Scranton

Scranton has a rich history of being an industrial epicenter, from coal mines to iron furnaces and railyards. Today, the northeastern Pennsylvania city honors its history through an amalgam of cultural centers, diverse shops and eateries, and vibrant community events. Located along the Susquehanna River, Downtown Scranton sits about 2 hours from Philadelphia and New York City. “People move here because they want a change in lifestyle,” says Christer Popp of Regis Property Solutions. “They want a city vibe and ease of entertainment without taking the car out. They want to slow down and smell the roses.” Though the city offers a more laidback way of life than its neighboring big cities, Downtown Scranton still ignites with diverse cuisine and local shopping destinations rooted in its industrial heritage. <br><br>Nicknamed The Electric City, Scranton is the first city in America to have fully electric-powered street cars. Some of these historic cars are displayed at The Electric City Trolley Museum, while the adjacent Steamtown National Historic Site showcases railroad artifacts and old locomotives. “The railroad and trolley museums really tie back into Scranton history, especially being the center of coal mining,” Popp says. “You see the history of the transport method, which is how Scranton got its nickname.” <br>Fans of The Office may recognize the Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company’s tower from the TV show's opening sequence. The company, which has a paper trail leading back over 100 years, is the real-life inspiration for Dunder Mifflin. The iconic brick building welcomes the show’s fans to its memorabilia-clad lobby for pictures.<br>Built in 1928, the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is another example of Scranton’s history, showcasing Neo-Gothic architecture. Today, the historic venue hosts various performances, from ballet and dance to orchestras and concerts. <br><br>The Marketplace at Steamtown opened in the 1990s as part of a downtown revitalization effort. It has an abundant selection of shopping and dining options, ranging from local shops to national retailers and upscale fare to down-home favorites. Familiar names include department store Boscov’s, while specialty shops and clothing boutiques like This ‘N That Novelties and No Question offer a curated selection of merchandise. A collection of unique small businesses, such as Over the Moon gift shop and men's boutique Burlap and Bourbon, can be found throughout Downtown. Popp says those with local ownership bring a personal, down-to-earth vibe to the city. “All these little shops are cute and very individual,” he says. <br>On the second floor of the Marketplace, shoppers can refuel at the Scranton Public Market, a food hall featuring local vendors serving diverse delicacies. Warung Veck & Jack serves authentic Indonesian dishes, Saigon Corner offers Vietnamese fare, while burritos and other Mexican favorites top the menu at Taste of Luv. Local eateries are scattered throughout downtown, many between breweries and bars within walking distance. Favorites include Bar Pazzo, Sambucca Grille and Catch 21 Seafood. <br>The Marketplace also houses the Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den, where visitors can view hundreds of fish, amphibians and reptiles—they can even pet horseshoe crabs and stingrays.<br><br>Scranton’s robust bill of events includes some that celebrate the area’s industrial heritage. The Railfest in August takes locals on a ride through Scranton’s railroad history with interactive experiences, like short train excursions and tours of the historic train cars at the Steamtown National Historic Site. The festivities continue with live music performances and food and drink vendors. <br>In October, huge flames climb into the Scranton sky during the Bonfire Fall Festival at the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces. The event attracts around 1,000 people to the 19th-century site for an evening of games, food and live entertainment.<br>Held annually during Labor Day Weekend, La Festa Italiana brings over 100,000 people together for a four-day celebration of culture and cuisine at the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square. “La Festa is one of the two main events in Scranton,” Popp says. “It’s a completely Italian fest with lots of food that goes around the entire square.” Local and regional vendors line the square, and dance groups and musicians provide live entertainment while festgoers enjoy authentic pizzas, creamy gelato and flavorful cannoli. <br><br>Housing in Scranton’s downtown district is comprised mainly of condominium and apartment buildings, many of which are renovated historical buildings. Newer condo buildings, such as the Renaissance at 500 Lackawanna Avenue complex built in 2011 near the mall, offer luxury units between 1,000 and 1,480 square feet, all of which overlook downtown's retail spaces. “With the conversion of offices into apartments, the city is increasing dwelling units to sustain city living,” Popp says. Condos throughout Downtown typically range in price between $92,000 and $260,000. A few single-family homes sit along the outskirts of the downtown district, which can range from $178,000 to $435,000. <br><br>The Scranton School District includes John Adams Elementary and Northeast Intermediate School, both of which receive a C rating from Niche. Students can matriculate to West Scranton High School, which earns a B-minus grade with high marks for teachers and sports. Scranton Preparatory School offers students a private high school experience and earns an A from Niche. Postsecondary education options include Luzerne County Community College and the University of Scranton, just minutes from Downtown.