Pocono Mountains Podcast

Season 4, Episode 37 - The Pocono Mountains has long been a pioneer in snowmaking from the early days at Big Boulder to today where the biggest and most advanced operation is at Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton. The crews there have been cranking out the white stuff full bore this winter with some very cold temperatures (they needed that) and a large investment in the technology that makes the mo...

Season 4, Episode 36 - We've shared over the years all the great places and features across the region that make the Poconos so special - but one thing that we have as a major source of pride is our people. The folks on the frontlines of the hospitality industry who welcome, serve, and give of themselves day in, day out. One employee in particular stood out in 2024 more than all the others: Eider...

Season 4, Episode 35 - Celebrating Dry January in this new year and a popular way to start off 2025 is with a break from alcohol. Sure, we have lots of options for those who want locally brewed beers, poured wines and spirits on the Pocono Beverage Trail but there are plenty of ways our restaurants are serving up mocktails for January and throughout the year! Brianna Strunk joined three locations...

This month on  Pocono Mountains Magazine : discover nearly 60 life-size  Snowmen of Stroudsburg , including 10 new designs, gracing the streets for another  winter season , hit the trails at  Alvin's Offroad Playground  for an unforgettable, adrenaline-filled adventure, and sample outstanding mocktail menus available during Dry January (and refreshed seasonally!) at  The Frogtown Chophouse ,  Siam...

Season 4, Episode 34 - Flashback to the top 5 episodes of 2024.  Back on Episode 39, Chairlift Chat stopped at ⁠Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain⁠ . The resort has been open since December 14, 2024 . Plus – it’s the ideal spot to learn how to ski or snowboard. The instructors are great – we’ll meet one of them who is an award-winning veteran and also share a chair on the lift with General Manager...

Season 4, Episode 33 - Flashback to the top 5 episodes of 2024.  Back on Episode 39 of Season 3, we learned the ⁠French Manor Inn & Spa⁠ has a family steeped in Poconos traditions. It is one of the more well known and respected properties in the entire region. A double AAA Four Diamond award winner for decades for its dining and lodging plus, an all around great family at the helm. Meet the si...

Season 4, Episode 32 - Flashback to the top 5 episodes of 2024.  Back on Episode 8, we dove into the entrepreneur side of the Poconos economy with the ESU Innovation Center. It houses companies that are getting beyond the startup stage and ramping up to full blown job creators and industry leaders around the Pocono Mountains. The ⁠ESU Innovation Center⁠ features 25 companies doing amazing things t...

Season 4, Episode 31 - Flashback to the top 5 episodes of 2024.  Back on Episode 1, we learned about a legacy of hospitality with Jeanne and Grant Genzlinger. The couple has been in the business for decades in the Hawley, lake region area and Settlers Hospitality has grown from the days of having one property ( The Settlers Inn) to quite a few hotels and restaurants, Ledges Hotel , Hawley Silk Mil...

This month on Pocono Mountains Magazine: meet the man who inspired Stroudsburg’s latest and largest mural, a Stroudsburg native who went on to become an astronaut. Tour the newly refurbished Childs Park, back open after a six-year hiatus, then get styled with Bri & Dee, just in time for the holidays, at The Apple Tree on Main. Check off your gift list as you shop small at spots like BetterWorl...

Season 4, Episode 30 - Flashback to the top 5 episodes of 2024.  Back on Episode 9 – we found out that I’m quite fond of all things on the  ⁠Pocono Beverage Trail⁠ . The people behind the brews, wines and spirits have such a great story to tell and we’re thankful to have so many stops along that trail where visitors can experience the Poconos craft beverage industry. In Stroudsburg, there are two...

Season 4, Episode 29 - It is Native American Heritage Month and the Poconos is in the heart of where Indigenous the Lenape lived off the land. One of the places where you can learn more about the history of the Delaware tribe is the Pocono Indian Musem in East Stroudsburg. It has displays of ancient artifacts, weapons and tools to help understand how natives lived. The Poconos is a year-round dest...

Season 4, Episode 28 - Restaurant Week returns for November 17th to the 22nd at more than 40 great spots across the region! In this episode we get to take a journey on the Spice Route with Kailash at his amazing restaurant in Bartonsville. Spice Route in Bartonsville is offering a four course prefix menu for just $37 plus taxes but the place with a wide variety of Indian, pan Asian & Thai offe...

