Overview
Shamokin is a small city in the Alleghenies and Susquehanna Valley of east-central Pennsylvania.
4 sights · 6 things to do · 7 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Shamokin
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Free entry to this resort, but you pay to go on each ride, or buy a wristband for all day rides on off peak days. The park was established in 1926 and has 60 rides including a 1913 carousel and some wooden roller coaster…
Glen Burn Culm Bank
It is the world's largest man made culm bank. It's easy to spot while driving along Route 61 north of Shamokin.
Mother Cabrini Catholic Church (formerly St. Edward's)
It was the first church in the world to use electric lighting.
Soldiers & Sailors and Spanish-American War Monuments
The Whaleback
It is a unique geological formation known as an anticline and located just outside of Shamokin. It is arguably one of the best exposures of folded rock structure in the United States. It's a little difficult to locate fo…
Anthracite Heritage Festival
features a parade, local tours, artists, and live entertainment in May.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Allentown)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IPT Williamsport Regional Airport, Williamsport — 37 mi away. Directions
- MDT Harrisburg International Airport, Harrisburg — 43 mi away. Directions
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia — 94 mi away (major hub). Directions
By car, the closest interstate highways are 80 (to the north) and 81 (to the southeast). State Routes 61, 901, 125, and 225 all provide access from each direction.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Knoebels Amusement Resort, Glen Burn Culm Bank, Soldiers & Sailors and Spanish-American War Monuments
- Lunch Coney Island Lunch
- Afternoon The Annual Fireworks Display, The Coal Drop
- Dinner Brewser's Sports Grill
- Evening Home Plate
Day 2
- Morning Mother Cabrini Catholic Church (formerly St. Edward's), The Whaleback, Anthracite Heritage Festival
- Lunch Harry's Grill
- Afternoon Peach Festival, Outdoor Block Parties
- Dinner Masser's Restaurant
- Evening Snappers
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The name "Shamokin" is a Delaware Indian word for "Eel Creek." At its peak, the community had a population of 50,000 (including surrounding Coal Township). Traditionally, the main industries were coal mining and textile mills, and their remnants can still be noticed today. The eastern and western parts of the town are actually part of Coal Township, but the boundary lines are mostly indistinguishable. Today, the population is less than 20,000. People are generally friendly and willing to help visitors.
Get in
By car, the closest interstate highways are 80 (to the north) and 81 (to the southeast). State Routes 61, 901, 125, and 225 all provide access from each direction.
Uptown Vans offers a route from Paterson and New York City.
Get around
The best way to get around is by car, but the Lower Anthracite Transportation System (LATS) offers infrequent bus transportation and taxis are available if called ahead.
See
See Glen Burn Culm Bank
It is the world's largest man made culm bank. It's easy to spot while driving along Route 61 north of Shamokin.
See Soldiers & Sailors and Spanish-American War Monuments
Do
Do Knoebels Amusement Resort
Free entry to this resort, but you pay to go on each ride, or buy a wristband for all day rides on off peak days. The park was established in 1926 and has 60 rides including a 1913 carousel and some wooden roller coasters, including the Phoenix Rollercoaster. The resort has two campsites and some cabins if you want to stay the night.
Do The Annual Fireworks Display
It is one of the most popular in the region and typically occurs on the closest Saturday to Independence Day after sunset.
Do The Coal Drop
Occurs annually on New Year's Eve and is Shamokin's version of the popular New York City celebration. Food and live music.
Do Outdoor Block Parties
They take place throughout the summer. They are organized by local churches and other organizations and feature ethnic foods, games, drawings for prizes, and live music (especially polka).
Buy
- The downtown area is a 10-block area of Independence Street, between Market Street and Shamokin Street.
- Several stores are also located along Market Street.
Eat
Eat Brewser's Sports Grill
It has a great assortment of food, a full bar, and TVs for sporting events.
Eat Coney Island Lunch
It serves excellent hamburgers, hot dogs, and local glass bottle soda. Has a cult-following.
Eat Masser's Restaurant
It features a wide variety of country cooking and a salad bar.
Eat Maurer's Dairy
Makes great food and famous for its original "bittersweet" ice cream recipe, as well as other varieties of its own homemade ice cream. It is an ice cream shop featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Eat Original Italian Pizza
Features a wide selection of excellent Italian food.
Eat Spangenberg's Family Drive-In
It has a variety of food and great ice cream.
Drink
Drink Wayside Inn
It features a wide selection of drinks and fantastic wings.
Sleep
Stay Holiday Inn Express
Go next
- Williamsport, Harrisburg, Reading, and Wilkes-Barre are all within an hour drive.
Nearby
Mount Carmel
City / town · 1 listings · 8 mi away
Numidia
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Ashland
City / town · 11 mi away
Centralia
City / town · 4 listings · 11 mi away
Danville
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
Shamokin Dam
City / town · 16 listings · 14 mi away
Bloomsburg
City / town · 11 listings · 16 mi away
Selinsgrove
City / town · 16 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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