<br>Beginning in 2016, inspectors found dangerous levels of asbestos across 11 buildings in the Scranton School District. As a result, the school district has created an environmental task force for students and teachers, and performs regular asbestos testing and cleanup initiatives to maintain healthy levels within school buildings.<br><br>About a mile and a half east of Downtown, Nay Aug Park overflows with recreational opportunities. The family-friendly park spans 73 acres and features a covered footbridge and a tree house that both overlook the rushing Nay Aug Falls and surrounding natural spaces. The 2-mile Davis Trail brings hikers to the waterfall through a wood-slatted pathway through the forest, while lush roses and other blooms delicately blanket arbors at the English-style Memorial Rose Garden. The park also has plans to build the accessible Butterfly Playground, which broke ground in the fall of 2023. <br>Nay Aug Park is also home to the Everhart Museum, one of the oldest museums in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1908, the center focuses on art, science and natural history through an array of permanent and rotating exhibits, including fossil and fine arts galleries. <br><br>Downtown Scranton is highly walkable and bikeable. Commuters can take the County of Lackawanna Transit, with bus stops peppered throughout the city. Drivers benefit from easy access to US Route 11, which connects to major thoroughfares like Interstates 81 and 476. “If you need to get somewhere, you’re only about 2 hours from major cities like Philly and New York,” Popp says, “so you can get your fix of city life.” Both cities are located just over 120 miles outside of Scranton. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is an 8.6-mile drive south.

Once a quiet retreat for Scranton locals, East Mountain is now a neighborhood with diverse housing and multiple parks. Hilly streets pass Dutch colonial, ranch and Cape Cod-style homes. Residences built in the 2000s sit streets away from original Queen Anne-style estates. With access to two lakes and a ski resort, locals can take advantage of their mountainous location. Shopping and dining spots are nearby, and a short drive leads to more options in downtown Scranton. The area encompasses two school districts, which buyers can consider when looking at homes. Public transportation is available within the neighborhood, and there is also access to nearby highways. <br><br>As the name suggests, the neighborhood is home to many scenic outdoor spaces. East Mountain residents can take their children to Robinson Park to enjoy the playground equipment and to walk by Mountain Lake, historically a popular retreat for Scranton citizens to camp, swim and fish. Locals can also enjoy Lake Scranton, which has a 3.5-mile trail around it with views of the lake. Nay Aug Park, named after the Munsee word for noisy water, “is perfect for feeling like you’re away from everything,” says Jillian Kemmerer, owner and Realtor for Luxe Homes, who has sold real estate in the area for the past eight years. “There’s a treehouse to explore and lots of walking trails.” Those wanting to take in the mountain views can go to the lookout on Moosic Street, with a vista of downtown Scranton and the surrounding mountains. <br><br>East Mountain was initially covered by “bigger, stately homes and some estates from around 1920,” Kemmerer says. “Nowhere in Scranton is untouched by development, however. You’ll see a big mix of houses- some mansions of yesteryear, a few apartment communities and some new builds.” There are very few current listings, but recent sales have ranged in price from under $100,000 to over $500,000. Homes listed on the lower end have been split-levels or Cape Cods in need of repair with one or two bedrooms, and those over $500,000 are mostly well-maintained estates from the 1920s or earlier.<br><br>The Scranton area is “very active. There’s always something going on,” Kemmerer says. In March, Montage Mountain Resort hosts Mountainfest, an annual celebration to close the ski season. Activities include live music and Preston & Steve’s Annual Cardboard Classic, where participants attempt to race bizarre, hand-made cardboard sleds down the mountain. Scranton also hosts a St. Patrick’s Day parade each year with over 1,000 participants. “St. Patrick’s is a massive, massive deal,” Kemmerer says. <br><br>East Mountain residents can find The Fresh Grocer and Wicked Mushroom Pizza on Meadow Avenue, about half a mile south of East Mountain Road. In Nay Aug Park, The Blackwatch Café serves seasonally themed coffee drinks and sandwiches. There is also a shopping center on Montage Mountain with restaurants, shops and a movie theater. Downtown Scranton offers a multitude of other options for dining and shopping and is just over 2 miles away. Those looking for a unique gift can try making their perfume at Noteology downtown.