Travel Log: Pocono

Dig out the hiking shoes, grab the water bottles and stuff the backpack. A trip to Pocono is a trip to the mountains.

New York and New Jersey are within driving distance, and Philadelphia is just down the road. But sticking around the Poconos is the best way to experience the area this time of year. Mother Nature has opened her doors for outdoor activities as spring ends and summer nears.

A short drive in any direction, however, can result in many local attractions that keep the fun outside, while also catering to families and adventurers.

Pocono Mountains -- Keeping with the outdoor theme, the Pocono Mountains provide a wide variety of activities to keep family and fun-seeker occupied. The area includes 150 lakes and spreads across 2,400 square miles. There's whitewater rafting, golf, museums, horseback riding and mountain biking throughout the region.
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bloombabe22 -- I live two hours from the track and travel to the race at least once a year. I pass several good restaurants that are a good place to eat. Try an apple dumpling with soft serve ice cream or some ham pot pie (PA style). If you're just looking for munchies come visit my hometown. We are home to Middleswarth Potato Chips. Snyder's pretzels are also made in PA as well as Peeps. Now who doesn't like Peeps? Sugar and marshmallow, how can you go wrong? We have more to offer than just beer and chocolate. Not that those things are bad.

moparman62 -- The only good thing I know of from Pennsylvania is Yuengling Beer and Hershey chocolate!

Join the Pocono Raceway Crew

Thursday: Partly sunny with a high of 66 degrees, low of 48
Friday: Sunny with a high of 71 degrees, low of 54
Saturday: Cloudy with a high of 73 degrees, low of 54
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 80 degrees, low of 59
Complete Forecast

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• Let NASCAR.COM help book your last-minute travel.
• Directions and aerial map of Long Pond, Pa.

After the Pocono mountains, it's off to the Irish Hills of Michigan. Where are the best places to stop? Share your personal favorites here.