Scranton, Pennsylvania

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Geographic Coordinates: 41.404400, -75.664900

Climate: Cold winters, mild springs and autumns, and warm summers with occasional thunderstorms.

Population: 376974

Language: English

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Scranton is a city in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA with a population of approximately 77, 000 people. The city was founded in 1856 and named after George W. Scranton, One of the founders of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. One of Scranton’s most notable features is its history as a center for coal mining and railroads during the Industrial Revolution. Visitors can explore this history at various museums such as Steamtown National Historic Site or Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour. Nay Aug Park is another popular attraction in Scranton which features beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails.

Outdoor activities like skiing at Montage Mountain Ski Resort or kayaking on Lake Scranton are also available. For those interested in culture and arts, There are several museums such as Everhart Museum which showcases natural history exhibits along with contemporary art pieces from local artists; or The Electric City Trolley Museum where visitors can learn about Scranton’s trolley system that operated from 1887-1954. Scranton has a vibrant downtown area with many shops, Restaurants and bars to explore. One popular destination is The Marketplace at Steamtown which offers shopping options ranging from boutique stores to larger retail chains.

The University of Scranton is another prominent feature within the city that attracts students from all over Pennsylvania and beyond. Founded by Jesuits in 1888, It offers undergraduate programs along with graduate programs including business administration law school. whether you want to explore its rich industrial past or enjoy outdoor activities or experience culture through arts; there’s something for everyone here!

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1. Steamtown National Historic Site
2. Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
3. Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den
4. Nay Aug Park and Zoo
5. Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art
6. Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
7. The Houdini Museum
8. The Marketplace at Steamtown
9. La Festa Italiana (annual festival)
10. Scranton Iron Furnaces

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Major Industries and Businesses in Scranton, United States

1. Healthcare
2. Education
3. Manufacturing
4. Retail Trade
5. Finance
6. Insurance

Largest Employers in the Area

• Geisinger Health System
• The University of Scranton
• Tobyhanna Army Depot
• TMG Health Inc.
• Cigna Corporation
• Walmart

Additionally, the city is home to several smaller businesses and startups in various industries such as technology and hospitality.

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1. The discovery of coal in the area in the late 18th century, which led to the development of the anthracite coal industry.
2. The establishment of Scranton as a city in 1866.
3. The formation of the Lackawanna Steel Company in 1840s, which became one of the largest steel producers in America.
4. The influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia to work in the coal mines and factories during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
5. The growth of labor unions, including the United Mine Workers and International Association of Machinists, which played a significant role in improving working conditions for workers.
6. Notable people from Scranton include Vice President Joe Biden, author David Foster Wallace, actress Lizabeth Scott, musician Tommy Dorsey, and baseball player Christy Mathewson.
7. In recent years Scranton has become known for its annual St Patrick’s Day parade that attracts thousands from around Pennsylvania to celebrate Irish heritage on March 17th each year.

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1. Steamtown National Historic Site
2. Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
3. Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
4. Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art
5. Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
6. Houdini Museum
7. The Marketplace at Steamtown
8. Nay Aug Park
9. Scranton Iron Furnaces
10. The University of Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library Special Collections Room

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1. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders – The RailRiders are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. They were founded in 1989 and have won three league championships.
2. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins – The Penguins are a professional ice hockey team that plays in the American Hockey League. They were founded in 1999 and have won two Calder Cup championships.
3. Steamtown Marathon – The Steamtown Marathon is an annual marathon race held in Scranton since 1996, which attracts thousands of runners from around the world.
4. Electric City Shock SC – This is a semi-professional soccer team that was founded in 2017 and plays in various leagues across Pennsylvania.
5. Lackawanna College Falcons – Lackawanna College has several sports teams including football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country and wrestling.
6. Marywood University Pacers – Marywood University also has several sports teams including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball and tennis.
7. University of Scranton Royals – The University of Scranton has over twenty varsity sports teams competing at NCAA Division III level including basketball, soccer and swimming among others.

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1. Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade is an annual event held in March and is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country.
2. La Festa Italiana celebrates Italian culture with food, music, and entertainment every Labor Day weekend.
3. Steamtown Marathon takes place in October and attracts runners from all over the world to run through Scranton’s historic neighborhoods.
4. First Friday Art Walks happen on the first Friday of every month, downtown Scranton comes alive with art exhibits, live music, and food vendors.
5. The Electric City Tattoo Convention is held annually in April bringing together tattoo artists from around the world for a weekend of tattooing competitions and seminars.
6. The Lackawanna County Heritage Fair celebrates Northeastern Pennsylvania’s history and traditions with exhibits, demonstrations, live music performances & more.
7. The Scranton Jazz Festival happens annually in August at Nay Aug Park Amphitheater featuring jazz musicians from around the country performing on stage for two full days.
8. The NEPA Horror Film Festival is a two-day horror film festival held annually in October showcasing independent horror films from around the world along with Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
9. The Peach Music Festival is a four-day music festival held annually at Montage Mountain featuring national acts such as Trey Anastasio Band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Oysterhead, String Cheese Incident & more.
10. Scrantastic Spectacular- A New Year’s Eve celebration that includes fireworks display at midnight along with live entertainment & kids activities throughout downtown Scranton.

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• Pierogi: A traditional Polish dish consisting of boiled dumplings filled with mashed potatoes, cheese, and sauerkraut. Some popular places to try pierogi in Scranton include the Polish Club and the Old Forge Pizza & Restaurant.
• Old Forge-style pizza: A unique style of pizza originating from the town of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, located near Scranton. It features a rectangular shape with a crispy crust and a thick layer of cheese on top. Some popular places to try this pizza include Arcaro & Genell’s Restaurant and Revello’s Pizza.
• Chicken wings: Buffalo-style chicken wings are a popular dish in Scranton, with many restaurants offering their own unique spin on this classic appetizer. Some popular places to try wings include Chick’s Wing Bar and Kelly’s Pub & Eatery.
• Italian cuisine: With its strong Italian heritage, it’s no surprise that Scranton has many great Italian restaurants serving up dishes like pasta, meatballs, and homemade sauces. Some popular places to try Italian food include Cafe Rinaldi and La Trattoria.
• Diners: Diners are an iconic part of American culture, and Scranton has several great ones that serve up classic diner fare like burgers, fries, milkshakes, pancakes, and more. Some popular diners in Scranton include The Glider Diner and The New Amber Restaurant.
• Cheesesteak: Scranton is known for its delicious cheesesteaks which can be found at several local spots including Coney Island Lunch, Carl Von Luger Steak & Seafood, and Mansour’s Market Café.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Nay Aug Park is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts with its hiking trails, picnic areas, water park, and treehouse.
2. McDade Park has something for everyone with its sports fields, walking trails, and picnic areas.
3. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is a beautiful 70-mile trail that runs alongside the Lackawanna River and is perfect for biking or walking.
4. Steamtown National Historic Site is a museum dedicated to the history of steam locomotives in America.
5. Scranton Iron Furnaces offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the iron industry in Scranton during the 19th century.
6. Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den is an enjoyable family-friendly attraction featuring aquatic creatures and reptiles from around the world.
7. Montage Mountain Ski Resort provides winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding as well as summer activities like zip lining and water slides.
8. Lackawanna State Park has camping sites, swimming pools, boating areas etc., making it a great place to spend time with family or friends.
9. Pocono Raceway hosts NASCAR races every year on its racing track.
10. Scranton Cultural Center at Masonic Temple houses theaters, art galleries etc., making it an architectural beauty worth visiting.

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Go Where The Road Takes You.

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