Dallas, PA Area Guide

Incorporated as a borough on April 21, 1879, Dallas was carved out of land entirely within Dallas Township, which had itself been formed in 1817. The borough carries the name of Alexander J. Dallas, who served as the sixth U.S. Secretary of the Treasury -- a nod to early American civic identity that still shows up in local pride and place names.

The Back Mountain region surrounding the borough spans 118 square miles and takes in the townships of Dallas, Franklin, Jackson, Kingston, Lake, and Lehman, plus the boroughs of Dallas and Harveys Lake. The downtown was recently refreshed, yet it still holds onto its small-town, turn-of-the-century scale -- history present in the proportions of the streets as much as in the architecture.

Casual dining defines the local food scene, with pizza, wings, and pub-style plates making up a big part of what kitchens serve along Main Street and Memorial Highway. The Overbrook Pub & Grill draws regulars with a broad menu covering fish and chips, pizza, and fresh salads. For something sweet, Jane's Sugar Magnolia crafts custom cakes and cookies for local celebrations, run by a lifetime Dallas resident.

The broader dining corridor keeps things approachable and unpretentious. No white-tablecloth spots compete here; instead, locally owned places serve straightforward food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Dallas' spread-out landscape means most errands and commutes call for driving. State Route 309 runs through town and connects to Interstate 81 roughly eight miles to the southeast, putting Wilkes-Barre well within reach on a daily basis.

The Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) runs bus service with stops along Route 309 and Memorial Highway, operating Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For air travel, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is about 19.5 miles away and offers flights to New York and Chicago.

Frances Slocum State Park, about five miles from the borough center, is a true four-season destination -- free to enter for mountain biking, hunting, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, with fee-based camping and swimming available in summer. Ricketts Glen State Park, roughly 24 miles west, draws outdoor enthusiasts with scenic hiking trails and more than 20 waterfalls threading through its landscape.

Within the borough itself, Kenneth A. Young Memorial Park offers a basketball court and swings. The Charles D. Lemon Tots Lot provides climbing structures and play equipment for smaller visitors. The Lands at Hillside Farms, just over four miles away, rounds out the mix with an educational farm and nature experience.

Rental pricing in Dallas runs below the Pennsylvania statewide average, making it one of the more accessible markets in the region. One-bedroom apartments average around $1,321 per month, while two-bedroom units average approximately $1,222 per month. Three-bedroom rentals average around $2,158 per month. The Pennsylvania statewide one-bedroom average sits notably higher, placing Dallas well under that benchmark.

Several small shopping centers cluster within a mile of the borough center -- Star Plaza, Dallas Village, and Dallas Shopping Center -- putting everyday retail within a short drive. Weis Markets along Memorial Highway serves as the primary grocery anchor for the area.

For more local flavor, Mickey's Crafts and More carries handmade gifts, and The Back Mountain Makery recently opened as a space where local artisans sell their work alongside craft workshops. Each fall, the Dallas Harvest Festival brings additional local vendors and growers to the community, adding a seasonal marketplace feel.

A recently refreshed downtown, easy access to Frances Slocum and Ricketts Glen state parks, and a straightforward commute to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton via Route 309 make Dallas a grounded Back Mountain base. Add in community events like the Luzerne County Fair and Misericordia University just minutes away, and it's easy to see why the town is so loved.