Top Landmarks in Scranton

Scranton's landmarks trace the city's history as an anthracite coal and railroad center, and most of them sit within a fairly compact downtown footprint, with a second cluster a short drive north near McDade Park. That geography makes it possible to see several major sites in a single outing on foot, supplemented by a short trip for the mining-related attractions. This guide walks through the landmarks most visitors ask about, why each one is worth considering, and how they fit together geographically. For a broader overview of the city, start with the Scranton Travel Guide; this page focuses specifically on the physical sites and monuments that define the skyline and downtown core.

Steamtown National Historic Site

Steamtown is the anchor landmark of downtown Scranton and one of the National Park Service sites associated with the region. Built around a former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad yard, the site preserves steam locomotives, rail cars, and railroad shop buildings, giving visitors a sense of how central rail transport was to the city's growth. The grounds include walking paths among restored equipment and exhibit space inside the roundhouse and technology museum buildings. Because operating schedules, tour offerings, and any associated fees can change, check the official National Park Service site before planning a visit. Steamtown sits adjacent to the Marketplace at Steamtown, making it an easy starting point for a downtown walk.

The Electric City Sign

A short walk from Steamtown, the illuminated "Scranton the Electric City" sign is mounted on the roof of the Scranton Electric Building and has become a recognizable symbol of the city. The nickname dates back to Scranton's early adoption of electric streetcars in the late 19th century, and the sign is often used as an informal marker of the downtown skyline in photographs. It's most visible from Courthouse Square and the surrounding blocks, so it pairs naturally with a stop at the county courthouse area.

Lackawanna County Courthouse Square

Courthouse Square is the civic heart of downtown Scranton, centered on the Lackawanna County Courthouse building and its surrounding green space. The square hosts community gatherings and markets at various points in the year, and its landscaped grounds and monuments make it a common stopping point for people exploring downtown on foot. From here, several other landmarks, including the Electric City sign and the Scranton Cultural Center, are within easy walking distance.

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple

This performance venue occupies a Masonic Temple building known for its architectural detail, including elaborate stonework and interior finishes typical of early 20th-century fraternal lodge design. It now operates as a performing arts venue hosting concerts, theater, and community events. Even for visitors not attending a scheduled performance, the exterior is a notable stop on a downtown architecture walk, and it sits within a few blocks of Courthouse Square.

University of Scranton Campus

The University of Scranton's campus, with its Gothic-influenced academic buildings and the Weinberg Memorial Library, is a well-known part of the city's built landscape and borders the downtown core. The campus is open to public walking access in general areas, and its quads and building facades are commonly photographed by visitors interested in the city's institutional architecture. It connects easily to downtown sites for anyone continuing a walking route.

Scranton Iron Furnaces

Located along South Washington Avenue, the Scranton Iron Furnaces are the remains of a 19th-century blast furnace complex that helped establish the city's early industrial economy before anthracite coal and rail became dominant. The stone furnace stacks are preserved as an outdoor historic site, offering a look at the industrial roots that predate the railroad era commemorated at Steamtown. The site is a short distance from downtown and can be added to a walking or driving route that includes the Steamtown area.

Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and McDade Park

A few miles north of downtown, McDade Park is home to the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, which takes visitors underground into a former anthracite mine to see the conditions coal miners worked in. The adjacent Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum expands on the region's mining and immigrant labor history through exhibits. Because this cluster is separated from downtown, it generally requires a short drive rather than a walk, but it pairs well with the Scranton Iron Furnaces and Steamtown as a half-day theme centered on industrial history.

Nay Aug Park and the Everhart Museum

East of downtown, Nay Aug Park combines green space, a gorge and waterfall area, and the Everhart Museum, which holds natural history, folk art, and fine art collections. The park is a popular spot for a walk or a break between downtown stops, and the museum offers an indoor option if weather doesn't cooperate.

Planning a Landmark Walk

Because Steamtown, the Electric City sign, Courthouse Square, the Scranton Cultural Center, and the University of Scranton campus all sit within a compact downtown area, they can reasonably be combined into a single walking loop. The Scranton Iron Furnaces are close enough to add on foot or with a short drive, while the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, McDade Park, and Nay Aug Park are better suited to a car or rideshare given the distance from downtown. For a structured route, see the Scranton 1-Day Itinerary or the more expansive Scranton 3-Day Itinerary, both of which build around these clusters.

As with any downtown or park area, ordinary urban awareness applies: keep an eye on belongings in crowded spots, stay on marked paths at the Iron Furnaces and Nay Aug Park's gorge area, and check conditions before an underground mine tour. For food options near these sites, see Where to Eat in Scranton, and for seasonal considerations that might affect outdoor landmarks like Nay Aug Park, check Best Time to Visit Scranton. Additional practical questions, including transit and parking basics, are covered in the Scranton FAQ, and a fuller list of activities beyond these landmarks is available on the Best Things To Do in Scranton page.