Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Travel Guide

City City in Pennsylvania, United States

Coal-shaped skylines and a riverfront define Wilkes-Barre; visitors trace anthracite history at museums, stroll River Common, catch a minor-league game and use the town as a launching point into the Poconos for outdoor sport.

Costs

Moderate U.S. small‑city budget

Expect $100-160 per day; prices rise sharply in peak summer and during festivals.

Safety

Generally safe with local caveats

Generally safe downtown by day; some neighborhoods have higher crime-use common‑sense precautions.

Best Time

May-October (best months)

Pleasant weather and events run from late spring through early fall (May-October).

In This Guide

Why Visit Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

40,780

Infrastructure & Convenience

Car‑centric with limited public transit; downtown is walkable and English‑friendly with standard tourist services.

Popularity

Regional hub for business and heritage tourism; attracts history buffs and family visitors.

Known For

Susquehanna River,anthracite coal heritage,Wyoming Valley,historic downtown,local theatres,university town,coal mining museums,riverside walks,regional festivals

Wilkes‑Barre was named for British politicians John Wilkes and Isaac Barre and dates from 18th‑century colonial settlement.

Why Visit Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania? #

Set along the Susquehanna River, Wilkes-Barre is rooted in coal-mining history yet offers a growing cultural scene that surprises many visitors. Tour local museums and theatres like the F. M. Kirby Center, stroll the riverfront, or take a short drive to the Pocono foothills for outdoor recreation. The city’s industrial heritage is visible in historic districts and community festivals showcasing regional food and music.

Top Things to Do in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

All Attractions ›

Ricketts Glen State Park

Pennsylvania state park famed for its waterfalls

Park

Steamtown National Historic Site

National historic site preserving steam locomotives and rail history

Park

Don't Miss

F. M. Kirby Center - Restored 1930s theater hosting concerts, plays, and community performances year-round.
Kirby Park - Expansive riverside park along the Susquehanna, with trails and picnic areas.
Historic Downtown (Public Square) - Historic downtown Main Street with shops, restaurants, and notable municipal architecture.

Hidden Gems

Riverfront River Common - Small waterfront park with art installations and seasonal events along the Susquehanna.
Luzerne County Historical Society - Local exhibits about regional coal-mining history, industry, and community stories.
Local Brewery Taprooms - Small breweries offering tastings and local beers in laid-back, neighborhood venues.

Day Trips

Ricketts Glen State Park - Short drive to waterfalls and old-growth forest trails, popular for hiking.
Scranton and Steamtown - Nearby Scranton hosts Steamtown National Historic Site and revitalized downtown attractions.

Best Time to Visit Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Late spring through early fall is the best time to visit Wilkes-Barre for comfortable weather, festivals and riverfront walks. Winters bring cold, snow and occasional lake-effect precipitation that can disrupt travel.

Winter

December - February · -8-3°C (18-37°F)

Cold, snowy, and often gray; good for cozy indoor plans, but shoveling and winter driving skills required if you visit then.

Summer

June - August · 18-30°C (64-86°F)

Hot, humid days with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; lively local events and river activities make it worth visiting despite sticky conditions.

Spring & Autumn

April - May, September - October · 6-22°C (43-72°F)

Best shoulder months: mild temperatures, blooming greenery in spring and colorful foliage in fall-perfect for hiking and strolling without summer crowds.

Best Time to Visit Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Climate

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (989 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

38°

Warmest Month

-25°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-3°

Feels Like Freezing

-3°C

Temperature

-8° – 2°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

62 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

-2°

Feels Like Freezing

-2°C

Temperature

-8° – 3°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-3° – 9°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

2° – 15°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

13.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

8° – 22°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

99 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

14.4h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

13° – 27°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

106 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.0h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

16° – 29°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

97 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

14.7h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

15° – 29°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

93 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

13.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

11° – 25°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

5° – 18°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

75 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

0° – 11°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Cold

0°C

Temperature

-5° – 5°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

71 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.1h daylight

How to Get to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre is served mainly by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) for air arrivals and by regional intercity buses for longer ground journeys. There is no direct Amtrak service into downtown, so most visitors arrive by car, shuttle or coach.

By Air

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP): The main regional airport for the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. AVP is about a 15-25 minute drive to central Wilkes-Barre; taxis and ride-hail trips typically cost about $25-40. Rental cars and shared shuttles are available.

Philadelphia International (PHL) / Newark (EWR): Larger hubs used by some travellers; ground transfer to Wilkes-Barre is commonly by intercity bus or private car and takes roughly 2-3 hours depending on origin and traffic. Bus services (e.g., Martz Trailways) run scheduled routes connecting Philadelphia/Newark area to Wilkes-Barre.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no Amtrak service directly into downtown Wilkes-Barre; intercity rail passengers generally travel to nearby stations (e.g., Scranton area services) and continue by bus or taxi. Check current Amtrak/rail timetables for the nearest active stations.

Bus: Martz Trailways and Greyhound operate coach services to Wilkes-Barre and the nearby Wilkes-Barre Intermodal Transportation Center; fares typically range from about $10-40 depending on origin and booking, and travel times from New York City are commonly 2-3 hours.

How to Get Around Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Downtown Wilkes‑Barre is pedestrian-friendly for short visits around Public Square and nearby attractions. Regional transit is provided by COLTS buses, and ride‑hailing or taxis are widely available for local trips. If you plan to explore suburbs or attractions outside the city core, a car is the most practical option; parking is typically easy and often free in many areas.

Where to Stay in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Budget

Near I-81 / Public Square - $60-110/night (many chains)

Wilkes-Barre has several budget chain motels and affordable inns near I-81 and Route 11. Basic, car-friendly stays are common.

Mid-Range

Downtown / Public Square - $110-170/night

Mid-range hotels cluster near downtown and the riverfront, offering comfortable rooms and decent dining options. Good for business and family stays.

Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre - Modern hotel near downtown and riverfront.
Nearby options in Scranton (short drive) - Wider mid-range selection within short drive.

Luxury

Regional upscale properties - $180+/night (limited in-town)

True luxury hotels are scarce inside Wilkes-Barre; higher-end guests often choose larger regional properties or boutique historic hotels in nearby Scranton.

Where to Eat in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Burger

American

Sandwich

Donut

Chinese

Coffee Shop

Italian

Mexican

Chicken

Tex Mex

Ice Cream

Sushi

Seafood

Japanese

Steak House

Thai

Asian

Salad

Steak

Nightlife in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Wilkes‑Barre has a working nightlife centred on Public Square and several neighborhood bars, pubs and restaurants. Live music appears at local venues and seasonal events attract crowds. The scene is practical and local‑oriented - good for casual nights out rather than an extensive club circuit.

Shopping in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania #

Shopping in Wilkes‑Barre is a mix of independent shops in the downtown core and larger chain stores and malls in surrounding suburbs. You’ll find everyday retail and specialty food shops rather than luxury boutiques. For a broader retail selection, the nearby shopping centres and strip malls are where major chains cluster.