<br><br>Some students in the East Mountain community may attend Scranton City School District, while others are zoned for Dunmore School District. Schools in the Scranton District include John G. Whittier Elementary School, which is rated a C-plus on Niche, and Northeast Intermediate School, which earns a C. Scranton High School gets a B. “Scranton High School’s campus is located right next door to Veterans Memorial Stadium, which has sports fields and a track for district students to use. In addition, Lackawanna College and Keystone College offer dual enrollment courses to Scranton High students,” says Robert DeLuca, director of leadership at the Scranton School District. Students may also attend Dunmore Elementary Center, which gets a B-minus, and Dunmore Junior-Senior High School, which receives a C-plus. The school’s soccer and football teams have each made state in recent years. They also have a drama club, which puts on a fall play and spring musical. East Mountain locals are close to several colleges; they can study nursing at Jersey College or choose from 70 majors at the University of Scranton. <br><br>County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) buses stop in the neighborhood between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. They make a loop that stops at the Lackawanna Transit Center in downtown Scranton. Residents have close access to Interstate 81 and President Biden Expressway, which connect to Wilkes-Barre and downtown Scranton, respectively. The nearest airport is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, which is about 7 miles away. There are several hospitals in the Scranton area, and the closest for East Mountain residents is Geisinger Community Medical Center, just over 1 mile away. <br><br>Interstate 81, just below East Mountain, is a six-lane divided highway that runs from Tennessee to upstate New York. Residents can expect some highway noise, especially during rush hour.

Greenridge overlooks downtown Scranton from the Electric City’s northeast side, just east of the Lackawanna River. “This is a very nice neighborhood in Scranton,” says Re/Max Realty Select’s Alexander Schwartz, who has worked with clients buying and selling local real estate for nearly 5 years. “The setting is very historic with beautiful, one-of-a-kind homes that you won’t see anywhere else, so sometimes it doesn’t even feel like you are living in a city,” he says. In close proximity to an array of shopping, dining and parks, as well as public and private schools, Greenridge exudes both lively city convenience and suburban calm. <br><br>These classically suburban streets are lined with everything from colorful 1910s Queen Annes to stately Colonial Revivals and American Foursquares built between 1920 and 1930. There are even 1950s ranch-style bungalows and 1920s Craftsman and Prairie-style homes. The narrow sidewalks are bathed in the shade of Greenridge’s towering trees. Backyards are enclosed by tall privacy fencing, while manicured front lawns and gardens are left on full display or bordered by unobtrusive white picket fencing. Most homes feature narrow driveways, so there aren’t a lot of cars parked on these quiet residential streets. Prices here start at $150,000 for well-maintained but minimally updated homes with two or three bedrooms and can go as high as $450,000 for fully renovated five or six-bedroom homes. <br><br>Many neighborhood kids go to Robert Morris Elementary, Northeast Scranton Intermediate and Scranton High between preschool and 12th grade. In 2024, both Robert Morris and Northeast Scranton earned C grades from Niche. Scranton High earned a B that same year. The high school has robust sports and music programs. Scranton High Knights are known for performing well in both the Scholastic Scrimmage and Scholastic Bowl, inter-district academic quiz-style contests. There are two private schools in the neighborhood, too. Saint Paul/Saint Clare serves students between preschool and eighth grade on the north side, while Scranton Prep serves high schoolers on the south side. Both schools are conveniently located within a mile of most Greenridge homes. <br><br>Less than 3 miles south of Greenridge, Nay Aug Park sprawls over nearly 75 acres, offering everything from a formal rose garden to a treehouse-style overlook above the Nay Aug Gorge. There’s also the Everhart Museum, the largest public museum in northeast Pennsylvania. When the weather’s nice, locals from around Scranton flock to the park to enjoy its expansive green spaces, paved trails, playground and sports courts. Off Highnett Place on the neighborhood’s north side, there’s another playground and more sports courts at Crowley Park. Baseball fans can enjoy ball games every summer at Crowley Park, too, home of the Greenridge Little League since 1951. Smaller parks within the community include Sturgis Park, Sunset Islands and Woodlawn Islands. When winter comes, locals can hit the slopes at Montage Mountain Ski Resort, about 10 miles south of home. <br><br>Residents can grab groceries at Ricardo’s Market in Dunmore less than a mile and a half away. In Greenridge Plaza, on the neighborhood’s west side, the local Giant is even closer. With Dollar Tree and Planet Fitness, too, this shopping center is a hub for everything from everyday essentials to exercise. Browse for handmade, repurposed and vintage treasures at On&On Scranton, off Capouse Avenue. The vintage vibes extend across the street to The Retro Café, where locals head for espresso, or casual breakfast and lunch fare. A few blocks north up Capouse, the cozy Nearra’s Pizzeria is known for its deep dish and double-crust pies. Between Electric and Deacon Streets on Greenridge’s north side, Boulevard Diner serves authentic Greek specialties and Mickey Gannon’s is a local favorite for classic pub fare. Zummo’s Café, off Marion Street, has specialty cold brew and house-baked goods in a laid-back setting.