1. The Poconos Are Awesomely Gorgeous All Year Round
You can't beat The Poconos any time of year. Whether it's hiking, boating, or snowboarding, there's something to do outside all year round. Sure the spring may come late, but who cares when you have the best skiing trails in the area?
2. Poconos Natives Love Spending All Their Time Outdoors
Speaking of teaching kayaking, the Pocono Environmental Education Center, or PEEC, aims to make sure everyone in the Poconos has an appreciation of the outdoors not through lectures and books, but through hands-on experience in a beautiful national park.
3. It's Not Unusual To See Hikers Wearing Shorts And Mittens Here
Because of the amazing natural landscape, the weather in the Poconos can be unpredictable. Down in Stroudsburg you can be enjoying lunch on a patio, and it can feel autumnal on the hiking trails, all while it's snowing up on Mount Pocono.
4. All That Hiking Earns Folks A Few Of Their Great Local Brews
So much outdoor fun will work up your thirst. Luckily, the Poconos plays host to many wineries and breweries to quench your thirst, such as Barley Creek Brewing Company, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Antler Ridge Winery, and the Gem and Keystone Brewpub.
5. Summer Starts When The Drive-Ins Open
It's not summer until you can get two scoops of your favorite ice cream from local favorites Hilltop Drive-In, Lewis' Drive-In, and Big Star Drive-In when they open for the summer season, as they have for decades.
6. Directions Here Include North, South, East, West, And "Up The Mountain"
Lost in the Poconos? Just know that when locals say "up the mountain," they're talking about communities within the Pocono Plateau, such as Cresco and Mountainhome.
7. Beltzville State Park Is Where Everyone Goes When The Weather Gets Hot
With picnic areas, playgrounds, and, of course, the 525-foot stretch of sandy beaches where you can swim and fish off of, you can't go wrong at Beltzville in the summer.
8. It's Also An Amazing Place When It's Freezing Outside
Turns out, like most places in the Poconos, you also can't go wrong at Beltzville in the winter. The park stays open for ice fishing and ice boating into the cold months.
9. Poconos Locals Cheer For The Yankees And The Giants
So fine, the Poconos aren't in New York, but locals tend to cheer hard for the Yankees and the Giants because of their proximity to the teams.
10. The Poconos Are Total Fresh Veggies Snobs
Want fruit and veggies straight from the land? Check out the local farmstand, the Pocono Farmstand farmers market and nursery right off 611 in Tannersville. And bring the kids; it's known to also include a petting zoo.
11. People Treat You Like Family At The Local Restaurants
In Pocono Pines, Van Gilder's Jubilee Restaurant has been family-owned and operated for more than 40 years, and it still serves up some of the best breakfast in the area and throws annual Halloween parties. Over in Pocono Lake, Robert Christian's Restaurant offers casual, but fine country dining for the family.
12. Everyone Wants To Go To The Poconos
This region in Pennsylvania is home to more than 80% of the state's resorts—such as the popular Lodge at Woodloch and Woodloch Resort—because who doesn't want to visit one of the most beautiful places in the United States?
13. School Starts Late, But There's A Catch
Pocono teenagers luck out by always starting school post-Labor Day. The catch? Labor Day vacations mean everyone is coming to you, so area businesses are going to need your help serving up ice cream and teaching kayaking.
14. Snows Out, Poles (And Skis) Out
Summer weekends may be lined with pool parties and outdoor activities, but Pocono natives don't hide inside when the temperatures drop. The Poconos has some of the best ski trails this side of the Mississippi, such as Camelback Ski Area, Blue Mountain Ski Area, and Shawnee Mountain Ski Area.
15. Natural Wonders Abound, Like The Mysterious Cold Air Cave
It may be hard to find this little treasure for the uninitiated, but many locals have no trouble navigating through the Poconos to find it. When you get there, put your hands to the mouth of the cave to feel fresh, cool air magically rising from it.
