Tamaqua
Nestled in a serene valley between the mountains, Tamaqua is equal parts charming escape and hard scrabble industrial coal mining town. Explore its rich history as you stroll through quaint streets, discover local shops and savor delicious cuisine at cozy restaurants. Whether you seek relaxation or adventure, Tamaqua in upstate Pennsylvania promises an unforgettable experience.
Coal Cats Cafe is Tamaqua’s cutest destination! The cafe features a group of adoptable cats from local shelters in an adorable coal mine themed atmosphere, complete with a restored painted coal delivery wagon (great photo opportunity!). Make a 45 minute appointment to hang with the cats on their website.
Those who would like to adopt a cat must fill out an application & be approved for adoption in advance.
A selection of coffee drinks, snacks and merchandise is also available.
.2 miles from Bischoff Inn
209 W Broad St, Tamaqua, PA, 18252
Wednesday - Sunday 11 am - 6 pm
The Tamaqua Station Restaurant offers a delightful experience of upscale dining in a charming vintage setting. Rescued from near demolition in the 1990s, the restaurant has undergone extensive renovations, led by dedicated community volunteers, resulting in a remarkable transformation. Their menu caters to sophisticated tastes with classic American cuisine. In the warmer months, patrons can enjoy outdoor seating, and the restaurant boasts a well-stocked full bar. The Tamaqua Station Restaurant invites diners to savor tradition and culinary excellence, promising a memorable dining experience for all who visit.
.5 miles from Bischoff Inn
18 N Railroad St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 668-3800
Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am-8 pm
The Bungalow Public Pool & Park
The local pool and park! Large olympic size outdoor pool with a water slide and diving board. Great for families. 15$ entry fee per person applies.
.2 miles from Bischoff Inn
609 Catawissa St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 668-6851
11 am - 7 pm, 7 days a week, open during summer only
Tamaqua Historical Society
Located in a former bank, the interior is stunning and newly remodeled. You could spend an hour looking at all the collections featuring the history, businesses and notable people of our area. Highly recommended. Usually open Thursdays & Fridays, call to confirm before visiting.
.3 miles from Bischoff Inn
114 W Broad St, Tamaqua, PA, 18252
(570) 668-5722
Thursday 5pm - 8 pm, Friday 3 pm - 8 pm
Tink's Antiques is a charming vintage store nestled in the heart of the town. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, the shop offers a treasure trove of unique finds for antique enthusiasts and collectors alike. From exquisite furniture pieces to delicate jewelry, Tink's Antiques showcases a diverse range of items that span different eras and styles. Visitors can expect to stumble upon rare collectibles, nostalgic memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind pieces that tell stories of the past. The knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist customers in discovering hidden gems and sharing fascinating historical tidbits. Tink's Antiques truly embodies the spirit of preserving history through beautiful and timeless objects.
.5 miles from Bischoff Inn
28 S Railroad St, Tamaqua, PA, 18252
(570) 449-2094
Friday - Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm
A must for first-time visitors to the area! Award winning beers are very good and are made at the brewery on site. Several beers on tap and a few simple snacks like chips and pretzels are available. Food trucks are often there on the weekends (check their Facebook or Instagram pages in advance for announcements). You can also order from Luigi’s pizza and have it delivered to your table or bring your own. Outdoor seating available during the warmer months. Lots of lawn and board games AND it’s dog friendly!
.5 miles from Bischoff Inn
36 Mauch Chunk St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
No phone number
Friday 4 pm - 10 pm, Saturday 2 pm - 10 pm
La Dolce Casa Italian Market & Bakery
Very cute Italian bakery and market. They import authentic Italian groceries and serve Italian pastries. Great place to find a special gift. Also serves scooped Italian gelato!
.5 miles from Bischoff Inn
34 W Broad St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
Wednesday - Sunday, 10:00 am - 7 pm
Looking to indulge your creative side? Take a class or see a show at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center! The Arts Center has everything from clay, yoga, seasonal crafts and painting classes on a weekly basis. Rotating art exhibitions feature local artists. There’s also a performing arts venue showcasing local music, plays and musicals. Check their schedule to view upcoming events and classes.
