Weekend on the Wild Side: PA and NJ's Best-Kept Secrets

If you're a candy fan (and who isn't?), you can't skip a stop at Callie's Candy Kitchen as you cruise through the Poconos. This little candy shop has a big reputation when it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth with its homemade confections.

With live candy-making demonstrations, loads of free samples, and a sweet selection that would make Willy Wonka jealous, Callie's is the perfect place to load up on snacks before a weekend road trip. Be sure to check out the mini candy museum while you're there!

Located just outside of the hustle and bustle of the Poconos' most popular attractions, the Honesdale / Poconos KOA Holiday is the perfect home base for a weekend adventure in Eastern Pennsylvania.



This campground features plenty of space to stretch out, fire pits for s'mores, and loads of activities such as mini golf, fishing, and wagon rides!

You can say that your weekend got so wild, you wound up in jail! Okay, it's technically a jail museum, but it's still pretty cool. This nineteenth-century jail was where a lot of "Molly Maguires" (a sometimes-violent Irish-American gang) were held before execution. Keep an eye out for the cell with a mysterious handprint that won't wash away and can't be painted over!

Allentown KOA, located a short drive from the incredible Dorney Amusement Park, is the perfect place to get away without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Take part in planned campground activities such as bingo or weekend hayrides, cool off in the pool, and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the peaceful stream that runs through the camp.

On Saturday nights, keep an eye out for the ice-cream truck that makes a lap through the grounds!

Since 1930, Lost River Caverns has been taking curious visitors deep into the Earth on a fascinating adventure. Knowledgeable guides will lead you on a half-hour, easy-going walking tour of the limestone caverns while filling you in on the history of their discovery and the science behind their origins.

The highlight of the tour is when the guide flips off the lights to show you just how dark and silent the inside of the caverns can get.

On the way out, be sure to check out the gift shop, where you can snag a few shiny souvenir gems and even pan for gold!

Here's a tip: regardless of the season, Lost River Caverns stay around 51 degrees, so plan to visit on a hot day for a fun cool down, but bring a sweatshirt just in case.

For a great meal in a classic Irish pub with a Manhattan vibe, stop into Porter's Pub. Long considered one of the best lunch options in Easton, Porter's Pub has a sizable menu full of juicy burgers, crispy wings, and desserts to die for. They've even got a good selection of meat-free options.

Sure, the food is fantastic, but wait until you see the beer selection. They have so many beer options that they've issued a challenge to repeat customers: If you can manage to try 40 different brews on the member's club list, you'll get your name on a custom beer stein, which will hang from the pub's ceiling in your honor. Get to sippin'!

Tip: Call ahead to make a reservation if you know when you plan on dining. The little pub has a habit of filling up quickly on the weekends.

When it comes to keeping the kids entertained on your weekend adventure, you can't do much better than The Crayola Experience. There are four floors of unique creative activities, so you're bound to have a blast, too.

Set the rascals loose, and they'll have the time of their lives turning melted wax into incredible art pieces, watching their drawings come to life on a massive projection wall, and even creating their very own crayons.

After working up an appetite, head to the cafeteria, where pizza, PB&Js, and other kid-friendly food will keep picky palates happy.

Fun fact: The Crayola Experience is home to the world's largest crayon!

For fans of architecture, a stop at the Paulinskill Viaduct is a no-brainer. This awe-inspiring structure, now abandoned, was considered to be one of the "wonders of the world" when it was built in 1908.

Constructed by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, the seven arches of the Paulinskill Viaduct stretch 1,100 feet across the Paulinskill River. When the rail line went out of business in the late 70s, New Jersey took ownership of the property, and the incredible span has been abandoned ever since.

Today, the trestle is an urban explorer's dream, but mind the "no tresspassing" signs. This hidden gem is best appreciated from the road.

Considered the "Disney World of Hiking," Bushkill Falls isn't just one of the most beautiful parks in Pennsylvania, it's also one of the most accessible.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just want to take in the view and stretch your legs after driving in the car for the past few days, Bushkill Falls offers three comfortable treks that will get you up close and personal with the great outdoors. Well-maintained trails twist and turn through the forest, eventually crossing paths with one or more of the park's eight incredible falls.

Bushkill Falls also offers fishing, mini golf, and even several exhibits that cover the history of the falls, the early Native Americans, and the local wildlife.

If hiking a chunk of the Appalachian Trail seems a bit too daunting, head to Dingmans Falls, which acts as a perfect "CliffsNotes" version of the area's best hikes.

With two waterfalls surrounded by massive hemlock trees and babbling brooks, boardwalk-style wooden trails, and hiking loops that you can complete in less than an hour, Dingmans Falls offers all of the stunning beauty of Eastern Pennsylvania.

The best part? Access to the park is totally free.