Probably one of the oddest and most unique places I have visited. The lore around Centralia is…read morestuff of legends. Many a show and documentary about abandoned places will mention this town. Even so far as a video game and movie using the premise. The history part of this. Centralia started out as Native American land sold to settlers around 1749. Reading Road was being developed and came through this area causing the land to be surveyed and ultimately developed. A few land swaps later and with the discovery of anthracite coal nearby a village started to pop up. Mining started in 1856 and continued for decades, up until the 1960s. While mining declined, and the population of the town, Centralia continued on. There are differing accounts on when and how the mine caught fire, but most people agree it was during the town dump clean up prior to the Memorial Day celebrations in 1962. Long story short, the fire department set the dump on fire to clean it up and this caught a coal seam as well. Over the years the signs that there was a problem went unnoticed until about 1979. At a gas station where they found the tank holding the gasoline was extremely hot. In 1981 a 12-year-old boy fell into a sinkhole because of the fire. In 1983 the U.S. Congress offered a buyout and nearly all the residence moved out, 500 structures were demolished. By 1990 only 63 people remained. In 1992, eminent domain came into play, condemning the remaining buildings. Legal suits followed, failed, by 2010 only five homes remained. Side note: nearby Byrnesville was also abandoned due to the underground mine fire. The fire continues to this day. Those five people remained after another lawsuit. Claiming the fire had moved on from underneath the town and the air quality had improved to levels o other nearby towns. My visit here was kind of quick. In order to get here I put in the only church left, otherwise I would have bypassed this area completely. But I am persistent and I knew I would find the area. It is interesting, and what an understatement that is. Knowing what happened here, that this used to be a vibrant small town like so many others in the area. Full of shops, houses, government buildings, and schools. But when you drive through here on the broken grid that once ferried numerous vehicles it feels different, you just get this feeling of unease. Not because there is only five houses, one church, a municipal building, and a handful of cemeteries. But because all movies about abandoned places tell you to get gone. But not me, I decided why not just keep going on the grid. That is until I came upon a dead end street (no pun intended there). This dead end literally lead into the woods. See the pictures attached to this, the one where it says "Stay out of the woods, there is more there than you think." That made the hair on the back of neck stand up. While I tried to turn around on the road I felt like I was being watched. Maybe it was subconscious but I made my way back towards the main roads. With that, let's segway into the next topic. Be aware of your surroundings. Not just for your own safety, but because there are still people living here. Also, there might be other vehicles on the broken street grid. Besides the broken street grid there are several reminders that a full town existed here. The cemeteries obviously, but the remnants of sidewalks, fences and retaining walls. You can obviously see where the school once stood as it is kind of obvious with that retaining wall taking up a whole block. On the outskirts you can see where the highway ended. Like I said, if you did not know that a town once existed here, you would fly by the area in your vehicle as if nothing mattered. You might even think to yourself that this would be a nice place for a town.

Abandoned town and tourist attraction are not words that usually go together but that's what has…read morebeen going on for the past few decades in the town formally known as Centralia. For the people that don't know the history I'm not going to go over it because I assume if you're looking at a listing for this place you probably have some idea of the backstory and if not, there are more than enough websites, blogs and videos out there that explain what has gone on here over the past 60 years. If you go, understand that this is not a destination stop because there is not a lot to see. Maybe a brief stop on the way to/from somewhere else like Knoebels, Yuengling or the Pioneer Coal Mine for example. What are you going to see? It's basically the three cemeteries and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (Mass is Sunday at 11am - if you attempt to worship there you will be welcomed but they also very much know who is an outsider and who is a regular) and not much else. The few houses that remain are occupied by the last of the remaining residents. IME, no, they don't want to be bothered and no they don't want to talk with the tourists. Lots of dumped garbage and overgrown weeds/foliage. On weekends there will always be other people driving/walking/dirt biking/ATVing/off-roading the same as you looking for ?? whatever people come to Centralia for. The main prior "attraction" of the Graffiti Highway has been mostly covered over with dirt mounds for a few years yet when we were walking around during our visit we ran into two other groups near Odd Fellows Cemetery that had no idea and were looking to ATV on it. Good luck with that. I've seen other sites and reviews referencing that at this point in time there is no more smoke to be seen and that's not true in the least. Before coming here we stopped at the Pioneer Coal Mine in Ashland and our guide said that's an urban legend that is told to dissuade visitors. He told us that if you come during winter or on cold days you will definitely see smoke somewhere if you spend a few minutes driving around. Sure enough as we were driving down Big Mine Run Road we saw a few plumes of smoke coming up from the hillside not terribly far from the back of Odd Fellows. There is no goon squad up there telling people they can't wander around but at the same time I think the legend obviously is greater than the reality. It's worth a visit to say that you've been and that you've seen it but I think it's best to just leave well enough alone and have your expectations in check or else you might be disappointed that whatever you think is here, isn't really here.

