Wilkes-Barre Rates High With Senior Visitors

Ever been to north east Pennsylvania?  Not yet? Wilkes-Barre, located 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia, was founded way back in 1770. In Wilkes-Barre, senior travelers will find around 42,000 happy folks enjoying the surrounding Wyoming Valley, framed by the Pocono Mountains to the east and the Susquehanna River that flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city.

The city is strengthened by its quality educational programs. Two of Wilkes-Barre Area’s three high schools are featured on US News and World Report’s Best High Schools list. Over 5,000 college students are within walking distance to the downtown and the city’s administration has made great strides to connect their colleges with the greater community.  The locals have learned to enjoy peanuts as Wilkes-Barre is the birthplace of the Planters Peanuts Company. They say that the name of the city is actually what is called a “King’s Error.” I looked that error up and got all tangled in the story, so I leave it to you senior history buffs who are interested to look it up yourselves.

Senior Travelers Love Scenic Luzerne County

Plan to visit Luzerne County in scenic Northeast Pennsylvania when looking to take a short getaway or just get out and do something. Whether senior citizens plan to visit Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton or points- in-between there is always something going on. Outdoor recreation is bountiful and offers a great variety of scenery and activities.  History abounds in Luzerne County.  In the 1800s, hundreds of thousands of immigrants flocked to the region to work the mines. Wilkes-Barre was located in the heart of the anthracite fields, and thus smack in the middle of development.

The accompanying growth this triggered, coupled with inevitable economic and cultural changes, transformed the rural farming region into a thriving urban center. Wilkes-Barre soon became the region’s financial center, and home to rich and powerful entrepreneurs whose business ventures affected the railroad-and-canal system that stretched 165 miles southward to Bristol.

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne’s county seat, has revitalized its downtown with restaurants, pubs and a new urban park. The River Common offers 12 miles of trails for senior bikers, joggers, walkers and roller bladers along the Susquehanna River. It is not uncommon to see kayakers paddling by the city. The River Common is host to many local events including Riverfest in June.

The city is home to more than 30 high rise buildings, a host of beautiful old Victorian homes and a unique court house. Visitors are always welcome to Penn State Wilkes-Barre, a “Big Ten University” – located on a scenic estate in northeastern Pennsylvania just thirteen miles from Wilkes-Barre.

TripAdvisor always has a listing of Things to Do, so does Yahoo Local and the local Night Out.  Enjoy all of  beautiful, scenic north east Pennsylvania.  jeb