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Major city · United States

Wilkes-Barre

Give Wilkes-Barre one night as a Coal Region base: downtown for food and a show, then drive out to the mines, Seven Tubs and the casino.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Wilkes-Barre is a small city of about 41,000 in the Wyoming Valley, 20 miles southwest of Scranton on I-81. It is a car town: downtown has the river, a restored 1938 theater and Main Street college bars, while the things worth the drive — mine country, Seven Tubs, the casino and the minor-league ballpark — sit outside the centre. Most travellers use it for one night between Scranton and Hazleton, or as a stop on the I-81 run.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jan–Feb (ice and snow), late Jul–Aug humidity
Airport
AVP
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Wilkes-Barre911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Wilkes-Barre, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$2–5
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–15
  • Beerdraught at a bar / six-pack at a store$5–8$10–16
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshareHigher after midnight.$12–20
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
  • Museum or sight ticketCasino admission and parkingFree (check)
  • Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
  • Mid-range bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
  • High-end bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$220

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Coal mining history in the Wyoming ValleyF.M. Kirby Center for the Performing ArtsWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockeyPierogi and diner-car food
Airports
AVP Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (Avoca) (About 15 min south of downtown by car; daily flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Detroit, Newark and Philadelphia. Rental cars at the terminal.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    1°C (34°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  5. May

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid*

    29°C (84°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    3°C (37°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Sep (9). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Wilkes-Barre: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

1°C (34°F)

−8°C (18°F)

11 rd

Feb

3°C (37°F)

−7°C (19°F)

10 rd

Mar

8°C (46°F)

−3°C (27°F)

11 rd

Apr

16°C (61°F)

3°C (37°F)

12 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

12 rd

Jun

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

11 rd

Jul

29°C (84°F)

17°C (63°F)

11 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

16°C (61°F)

10 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

6°C (43°F)

9 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

1°C (34°F)

10 rd

Dec

3°C (37°F)

−5°C (23°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Drive. LCTA buses cover the city and Luzerne County but run on limited schedules, and taxis or rideshare are the fallback after dark. Downtown is walkable for a night out; everything else — Seven Tubs, the casino, PNC Field — needs a car.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Scrantongo

Door to door: About 30 min

I-81 north, about 20 miles

Steamtown and a bigger downtown; easy half-day.

Hazleton

go

Door to door: About 35 min (check)

I-81 south

Coal-country town on the route south; distance and drive time check — pair with a mine tour.

Jim Thorpego

Door to door: About 1 h

I-81 south to I-476, then PA-903

Victorian streets, rail trail and rafting; a full day.

Clarks Summit

caution

Door to door: About 40 min

I-81 north to I-476

Small town and trailheads; only worth it if you are hiking.

Lehighton

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

I-476 south through the toll section

Gateway to the Poconos; toll applies.

Pottsville

overnight

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

I-81 south, then PA-61

Yuengling brewery and coal history; too far for a rushed return.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown (Public Square and River Street)

Walkable to the Kirby Center, Main Street bars and the river common; best for one night without a car.

Highway 315 / Mohegan Arena strip

Chain hotels, the casino and the arena; you need a car for everything.

Wilkes-Barre Township near the mall

Cheapest chain rooms and the Wyoming Valley Mall; 10 min drive from downtown.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$110–180 excl. bed
High
$200+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Chain hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150US$150
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120US$240
Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · checkUS$70
Gas for a day of local driving1 × US$15 · checkUS$15
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$52
Trip total≈ US$284 per person per day, bed includedUS$567

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$2–5
Diner breakfast$8–15
Pierogi plate$8–14
Beer: draught at a bar / six-pack at a store$5–8 / $10–16
5 km taxi or rideshareHigher after midnight.$12–20
Casino admission and parkingFree (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Downtown is fine by day and busy on event nights; the real risks are winter ice, quiet blocks after bar close and highway driving in snow. Use rideshare late and keep to lit streets.
  • Winter ice on pavements and steep side streets; snow tires or all-season tread help Dec–Mar.
  • Downtown is quiet after the bars close; walk in pairs and use rideshare late.
  • I-476 is tolled from mile 20 to 115 — carry change or a transponder.
  • Some corner bars post no prices: ask the total before you order.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Police non-emergency (Wilkes-Barre City)
570-208-4200
Poison control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Wilkes-BarreWilkes-Barre

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Police non-emergency570-208-4200
  • Poison control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassies here; nearest consulates are in Philadelphia and New York City.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • AVP → downtown, taxi or rideshare: about $30–45, 15–20 min (check)
  • Martz bus Wilkes-Barre → New York: fare and duration check
  • I-476 toll, Wilkes-Barre → Lehigh Valley: toll varies by entry and exit — check

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • To this address, please — To this address, please

Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Wilkes-Barre. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (ice and snow), late Jul–Aug humidity · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for AVP: last flights in, rental-car desk hours, taxi fallback.
  2. Walking cluster for downtown: Public Square, the Kirby Center, River Street and the college bars.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Kirby Center, Seven Tubs, Mohegan Arena, PNC Field) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so the drive-in day trips can go green or red.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Wilkes-Barre

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