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.
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 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
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.
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!
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
I love the outside views, i would really enjoy that, and the food is always a plus! I love trying new foods when traveling, the Japanese restaurant sounds like a must!
If you love outside views, you’d love visiting our area! We have a great mix of nature and nearby shopping. I guess maybe that’s why it’s such a busy area on weekends.
I would be thrilled to vacation at the Woodlands in the Poconos! What a beautiful place and the room and scenery is breathtaking. I bet you had a lot of fun and the Cupcake camper looks cute and I would love to try a Cupcake!
It was a lot of fun! The Woodlands Inn is so beautiful. Yes, the cupcakes are very yummy! My favorite activity, though, was petting the alpaca, lol. I’m a sucker for a cute, fuzzy face!
I would love to take a trip with my family here. We love to visit new places where we can enjoy nature, but still have a comfy bed. This place looks so peaceful and full of things to explore and will provide great opportunity for learning new things for my son. The pictures are great and the food also looks very yummy. We will be adding it to our wish list of places to travel to. Thanks so much for sharing.
wow, what a cool little place you live in! I also grew up in an old mining town which grew into a big tourist attraction…blah! It’s nice you can still find areas to get away from the crowds and explore! The chocolate covered bacon I’m not sure about…I love bacon and i love chocolate, but have no desire to have them together! How did Sal Like it?
This looks like a fun trip to take in the Poconos. We love water falls and being in nature, so this is right up our alley. That alpaca was so cute…I would have wanted to take him home, too. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been to the Poconos a couple of times, and have always had a good time. I love the nature aspects of this destination. The food truck artwork is awesome.
I have friends that live in Wilkes-Barre and I have been thinking of planning a trip to see them for a few days. I was hesitating because I really didn’t think their would be too much else to do in the area. It looks like I found the place will be staying and some stuff to do. Thanks!
The Woodland Inns at Poconos sounds like a terrific place to stay! I love the photos and the nature! It sounds like there’s some fun activities to do around their. I’m sure you had a blast! I now know where to stay when I visit PA! It looks like the room is super nice and clean-my must have when I stay at hotels. 🙂 The food looks delicious too! Thanks for sharing! This is a great review!!
I love how beautiful the scenery is in the Northeast! I could see my husband trying that same challenge but I am not sure he would have the success that your husband did! Looks like an amazing little vacation!
It’s been a few years since we took a family vacation. I want a place where we can get away from work, the online world and the drama here. This looks like the perfect spot.
That resort and town look so lovely! I just moved across the country to Maryland so I’m still finding the fun things to do in our area. It’s nice to be near so many historical sites and lots of great outdoor adventures!
I would love to go to that place. I don’t like in that area but I’m not too far from it to be able to take a vacation there. There’s just something about being in woods and country that is so peaceful. I have to check this out.
Honestly, after reading this article, I am ready to pack my bags and head up north. For the scenery, the food, the lodging, and hiking, there is nothing to hold me back. I live in the busy city of Miami, Florida, and this seems like the perfect escape.
Wish I lived near there now but ever since I went to north Wales earlier this month I have been loving going to places which are calm, inviting and woodlands surrounding the place. Poconos sounds like such a lovely place and would love to one day visit.
I’ve never been to the Poconos. You know your way around that is for sure, this is a great place I’d love to stay for a good time adventuring around the area!!
where is that sign? The main welcome sign? Id love a picture with it, but cant map it out.
Google review summary
bleedblue gill
1/5
9 minutes ago on Google
Since you deleted my last review just showing more of your ignorance! I will write another one and I will make sure it goes on the Facebook as well and I will be making a phone call to the corporate office!
So let’s see where do I begin First of all I have several complaints but I will start with the pros
Your young lady Sat evening at the front desk Awesome job very helpful!
The food at the Italian Restaurant very good the Bartender at that bar Awesome!
Now on to the Cons
I honestly do not like sleeping in a bed with run down sheets pillows blankets and the smell of bug spray
Throughout the room the look of moldy floors as well and the heating did not work
The toilet handle was backwards!
The fact that the rooms were not cleaned and we had to constantly go to the front desk if we needed anything and deal with the attitude from them!(aside from the young lady Saturday evening)
You really need to do something about the parking situation that was totally unacceptable! You need separate parking for the bars and the nightclubs! Pretty sad your paying customers had to pretty much park across the street then couldn’t even get In the lobby had to walk around the back to get to our room absolutely unacceptable!!
The smell of smoke and Marijuana was ridiculous not to mention the constant banging of the doors and kids hollering and screaming up and down the hallway at 1 am and 2 am in the morning!!! It is a hotel people are trying to sleep especially when they have to drive long distance 😒 this place is more of a frat party resort and I would never recommend this place to anyone! For the price that was paid to stay here it certainly was not worth it!
The pictures that are posted on your website are very deceiving!
I personally didn’t even bother with the pool I can only imagine what a nightmare that area was from the reviews I have read about it I’m glad I didn’t
We are both very disappointed disgusted and dissatisfied
And don’t offer your heartless apologies! Either my boyfriend honestly shouldn’t even be charged!
Never ever ever will I recommend this establishment ever!!!!
We have stayed at area hotels that were less money and they were 10× better atleast we were able to get a peaceful night’s rest I think you are very inconsiderate of your guests your Paid guests!
Sincerely one dissatisfied customer who will not be back!
P.S
Seems to me that all your apologies are the same and robotic sounding and not solving any problems at all so please do not waste my time our yours with your half hearted apologies I think if we would have stayed at a local zoo we would have had a more enjoyable time ohhh your goal is to provide an exceptional stay well you really missed the mark on that one you need to get your priorities in check and learn what customer service means and you need to own up and acknowledge that obviously there is a serious problem with your establishment that needs to be addressed appropriately and fast