Visited this neat geyser on the side of the road on my way to Hershey park. Not much in the area as…read moreit's located in the side of the road/across from someone's house. There is a space to pull over on the side of the road. Didn't smell too much like sulphur until up close

Let's clear one myth out of the way. This is not an actual geyser. I mean sure it's called that,…read morebut in reality it's not. I think overall though, the name works better than calling it a man made air ventilation hole that excess ground water now escapes from under high pressure from a long vacant mine. Why Big Mine Run? Was the mine big? Did it have the runs? I don't know but it could also simply be the name of the street it's located on so over time the name just stuck. Either way this geyser serves a purpose as without it the underground water would have nowhere to escape to except into local homeowners basements. If you're coming, know that now, in summer, is not the best time. Ideally you're looking for early to mid-spring when there has been a good combination of snow melt and some recent rain. During our visit in April the water was a solid 6-7 feet in the air. After a long dry spell you may not get much past some gurgling. Speaking of air, note that it does indeed stink by the geyser. That luscious sexy rotten egg scent is Sulphur from all of the mineral runoff. It's not bad then every so often the water will surge a bit and like Old Aunt Dinah Flo after $40 of Taco Bell, Wham!, it stinks. One last obvious one is that at the end of the day this is not a tourist attraction. This is not a place to leave garbage just like there is no parking here for a reason and that reason is I'm pretty sure the geyser is on private property. If you take a look on Google or Trip Advisor that of course doesn't mean anything to a lot of dipshits out there. Be decent. Pull over, stay in the car and take your pictures/video and leave it at that. Obviously this is not a destination stop by itself. This is at best a 5-10 minute junket which can easily be coupled with a visit to Centralia, Knoebels, Yuengling or the Pioneer Coal Mine. But if you love a good roadside oddity/curiosity and are in the area, this one is a must see and is worth the brief detour.

Not just another light display. I LOVE stories like this and I just HAD to share!!…read more This "holiday house" which also has a drive thru-aspect, including a live nativity with rabbits, a sheep, ducks, a goat and geese has been one of our Christmas Eve family traditions for almost a decade now. It was only until recently we found out the story behind the home and that one of our beloved yuletide traditions is the same for a recorded 12,000 other people in the region including buses and vans with residents from local seniors homes, handicapped and terminally ill children also. Tom Culkin (no relation to Macaulay, I believe... but kind of ironic, don't you think?) is the owner of the home. He is now 66 years old and a former city police detective. He began decorating his house for Christmas 37 years ago when his daughters were just little girls. He received tremendous response from neighbors, friends and family, he decided to make it an annual event. The house is decorated with the latest popular children's characters drawn by local artist Jeff D'Angelo. Each year they add a new one to the display! Expect to also see Minions from "Despicable Me" and Sully and Mike from "Monsters, Inc."Ariel and Snow White, as well as Dora the Explorer, Bear in the Big Blue House, the Grinch, Woody and Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story," the Wiggles, Nemo, Lady and the Tramp, Anna, Elsa and Olaf, Star Wars,Jack Skeleton and more! Don't miss Santa with his list and check if your name is on there! There is no donation box despite the high electric bill the display creates, and when asked about it the response was "It's the Culkin family present to everyone". Love this! I have personally never seen him, but as Dec. 25 rolls around a family friend dresses as Santa Claus and stands outside as part of the display on various nights handing out more than 3,000 candy canes and makes sure to have a word with each child. We combine a drive here (with at least two loops around) with the house down on Orchard St, a drive through Nay Aug Park and a free presentation of The Nutcracker at Marywood. This has been our traditional Christmas "tour" of Scranton and we just LOVE it!! Year after year.

Fabulous winery with amazing food and wine! They have their own food truck, and it serves the best…read morechicken cheesesteak I've ever had. If you're a dry red wine drinker, be aware that a few of the reds lean a little sweeter than you might expect. That said, they have some outstanding dry selections. The Old Vine Zinfandel and the Malbec are excellent choices, and my personal favorite is the owner's recommendation--the Mixed Black Dago Red. If sweet wines are more your style, you're in for a treat. Based on my husband's enthusiastic review, that's definitely their specialty! The staff made the experience even better. Haleigh, Becca, and Ava were all incredibly sweet, welcoming, and attentive throughout our visit. We also learned they offer catering. We happened to stop one of the staff members who was grabbing wine for cooking, and despite being busy, he was more than happy to take a few minutes to give us a rundown of the catering options and answer our questions. The property itself is beautiful and incredibly versatile. It's the perfect venue for bridal showers, weddings, private parties, or just about any special event. Great atmosphere, wonderful people, delicious food, and wines for every palate. We can't wait to visit again!

