If you are looking for the best things to do in Hawley, PA, this small town in the northern Poconos offers a wide mix. Centered around Lake Wallenpaupack and surrounded by forests, rivers, breweries, golf courses, and historic small towns, Hawley has quietly developed into a popular weekend destinations in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Lake Wallenpaupack remains the anchor and the main reason many people visit the area in the first place. Pennsylvania’s third-largest lake sits just minutes from downtown and draws visitors for boating, fishing, kayaking, and summer weekends on the water. But Hawley itself has evolved well beyond being just a lake town. The restored Hawley Silk Mill now houses galleries, shops, coffee, and local businesses inside one of the area’s most recognizable historic buildings. Nearby, a former glass factory perched above a waterfall has been transformed into one of the more distinctive boutique hotels in the Poconos, while downtown restaurants inside historic hotels and converted bank buildings have helped give the town a surprisingly strong food scene for its size.
Janice and I have spent multiple trips exploring Hawley and the surrounding area, eating through the restaurant scene, checking out the breweries, hiking the local trails, and getting a feel for which activities are actually worth your time. This guide covers the best activities in Hawley, PA and nearby Lake Wallenpaupack, from scenic train rides and golf courses to breweries, hiking trails, wineries, family attractions, and weekend lake activities.
If you are wondering what to do in Hawley, PA beyond the lake itself, the area now includes breweries, hiking trails, golf courses, wineries, scenic train rides, and a surprisingly strong restaurant scene.
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Top Things to do in Hawley, PA
Hawley has a dining scene that’s genuinely strong for a small Pocono town. Between the hotel restaurants, a standout Italian spot in a converted bank, and a waterfall-view wine bar, there’s enough variety here to keep you well-fed across a full weekend.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
Lake Wallenpaupack
Lake Wallenpaupack is the main draw in the Hawley area and the reason many visitors plan a weekend here in the first place. Pennsylvania’s third-largest lake sits just minutes from downtown Hawley and becomes the center of activity throughout the warmer months, especially from Memorial Day through early fall.
Many of the best things to do near Lake Wallenpaupack include:
- Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tour — A relaxed sightseeing cruise that lets visitors experience the lake without renting a boat.
- Pontoon boat rentals — One of the most popular group activities around the lake, especially for families, golf weekends, and bachelor trips.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding — Calm sections of shoreline work especially well for paddle sports during quieter mornings.
- Fishing and lakeside marinas — The lake remains a major regional destination for boating and fishing throughout the summer season.
- Lakeside restaurants and breweries — Many visitors spend the afternoon moving between the water, breweries, and nearby restaurants around Hawley.
Summer weekends around Wallenpaupack tend to be lively near the marinas and restaurant areas, while weekdays are noticeably quieter if you are looking for a slower pace. Even outside peak lake season, the scenery around the lake remains one of the defining parts of the Hawley area.
LAKE WALLENPAUPACK | BOAT RENTALS | PADDLEBOARDING | FISHING | SCENIC VIEWS
LIVE THEATER
Ritz Company Playhouse
The Ritz Theater building dates to 1935, originally opening as an Art Deco movie house before being converted into a community theater in 1973. More than 50 years later, the Ritz Company Players still operate the venue with local volunteers handling everything from acting and directing to staging, lighting, costumes, and set design.
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The summer season typically runs from July through early September and includes a mix of musicals, comedies, and family productions. The 2026 lineup includes productions of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Steel Magnolias, and Disney’s Aladdin Jr. performed by the Ritz Bitz youth group. Shows regularly sell out during the summer season, so it is worth checking the schedule ahead of time if your visit overlaps with a performance weekend.
If your trip falls between July and early September, checking what is playing that weekend at ritzplayhouse.com is worth the few minutes it takes. It is a fun addition to a Hawley itinerary and adds a different side of the town beyond the lake, breweries, and outdoor activities that dominate most visits to the area.
LIVE THEATER | DOWNTOWN HAWLEY | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | EVENING ACTIVITY
GOLF
Enjoy a Golf Weekend
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Golf weekends are a major part of the Hawley area, especially from late spring through fall, and the combination of courses, breweries, bars, and restaurants makes this one of the better low-key guys weekend or bachelor party destinations in the northern Poconos. Groups can spend the day on the course, grab beers afterward at Wallenpaupack Brewing or Hopping Eagle, and finish the night at spots like The Ridge or Gresham’s Chop House without needing to drive far between everything.