This month on Pocono Mountains Magazine join us for a musical journey through the Poconos as we highlight the region's rich tapestry of talented artists featured on Pocono Showcase . Headlining the episode is Christian Porter from Stroudsburg, a seasoned musician who took the stage on "The Voice" in 2012 and continues to enchant audiences at venues like The Sherman Theater . Sol Katana from East S...

Season 4, Episode 27 - Fresh off the first Taste of the Poconos Restaurant Week back in April this year we’re going back for seconds! Restaurant Week returns for November 17th- 22nd at more than 40 great spots across the region! Special menus. Deals. And yes, I got to belly up to the bar and the table at a couple great participating locations – the first one, RAW Urban Winery in downtown Stroudsbu...

Season 4, Episode 26 - Jim joined a crew from the Bureau of Forestry to climb into the fire tower at Big Pocono State Park and learn about fire management back before modern technology and today. A different kind of Pocono Mountains Podcast with a state forester in his own words. The Poconos is a year-round destination for millions and with 2,400 square miles of mountains, forests, lakes and river...

Season 4, Episode 25 - It has been six years and some months since George W. Childs Park has been open to the public. A couple weeks ago, the favorite of so many locals and visitors reopened after the National Park Service worked to restore the park’s trails and platforms following a destructive winter storm in 2018. The newly updated Childs Park is even more accessible protecting nature and givin...

This month on Pocono Mountains Magazine...check out the town of Delaware Water Gap's music scene by stepping inside the legendary Deer Head Inn, the oldest continuously running jazz club in the country. Just in time for Halloween, learn about the connection between the historic Harry Packer Mansion Inn in Jim Thorpe and Disney World's Haunted Mansion, plus join Bri & Dee for a tour of the Hote...

Season 4, Episode 24 - For generations, the Pocono Mountains has set the standard for getaways to family resorts, lakeside cabins, seasonal attractions and so much more. A few months back, our industry came together at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions for a summit to celebrate the magic of hospitality. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and its members and partners shared insights as well as a...

Season 4, Episode 23 - We have shared before the efforts to develop trails along the Lackawaxen River in Wayne and Pike counties and now, that is a reality. A third public access has been created, this time in a magnificent way in Honesdale taking a rundown, condemned property and transforming it into a river park and access for all abilities. Sycamore Point Park is being finished as we speak with...

Season 4, Episode 22 - Art and artists don’t just reside in museums, galleries and studios in the Pocono Mountains. Now, the Creative Communities Art Trail in Wayne County is bringing the art outdoors and onto the map for travelers, locals and more. The concept is to create points of interest along Route 191 north and south of Honesdale and establish sites to visit which serve as sources of pride...

Season 4, Episode 21 - For years, trains have been departing and pulling into the train station in Jim Thorpe thanks to the effort and determination of Andy Muller and his team at Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. In every season, the train has drawn large amounts of adventurers to our area to experience the Lehigh River corridor, and the quaint, charming town of Jim Thorpe and Andy sat down with our C...

This month on Pocono Mountains Magazine: Explore the scenic back roads with Bri & Dee for their latest adventure together with Pocono Slingshot Rentals, a perfect way to enjoy the fall foliage this autumn!  Tour the magical Valley View Farm & Venue which hosts weddings and other events throughout the seasons, visit Split Creek Preserve and Resort to see how you can stay and play in their c...

Season 4, Episode 20 - Wedding bells are in the air as we transition to the fall months here in the Poconos. One of the newest venues on the scene is Valley View Farm and Venue north of Honesdale. Marion Hunsberger and her team have outdone themselves with the renovations of the old dairy barn on a special piece of rolling hills and fields including an orchard and an upgraded farmhouse where the w...

Season 4, Episode 19 - With fall arriving soon, the leaves will change color and we’ll have a gorgeous view from all the vantage points across the Poconos. One location in particular is situated along a pristine creek with ponds, cottages, and a restored former church. Split Creek Preserve and Resort is a labor of love by the Blakeslees who entertain guests throughout all four seasons and take a l...

Season 4, Episode 18 - We are in the midst of growing season here in the Pocono Mountains, all sorts of farms and farmers are busy with veggies, apiaries, livestock and so much more. We are extremely fortunate to have some amazing farmers markets too right here in Stroudsburg , Hawley , and Jim's go-to, the Wayne County Farmers Market in Honesdale going strong for 50 years! Jim dropped by to c...