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Scranton Sights and Landmarks Guide, Pennsylvania

The city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has had a rich history steeped in culture. The city retains this connection, this bond with both its history and culture even to this day. If you want to get a feel of this, just go around the many Scranton sights.

Scranton Sights – Historic Sites & Museums

Industries especially iron plants, mines and railroads have played a prominent role in shaping Scranton. As such, Scranton Iron Furnaces, Steamtown National Historic Site top the Scranton Sights’ chart. While the Steamtown National Historic Site allows you to see period locomotives, the four blast furnaces are all that remains of what was once Scranton’s chief iron workshops. The Lackawanna County Trolley Museum gives you a glimpse of the days when Scranton was served by electric railway system. Likewise, the PA Anthracite Heritage Museum gives you an insight into the history of anthracite mining.

Talking of Scranton’s other museums, there is the Everhart Museum that tells you a lot about Scranton’s natural history. The museum also has decent collection of artworks. The Houdini Museum displays different exhibits related to Houdini’s life and career. Scranton’s Holocaust Museum & Research Center, established in 1994, houses artifacts collected and preserved by the Jewish community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Of course, this US city has its share of big, grand mansions. One such building is the historic Sikman House; built in 1840 following Greek revival architectural style, the building now houses Providence Branch Library. The Catlin House, a 16-room house built in 1912, is another good example of such a structure. Originally belonging to George H. Catlin, the building now houses the Lackawanna Historical Society.

Scranton Sights – Educational and Cultural Sites

Founded in 1888, the University of Scranton is a popular tourist attraction. Besides, the city has three other degree-level colleges and universities – the Lackawanna College, Penn State Worthington Scranton and Marywood University.

Among other educational attractions the re are Scranton libraries like Albright Memorial Library and Lackawanna County Children's Library; while the latter is a well-known children’s library, the former has Internet connectivity to support its in-house collection. The Albright Memorial Library, being modeled on the French chateau monastery, the Musee de Cluny, appears on the National Register of Historic Places.

Scranton’s art galleries – the AFA Gallery and the Laura Craig Gallery –feature among Scranton’s local attractions. The AFA is an association of local artist and the AFA Gallery displays works of local artists; but if you are a contemporary art buff, the Laura Craig Gallery will be your option.

Marywood University has two art galleries - the Mahady Gallery and the Suraci Gallery. Entry to these galleries is free.

Scranton Sights – Other Attractions

Scranton’s religious sites like the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann, the Covenant Presbyterian Church and Saint Lukes Episcopal Church are not mere places of worship. These have been rendered special by their unique architecture.

Visits to Scranton sights like the Lahey Family Fun Park, McDade County Park and to any of Scranton’s auditoriums and theaters will mean wholesome entertainment.

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