Since I live in what is essentially a tourist region (the Poconos), I’ve never been one for doing touristy things when I go on vacation. I like to travel off the beaten path, find the cool little places that aren’t over-crowded and make my own itinerary of fun. I feel like you can’t really say you’ve visited a town unless you’ve been to the local haunts and made the effort to go native.

Wilkes-Barre struggled hard after the Hurricane Agnes Flood in 1972 drowned it-literally-under water, but the Riverfront revitalization project changed all that, making River Common a place where flock for family fun and fresh air. #sponsored by @Ascend Hotel Collection #GoNative

Heads up: This post is brought to you by the Ascend Hotel Collection®. All opinions are my own.

Wilkes-Barre, PA is just about an hour from my house. It’s still considered part of “The Poconos,” but it’s not “my” Poconos. It’s a bit of a trek over a rather large hill, so I don’t get up that way often.

The view of downtown Wilkes-Barre and King’s College is gorgeous from the Market Street Bridge! #sponsored by @Ascend Hotel Collection #GoNative

The area went through some really tough times, thanks to a mining disaster in the 50s and a flood in the 70s. They really didn’t start to recover until the riverfront revitalization project began in 2005.  They’ve definitely come a long way since then!

The Woodlands Inn: An Unexpected Piece of Paradise

You’ll be amazed at how the Woodlands Inn managed to tuck away a piece of paradise in the middle of a busy area. There’s really nothing like it in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area!

Even during Wilkes-Barre’s lowest point, the Woodlands Inn remained a hot spot in the Poconos for locals and tourists alike. I grew up hearing about The Woodlands Inn on the radio, urging locals to come on out to party at their nightclub. My mom stayed at the property a couple of times when she was in drum corps (like a huge professional marching band, for those who don’t know). So while I’ve never been there before my recent stay, the name itself was embedded in my Poconos heritage.

Before I tell you about the Woodlands Inn, a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection, let me give you a bit of background on the Poconos. We used to be a premier honeymoon location. Our entire area- which spans 2,400 square miles- used to house dozens of stunning resorts and hotels that whisked you away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities and instantly teleported you to paradise.

Used to. Now, we’ve become like any other tourist region. Cookie-cutter chains pop up every other day while the charming honeymoon resorts lie in ruins, especially in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area of the Poconos. Not at the Woodlands Inn, though.

At the The Woodlands Inn, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection®, you never have to leave the property to find great food and fun!

The Woodlands Inn managed to hold on to every last ounce of charm that made them special in the first place while still updating the hotel to keep up with modern demands. When I first saw the sign for the Woodlands Inn, we thought “Really? It’s in the middle of the city! Where can they possibly put the woods?”

That’s where the unexpected happens. The Woodlands Inn looks deceiving from the road. It’s across from car dealerships and down the street from the busy casino. Yet when you get out of your car and walk around the property, you’re greeted with a babbling stream and views that sweep you away to, well, The Woodlands!

Woodlands from Bridge

The charming footbridge was my absolute favorite spot on the property. It crosses the stream and offers beautiful views in every direction. Keep walking across the bridge and you’ll find a lovely little courtyard. Perfect for wedding photos (the Woodlands Inn is a popular place for those!) or a private romantic walk under the stars.

Stroll across the wooden bridge to this romantic courtyard at the Woodlands Inn. Perfect spot for a proposal!

We stayed in one of the Tower rooms, luxury accommodations with a king-size bed, a separate living room area and a little kitchenette. If you’re traveling with the family or plan to stay for a few days, I highly recommend these rooms. You’ll save a ton by using the full-size fridge and the 3-burner stove to prepare your own meals. Plus you can’t beat the comfort of the Belgian linens and the lush king-size mattress! I wish I could have taken the bed home with me!

The luxury accommodations and super comfy Belgian bedding is so decadent, you’ll never want to leave! #sponsored by @Ascend Hotel Collection #GoNative

The Woodlands Inn is more than just a place to rest your head

The Woodlands Inn is more than just a place to crash at the end of a long day exploring the Poconos. It’s also home to Evolution, a wildly popular nightclub with some insane drink specials. If you’re not into the night club scene, you can also relax in the Sky Vu Deck Bar under the stars.

