Day trips: 7 ideas for family-friendly activities outside the Poconos

There’s plenty to do in the Poconos. But if the kids are getting bored of the familiar, here are seven ideas for day trips.

Lehigh Valley Zoo

The Lehigh Valley Zoo welcomed Cosmo and Meeko, two red pandas, this summer and is home to many more animals. Upcoming special events include Christmas in July on July 25, Zoocoustic Night on July 27 and the Run Wild 5k/10k for Animal Conservation on Aug. 10.

Address: 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville

More: https://www.lvzoo.org/

Steamtown

Bring a train enthusiast to Steamtown National Historic Site to see the museum, repair shop and more. Check online for tickets for short train rides around Scranton and longer excursions.

Address: 350 Cliff St., Scranton

More: https://www.nps.gov/stea/index.htm

Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den

Make a second stop in Scranton to see sharks, rays, tortoises, fish and more. Check the feeding and touch tank schedule before deciding when to go. https://electriccityaquarium.com/show-times/

Address: 300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton

More: https://electriccityaquarium.com/

Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion

Learn about the human body, the Lehigh River watershed and more at the center’s new downtown Allentown location. Visit by Sept. 8 to see animatronic dinosaurs in the “Dinos Alive” exhibit. (An additional ticket is required.)

Address: 815 Hamilton St., Allentown

More: https://www.davincisciencecenter.org/

Minor league baseball

See the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders or the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at much lower prices than their major league counterparts.

Address: 235 Montage Mountain Road, Moosic, and 1050 Ironpigs Way, Allentown

More: https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb and https://www.milb.com/lehigh-valley

Knoebels Amusement Resort

Parking and admission are free. To save money on all-day ride passes, buy online. “Sundown” and “bargain night” tickets allow for an evening of rides at a lower price.

Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg

More: https://www.knoebels.com/

Caves

On a hot day, take a guided tour of Crystal Cave near Kutztown or Lost River Caverns in Hellertown. The caves maintain constant temperatures of 54 and 52 degrees, respectively.

Address: 963 Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown, and 726 Durham St., Hellertown

More: https://crystalcavepa.com/home/ and https://lostcave.com/

Kathryne Rubright is the managing editor of the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent. Reach her at krubright@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Day trips: 7 ideas for family-friendly activities outside the Poconos