I have been coming to Hawley every spring for a golf weekend with friends for more than a decade, and Woodloch Springs is usually the centerpiece of the trip. The 18-hole championship course winds through wooded hills with dramatic elevation changes and some of the more scenic golf views in northeastern Pennsylvania. It also plays tougher than it looks at first glance, especially once the elevation changes, sloped greens, and tighter approach shots start adding up over the course of a round. Conditions are consistently strong, and the course’s connection to the larger Woodloch resort system makes it especially popular for stay-and-play golf trips.
Several other public courses sit within a short drive of Hawley as well. Paupack Hills Golf Club is another well-regarded option near Lake Wallenpaupack, while Cricket Hill Golf Club and Lords Valley Country Club provide additional options for building out a full golf weekend itinerary.
GOLF WEEKEND | BACHELOR PARTIES | GROUP TRIPS | PUBLIC GOLF COURSES | OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
WINERY
Three Hammers Winery
Three Hammers Winery is one of the best places to spend an afternoon near Hawley, even if wine is not usually the main focus of your trip. The entire property makes it a worthwhile stop.
The property traces its history back to the early 1800s, when three brothers with the surname Hammer built a farmhouse and sawmill along West Falls Creek. The original white clapboard farmhouse still stands on the property today and now operates as a rental and event space. Current owners Rob Kobrzynski and Christine Pucciarello have turned the grounds into a polished winery destination known around northeastern Pennsylvania.
The winery produces small-batch wines using grapes sourced from vineyards in Washington, California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. During our visit, many of the featured pours leaned toward Washington State varieties, with a lineup that felt noticeably more balanced and polished than what you often find at smaller regional wineries.
The grounds are spread across 15 acres along West Falls Creek and include an indoor tasting room, outdoor patio seating, a covered pavilion with live music, and walking trails connected by wooden bridges through the property. Adirondack chairs and picnic tables are scattered throughout the creekside setting, making it easy for a quick tasting to turn into a much longer stop.
Wine flights are available for walk-in groups of up to six, and wine by the glass or bottle can be enjoyed throughout the property. They also offer pre-ordered cheeseboxes from their sister business, Milford Wine & Cheese Co., which pair well with an afternoon on the grounds.
WINERY | LIVE MUSIC | OUTDOOR SEATING | CREEKSIDE SETTING | ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
SHOPPING
Explore the Hawley Silk Mill
Hawley Silk Mill is one of the more recognizable landmarks in town and an easy place to spend an hour or two browsing around between meals, breweries, or outdoor activities. Originally built in the late 1800s as one of the first large-scale silk factories in northern Pennsylvania, the restored mill reopened in 2011 as a mixed-use lifestyle and community space.
Today, the building houses a mix of small shops, art galleries, studios, wellness businesses, offices, and Lackawanna College classrooms spread across the old industrial structure. Cocoon Coffee House sits directly beside the mill and is one of the best morning stops in town for coffee, pastries, and breakfast or lunch before exploring the area. Hopping Eagle Brewing Company recently moved to a new nearby location, but the Silk Mill area still remains one of the central gathering points in Hawley.
Even if you are not planning to shop, the restored architecture and atmosphere alone make the Silk Mill worth walking through while spending time around downtown Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack.
ART GALLERIES | SMALL SHOPS | HISTORIC BUILDING | INDOOR ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION
Hawley Farmers Market
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The Friday farmers market at Bingham Park is one of the more relaxed ways to experience downtown Hawley during the warmer months. The market typically runs from May through October along the Lackawaxen River and brings together local farms, baked goods, flowers, prepared foods, and small regional vendors in the center of town.
It is not a massive market, but it fits Hawley well and works nicely as part of a slower morning before heading to the lake, hiking trails, breweries, or restaurants around town. Depending on the week, vendors can vary quite a bit, which keeps the experience feeling local rather than overly commercialized.
The official website does not always stay fully updated, so checking the market’s Facebook page before heading over is usually the best way to confirm hours, vendors, and weather-related changes.
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FARMERS MARKET | LOCAL VENDORS | DOWNTOWN HAWLEY | FRIDAYS | SEASONAL
BREWERY
Hopping Eagle Brewing Co
Hopping Eagle Brewing Company opened in 2019 and has quickly become a popular local brewery stops around Hawley. Originally located inside the Hawley Silk Mill, the brewery recently moved into a larger standalone space along Route 6 just outside the center of town, giving the taproom significantly more room to grow.
The brewery still operates on a nano brewery scale, with an emphasis on small-batch beers and rotating seasonal releases alongside a handful of regular pours. The tap list usually covers a good range of styles, from lighter beers like Bald Eagle Blonde Ale to hop-forward options like Peregrine NEIPA and Uncle Phil’s DIPA, along with darker beers such as Tawny Owl Brown Ale.