<br><br>The Scranton St. Patrick's Parade is the city’s biggest annual event; the celebration draws crowds of more than 100,000 to the city center each March for live music, Irish dance performances, elaborate parade floats and feasts prepped by local vendors. Throughout the year, there’s everything from pop-up park picnics and holiday light displays to La Festa Italiana, a four-day celebration of food and culture, too. All these festivities and more take place in downtown Scranton, less than 3 miles south of most homes. <br><br>Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton are both located within 2 miles of most Greenridge homes. Interstate 81 loops around the city and transports commuters to Northern New York, and Interstate 476 provides easy access to Philadelphia. The two main thoroughfares are both less than 6 miles from Greenridge. Bus stops along the County of Lackawanna Transit System’s bus line, COLTS, are spaced at regular intervals throughout the neighborhood, making it easy to get around without a car, too. And for those who need to venture farther afield, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is about 11 miles south.

Just west of downtown Scranton, Hyde Park is home to various cuisines and storefronts. Residents can walk from the front porch of their homes to a local eatery or market and likely pass a church along the way. The town is home to Saint Ann’s Monastery, which also offers Mass services. Aside from retail and churches, the west side offers plenty of green space and the area is surrounded by interstate convenience. “Many are flocking to Scranton because of the manageable commute and career opportunities, while others are attracted to the considerably lower taxes and tight-knit community spirit,” says Christine Polizzi, a Realtor at EXP Realty with experience all around Northeast Pennsylvania. <br><br>Sidewalks line the gridded streets where homes sit close together. Single-family colonial-style homes like Four Squares and Dutch Colonials, many with front porches, range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet and are typically priced between $125,000 and $225,000. Blended with these homes are several multifamily units, costing anywhere from $150,000 to around $300,000. On the outskirts of town, there are raised ranch homes with attached garages and driveways, averaging 1,700 square feet in size and about $275,000 in price. <br><br>Hyde Park is home to a variety of flavors, one of the favorites being Westside Flava’s. There, locals can grab sandwiches and soul food plates to go. Carmella’s Italian Deli & Pastries is a counter and dine-in eatery serving sandwiches and desserts. “These mouth-watering Italian delicacies at both Carmella’s and Villa Marie make these spots local favorites,” says Polizzi. Nearby, Keystone Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, specializing in burgers and fries. And next door, residents can pick up a New York-style pizza at Vincenzo’s. In the northern neck of town, Farr Street Tavern is a more upscale bar and grill, providing a nightlife scene. For groceries and essentials, locals can head to Walmart on the south side of town or Giant on the north side. <br><br>A little over a mile to the east in downtown Scranton, Hyde Park residents can explore more dining options and family adventures. The Steamtown National Historic Site is a rail museum, and next door is the Electric City Trolley Museum. Nearby is the Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den. "First Friday Scranton is popular, a walkable, cultural festival with artwork, food vendors and live music,” says Polizzi. Close to downtown is The University of Scranton, a private Catholic and Jesuit university. “As the allure of Scranton grows, it’s no wonder out-of-state buyers—particularly from New York and New Jersey—are drawn to this city,” Polizzi says. <br><br>On the west side of town is McDade Park, where there’s a playground, walking trails, outdoor athletic courts and fields, an Olympic-sized pool and a splash pad. Also on site are the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Lackawanna Coal Mines. Both Sloan Little League Park and Tripp Park are small neighborhood parks with baseball diamonds. “These parks offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, picnicking, and exploration. They’re also a testament to Scranton's commitment to preserving its green spaces,” adds Polizzi. In the northern part of town, golfers can practice their drive at Fawnwood Golf Complex. <br><br>The Scranton School District serves students living in Hyde Park. Learners can benefit from a 13-1 student-teacher ratio at Isaac Tripp Elementary School or attend Frances Willard Elementary School, both of which receive a C Niche grade. As they progress, students can attend West Scranton Intermediate School, which also receives a C Niche grade. West Scranton High School, which boasts a B Niche grade and offers a 14-1 student-teacher ratio, reports above-average state test scores for both math and reading. There are also several private schools on the east side of town, such as Saint Clare/Saint Paul School and The Lutheran Academy. <br><br>U.S. Route 11 runs along the east side of town, while Interstate 476 runs along the west side. There are several COLTS bus stops peppered throughout the Hyde Park area. And for longer-distance travel, Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is less than 10 miles south.

