Free things to do in Scranton, PA

  • The list below includes 26 free or cheap things to do in or near Scranton, Pennsylvania, including 43 different types of inexpensive activities like Specialty Museums, Historic Sites, Bowling and Music Venue.
  • From University of Scranton to Nay Aug Park, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Scranton and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Wilkes-Barre and Honesdale.

0.0 Miles

Grammy-nominated sensation behind “Apologize” and latest single “Let’s Hurt Tonight” teams with “HandClap” indie-poppers in a night of hits

0.3 Miles

92% 36 votes

Colleges & Universities 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA MoreLess Info

A small town within a city, the University of Scranton is a refreshingly slower paced school in the heart of busy Scranton. Students appreciate the ever improving facilities, nightlife, and safe environment that the university provides.

1.2 Miles

84% 228 votes

Parks 1901 Mulberry Street, Scranton, PA MoreLess Info

Visitors to Nay Aug Park can climb a treehouse to look at the gorge. They can also use the walking trails, eat a picnic, swim in the two swimming pools, and waterslide complex, and visit the Everhart Museum. The museum features an art collection, an ethnographic collection, and a natural history collection.

2.3 Miles

97% 469 votes

Historic Sites McDade Park, Scranton, PA 18503 MoreLess Info

At the Lackawanna County Coal Mine, visitors can enter an anthracite coal mine by riding cars into the mine. Once at the bottom, visitors walk about a half mile to learn about coal mining, before riding the cars back to the surface.

2.4 Miles

57% 37 votes

Historic Sites Scranton, PA MoreLess Info

Representing the history of the early iron industry in America are the Historic Scranton Iron Furnaces. Situated in a beautiful historic park setting the furnaces are open to the public for viewing and are accessible by trolley or car.

0.5 Miles

83% 671 votes

Specialty Museums 4 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA 18503 MoreLess Info

At the Steamtown National Historic Site, visitors can ask questions at the Visitor Center, watch an 18-minute documentary of steam trains in the Theater, visit the Technology Museum and walk along a time line of steam trains at the History Museum. Visitors can also take train rides.

0.6 Miles

84% 116 votes

Specialty Museums Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, PA MoreLess Info

Scranton was the first Pennsylvania city to have trolleys, and The Electric City Trolley Station and Museum offers photographs and other memorabilia from the trolleys. Visitors can take a trolley ride through the Crown Avenue Tunnel, one of the longest interurban tunnels ever built.

2.3 Miles

91% 77 votes

History Museums Scranton, PA MoreLess Info

The Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum tells the story of the settlers that came to America from 23 countries to work in the mines and textile factories through exhibits, vehicles, photographs, tools, and archival records. Visitors can also see a coalmine car, a locomotive, and a sculpture depicting a trap…

1.6 Miles

70% 125 votes

Specialty Museums 1433 N. Main Ave., Scranton, PA 18508 MoreLess Info

The magician Houdini's life is covered at the Houdini Museum where visitors can see memorabilia, artifacts, mannequins and films. The museum also has live shows where several of Houdini's most famous tricks are performed.

1.1 Miles

80% 59 votes

Natural History Museums 1901 Mulberry Street, Scranton, PA 18510 MoreLess Info

The Everhart Museum has an extensive collection of taxidermy birds from the local region. The museum also contains art from 12 African nations, mixed media collages from around the world, American paintings and a large collection of Dorflinger glass.

1.5 Miles

83% 6 votes

Military Museums 1340 Alder Street, Scranton, PA MoreLess Info

The Marine Corps League NE Detachment Museum, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, features over 1,500 artifacts, including dioramas, depicting Marine Corps engagement from the Revolutionary War to now. Entry into the museum is accessed by way of the adjacent Leatherneck Lounge.

What is Scranton Pa famous for?

Scranton is noted for its production of Nottingham lace. With the decline and later demise of the coal industry from the 1950s, the city diversified its economy and received national recognition for its “Scranton Plan,” which provided jobs through industrial expansion.

Is it worth visiting Scranton PA?

There are many great things to do in Scranton, PA. From museums that celebrate the city's industrial and transportation past to beautiful natural sites, there's a lot to see and do in Scranton and the rest of Lackawanna County.

Is Nay Aug Park free?

This is the largest park in Scranton and offers free outdoor activities / sights all year round. Free parking abundant across the park to access the treehouse, lighting event, gorge and water fall and community playground.

Is Scranton cheap to live in?

The cost of living in Scranton, PA is 2% lower than the state average and 3% lower than the national average. Scranton, PA housing is 14% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 7% pricier.