. After a good workout, indulge yourself in their 17,000 gallon Jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor pools. At night, hit the margarita deck or the night club!

Take in a gorgeous mountain view at the East Mountain Inn and Suites, or relax at Wilkes-Barre's newest hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn.

At Ricketts Glen State Park, the accommodations range from tent sites to modern cabins that sleep up to 8 people. Cabins have modern bathroom facilities!

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Varied menus can be found in the Midtown Village, on Main Street, just off the main square in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Try Katana for a wide range of Japanese dishes.

For pizza, try Mimmo's Pizza, located near the Convention Visitor's Bureau facing the main square. The Red Rooster, on Route 118 halfway between Wilkes-Barre and Ricketts Glen, is a huge local favorite. The family restaurant is open from breakfast to dinner and serves a menu of largely American fare. Gelpia'z in Kingston offers excellent fine dining and a Manhattan martini bar.

After a long day at Ricketts Glen, stop at the Trail's End Cafe, located just outside the park entrance on Route 118. A meal at Trail's End is guaranteed to make you forget your tired feet!

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Wilkes-Barre's cultural center, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, hosts a variety of Broadway shows, as well as musical, comedy and dance acts. Housed in a Great Depression-era movie theater, the Kirby Center is hard to miss at the intersection of East Market and the main square.

A trip to Wilkes-Barre wouldn't be complete without a visit to Arena Bar and Grill, located on Coal Street, one block west of Route 309 (with numerous other chain restaurants located nearby on Highland Boulevard near the Wachovia Arena).

Located two miles northeast of Wilkes-Barre on Route 315, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs holds harness races daily from mid-March through late October. and has over 1,100 of the latest slot machines. For baseball fans, driving northeast just a few minutes further from Wilkes-Barre on I-81 will take you to the PNC Field, home of the AAA Yankees affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Hockey fans should head to the Wachovia Arena for The Pittsburgh Penguins (as well as first-class concerts).

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BUS:
Martz Trailways from Port Authority to Wilkes Barre. Confirm schedule with Martz Trailways at 570-421-3040.

Travel time:
2.5-3 hours.

CAR:
George Washington Bridge to I-80W. I-80 goes right through the Delaware Water Gap. Take I-80 West to into PA and head north on I-81.

Travel time:
2 hours.

Of course if you can't wait to get here, fly into the Wilkes Barre-Scranton International Airport, with service to major cities on US Airways and United Express.

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Recreational types, be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen for this outdoor paradise!

http://www.tournepa.com - Visitor's Bureau

For a detailed map of Luzerne County, please click here.