The Delaware Water Gap is the home to the serene landscape of the Kittatinny Mountains and the Delaware River. It is a great getaway and daytrip adventure for New Yorkers. Being less than a 2-hour drive from the city, anyone in the surrounding area can make a quick escape and return home without the worry of having to stay overnight. Here is an all-day itinerary for adventure seekers in and around the Delaware Water Gap.
Each trip needs to start with a cup of coffee and possible breakfast. Check out Café Duet in Stroudsburg. It is open daily until 3pm. Grab a croissant to go or sit down for a full breakfast of specialty waffles.
If it is a Saturday in season be sure to check out the Monroe Farmer’s Market. They have a nice group of vendors selling everything from vegetables to meats to soaps. The market is open from 8am to 12pm every Saturday during season. Check out the website for a calendar of events.
From there, head over to the Hialeah Trailhead of the McDade Recreational Trail. This is a 31.5 mile long trail that follows the Delaware River. Feel free to hike in and out as far as needed. This trail is clearly marked and well maintained. It is also great for biking. The first section is a little rough, but it smooths out at the Smithfield Beach section. If you prefer biking, I suggest parking the car at the Smithfield Beach area and biking north bypassing the Hialeah section.
If you want to add in some kayaking or canoeing, hike in about 1.9 miles to the Smithfield Beach area from the Hialeah Trailhead. There are a bunch of outfitters that have rentals from this destination. Adventure Sports has a 2-hour paddle from Smithfield Beach to the Delaware Water Gap. Enjoy some fresh air as you paddle the Delaware River. This section is easy with no rapids and therefore requires a constant paddle giving you a good workout. You can then get a shuttle back to Smithfield Beach and either hike back to the car or continue along the trail for more mileage.
Celebrate your adventure and retell stories at the ShawneeCraft Brewery. They offer a wide variety of wood fired pizzas, local brews, wines and more. Grab a seat at the outdoor firepits and muse over your daytrip, or if you have had too much sun enjoy some classic board or video games inside. There is a variety of activities, drinks, and entrees for almost everyone.
If you tired out your legs, enjoy a massage at Spa Shawnee and Salon. Choose from a variety of massages and treatments. Or skip the adventure part of this trip and take the day to enjoy the spa as your friends or family take on the journey. This is a great opportunity to divide the group and make all parties happy.
If you didn’t get enough wildlife up close, head to the Pocono Snake and Animal Farm located just a few miles northeast of the brewery. Here you can see black bears, sloths, monkeys, snakes and more. If you get the timing right, you may even be able to bottle feed some goats, pigs, or lemurs!
Hope you enjoy your Delaware Water Gap adventure getaway! Nicole Sennett – Daytrip expert
Comments