Hazleton Pennsylvania ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
1. Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts
LIVE SHOWS AND DINING
The Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts offers great food and wonderful shows at reasonable prices. Visitors particularly enjoy the Sunday matinees that include a meal, making it a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. The theater is highly rated by travelers and considered one of the top attractions in Hazleton.
2. Hazleton Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Hazleton Historical Society Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of this Pennsylvania mountain city. Visitors can explore exhibits that highlight Hazleton's coal mining past and its evolution through the years. The museum is recognized as one of the top attractions for those interested in understanding the cultural heritage of the region.
3. Back To The 80s
RETRO GAMING ENTERTAINMENT
Back To The 80s is a popular game and entertainment center in Hazleton that offers a nostalgic trip to the past. Visitors can enjoy classic arcade games and entertainment options reminiscent of the 1980s era. The center ranks among Hazleton's top attractions for family fun and retro gaming enthusiasts.
4. Above the Poconos Skydivers
THRILLING AERIAL ADVENTURES
Above the Poconos Skydivers offers exhilarating skydiving experiences near Hazleton, run by the Kellner family. Don Kellner, the operator, holds the Guinness World Record for Career Total Most Sport Parachute Jumps, adding prestige to this adventure destination. The center specializes in tandem skydiving for first-time jumpers, providing a breathtaking view of Pennsylvania from above.
5. No 9 Coal Mine & Museum
HISTORIC MINING EXPERIENCE
The No 9 Coal Mine & Museum is a highly-rated attraction near Hazleton that offers visitors an authentic look into Pennsylvania's coal mining history. Visitors can descend into the oldest continuously operated anthracite coal mine in the world and experience what mining life was like in the past. The museum component features mining artifacts, equipment, and educational exhibits that tell the story of the region's coal industry.
6. Hazle Township Community Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION HUB
Hazle Township Community Park offers diverse outdoor recreation options including a lake, hiking trails, and sports fields. Visitors can enjoy soccer and baseball facilities or take a peaceful stroll around the water. The park serves as a natural retreat for both locals and tourists seeking outdoor activities in the Hazleton area.
7. Nescopeck State Park
NATURAL WILDERNESS ESCAPE
Nescopeck State Park provides a serene natural setting with trails and outdoor recreation opportunities near Hazleton. The park encompasses diverse ecosystems including wetlands, forests, and meadows that visitors can explore. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the park for its biodiversity, scenic beauty, and year-round recreational possibilities.
8. Jimmy's Quick Lunch
BELOVED LOCAL EATERY
Jimmy's Quick Lunch stands as one of Hazleton's most beloved and longest-enduring lunch spots with a rich local history. The restaurant offers classic American fare in a nostalgic setting that has made it a community institution. Visitors and locals alike flock to this establishment for its authentic small-town dining experience and traditional menu offerings.
9. Hazleton Art League
CREATIVE COMMUNITY CENTER
The Hazleton Art League is a nonprofit community organization that has been fostering artistic expression in the area for nearly 75 years. Located at the Hayden Family Center for the Arts, it offers classes in various disciplines including painting, drawing, pottery, and jewelry making. The League regularly hosts exhibitions, events, and cultural art galleries featuring local artworks throughout the year.
10. Hazleton Area Public Library
HISTORIC KNOWLEDGE REPOSITORY
The Hazleton Area Public Library is housed in a Greek Revival Building at the center of Hazleton and serves as a member of the Luzerne County Library System. The library offers access to more than 160,000 books and numerous research materials for public use. Regular story times and events are scheduled for children of all age groups, making it both a cultural and educational resource for the community.
11. Fonthill Castle
ECCENTRIC CONCRETE MASTERPIECE
Fonthill Castle is an extraordinary concrete castle built by archaeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer that attracts visitors from the Hazleton region. The 44-room mansion showcases Mercer's collection of tiles and prints in a unique architectural setting featuring vaulted ceilings, Gothic doorways, and over 200 windows of varying sizes. Guided tours take visitors through this eclectic home built between 1908 and 1912, offering glimpses into the mind of its creative and scholarly creator.
12. Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour
UNDERGROUND MINING JOURNEY
The Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour offers visitors a chance to descend 300 feet beneath the earth to explore a real coal mine. Former miners guide tours through the winding gangways and rock tunnels, sharing stories and history of the area's rich mining heritage. This highly-rated attraction provides an educational and immersive experience into northeastern Pennsylvania's industrial past.
13. Lost River Caverns
SUBTERRANEAN NATURAL WONDER
Lost River Caverns features stunning limestone caverns with crystal formations and an underground stream of unknown origin. Guided tours take visitors through five picturesque cavern chambers maintained at a constant 52 degrees year-round. The attraction also includes a gemstone mill, nature trail, and museum shop selling minerals and fossils from around the world.
14. Crayola Experience
COLORFUL FAMILY ADVENTURE
The Crayola Experience offers a vibrant, hands-on adventure where children and adults can explore the magic of color through 25+ creative activities. Visitors can name and wrap their own Crayola crayon, star in their own coloring page, and create melted wax art. This family-friendly attraction provides hours of creative fun and makes for a perfect day trip from the Hazleton area.
15. Hazleton Little League Complex
YOUTH SPORTS DESTINATION
The Hazleton Little League Complex serves as a hub for youth baseball and community gatherings in the city. The well-maintained facility hosts regular games, tournaments, and special events throughout the baseball season. Families and sports enthusiasts visit the complex to enjoy America's pastime in a friendly, community-oriented atmosphere.