Scranton, the largest city in Northeastern Pennsylvania, offers plenty of fun activities for the whole family.
From hiking to watching a magic show, the city offers new adventures you can enjoy with your loved ones.
If you’re looking for a place to get started, here are the best things to do with kids in Scranton in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania:
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In the language of the Munsee Indians, the name Nay Aug Park means “noisy water or roaring brook.”
Established in 1893, this place is a great destination if you’re looking for peace and quiet with your family and the people you care about the most.
However, this place’s lovely view isn’t the only good thing.
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The park also hosts multiple events throughout the year, making it worth a visit if you’re looking for a fun time.
You can also rent out spaces inside the park to host an event like a birthday party for your kid.
Nay Aug Park on Arthur Avenue is a place that can serve many purposes, so check it out and see if it fits your needs.
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Fishes and reptiles are the special interest of many children, and the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den is home to both!
You and your kids will see these animals up close and personal when you visit this place.
You can even get close enough to interact with them and feed them.
The staff also hosts shows where the animals can show off their skills to an adoring audience.
There are a lot of places you can go to to see a wide variety of animals, but the Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den on Lackawanna Avenue certainly is one of the special ones out there.
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A trip to the theater is a fun and family-friendly activity that you won’t regret, and the Scranton Cultural Center on North Washington Avenue may have the shows you’re looking for.
Their mission is to enrich their community through culturally diverse programming, which can be seen by the numerous and varied shows they stage throughout the year.
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From world-famous musicals to ballet performances, you won’t be bored by what they choose to feature.
Take your entire family to Scranton Cultural Center to see what they offer!
Not everyone may have a natural appreciation for art, but the AFA Gallery is one of those places that will fascinate your kids with all the amazing artwork.
This gallery on Penn Avenue was founded in 1988 when a few local artists got together and thought about the benefits of creating a network for them and their colleagues in the area.
Today, they host various exhibits throughout the year to feature and highlight the works of local artists, and you won’t regret checking out their events with your kid.
AFA Gallery also offers memberships to both adults and students.
For a yearly fee, student artists can get the chance to exhibit their own works in the gallery and show off their art to the world.
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The Everheart Museum in Nay Aug Park opened its doors in 1908 to enlighten Northern Pennsylvania’s citizens and visitors by educating them on natural history, science, and art.
The place has a host of exhibitions that will pique the interest of all young and old visitors.
The staff also holds educational programs and special events.
Children under 12 can enter the museum free of charge, making the place accessible for families of all sizes.
If you’re looking for a place to visit during the weekends, this place is as good as any other.
Head to Everheart Museum and see its interesting displays.
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McDade Park on Bald Mountain Road is one of the area’s top destination parks.
One of the highlights of this place for families is the large, expansive playground that your child will love.
It has inclusive play structures that serve children of all needs and abilities, so you won’t have to worry about your kid having trouble while playing there.
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There’s also an Olympic-sized swimming pool and basketball and tennis courts.
It’s the kind of place where everyone in the family will find something to do.
Visit McDade Park and spend a day having fun with the people you love the most.
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The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is more than 70 miles long and cuts right through the heart of the Lackawanna River Heritage Valley and State Heritage Area.
The trail connects more than 30 communities.
The long, winding path is ideal to explore if you’re looking for a fun activity with your kids.
The caretakers of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail also host several events throughout the year, so make sure to participate in those when you get the chance.
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Shopping with the family at The Marketplace at Steamtown at Lackawanna Avenue is an activity that’ll never lose its charm.
It’s a great way to bond with your kids without much effort or frills.
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You can visit the area’s aquarium, arcade, and indoor play yard if your kid is looking to have a fun time on their own.
There’s even a photo studio on the premises, so you can capture the special moments with your kid.
After all your activities, head to the restaurants and have a nice meal with the family.
If your kid is adventurous, they might appreciate a trip to Electric City Axe Throwing on Capouse Avenue.
As the name suggests, it’s a place where visitors can go around and throw axes at targets and revel in the adrenaline rush it brings.
If you or your child have never thrown an axe before, that’s not an issue—the place has experienced staff who can help you do it safely and without difficulty.
There’s no age limit on who can do this, but remember that minors must be accompanied by their legal guardian.
Aside from axe throwing, young kids can also entertain themselves with coloring books, a TV, and snacks while on the picnic tables.
You can walk in with your family whenever they’re open or make a reservation ahead of time to ensure you have a spot.
Axe throwing is certainly a unique family activity, and however you choose to do it, you and your kids are sure to have the time of your lives at Electric City Axe Throwing.
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The mission of the Anthracite Heritage Museum on Bald Mountain Road is to interpret, collect, and present the history of hard coal mining and its related industries.
This may seem too heavy and serious for kids, but it’s a big part of the area’s history.
If your child wants to learn more about it, they should be given the opportunity to, and there’s no better place to do that than at this museum.
Take them through exhibits where they can learn more about the Anthracite people, their culture, work, and lives.
There are also temporary exhibits that come and go in the Anthracite Heritage Museum, so check those out when you get the chance.
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The Albright Memorial Library at Vine Street is a place that can make any child fall in love with reading.
Give their collections a try and see if your kids find any interesting titles.
The library also has storytelling sessions for younger children.
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There are even block parties, family movie nights, and many other events.
If you’re looking for bonding activities for the entire family, a visit to the library may not be at the top of your list, but they certainly have enough events to keep everyone entertained.
Visit the Albright Memorial Library and let your kid develop their love for reading and storytelling.
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Kids love magic tricks, and there’s no better place to find magic than at the Houdini Museum and Magic Show on North Main Avenue.
One of the first things you can enjoy here is a movie about Houdini himself and a guided tour of the historic building.
You and your child can also catch an hour-long magic show.
You’ll find live animals and real-life magicians performing feats of wonder.
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The Electric City Trolley Museum on Cliff Street is a premier trolley museum that will capture any child’s heart.
After all, what kid didn’t have a phase where they were fascinated with everything related to trains?
Children can ride a couple of trolleys at the museum and learn something new along the way.
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Call the Electric City Trolley Museum staff and confirm their schedules, and take your child to see their exhibits.
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A visit to the Lake Scranton Walking Trail is a wonderful way to bond with your child while you appreciate the beauty of the natural world together.
The trail is a 3.5-mile-long asphalt path that loops around Lake Scranton.
The route is easy even for young hikers, with just enough modest hills to keep things interesting and the tiniest bit challenging.
The trail is not hidden or secluded but is a great spot for peace and quiet.
Walking through it will help people of all ages relax and escape the bustling city life.
Visit Lake Scranton Walking Trail and use the journey to bond and get to know your child better.
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Come winter, skiing with the family at the Montage Mountain Resorts on Montage Mountain Road is a fun and exciting activity that everyone will love.
The terrains are beginner-friendly, so you won’t have anything to worry about if there are members in the family who aren’t experienced in the sport.
You can also sign up your kids for ski school if you want them to have a more in-depth understanding of skiing.
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Montage Mountain Resort is a fun place to visit during the winter holidays, so try it when you get the chance.
There’s a lot to do, and you’ll never know what happy memories you’ll make atop those snowy mountains.
With the number of things you can do in this city, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Luckily, you and your family have all the time in the world to get through them.
Try these best things to do with kids in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to make the most of your trip!
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