For a little time away, there’s no better place to escape than to the Niagara of Pennsylvania. With a convenient location near the greater New York City area and beautiful, natural surroundings, Bushkill Falls and the Pocono Mountains provide the perfect hideaway from everyday life. A weekend is all you need to come home refreshed and ready to get back to regular life.

What to Do Near Bushkill Falls

A weekend escape to the Pocono Mountains is the perfect way to get away from the city and modern life for a reset. In the Pocono Mountains, you’ll find plentiful birdwatching, old-growth trees, a gently burbling river, and eight awe-inspiring waterfalls.

Whether you spend your time exploring the nearby small towns, hiking, or birdwatching, an escape from the city into nature is the perfect way to rest, relax, and reset.

Take a Hike

No visit to the Pocono Mountains is complete without a stop in to see Bushkill Falls. This park was first opened to the public in 1904 by Charles E. Peters. The park is still owned by the Peter’s family to this day.

Bushkill Falls is home to 8 waterfalls, varying in height and intensity. What attracts many visitors to this park is proximity. Main Falls is located just a short distance from the park entrance and is easily accessible for most people. For those interested in seeing more waterfalls, they can be accessed by a series of trails, which are marked for their difficulty and length.

To see all 8 waterfalls, plan for an approximately 2 hour hike over almost 2 miles of trails and stairs.

Bushkill Falls is also a dog-friendly hiking destination for well-behaved pets. Keep in mind that Fido must always be on a leash and should never be left anywhere alone while on the property (including in vehicles.)

Navigate a Maze

If you’re traveling with kids or the young at heart, be sure to save time for a stop at the Bushkill Falls Mining Company Maze. This maze isn’t just any old maze — it’s designed to get your competitive juices flowing.

Upon entering the maze, you get a passport with a timestamp of when you started. From there, you must make it to all four checkpoints within the maze and then find the exit. When you’re finished, you get to compare how long it took you to get through the maze with everyone else’s time. If you have one of the fastest times, you get a prize!

The maze is open 7 days a week, costs $6 for one run, and $2 per re-run.

Mine for Gemstones

Another family-friendly activity in Bushkill Falls is mining for gemstones. When you’re in Nature Nook, pick up a bag of mining rough. After you’ve made your purchase head on out to the sluice to see if you’ve gotten lucky. Grab a pan and run the mining rough through the circulating water to clean away the grit. If it’s your lucky day, you just might strike gold!

Where to Eat

While on your nature escape in Bushkill Falls, you’ll likely either want to spend all of your time outside picnicking or eating comfort food. We’ve got just the right dining spots for you.

Petrizzo’s

Petrizzo’s is a family-owned and operated restaurant that’s been operating in Bushkill for 71 years. Stop in for a meal of authentic Italian-American food to fill your belly. On the menu you’ll find pizza, lasagna, steaks, seafood, and other classic Italian dishes. Petrizzo’s is family-friendly and open year-round.

Have a Picnic

When you’re staying in the Pocono Mountains, it can be tempting to spend all your time outdoors, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the beautiful weather. If you’re headed to Bushkill Falls for a hike, consider packing a picnic to enjoy in the picnic area.

Stop in at the local grocery and pack up some sandwiches, chips, and a tasty beverage. When hunger strikes, stop in at the Bushkill Falls picnic area to enjoy your meal al fresco. The picnic area is free to use and closes at 5 pm.

Eats and Treats

For the perfect fun-filled day at Bushkill Falls, the Snack Bar is nearby to slake your hunger. Choose from a selection of beverages, burgers, pizza, wraps, and pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. The fudge, funnel cakes, and ice cream treats at Sugar Mountain Sweet Shop will leave you wanting more.

Where to Stay: Bushkill Inn

Located just a quarter mile from Bushkill Falls you’ll find the Bushkill Inn & Conference Center. This resort has 124 private rooms, suites, and cabinets so you can choose just the right stay for you and your family. Enjoy a luxurious, comfortable stay while also being close to all that nature has to offer.

For additional lodging and camping options, check with the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

The Bushkill Falls area is known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania and it’s sure to delight visitors with its tree-covered mountains, burbling rivers, exciting birdwatching, and majestic waterfalls. Bushkill Falls and the Pocono Mountains are a great weekend escape for couples, families, and everyone in between.