Thank goodness for cold coffee drinks. The combined forces of summer heat and full cultural calendars regularly funnel this downtown Honesdale denizen* into a café queue. Currently, two favored options are at opposite ends of Main Street.

Option one: the sneaky side-alley option serves a Vietnamese iced coffee that’s such a treat, you’re better off ordering two right from the start. At Bà & Me, coffee is brewed directly atop a base of sweetened condensed milk, mixed, and then poured over ice. A latte version has been known to spring up at random.

Landscape note: Sit outside and enjoy the slightly secret, Savannah-esque vibes of an ancient back patio in town.

Lingering impression: Wishing these drinks were presented in 32-ounce mega cups.

Location: 1,000 block.

Option two: the living room wormhole option serves a caramel cold brew that knocks off unfastened socks. Black and Brass’s cold brew is poured over coffee ice cubes and mixed with enough deliciousness to hide its true electric power. Coffee ice cream just hit the menu, so cold brews can be upgraded to float status.

Landscape note: Be prepared to hang for a bit. This is a coffee shop on the surface and living room in practice, so connections to the multiverse organically manifest.
Lingering impression: Realizing how high you are on coffee.

Location: 500 block.

When it’s time to switch liquid gears, bop over to The Cooperage. They’ve got you covered this upcoming weekend with back-to-back festivals of libation.

On Saturday, July 20, “On Tap,” a festival celebrating craft beer and featuring local and regional breweries, will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Food will be available and all proceeds benefit The Cooperage Project. Then, on Sunday, July 21, “Uncorked,” a festival celebrating wine/spirits and featuring wineries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies from the region, will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Food will be available and all proceeds benefit the venue host/community hub and Lacawac Sanctuary.

After the festivities, stroll around festival-town Honesdale for a while. Take in the sights, hike up to the cliff, grab a bite to eat, discover every mural, browse a few shops, get one of those refreshing coffees, or chill in a park. Whatever you do, get home safely. If you don’t have a designated driver and need a ride home, don’t be shy. Call a friend or stay the night. Heck, message us on socials. For the price of a story, team Canaltown will help you find safe passage, and breakfast recommendations are free.

*Richard October is one of many pseudonyms adopted by Derek Williams, who makes maps, movie festivals, and other things under the project umbrella of Canaltown. You can find more H’dale stories at canaltown552.com or social channels @canaltown552.