Love authentic Japanese food? Check out Shogun in the Woodlands Inn in the Poconos! Reservations helpful, but not required

The Woodlands also offers two completely different dining experiences: Shogun, a Japanese restaurant with surprisingly reasonable prices and Crescenzos, a lighter fare with a variety of tasty goodies, including a delicious buffalo chicken pizza.

You’ll also find a HUGE hot tub (so big, you can swim in it!), a heated indoor pool and an outdoor pool in the summer. Need a spa treatment before a big event? They have you covered there too with Alexander’s in the Woods!

I loved all the attention to charming little details that made me feel like I was really in a magical woodland oasis at Woodlands Inn in the Poconos!

The Woodlands Inn pays extreme attention to detail. Little touches throughout the hotel remind you that you’re vacationing in class. With a nightclub on site, the Woodlands takes security very seriously. Yet the numerous security guards stationed around the main floor are also friendly and helpful towards guests. The front desk staff is absolutely amazing and ready to help answer any questions you have. They’ll even look up and print out directions to anywhere you want to go in town.

Speaking of where to go in town, let’s talk things to do in Wilkes-Barre while you’re visiting the Woodlands Inn, shall we?

Things to Do in Wilkes-Barre in the Poconos

While we were visiting The Woodlands Inn, we also spent some time exploring the town. We started with Seven Tubs, a natural recreational area tucked away right off Route 115. It’s just about an 8-minute drive from the Woodlands in little traffic and the perfect example of what the Poconos looked like before it got built up.

Isn’t it amazing that you can find places like this just a short drive from the city? Seven Tubs Natural Area in Luzern Country, PA is a stunning place to get away from it all.

We hiked for about half an hour because I had a packed itinerary. I highly recommend making a day of it, though. It’s free (unlike Bushkill Falls, on the other side of the Poconos) and there’s so much natural beauty to see. Be warned, though, the hiking trails are tough. I was tired after just a half an hour of climbing up and down the sloped trails!

If you can handle a short hike downhill, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views at Seven Tubs off 115 in Luzern County PA!

Next, we headed to Kirby Park for the Cherry Blossom festival. If you’re visiting Wilkes-Barre, I suggest checking to see if Kirby Park is hosting any fun events that weekend. It’s a gorgeous park and home to all the city’s best local festivities.

Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre is always full of life. It’s the hot spot for local gatherings, from Cherry Blossom festivals to 4th of July and more!

While we were there, we paid $2 to support Pony Paradise Ride’s Alpaca rescue and got to hang out with some pretty cute farm animals! Totally worth it just to see this little guy’s face! Isn’t he the squishiest little teddy bear ever? I wanted to bring him home!

Have you ever seen a cuter face in your life? He’s one of the Pony Paradise rescues! You’ll see him at all the fun outdoor events this spring and summer in Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre, PA!

We caught a glimpse of the Horr’s Specialty Dogs food truck and my companion decided to try out the chocolate covered bacon! He also had one of their corn dogs, which they dip right in front of you. The prices were incredibly reasonable for the amount they give you.

Ever wanted to try chocolate covered bacon on a stick? Hunt down the Horr’s Specialty Dogs food truck in Wilkes-Bare PA for a taste! You’ll even get a sticker!

Me? I’m not a bacon person. I know, I know, it’s sacrilege or something. I did, however, grab a delicious triple chocolate cupcake from the Sweet Lush Cupcake Camper! They have a ton of crazy-good flavors, also at really reasonable prices.

Got a sweet tooth? Visit the Sweet Lush Cupcakery in Dunmore, PA! Or just keep an eye out for their Cupcake Camper!

After the fun at Kirby Park, we walked along the Market Street Bridge to take in the views…and walk off the food. This historical bridge was actually completed on the eve of the Great Depression! It has seen all of the ups and downs in the Wilkes-Barre region.

The historical Market Street Bridge isn’t just a beautiful piece of architecture, it’s also a popular walking and biking spot for locals!

When you’re visiting any city, Wilkes-Barre included, the best way to go native is to actually talk to the natives. If you’re having a hard time deciding what to do, the staff at The Woodlands Inn is always there to help you out! Next time you need a Poconos getaway, check in to the Woodlands Inn for an unexpected piece of paradise in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.