Honesdale, PA Town Guide: Train Rides, Museum & Main Street

Honesdale is the county seat of Wayne County, named for Philip Hone, first president of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. On August 8, 1829, the Stourbridge Lion ran from here to Seelyville and back, the first locomotive to turn a wheel on a commercial track in the Western Hemisphere.

Today it's a walkable Main Street town with a railroad museum, holiday trains and the lighted star on Irving Cliff, about 20 minutes from Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack.

Honesdale Borough ↗Wayne County Historical Society ↗Stourbridge Line ↗

Things to do in Honesdale

Wayne County Historical Society Main Museum, 810 Main Street: in the 1860 D&H Canal Company headquarters, with a working replica of the Stourbridge Lion, the Eclipse gravity railroad car and a 17th-century dugout canoe. $5 adults, 18 and under free. Open Wednesday to Saturday 11 to 4 through December 31, then Friday and Saturday 11 to 4 from January to April.
The Stourbridge Line: scenic and themed train rides along the Lackawaxen River from Honesdale or Hawley, March through the holiday season, including the Santa Christmas Tree Express starting November 27, 2026.
Gibbons Memorial Park on Irving Cliff overlooks downtown; a large lighted star shines from the cliff in winter.
Dorflinger Glass Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in nearby White Mills: nearly 600 acres of trails and a museum of locally made cut glass.

Sources: Wayne County Historical Society · Stourbridge Line · Gibbons Park

Holiday events 2026

Winter Wonderland Parade: Friday, November 27, 2026, 6 to 9 PM, from 4th Street to 9th Street to Central Park (rain date November 28).
Historical Society Winter Wonderland Open House: Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 11 AM.
Hawley Winterfest, 20 minutes away: December 11 to 13, 2026.

Sources: Honesdale Borough events

Essentials

Wayne Memorial Hospital, 601 Park Street (main 570-253-8100, ER 570-253-8141): emergency department staffed 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
CVS Pharmacy, 202 4th Street.

Sources: Wayne Memorial ER

Getting here

US 6 connects Honesdale with Hawley (about 20 minutes) and Carbondale. From I-84, head north through Hawley.
Drive times without traffic: Hawley about 20 minutes, Scranton about 50.

Book direct

Homes near Honesdale

We're adding hand-picked homes here now. Browse all homes, or if you own a home here, apply to list it.

Not seeing the right fit in Honesdale? Tell us your dates, group and must-haves, and we'll help you find a home.Help me find a home

Questions

Honesdale: frequently asked questions

Why is Honesdale called the birthplace of America's commercial railroad?

On August 8, 1829, the Stourbridge Lion became the first locomotive to turn a wheel on a commercial track in the Western Hemisphere, running from Honesdale to Seelyville and back. A working replica is at the Wayne County Historical Society museum.

Are there train rides in Honesdale?

Yes. The Stourbridge Line runs scenic and themed rides from Honesdale and Hawley from March through the holiday season.

When is the Honesdale Winter Wonderland Parade?

Friday, November 27, 2026, 6 to 9 PM, with a rain date of November 28.

Is Honesdale in the Poconos?

It's in Wayne County, at the northern edge of the Pocono region near Lake Wallenpaupack.

Details checked October 2026. Rules and hours change, so confirm with the community or venue before you go.

Keep exploring

HawleyThe Lake Wallenpaupack town: a historic silk mill, Paupack High Falls and Winterfest Lake WallenpaupackThe Poconos' biggest lake: 5,700 acres of boating, campgrounds and islands Steamtown National Historic SiteFree railroad museum in Scranton with a roundhouse, Big Boy No. 4012 and holiday trains MilfordPike County's historic seat: Grey Towers, Milford Beach and Raymondskill Falls