The new location adds considerably more indoor seating along with some outdoor space, making it a comfortable stop after a day on the lake, hiking, or golfing around Hawley. Food options remain limited on-site, so it works best paired with lunch or dinner elsewhere in town.
Hopping Eagle still feels very much like a local brewery despite the expansion, and the move from the Silk Mill to the larger taproom feels like a natural next step rather than a complete change in identity.
CRAFT BREWERY | SMALL-BATCH BEER | BEER FLIGHTS | CASUAL HANGOUT | POST-GOLF BEERS
BREWERY
Wallenpaupack Brewing Company
Wallenpaupack Brewing Company is the larger and more established of Hawley’s two breweries and has become one of the better-known craft beer destinations in the northern Poconos. The brewery gained national attention after winning three gold medals at the 2022 World Beer Awards, helping put both the brewery and the Hawley area more firmly on the regional beer map.
The brewery operates a 20-barrel brewhouse alongside a full restaurant and taproom with large windows overlooking the brewing operation. Inside, the space leans industrial and modern, while outside a sizable beer garden becomes one of the more popular gathering spots in town during warmer months.
The food menu is a major part of the appeal here and goes well beyond typical brewery fare. Popular dishes include the loaded poutine, Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese, fish tacos, burgers, and sandwiches, making it an easy stop for both drinks and a full meal. On the beer side, No Wake Zone, a crisp lager brewed with orange peel and German hops, remains one of the more recognizable flagship pours, while the rotating tap list usually offers enough variety to satisfy both casual beer drinkers and dedicated craft beer fans.
If your Hawley trip only includes time for one brewery stop, Wallenpaupack Brewing is probably the safest overall choice.
CRAFT BREWERY | LIVE MUSIC | FULL RESTAURANT | GROUP-FRIENDLY
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
Pennsylvania Rail Bike
Pennsylvania Rail Bike is one of the more unique outdoor activities near Hawley and a good change of pace from the usual hiking, brewery hopping, and lake activities around the area. Riders pedal electric-assisted two- or four-person rail bikes along a historic railroad line that follows the Lackawaxen River through the northern Poconos countryside.
The rides are intentionally low effort thanks to the electric assist, so the experience feels more scenic than strenuous. Along the route, the tracks pass wooded stretches, river views, old railroad infrastructure, and sections of quiet countryside that are difficult to see any other way. It works especially well for families, couples, and groups looking for something active without committing to a long hike.
Because departures run at scheduled times and weekend rides often fill up during peak summer and fall foliage season, reservations are usually a good idea if this is something you want to include during your trip.
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITY | FAMILY FRIENDLY | SCENIC | GROUPS | UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
SHOPPING & SMALL TOWN STOPS
Browse the Shops in Downtown Hawley
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Downtown Hawley is compact and easy to explore on foot, with boutiques, galleries, coffee shops, and antique stores spread along Main Avenue and the surrounding side streets. It works well as a slower-paced afternoon activity between meals, breweries, or time on Lake Wallenpaupack.
A few stops are especially worth browsing. Lee’s Family Chocolates is a longtime local favorite for handmade chocolates and Hawley-themed gifts, while Queen of Cups combines a coffee shop with a vintage and antique space tucked into the back rooms of the building. For antiques, Lady Lynnhardt’s Antique Boutique is one of the larger and more interesting shops in town, with a surprisingly deep inventory that can easily turn into a longer stop than expected. If you are lucky, the owner’s son may be there singing while you browse the shop, which adds a memorable small-town touch to the experience.
Downtown Hawley is not a major shopping destination in the traditional sense, but the mix of independent businesses and historic storefronts gives the area more personality than many small Pocono towns.
SHOPPING | BOUTIQUE STORES | ANTIQUES | LOCAL BUSINESSES | WALKABLE DOWNTOWN
FOOD & DRINK
Dine at Hawley’s Best Restaurants
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One of the better surprises in Hawley is how strong the restaurant scene has become for a town this size. Between farm-to-table dining at The Settlers Inn, handmade pasta at Ravyn & Robyn, Italian-American comfort food at The Ridge, and waterfall views at Glass Wine Bar & Kitchen, eating well is genuinely part of the experience here.
Restaurants also pair naturally with many of the area’s most popular weekend activities, especially golf trips, brewery weekends, and lake vacations around Lake Wallenpaupack. For the full list, check out my guide to the best restaurants in Hawley, PA.
