About Scranton
Scranton is a second A class city in and the county seat of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. With a population of 76,328 at the 2020 census, Scranton is the sixth-most populous city in Pennsylvania and the most populous city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is part of the Wyoming Valley metropolitan area, which includes five cities and more than 40 boroughs forming a contiguous urban corridor with an estimated 574,000 residents. It is located 56 miles (90 km) north of Allentown, 104 miles (167 km) north-northwest of Philadelphia, and 99 miles (159 km) west-northwest of New York City.
Places to visit in Scranton
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Steamtown National Historic Site
MuseumSet in a historic rail yard in downtown Scranton, this park displays steam locomotives in a working roundhouse and explains the role of railroads in the region's coal and industrial history.
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Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
HistoricVisitors ride a mine car deep underground into a former anthracite coal mine in McDade Park, where guides describe the harsh daily lives of the miners who powered northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Electric City Trolley Museum
MuseumNext to Steamtown, this museum traces the history of electric streetcars in Scranton, nicknamed the Electric City, and displays restored trolleys along with exhibits on early urban transit.
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Nay Aug Park
ParkScranton's largest city park offers wooded trails, a gorge with waterfalls and a treehouse overlook, and is home to the Everhart Museum of natural history, science and art.
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Scranton Iron Furnaces
HistoricFour towering stone blast furnaces near downtown are the remains of an ironworks that helped build the city, and the small grounds make for a quick but atmospheric industrial heritage stop.
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Montage Mountain
NatureJust south of the city, this mountain resort offers skiing and snowboarding in winter and a water park and outdoor activities in summer, with broad views over the Lackawanna Valley.
Where to stay in Scranton
Popular hotels in Scranton, out of 68 properties you can book.
Home2 Suites By Hilton Dickson City Scranton
From $173 per night
Mount Airy Casino and Resort Only Adults
From $114 per night
Paradise Stream Resort
From $213 per night
Bw Plus Wilkes Barre-Scranton Airport Hotel
From $99 per night
Hampton Inn Clarks Summit
From $147 per night
Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Dickson City/Scr
From $73 per night
Hampton Inn Matamoras/Milford
From $110 per night
Radisson Lackawanna Station Scranton
From $101 per night
Courtyard By Marriott Scranton Wilkes-Barre
From $106 per night
Hampton Inn Scranton At Montage Mountain
From $134 per night
Best Western Plus Clarks Summit Scranton
From $82 per night
Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
From $124 per night
Best time to visit Scranton
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Scranton is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 76–82°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Scranton weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 63° 40° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 62° 38° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 59° 39° 1%
- Sat 24 Oct 59° 39° 1%
- Sun 25 Oct 62° 40° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 67° 46° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Scranton
These are the airports closest to central Scranton. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- AVP Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
- WBW Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport12 mi (20 km) from the city centre
Getting around Scranton
The Electric City is a growing biker/commuter city. Gas prices going up help many to decide alternative means of getting to work, restaurants, and shopping. While Scranton does not provide cyclists with bike lanes popular to Philadelphia, New York City, and other big cities, some groups try to bring biker awareness and safety to light. The last Friday of every month, 6PM North Washington side of the courthouse, is where you can find bikers of all sorts gathering to participate in Critical Mass.
By car
Virtually all transportation throughout the city is by car. North Main Avenue and the North Scranton Expressway travel north to the Providence section and to the shopping centers of Dickson City. Green Ridge Street and the Central Scranton expressway travel east to the large suburb of Dunmore and I-81. Pittston and Cedar Avenues are the main routes through "South Side" to the Minooka section and beyond to the attractions of Montage Mountain.
On foot
Walking is also safe and practical in "Central City" (or "Central Scranton"/"Downtown Scranton"). This area of two dozen square blocks (approximately bound by Lackawanna Ave. and Jefferson, Vine, and Mifflin Sts.) contains a great deal of what Scranton has to offer tourists, so it may be best to just park at one of many garages for a reasonable day-long fee.
By bus
County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) also operates public buses throughout all parts of the city and a few Lackawanna County extremities. Rates are $1.25/ride, $11/10 rides (adult), $10/10 rides (student), or $40/31 day unlimited pass. Travel times are a little more than twice what it would take driving the same route. The system typically operates from 7AM-7PM, check the website for exact schedule. COLTS does not operate on Sundays or Holidays.
Scranton travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Scranton?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Scranton is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 76–82°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in Scranton?
July is usually the warmest month in Scranton, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 122 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Scranton?
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (9 km) from the centre of Scranton. Other nearby airports include Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport (WBW, 12 mi).
What time zone is Scranton in?
Scranton uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Scranton?
The Electric City is a growing biker/commuter city. Gas prices going up help many to decide alternative means of getting to work, restaurants, and shopping.
What are the best places to visit in Scranton?
Top sights in Scranton include Steamtown National Historic Site, Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, Electric City Trolley Museum and Nay Aug Park. Set in a historic rail yard in downtown Scranton, this park displays steam locomotives in a working roundhouse and explains the role of railroads in the region's coal and industrial history.
Where should I stay in Scranton?
Popular areas for hotels in Scranton include Scranton Area and Mount Pocono. Well-reviewed options include Home2 Suites By Hilton Dickson City Scranton and Mount Airy Casino and Resort Only Adults.
How many hotels can I book in Scranton?
Destina Holidays currently lists 68 properties in and around Scranton, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