Keyser Valley, a suburb west of Scranton, is a small pocket of homes on the southeastern side of Keyser Avenue, surrounded by wholesale warehouses and storage facilities. The neighborhood has wide roads with on-street parking and mature beech and evergreen trees. Houses in the area are a mix of older Foursquare and Dutch colonials from the early-to-mid 1900s and ranch-style and split-level homes. Locals can drive to nearby parks and restaurants or catch a bus along Jackson Street to get to downtown Scranton, where restaurant and shopping options abound. Students in the area are zoned for Scranton City School District. As the neighborhood is relatively small, there are few homes on the market. Values span a range from $50,000 to above $200,000, with prevalent styles such as ranch, Cape Cod, Foursquare and Dutch colonial. Residences listed closer to $50,000 may have one to two bedrooms and need updates. Larger Dutch colonial or Foursquare places may go for more. “Ranch-style houses sell fastest around Scranton. They’re practical for young families and older couples,” says Jillian Kemmerer, owner and Realtor for Luxe Homes, who has sold real estate in the area for the past eight years. The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) buses stop along Jackson Street between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Buses stop at a Gerrity’s grocery store and at the Lackawanna Transit Center downtown. Keyser Avenue, at the edge of the neighborhood, is a wide, two-lane road that connects to U.S. Route 11 and Interstate 476. Residents can find the nearest major airport (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport) within a 9-drive. The Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, which opened in 2022, is just over 5 miles away and has an emergency center. Locals can find groceries at Gerrity’s Supermarket on South Main Avenue, about 1.5 miles away. Backstreets Tiki Bar & Grill is a neighborhood dining option; they offer steamed clams and pizza. The Tropical Market, a few blocks over, sells cotija cheese, Inca Kola and homemade pupusas and tamales. Less than 2 miles from Keyser Avenue is Chifa Peru, a Peruvian Chinese restaurant housed in a restored bank building. Downtown Scranton is around 3 miles away, and it has restaurant and shopping options to suit just about any palate. Keyser Valley locals can drive about 1 mile to McDade Park. “It’s a massive park. Families can reserve pavilions for their kids’ birthdays, and there is a museum with coal mine tours. When I went, they had everyone hold hands and then sent a shock down the line that you could see in the dark,” Kemmerer says. Tripp Park, just beside Isaac Tripp Elementary School, has a few play structures, tennis courts and a softball field. The Fawnwood Golf Complex, about 1 mile away, offers a small driving range. The Pine Hills Country Club, about a 2-mile drive, has a par three golf course as well as a footgolf course, both open to the public. Students in Keyser Valley may attend Isaac Tripp Elementary School, which rates a C on Niche, and West Scranton Intermediate School, which gets a C-minus. West Scranton High earns a B-minus and “offers several dual enrollment classes, clubs, and 14 varsity sports. West Scranton High School is proud to be one of the only schools in the country whose mascot is named after the D-Day invaders of Normandy,” says Rob DeLuca, director of leadership for the Scranton School District. Scranton Preparatory School is a private option about 3 miles away with an A Niche score. Scranton is home to several colleges; locals can enroll in the nursing program at Jersey College or earn a degree in one of the 70 different majors at the University of Scranton. The Scranton area has events planned for every month of the year. In October, there is the Bonfire Fall Festival at the old Scranton iron furnaces, about 3 miles from Keyser Valley. The event celebrates the Celtic origins of Halloween; there are drinks, food and fire-themed entertainment. The annual Scranton Fringe Festival, which usually takes place in September, “has local artists who present original works like music, pantomime, spoken word poetry and musicals,” Kemmerer says. The neighborhood is bordered by train tracks; passing trains may cause disturbances. Warehouses and storage facilities on either end of the neighborhood might result in noise increases as well.