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FOOD & DRINK | DATE NIGHT | ITALIAN RESTAURANTS | FARM-TO-TABLE | WEEKEND DINING
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
Go Hiking Around Hawley
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Hiking is one of the easier ways to experience the quieter side of the Hawley area beyond the restaurants, breweries, and lake activities. Most trails near town are relatively approachable rather than intensely difficult, making them a good fit for casual hikers, families, and weekend visitors looking for scenic walks through the northern Poconos.
Some of the better hiking and walking trails near Hawley include:
- Shuman Point Hiking Trail — An easy wooded loop with several overlooks of Lake Wallenpaupack.
- Wallenpaupack Creek Trail — A quieter trail following the creek near downtown Hawley.
- Wallenpaupack Lake Trail — A scenic lakeside walking option close to town.
- Riverwalk Trail — A short and easy walk along the Lackawaxen River.
- Prompton State Park — Larger trail system with more rugged terrain, lake views, and kayaking access.
- Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary — Wooded trails, waterfalls, and historic grounds just outside Hawley.
HIKING | WATERFALLS | LAKE WALLENPAUPACK | SCENIC TRAILS | OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
SCENIC DRIVE
Woodledge Covered Bridge
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Covered bridges are part of the classic Pennsylvania road trip aesthetic, and the Hawley area has a few worth seeking out if you are already exploring the back roads around Lake Wallenpaupack and the northern Poconos. The best-known near town is Woodledge Covered Bridge, tucked inside the wooded Woodledge Village community northeast of Hawley.
Even though Woodledge is newer than Pennsylvania’s historic 1800s covered bridges, it still delivers the same scenic atmosphere, especially in fall when the surrounding trees begin changing color. The drive through the area is part of the appeal: winding roads, lakeside communities, and stretches of forest that feel far removed from the busier Pocono resort towns.
If you enjoy scenic drives, photography, or quieter side trips between breweries, restaurants, and lake activities, adding a covered bridge stop to your Hawley itinerary is an easy detour that fits naturally into a weekend in the area.
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SCENIC DRIVE | COVERED BRIDGE | FALL FOLIAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY | BACK ROADS
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Costa's Family Fun Park
Costa’s Family Fun Park is one of the main family-oriented attractions near Hawley and an easy option if you are traveling with younger kids who need a break from hiking, breweries, or lake activities. Located just outside town along Route 6, the park combines several smaller attractions into one casual roadside stop that works well for an afternoon.
Depending on the season, attractions can include mini golf, batting cages, go-karts, water slides, bumper boats, and arcade games, along with a small snack stand and picnic areas. The setup is more old-school family fun park than polished resort attraction, which honestly fits the area well and gives it a relaxed local feel rather than a heavily commercialized atmosphere.
During the summer months, Costa’s becomes especially popular with families staying around Lake Wallenpaupack and the surrounding resorts, particularly on rainy afternoons or days when younger kids need something more activity-focused than sightseeing around town.
WATER SLIDES | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | MINI GOLF | GO-KARTS | KIDS ACTIVITIES
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park
Claws ‘N’ Paws Wild Animal Park is one of the better family-friendly attractions near Hawley, especially for younger kids. Located about 20 minutes from downtown, the park combines a small zoo, petting area, and animal shows into an easy half-day outing that works well alongside a longer Lake Wallenpaupack weekend.
The park features a mix of animals ranging from giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and big cats to smaller farm animals that children can interact with more directly. Seasonal animal shows and feeding experiences are a major part of the appeal, particularly during the summer months when the park is busiest. The layout is manageable enough for younger children without feeling overwhelming, and the wooded Pocono setting gives it a more relaxed atmosphere than a larger commercial zoo.
Claws ‘N’ Paws is especially useful for families looking to balance outdoor activities and lake time with something specifically geared toward kids. It is not a massive destination attraction, but for the Hawley area it fills that role well and has been a longtime regional family stop.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY | ANIMAL PARK | KIDS ACTIVITIES | PETTING ZOO
SEASONAL ACTIVITY
Go Bald Eagle Watching Along the Delaware River
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The Upper Delaware River region around Hawley becomes one of the better places in northeastern Pennsylvania to spot bald eagles during the winter months. Eagle sightings are especially common from late December through February, when the birds gather along the Delaware River and nearby waterways looking for open water and fishing areas.
One of the better areas for eagle spotting is around Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct near Lackawaxen, where the Delaware River widens and eagle sightings are relatively common during the winter months. Scenic drives between Lackawaxen, Narrowsburg, and Barryville also provide good opportunities to spot eagles along the river corridor.
Winter in the northern Poconos tends to be much quieter than summer lake season, which makes eagle watching a good excuse to experience the area from a different perspective.