The place looked ok. We were going there for the band and wine tasting on July 3rd. They are…read moreregistered as a GoodSam overnight with 30 AMP electric and grass. We were confirmed to camp, but when we arrived no one knew about it. There was only 110 amp and a spot on gravel (this was OK, but since there was no 30 AMP electric - we could not stay. Such a disappointment.

Knowledgeable, friendly and the repair service was fast. It was about a week for my clock repair…read more I'm happy that this business exists. I don't know where else I would have gone to get my clock fixed. Also, they have cool local art there!

Met Tom Quinn this morning and it was so refreshing to see how passionate he is about customer…read moreservice. I came in to ask about a maintenance request on my Tissot wristwatch and after looking at it Mr. Quinn said it was not needed at this point and come back to see him in a few years. Most other places simply would have done the service and charged hundreds. Old school business: Do what's right for your customers!! I can see why they have been in business for decades.

We recently held a private party for 60 at Riverview Winery. Paul, Rosie and team did an amazing…read morejob! They made sure the setup was hassle free for us and the place looked beautiful and inviting. They worked with us to meet our budget and the food and drinks were absolutely delicious, with top tier service. Gary and Mana provided perfect DJ/karoke entertainment and everyone had a ball. We couldn't have picked a better place and people to work with. We look forward to booking more events there.

Food was delicious. Would definitely recommend the bisque. It has a good amount of lobster meat in…read moreit and it it's flavorful. The eggplant parm was also delicious. My girlfriend also enjoyed her meal as well. The servers are always pleasant but the service can be a little disjointed. My two dislikes were that we got the only table with plastic patio chairs and they add on a charge for using a card when prices of the meal are already high.

Named after an iconic Native American sports legend renowned for his victories at the 1912…read moreStockholm Olympics, his wife sought a fitting tribute to her husband by relocating his remains to Mauch Chunk, originally founded in 1818. In honor of his legacy, the town was renamed Jim Thorpe, where my partner, his aunt and I came for a day trip last Saturday. Located in the picturesque southern edge of the Pocono Mountains, just a two-hour drive from New York City, this place appeared as though it's sprung from the pages of a fictional fairytale. We arrived around noontime via a shuttle bus from Mauch Chunk Lake Park when their Fall Foliage Festival, held every weekend in October, was in full swing. It was alive with the people enjoying live music, charming local shops and boutiques showcasing the work of talented artisans, and a delectable array of food options. We meandered through a busy Broadway and Race Street in the "historic district" as it has maintained its old-timey, somewhat Victorian charm of years past. We enjoyed the tour inside the Asa Packer Mansion. Purchasing a ticket for the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway on the spot would have been impossible given the crowd size. It's a place that instantly feels like home, yet transports one back in time to an era of simplicity and serenity. It was a fairytale escape in the Pocono Mountains, which we can recommend.

The city of Jim Thorpe is a must see. Not only is it a must visit, but I suggest visiting…read morethroughout every season. The town's feel, decorations, tours, and even menus will change, which will give you different and unique experiences. Walking around this hilly town is so impressive. You'll see many different businesses, pretty Victorian homes, and plenty of historic sites. Coming here has always been pleasurable, relaxing, and I'll happily return, many more times.

Barn Owl Art Studio is a great place to get creative! Annie offers art lessons in a wide variety of…read moremedia! The studio is a great place to go for a fun night out and also a great place to take the kids!

I don't see a lot of blue or green eyes anymore? But Hazel-tons…read more Hazelton reminds me a lot of Wilkes-Barre and Stroudsburg and maybe like a smaller version of Scranton and Allentown. These old Pennsylvania cities are haunted and their populations seem to have fled for The Burgh and The Philly and The City and The Capitol Region and The Suburbs and The Villages and for much warmer climates. But I still love it very much. Stacey (nickname Star), one of the most spectacular women I ever met, was from here. So they must have good genes around here. I come here every now and again when I'm driving through this region. I have yet to find any spectacular food to tell you about. Stacey is the reason this town scores 5. Yes she's that good.