Shickshinny attracts outdoor enthusiasts and skilled workers
Shickshinny is a Luzerne County borough spanning roughly half a square mile along the Susquehanna River. The name is taken from the Choctaw word meaning “five mountains,” which is appropriate, given that five different mountain peaks surround the community. This rugged, riverside location makes Shickshinny a popular spot for hikers and kayakers.
Shickshinny is a small, walkable borough about 10 miles upriver from Berwick, a larger borough. It’s also close to a major regional employer, the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, which supplies the area with nuclear energy. “The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station is about 7 minutes away, probably 5 miles,” says Geraldine Wozniak, a real estate agent at Realty World Masich & Dell who sells in Shickshinny. The station will power a 960-megawatt data center recently acquired by Amazon. This data center will support AI and cloud-based infrastructure, and is projected to create thousands of new jobs in construction and technology. “Right now, Amazon Web Services is looking to buy in the area,” Wozniak says. “It’s a competitive market right now. This will bring other businesses to the Route 11 area between Berwick and Shickshinny.”
Hiking and kayaking along the Susquehanna River
Shickshinny’s location along the Susquehanna River makes it a popular spot for kayaking. The Susquehanna Warrior Trail parallels the river, offering hikers and cyclists views of the surrounding forests, meadows and mountains. The trail runs for just over 12 miles and will eventually total 18.5 miles and connect with other trails within the Wilkes-Barre trail system when completed. It stretches past Shickshinny Park, which has a public boat launch, a tennis court and a basketball court. On the other side of the Susquehanna, the Mocanaqua Loop Trail–locally known as the Moc Loop–overlooks the river and the scenic Wyoming Valley. Further east lies the Pinchot State Forest, a huge swath of protected wilderness spanning five counties, where outdoor enthusiasts can cross-country ski, fish and hike.
20th-century homes near the Susquehanna River
The terrain is hilly in some places, while other streets are flat. Most homes are clustered together without garages and with minimal, if any, grass to mow. Residences include Queen Annes and gabled, two-story traditional homes with covered front porches. There’s an old-world charm to homes in Shickshinny, most of which were built in the first half of the 20th century. Some have peeling paint and ornate architectural details, while others have undergone renovations. However, homes do not come up for sale here very often. One home has been sold in recent years at $180,000. The median single-family home price is about $150,000, and current asking prices range from about $110,000 to $280,000. There is a major flood risk for properties along the banks of the Susquehanna River and Little Shickshinny Creek.
Students are zoned for the rural Northwest Area School District
The Northwest Area School District, rated C-plus by Niche, serves the area. Local leaders are brainstorming ways to keep the district afloat amidst funding problems. One proposal is to lean more into online education, which would help save on transportation costs. About 50 students in the district are enrolled in cyber school as of 2025. Northwest Area Primary School serves prekindergarten through second grade and Northwest Area Intermediate School serves grades three through six. Students in grades seven through 12 may attend Northwest Area High. All schools are rated C-plus.
Local shops and restaurants in Shickshinny
Small businesses are clustered along Main Street and Union Street, including Two Kings Shickshinny, a laid-back restaurant serving pizza, hoagies and calzones. Locals can buy fishing gear and rent kayaks from Five Mountain Outfitters Co., and after a day out on the river, grab a beer and sandwich from Five Mountain Brewing. Lucas Farms carries locally grown produce, prepared foods and Amish baked goods. A wider grocery selection is available at Weis Markets in Berwick. Shoppers can find big-box stores, car dealerships and a mall in Hazelton, about 18 miles away.
Shickshinny’s roadways link to regional destinations
Due to the fact that there are no public transportation options in Shickshinny, the community is entirely car dependent. U.S. Route 11 runs through town, paralleling the Susquehanna River. There are bike lanes along U.S. Route 11 and sidewalks throughout the borough. State Route 239 takes drivers across the river and southward to Interstate 80, one of Pennsylvania’s main thoroughfares. Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is about 20 miles away and Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is about 30 miles away.