16. What, You Can't Pronounce Analomink Or Sciota?
Many names in the Poconos come from Minsi or Munsee Native American words, so they can be hard to pronounce by non-locals. (And for the record, it's Ann-a-low-mink and Sy-o-ta.)
17. You Won’t Be Gambling At This Casino
Sure, there's a real live casino called Mount Airy, but there's also "The Casino," or the Casino Theatre Entertainment Center, a vintage-style entertainment center with a fun malt shoppe vibe and a movie theatre for when those summer days get a bit too toasty.
18. And That Real Casino? It's Pretty Great Too.
There's always blackjack, poker, craps, and slot machines, but does your casino also have world-class entertainment and massive pool parties, sometimes several times a week? Mount Airy Casino Resort does.
19. People From The Poconos Don’t Want None Of Your Suburbia
Because the Poconos is chock-full of stunning state, federal, and local parklands as well as wetlands terrain that's hard to build on, there's not many suburban areas. Which is fine because both the center of towns and a remote spot in the woods are gorgeous.
20. Doe, A Deer, Lots Of White-Tailed Deer
Pocono families may have dogs and cats as pets, but more than likely they'll also have white-tailed deer hanging out in their backyard with some wild turkey. They're gorgeous, but gardeners know to be careful—they love their plants.
21. Speedsters Fly Around The Tricky Triangle
The Pocono Raceway has one of the most unique designs of any race track in the country. Modeled after three different tracks, the three corners of the speedway are so sharp, it's almost a full triangle.
22. Pop Culture Loves The Poconos
The Poconos always seem to pop up on TV and movies. Notably, Camp Towanda nestled in the Pocono Mountains is where cult classic movie “Wet Hot American Summer” was filmed, and fan favorite “Boy Meets World” often took trips to the Poconos.
23. People Come From All Over For The Crossings
The Crossings Premium Outlets have major store brands, such as American Eagle and Banana Republic at a deep discount. But locals know that the weekdays are the best days to go to avoid tourist crowds.
24. How's That For Outdoor Space?
The Poconos includes not one or two, but seven state parks, six designated natural areas, seventeen state designated game areas, and the Delaware Water Gap National Park. If outdoorsy people aren't in the Poconos, they're in the wrong place.
25. Oh Yeah, The Poconos Have A Castle, Too
The Grey Towers National Historic Site is the home of Gifford Pinchot, the first director of the United States Forest Service, and the site now carries on his legacy of conservation. Plus, the site has jaw-dropping views. Just head there on August 11th for free admission.
26. ESU Pride Is Abundant
East Stroudsburg is home to the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, or ESU. The Warriors are crucial workers in the Poconos community and locals flock to Warriors games.
27. Downtown Stroudsburg Is Always Bustling
With more than 30 restaurants—such as Rudy's Tavern, North 9th Street Restaurant, and Trackside Station Grill & Bar—30 specialty shops, 9 art galleries and a theater, the lively Downtown Stroudsburg is the hub of activity for ESU students and Pocono locals.
28. There Are Enough Flea Markets To Go Around
The Pocono Bazaar Marketplace and Blue Ridge Flea Market are both local favorites, offering up some truly unique finds. Want to install a personal waterfall?
29. Columcille Isn't Your Ordinary Playground
Columcille Megalith Park and Celtic Art Center draws inspiration from an island off the coast of Scotland that has been a place of pilgrimage back since the 17th century. Its stonework is said to be a playground for relaxation and meditation.
30. The Dozens Of Stunning Waterfalls Will Blow Your Mind Over And Over
Each waterfall in the Poconos is unique. Bushkill Falls is home to eight separate, awe-inspiring waterfalls to take in. And if Bushkill gets too packed with visitors, locals can hit up picturesque George W. Childs Recreation Site to see three more major ones and several smaller waterfalls.
What do you love about living in the Poconos? Tell us in the comments below! 