Rooted on US Route 11, Minooka’s small slice of suburbia sits where old railroad tracks meet the flowing Lackawanna River on the edge of Scranton, blending its rich industrial history with humble homes and quaint local shops. In the 1930s, when coal was king, the community attracted families and workers who wanted to be close to work but a little farther away from the smokestacks and thundering trains that put Scranton’s name on the map generations ago. Almost a century later, the community’s appeal remains the same. “Minooka is just a traditional American town,” says Minooka Pastry Shop co-owner Bob Zakreski, who was born and raised in the borough. “It’s a family-oriented, quiet section of Scranton that sits right on Route 11, so we’re a connecting point for all the surrounding boroughs.” Minooka residents working in downtown Scranton benefit from a 10-minute commute. <br><br>The shops, pharmacies and local businesses along Route 11 anchor the small, otherwise residential neighborhood. Casual, down-to-earth eateries such as Diskin’s Saloon and Joyce’s Café offer a laidback atmosphere, and Minooka Pub buzzes with patrons for regular trivia nights and happy hours. Established in 1979, the Minooka Pastry Shop has been a longstanding community staple. The dessert store specializes in party-centric cakes and pastries and sees a diverse customer base pass through its doors. “We draw from a wide range,” says Zakreski, who has been co-owner of the store for over 30 years. “We get a lot of people in the area because they work close to Scranton and the interstate, but they live up to 25 miles away.”<br>Zakreski says there has been an increase in commercial construction on Minooka’s two main routes, Route 11 and Davis Street. Most of the town’s chain restaurants and franchises, such as Dunkin’ and Wendy’s, are located along Davis Street. “Minooka still has an enclave feel, but it’s slowly diminishing as more commercial infrastructure is built along the major arteries,” he says. “In the future, Minooka will become more incorporated as a bustling center of Scranton.”<br>Minooka residents head to the South Side Shopping Center off South Washington Avenue for groceries and more dining options or the Marketplace at Steamtown in downtown Scranton for additional shopping. The mall houses specialty shops and department stores like Boscov’s.<br><br>Residential streets fan away from Route 11, leading to clustered homes on orderly properties. “Minooka is very appealing to the eye,” Zakreski says. “Homes are very well kept, and streets are clean and neat.” Architecture styles reflect the area’s coal mining history, with workers' cottages and humble foursquare styles most common. A few have modest backyards and private pools. Colonial Revival influences mingle among smaller contemporary split-level houses. Prices may range from small ranch homes for $107,000 to $289,000 for larger bi-level and stately foursquare examples. “Immediately off Route 11, there isn’t a lot of traffic, so it’s pretty quiet,” Zakreski says. “Crime is fairly low, kids play in the street, and there is a general sense of security in this town.” Minooka earns a CAP Index Crime Score of 4 out of 10, comparable to the US national average.<br><br>The Scranton School District serves Minooka, with schools including John F. Kennedy Elementary School, which earns a C overall Niche score. Sixth through eighth graders attend C-minus-rated South Scranton Intermediate before advancing to Scranton High School. Home of the Knights, the B-rated high school offers a wide variety of top-performing extracurricular and athletic programs. Post-secondary institutions, including The University of Scranton and Lackawanna College, are located nearby in Scranton.<br>Beginning in 2016, inspectors found dangerous levels of asbestos across 11 buildings in the Scranton School District. As a result, the school district has created an environmental task force for students and teachers and performs regular asbestos testing and cleanup initiatives to maintain healthy levels within school buildings. <br><br>With plenty of playgrounds and fields, Cornell Park offers ample space for folks to bring their pets. Junior sluggers and their parents congregate here for little league baseball on the weekends, and the park’s public pool becomes a popular destination in the summer. At Billy Barrett Park, kids enjoy the playground and swing set, while tennis players take to the adjacent courts for a game. The park also features a grand gazebo, perfect for picnics. Hikers and bikers take the riverside Minooka and Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. <br>In downtown Scranton, the area’s history is displayed at the Steamtown National Historic Site and The Electric City Trolley Museum. Located across from the mall, the rail museum features extensive exhibits about steam locomotives and their importance to the region’s historical coal mining industry.<br><br>The historic roots of the Scranton area are also showcased during community events like the Bonfire Fall Festival, held annually in October at the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces. Live music strikes up as a colossal bonfire flickers to life, shedding warmth and light on the food and drink vendors of the festival. The event typically attracts over a thousand festivalgoers and serves as a significant fundraiser for the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces.<br><br>Though US Route 11 is Minooka’s main thoroughfare and connects residents to downtown Scranton, the borough also boasts proximity to major highways such as Interstate 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Commuters can also take the bus to downtown from one of the many stops dotted along Route 11. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is only 5 miles south.