Stroudsburg is the working town of the eastern Poconos, a place with a real main street, restaurants, a small theater and a position that puts you ten minutes from the Delaware Water Gap. The Penn Stroud is a hotel in the middle of that town, which makes it different from the big resorts and lakeside lodges that dominate the region. It suits travelers who want to walk to dinner, who are coming for hiking, rafting or tubing on the Delaware rather than for a resort program, and who would rather spend the money on activities than on a resort stay. It is also a sensible stop for people driving in from New Jersey or New York City.
Location is the heart of the argument. Downtown Stroudsburg has independent restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops within a short walk, and the surrounding area has some of the best outdoor access in the Poconos. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with its overlooks, riverside trails and swimming spots, begins a short drive east. Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls, the two best-known waterfalls in the park, are about forty minutes away, and Bushkill Falls is nearby on the other side of the river.
The hotel itself is a traditional, town-style stay. Expect a lobby, a restaurant or bar in the building or nearby, and rooms that range from standard to larger suites. As in many older hotels, the layout, room size and views can differ from room to room, so check the category when you book and ask about quiet rooms if you are sensitive to street noise. Parking arrangements are worth confirming too, since downtown properties sometimes use shared lots.
The area is also useful for weather days. Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg have a university campus, small museums, a cinema and a variety of restaurants, and the outlet shopping and indoor attractions in the central Poconos are a short drive away. In summer, the Delaware River offers tubing and canoeing, in winter the ski slopes at Camelback and Shawnee are within about twenty to thirty minutes, and autumn brings foliage along the river and up the ridge roads.
Practical points
A car is the easiest way to see the region, although the town center is walkable once you arrive. Weekends in summer and autumn are the busiest, and event days at the nearby venues can fill the hotel quickly, so book ahead. Ask about breakfast, parking and any fees at the time of booking. Because the property is in a town rather than in a resort complex, check recent guest feedback about noise and room condition before choosing a category.
The Penn Stroud works well for couples, friends on an outdoor weekend and families who do not need a resort pool. It is a moderate-priced, central stay that puts you close to food, rivers and trails. Combine it with a morning on the Delaware, an afternoon in the Water Gap and an evening in town, and you have a simple and affordable eastern Poconos weekend.
Why stay here
- ✓Downtown Stroudsburg location
- ✓Walk to restaurants and shops
- ✓Traditional hotel rooms and suites
- ✓Dining on site or nearby
- ✓Near Delaware Water Gap
- ✓Near Delaware River tubing
- ✓Ski areas about thirty minutes away
- ✓Convenient for road trips from the city
Good questions
Is it close to the Delaware Water Gap?+
Yes, the national recreation area is a short drive east of Stroudsburg.
Can I walk to restaurants?+
Yes, downtown Stroudsburg has restaurants, cafes and shops within walking distance.
Do I need a car?+
A car is recommended for the trails, waterfalls and ski areas, though the town center is walkable.
