Hawley, Pennsylvania
Tucked in the lake-laced woods and Ice Age-strewn boulders of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is a little town called Hawley. Founded by coal magnate Irad Hawley in 1827, this charming borough still maintains an air of its past while bringing itself forward in time with must-visit gems like the repurposed silk mill, a string of craft breweries, and charming places to stay for a night or two, not to mention its outdoor recreation opportunities on the lakes and trails nearby.
If it weren’t for my Dad’s dream to one day own a cabin by a lake, I may have never come to know Hawley. We were in need of a spot to gather for Thanksgiving and my sister had the bright idea of finally trying the Poconos on for size. Scanning Airbnb, we wound up at this cozy Hawley home - a 3-bedroom log cabin with a wood-burning fireplace, basement game room, and fully equipped kitchen ideal for whipping up a Thanksgiving meal far from home.
Day 1
Our first night in this cozy and 70’s themed cabin, my sister and I made use of the cast iron skillet to try out an experimental bechemel-style macaroni and cheese recipe. We very loosely followed this recipe if you’re interested in bringing it to life yourself.
On the way into town, we had picked up the ingredients at the Pennsylvania-famous grocery chain Weis along with a couple of six packs from the local brewery Wallenpaupack Brewing Company. I fell in love with their Hefeweizen!
Day 2 - Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving Day, we swung by The Settlers Inn for our pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal of roast turkey, garlic and thyme mashed potatoes, kale and garlic stuffing, creamed corn, bacon and brussel sprout hash, and a to-die-for pecan pie. We planned to heat it up later after picking up my other sister from the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown. On the way to the airport, we went slightly off route to check out some other scenic Poconos towns like Stroudsburg and Tannersville. Both feature a very quaint and picturesque Main Street, made even more charming by the Christmas decorations and wreathes that line the street and storefronts this time of year.
Once back at the cabin, we warmed the oven, got the fire going in the fireplace, and cracked a few beers and a bottle of wine as our Thanksgiving meal heated up. By the time we sat down to the table, the sun was beginning its descent behind the barren trees that surrounded the cabin. Though not a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal as we were used to, this Settlers Inn carry-out spread did not disappoint.
Bellies full and an inevitable turkey-induced coma to come, we spent the rest of the evening learning and playing euchre between rounds of ping pong and darts in the basement. Cabin life seems to suit us.
Day 3
We spent our final day in Hawley exploring what the town had to offer. We had intended to visit the brewery behind that Hefeweizen I had fallen in love with - Wallenpaupack Brewing Company - but due to COVID-19, they were limiting the number of people inside at any given time and we hadn’t made a reservation. Instead, we continued on to the next nearest brewery, a place called Hopping Eagle Brewery nestled inside the historic Hawley Silk Mill. There, I sampled their Apple Cider Donut Ale that unexpectedly came with a cinnamon sugar donut on the side, while my sister went with a coffee cream stout and my Dad an IPA.
Full on beer and donuts, we wandered around the Silk Mill and its various shops, eventually discovering this stunning scene behind the building.
We then popped inside the Cocoon Coffee House and Bakery in the hopes of finding a coffee mug to add to my collection. Instead, we walked out with a decadent mousse and a six-pack of Peanut Butter Hefeweizen from another local brewery. Still in need of a coffee mug, we decided to drive to Hawley’s historic Main Street where I popped inside a local shop called Trading Post What Knots. There, I found my mug.
Travel Resources
Accommodations: When I’m not booking directly with the accommodation (which is sometimes cheaper), I often use Booking.com, Trivago, and Hostelworld.com. Agoda is also a great tool when searching for longer stay options at discounted rates that include hotels and private homes.
Tours: While I personally prefer do-it-yourself travel most of the time, sometimes it’s just better with a guide. In those cases, I typically use Viator, GetYourGuide, EatWith, and Airbnb Experiences. For self-guided audio tours, I recommend WeGoTrip.
Flights: My favorite flight aggregator tool is WayAway and my favorite tool for finding out about the best flight deals is FareDrop.
Shuttle Services: My go-to is Bookaway. They operate in more than 90 countries and work with only the top, traveler-reviewed suppliers in each country.
Rental Cars: While I more often take public transport when I travel, there have been destinations that are better explored by renting a car (like Costa Rica and Europe/UK for example). In these instances, I recommend starting your car rental search on Discover Cars. They compare car rental deals across more than 500 suppliers, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and more.
Travel Insurance: If you’re a full-time nomad like me, I recommend SafetyWing. Look into their Nomad Travel Medical Insurance and Nomad Health Insurance (a full-fledged health insurance that covers your emergency and non-emergency medical needs worldwide, including in your country of residence). If you’re not a full-time traveler, I’d recommend Squaremouth. It aggregates your insurance options across more than 22 providers and offers what I’ve found to be the best rates.
Travel ATM & Credit Cards: If you travel often and like perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credit, I recommend the Capital One Venture X credit card that includes Priority Pass, a $300 annual travel credit, and covers your Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee. For a fee-free ATM card that reimburses you at the end of every month for any incurred ATM fees, I recommend opening a Schwab Bank Investor Checking Account.
VPN: I recommend Surfshark. It’s one of the best and most budget-friendly VPN services out there.
