Now, we are almost 5 weeks into school and classes are already bogging us down, but some of us get to look forward to this upcoming weekend. Our friends and family are coming up for Marywood's Family Weekend!! This is my 4th time with this fun weekend, and every time, I always enjoy my time with my family. As the years have gone by, there are new places to go to, whether to eat or to shop! This is a short list of the many fun places to go to with your family in the NEPA area!!

1. Manning's Ice Cream Farm

There are a few locations for Manning's Ice Cream, one of them being right in Dunmore by the Burger King and Dunkin' Donuts. The original one, where they process their ice cream, is off of exit 199 of Route 81 North. Both locations are amazing; the ice cream is perfect after a warm day and the prices are fairly reasonable.

2. Dickson City Shopping Center

About 8 to 15 minutes away, depending on the route you go, there is a huge shopping complex with a mall, and many smaller strip malls as well as chain stores and plenty of restaurants to eat at. From Walmart to Macy's, from Texas Roadhouse to Taco Bell, there is no shortage of places to shop at or places to eat.

3. Miller's Orchard Farm Market

There is a cute farm about 20 minutes away from Marywood called Miller's Farm. It has apples, pumpkins, delicious apple cider and even donuts! It is not a big farm, and unfortunately doesn't have apple picking, but the apples they have are always fresh and their donuts are made on the premises. They even have other fresh meats and honey with some organic products as well.

4. The Loading Dock Bar & Grill

There is a great place right in Dunmore called the Loading Dock Bar & Grill, which is a small restaurant with amazing food, a good atmosphere and the prices are super reasonable. It is not open on Sundays, but for Saturday, it would be a great place to go for lunch.

5. Nay Aug Park

A good local nature spot is Nay Aug Park. There are good hiking trails, a playground for children and even cool tree houses to walk along the trail and see the forest from above! There is a great look out spot to see an unused train track, even just sitting there enjoying the woods in quiet.

These are just a few of the many great places the Scranton/Dunmore area has to offer!! Also, you can go to the actual city of Scranton and take your family and friends to the many great places that was on your Downtown Tours while here on Fall Welcoming. So take your family out and explore the great NEPA area!!