Wilkes-Barre

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Wilkes-Barre (the last part is variously pronounced "Berry", "Bury", or "Berrah" by locals, and "Barry" or "Barr" by others) is in northeast Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles southwest of Scranton. The city is named for John Wilkes and Isaac Barre, both of whom were opponents of Royal rule of the colonies in British Parliment. Although the city is named after them, neither one had ever stepped foot on the continent.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Car

The easiest way to arrive in Wilkes-Barre is via the highway. The following highways connect Wilkes-Barre to other regional cities:

I-476 is tolled from mile 20 to 115.

[edit] By Plane

The city is also about 15 minutes south of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport[1] in Avoca. The airport recently added a new terminal, and operates daily flights to Atlanta, Cleveland, Cincinatti, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. Rental cars are available from Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, and Alamo at the terminal. Take I-81 south to Exit 170B.

Wilkes-Barre is also within three hours driving distance from Newark Int'l Airport [2] in New Jersey, JFK Int'l Airport [3] and LaGuardia Int'l Airport [4] in New York City, Lehigh Valley Int'l Airport [5] in Allentown, and Philadelphia Int'l Airport [6] in Philadelphia.

[edit] By Bus

There is a Martz Trailways bus station in downtown Wilkes-Barre with regular routes from Philadelphia and New York City.

[edit] Get around

Public transportation is available through busses run by Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA), which also travel to other points throughout Luzerne County, and several local taxi services.

[edit][add listing] See

The original Planter's Peanuts building is here. If you drive outside the city, you may see steam rising from the ventilation shafts of the old coal mines.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL hockey, Wachovia Arena, Highland Park Blvd. [7] The Pittsburgh Penguins' minor league hockey affiliate. They play home games from October through April. Check the website for tickets and dates.
  • Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees AAA baseball, PNC Field, Moosic, [8]. The highest level minor league affiliate of the New York Yankess. They play home games from April through August. Check website for tickets and dates.
  • Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers arena football, Wachovia Arena, Highland Park Blvd. [9] An arena football team that plays from March to July. Check website for tickets and dates.
  • Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino, 1280 Highway 315, +1 570 831-2100, [10]. 1,100 slots casino, harness racing track, five restaurants. Open 24/7, with racing M, Tu, F, Sa from 31 Mar. to 17 Nov. Free admission/parking.

You can catch an ice hockey game or concert at the Wachovia Arena. Kings College and Wilkes University often feature art exhibits in their libraries. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees AAA baseball team plays 15 minutes north near Montage Mountain, which also features a major concert venue and skiing in the winter.

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • The Wyoming Valley Mall is located north of the city, (570) 823-1224, it features JCPenny, The Bon-Ton, Sears, and Macy's, among other stores. [11] Check website for directions and full store directory.
  • The Arena Hub Plaza is located across the street from the Mall. It features a sporting goods store, clothing stores, some restaurants, and a Barnes & Noble book store.

Nearly all of the shops are chain stores located in the mall area outside of downtown. Comic book collectors should check out Gema off Blackman Street, and the Phoenix downtown.

[edit][add listing] Eat

This area is known for its many authentic diner car restaurants; Eddie's Diner, off Route 315, has fries with gravy and is open 24 hours. La Tolteca, near the mall, is popular for Mexican. Garlic Garden and Pete's Place downtown have very reasonably priced Lebanese food, with fish on Fridays for the local Catholic population.

Wilkes-Barre is at the northeast frontier of the Pierogi Belt. Mom & Pops Pierogi on Casey sells fresh and frozen pierogi (and pasties) to go; the adjacent Abe's Hot Dogs serves the same pierogi prepared with butter and onion. Jagodzianka Polish Deli at 527 1/2 Scott St has fresh kielbasa and other Eastern European delicacies.

[edit][add listing] Drink

There is karaoke almost every night of the week, often hosted by DJ Scott Stevens.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

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