BIRD WATCHING | BALD EAGLES | WINTER ACTIVITY | SCENIC DRIVE | DELAWARE RIVER
WINTER ACTIVITY
Ski Near Hawley
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While Hawley itself is best known for summer lake weekends, several ski areas sit within driving distance and make the region a solid winter getaway option as well. Smaller mountains nearby tend to focus on relaxed family skiing and tubing rather than major resort-style crowds, which fits the overall pace of the area.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain is the closest and most locally associated ski area to Hawley. The mountain is open to the public and offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing with a more approachable small-mountain atmosphere than some of the larger Pocono resorts farther south. It works especially well for families, beginners, and casual winter weekends.
For visitors willing to drive a bit farther, Montage Mountain Resorts offers a larger ski area with more terrain and nightlife nearby in Scranton. Between skiing, breweries, restaurants, and winter scenery around Lake Wallenpaupack, Hawley can work surprisingly well as a quieter cold-weather Pocono destination outside peak summer season.
SKIING | WINTER GETAWAY | SNOWBOARDING | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | POCONOS
SCENIC TRAIN RIDE
Ride The Stourbridge Line
The Stourbridge Line is one of the more unique attractions near Hawley and offers scenic excursion train rides through the forests, rivers, and small towns of the northern Poconos. Departing from nearby Honesdale, the railroad runs a rotating schedule of themed rides throughout the year using a mix of historic passenger cars and specialty railcars.
The experience goes well beyond a simple sightseeing train. Depending on the season, themed excursions can include:
- Beer tasting rides with drinks, snacks, and scenic river views
- Wine and cheese experiences served aboard historic passenger cars
- Sunset and dinner train excursions geared toward couples and groups
- Family-themed rides like Princess and Superhero trains for younger kids
Live entertainment events like Rock the Boxcar are also part of the schedule during certain parts of the year, helping make the railroad one of the more surprisingly varied attractions near Hawley.
Most excursions run between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on the theme and route. Fall foliage rides are especially popular, while holiday-themed winter trains become a seasonal tradition for many families in the region. The scenery along the Lackawaxen River and surrounding Pocono countryside is a major part of the appeal, especially during autumn.
Because themed rides and seasonal excursions often sell out in advance, it is worth checking the calendar ahead of your trip if there is a specific experience you want to book.
SCENIC TRAIN RIDE | FALL FOLIAGE | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | HONESDALE | HISTORIC RAILROAD
WELLNESS & SPA
Relax at the Lodge at Woodloch
Even if you are not staying overnight, The Lodge at Woodloch is worth knowing about for spa treatments, wellness experiences, and a quieter side of the Hawley area that feels completely different from the breweries, golf courses, and lake crowds. The adults-only luxury resort has developed one of the strongest reputations of any wellness property in the Northeast, centered around a massive spa complex, indoor pools, saunas, fitness classes, and relaxation spaces tucked into the woods outside town.
Outside guests can book spa treatments and certain day experiences based on availability, making it possible to spend an afternoon at the property without committing to a full resort stay. Spa access can include amenities like whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, the indoor pool, and wellness classes depending on the package or treatment booked.
If you are considering an overnight stay instead, it is also featured in my guide to the best hotels in Hawley, PA alongside nearby resorts like Ledges Hotel and The Settlers Inn.
SPA | WELLNESS | ADULTS ONLY | COUPLES GETAWAY | LUXURY RESORT
Plan Your Hawley Weekend
Many of the best things to do in Hawley revolve around the area’s restaurants, hotels, breweries, and Lake Wallenpaupack activities. If you are putting together a trip, check out my guides to:
These should hopefully help you build out a full weekend itinerary.
Hawley is especially great as a weekend getaway from New York, New Jersey, or Philadelphia.
It is best as a long-weekend destination where you can mix outdoor activities with good restaurants, breweries, scenic drives, and time on the lake without feeling rushed. One day might involve kayaking on Lake Wallenpaupack, while the next is spent hiking wooded trails, drinking local beer, golfing, or wandering through the small shops and historic buildings downtown. For a town this size, there is a surprising amount of variety packed into a relatively small area.
I first started coming to Hawley more than a decade ago for annual golf weekends with friends, but over the years the trips gradually became about more than just golf. Recently, I have started bringing Janice and our daughter as well, spending extra time exploring the hiking trails, breweries, restaurants, lake activities, and small-town spots around the area. It works just as well for a family weekend as it does for a guys trip.
That balance is part of what makes Hawley stand out. It manages to offer plenty to do without feeling overly commercialized or crowded like some other Pocono destinations. Whether you are planning a couples getaway, golf weekend, family trip, or just a quiet few days away from the city, Hawley has a way of making people want to return.
Hawley
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