.6 miles from Bischoff Inn
125 Pine St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 668-1192
7 days a week, 10 am - 1 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 - 8 pm
Comfortable place to do work, read a book, or relax. Has wi-fi. Serves all the regular coffee drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, etc), teas, and some specialty drinks. A small menu of reliable breakfast options is available, such as bagel sandwiches and pastries. They use local Mauch Chunk Coffee, a local coffee roaster.
.6 miles from Bischoff Inn
137 Pine St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
570-225-7600
Monday - Wednesday 7 am - 2 pm, Thursday - Friday 7 am - 8 pm, Saturday 8 am - 10 pm, Sunday 8 am - 2 pm
A delightful family run-bakery with a wide selection of pies, cakes, cupcakes and cookies. The baked goods are cheerfully decorated and the atmosphere is bright. Great place to pick up a fun treat!
.6 miles from Bischoff Inn
254 E Broad St, Tamaqua, PA, 18252
(570) 668-1008
Friday - Saturday 9 am - 4 pm
Local brewery with beers made on-site. Has outside seating as well! Next door to Sister’s Cantina.
1.7 miles from Bischoff Inn
1313 E Broad St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 582-0103
Thursday 5 - 9 pm, Friday 5 - 10 pm, Saturday 3 - 10 pm, Sunday 1 - 4 pm
Hometown Farmer’s Market
This is the place to be on Wednesdays, 8 am-8 pm year round. It has a wide selection of fresh food, produce, meats, and cheeses. It's also the home to several small food counters with really good cheap eats and Amish delicacies among many other foods. They also sell a wide range of crafts, antiques, soaps, etc
2.9 miles from Bischoff Inn
125 Mahanoy Ave, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 668-2630
Wednesdays, 8 am - 7 pm
This place is one of the best hidden local spots. The market’s fresh produce is often grown at the farm it sits upon. They also have locally made cheese, birch beer, preserves, pickles, salsas, etc. In the fall they have cute pumpkins and gourds (a few doors down there is also a local pumpkin patch, J & L Shafer farms open mid September that has a nice selection too). Rough Cut has great BBQ, a must try if you’re here on the weekend. They also have sides like Mac & Cheese, Beans, etc. Very reasonably priced. Plenty of outdoor seating and a great view of the farm fields to boot.
5.8 miles from Bischoff Inn
438 Fairview St, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 467-3230
(Farm Market, Seasonal Only): September - October 31, 7 days a week, 9 am - 6 pm
Hours (Rough Cut BBQ Only, Seasonal Only): Late May - Late October, Friday - Sunday, 12 pm - 6 pm, check their Facebook Page.
Heisler’s Dairy Bar, Mini-Golf and Driving Range
Wonderful scenic place to get homemade ice cream, hot dogs, fries, and burgers. The landscape is so beautiful and the ice cream is very good.
7 miles from Bischoff Inn
743 Catawissa Rd, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570) 668-3399
7 days a week, 10 am - 9 pm (open seasonally, usually April - September)
For many visitors, Second Mountain Sunflowers in Tamaqua is their “happy place.” You just can’t help but smile when you’re surrounded by thousands upon thousands of cheerful sunflowers.
Wander through the pathways and cut your own bouquet (just remember to bring your own scissors). At Second Mountain Sunflowers, the saying goes, “We don’t count stems, we count SMILES.” Your admission includes as many flowers as you can carry to your vehicle.
Make sure to bring your camera too. The photo ops are endless when the flowers are in full bloom.
Second Mountain Sunflowers is open weather permitting. Call or check online to confirm operating hours.
7 miles from Bischoff Inn
10 Pebble Lane, Tamaqua, PA 18252
(717) 497-1287
Open seasonally, check website for hours.
Great for hiking and swimming during the warmer months. Has a boat rental shop and small camp store open seasonally. Highly recommended by the locals, as it’s less busy than Tuscarora. Please note that visitors must park just outside of the main entrance and then walk into the park. The beach is about a 10-15 minute walk from the entrance so be prepared. Or, if you’re going just for sunbathing, you can set up on the grassy area near the entrance. Use the AllTrails App for hiking recommendations.
9.5 miles from Bischoff Inn
220 Locust Lake Rd, Barnesville, PA, 18214
7 Days a Week, Dawn-Dusk