3 Day Weekend Trip To The Poconos
Albrightsville, PA
If you're planning a quick trip to the Poconos but want to avoid the crowds that usually flock to the popular Pocono Mountains, your search ends here. Last weekend, a few friends and I stayed at an amazing chalet just minutes away from Hickory Run State Park, and we had the best time. If a weekend getaway with hikes, stunning views, and a scenic railway adventure sounds good to you—and all for under $300—keep reading!
DAY 1
LINK TO AIRBNB: The Forest Chalet
The first day was all about traveling to the Airbnb from the city. Earlier in the week, Google Maps estimated the trip would take 2 hours, but on a Friday evening, that stretched to 2.5 hours. Pro tip: If you're driving from the city, try to leave before 2 PM to avoid the traffic. Everyone arrived by 7 PM. Once we settled in and sorted out the bedrooms, we cooked dinner using groceries we’d brought from home. The night was spent catching up on each other’s lives and battling it out in Mario Kart and Super Mario Party Jamboree!
DAY 1 TOTAL COST: Airbnb: $184
DAY 2
On Saturday morning, we decided to cook breakfast since we planned to be out for most of the day. By 10 AM sharp, we left the Airbnb and headed to Hickory Run State Park.
Hike 1: Hawk Falls Trail
The commute to Hickory Run State Park was just 15 minutes. Although we initially thought it was too cold in the morning, the weather turned out to be perfect for our moderate hike. The first trail was about 3 miles (a bit longer since we accidentally took the wrong path), but it was more challenging than I expected. Pro tip: Wear hiking shoes, as this trail isn’t fully paved and includes some steep inclines and declines.
Hike 2: Orchard Trail
The second trail was short and sweet. As the sun began to set and the temperature dropped, we found ourselves speed-walking through the hike. It was only 1.3 miles, with an easy and well-marked path. I’d definitely recommend this trail for beginners looking for a simple and enjoyable hike.
The views were absolutely stunning. Honestly, if the weather had been warmer, we might have taken a quick swim—well, maybe not me. I probably would have just dipped my feet in!
Hike 3: Hickory Run Boulder Field
The third “hike” was even shorter and sweeter, but it had the potential to be tricky if you weren’t careful—it was literally just a pile of rocks! Pro tip: Make sure to wear secure, closed-toe shoes, as it’s easy to injure yourself while navigating from rock to rock. The view from the top to watch the sunset was absolutely spectacular, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day.
On our way back to the Airbnb to prep for our Friendsgiving dinner, we stopped by a local pizza restaurant for a quick lunch.
Later that evening, we each cooked the dishes we had planned for our “Friendsgiving.” Unfortunately, I didn’t take many photos since I was busy soaking in the moment, but it was a truly wholesome and heartwarming experience.
DAY 2 TOTAL COST: Lunch: $55 (split between 6 people = $9 for my share).
DAY 3
A Jim Thorpe Morning
We had to check out of the Airbnb by 11 AM, so we packed all our belongings and drove 20 minutes to downtown Jim Thorpe. Since we had tickets for the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train ride, we left an hour earlier to make it on time.
Before boarding, we came across a stand selling pastries. Since we had rushed in the morning and didn’t have time for breakfast, we grabbed a few snacks for the ride. Pro tip: Be sure to wake up early enough for breakfast, as the food sold at the train station is cold and there aren’t any options to heat it up.
After the train ride, we stopped by Muggles Mug, a Harry Potter-themed café, to decide on lunch plans. We ended up going to a nearby Irish pub for a hearty meal. We spent about an hour there, debriefing about the trip and sharing our plans for the rest of the year. Finally, after warm goodbyes, we all headed back home, wrapping up a wonderful weekend getaway!
DAY 3 TOTAL COST: Lunch+ Coffee Shop: $38. Train Ride: $24
TOTAL TRIP COST: $184 + $9 + $38 + $24 = $255