How to Explore Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania in a Weekend

On the southern edge of the Pocono Mountains lies Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a place named after the famous athlete who became the first Native American to win a gold medal for the US in the Olympics of 1912 and a popular destination for outdoor adventures, weekend getaways, and history lovers alike. Known as the “Little Switzerland of America,” for its mountains, Victorian architecture, and scenic location along the Lehigh River, this once little-known town has become one of the Keystone State’s not-so-hidden gems.

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Growing up in South Central Pennsylvania, this corner of the state was never on our radar, and it wasn’t until moving away from the area that we realized that this quaint spot was right under our noses our entire lives! We fell in love with Jim Thorpe several years ago, and we’ve since urged our entire families, friends, and really anyone who will listen, to visit posthaste! So if you’re up for a weekend spent shopping, eating, and hiking/biking/training your way around this charming Northeastern Pennsylvania town, you’re in the right place! We’re sharing our top picks for spending a weekend in Jim Thorpe, PA here.

Getting to and Around Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe is nestled in the Pocono Mountains region of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Carbon County, just a few hours from all of the mid-Atlantic’s major cities. Getting there by car will take you 1.5 hours from Philadelphia,  2 hours from New York City, and 3.5 hours from Washington, DC and 4.5 hours from Pittsburgh. We’ve found it to be the perfect destination for a weekend escape that doubles as an ideal mid(ish)-point when meeting up with friends from different cities. We’re not alone in our love for this place though, so if you’re visiting on a fall weekend, book your stay and activities early, pack your patience and expect crowds.

Where to Park in/around Jim Thorpe, PA

Parking in town is scarce, and will likely be your biggest obstacle if visiting on a busy weekend. Both the Carbon County lot and street parking are viable options year-round, and additional parking lots, shuttle services, and reserved parking are available on weekends in October, and a full list of lots can be found below:

On our most recent visit, we got into town at around 8:30AM on an October Saturday morning and the main Carbon County lot was already full. We were able to snag a spot in the (cash-only) Sam Miller lot, but the shuttle wasn’t running yet, so we walked for about 10 minutes into town to catch our 10AM train ride. We also opted to walk back to our car when we were ready to head home because the shuttle line was long, and we’re impatient. The walk back was pretty steep, but manageable and skipping the line made it worth the climb!

Top Things To Do in Jim Thorpe, PA

Once you’re in town, you’ll find it pretty hard to run out of things to do. From bopping around local boutiques and antique stores to catching a scenic train ride, to museum hopping, to hitting all of the hiking and biking trails nearby, there is really something for everyone here, and below, we’re sharing our must-dos!

• Shop your way around the plethora of unique little stores on West Broadway on the south side of the Lehigh River. This part of Jim Thorpe is what we would call the “historic district” as it has maintained its old-timey, Victorian charm of years past. We particularly love The Emporium of Curious Goods, Silly Goose Unapologetic Gifts & Novelties, Antiques On Broadway, Somersault Letterpress, and Jim Thorpe House of Jerky.

• Take a train ride through the mountains on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Tickets start at $25 for adults and typically include a 70-minute scenic ride that parallels the Lehigh River. If you’re visiting between Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, November 15, 2026, however, the Autumn Leaf schedule will be in place and rides will be shortened to 45 minutes to account for the increase in visitation/popularity. For the best views, we highly recommend paying a few extra dollars for a seat in the open-air car and booking your tickets early because they do sell out. Regardless of when you go, the railway is both family and dog-friendly– and dogs and children two and under ride for free!
  • If you are looking for a more active experience, you can take a bike-train ride 25-miles north to White Haven, PA, and cycle back to Downtown Jim Thorpe on a trail that runs slightly downhill.

On our most recent visit, we took a day trip with our friend Tory (of Tory Talks Trails; pictured above) and her husband, and had the best time! If you’re looking for more outdoorsy adventures in Pennsylvania, we highly recommend checking out her page– she literally wrote the book on exploring PA and won’t steer you wrong!

• If you’re a history lover, you must add a guided tour of the Asa Packer Mansion to your itinerary. You’ll learn about Packer, his family, and the influence he had on shaping the town during the height of the railroad era while wandering through his beautiful Italianate mansion.
• If spooky is more your vibe, check out the Old Jail Museum which dates back to 1871. Book a tour and enjoy some haunting history and if you’re up for more scares, wander through Jim Thorpe’s most haunted historic sites on a Gallows of Old Mauch Chunk Ghost Tour.

Where to Eat & Drink in Jim Thorpe, PA

There is no shortage of places to sip and savor here, but if you’re visiting on a high-season weekend, be sure to pack your patience as there will be a wait for nearly every local restaurant. With that in mind, we found the following to be worth the line…

• Magic Potions (formerly Muggles Mug) is a magical Harry Potter-themed café that provides the perfect ambiance for grabbing a morning bite and/or your whimsical caffeine fix.
• Molly Maguire’s is a laidback Irish pub with great food and beer at even better prices. It makes for a great lunch spot, and is located in the oldest commercial building operating in town– right across the street from the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Station.
• Another great spot for lunch is Marion Hose Bar, which serves up American fare in a beautifully restored 1885 firehouse. We went for lunch during the fall foliage festival and there was a line down the street before they even opened. They serve drinks from their bar to those in line though, which makes the wait more enjoyable for all who partake.
• Stone Row Pub and Eatery is our favorite spot for dinner. Highly recommend making an after-dark reservation and dining on the deck beside the old stables in the woods. It makes for quite a romantic experience– complete with fairy lights!
• Boasting the title of being the “Only Dive Bar in Jim Thorpe,” Union Publik House offers great food, over 80 beers, and is not to be missed!
• If you’re looking for a more elevated place to sip your spirits, head to the Libations Lounge at the Harry Packer Mansion. It’s open to hotel guests as well as the general public (21+ only). They also host murder mystery dinner shows on select Saturdays.

Where to Explore the Outdoors in/around Jim Thorpe

One of the things we love most about Jim Thorpe is how easy it is to pair small-town wandering with time outdoors, and it’s location in the Pocono Mountains makes this corner of Pennsylvania particularly scenic. From hiking and waterfall chasing to biking and whitewater rafting, there are plenty of ways to satisfy that itch that only nature can scratch, and here are our favorite places to do just that:

• The Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) Trail, along the Lehigh River makes for a pretty beautiful walk or bike ride. No bike? No problem. You can rent one right across the street from the trail at Pocono Biking. Be sure to cross the Mansion House Pedestrian Bridge over the Lehigh River for beautiful views!
• Lehigh Gorge State Park is your closest option outside of downtown, and when you visit, we highly recommend walking or biking the path past Luke’s Falls and Buttermilk Falls. And if you’re up for more of an adventure, there are multiple vendors that will take you on a kayaking/rafting excursion down the Lehigh River.

• Mauch Chunk Lake Park: This 330-acre freshwater lake is ideal if you’re looking for a more relaxed day in/on the water. The lake is popular for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboating, and fishing and home to a sandy beach with seasonal lifeguard supervision.
• Hickory Run State Park: Located just 30 minutes from downtown Jim Thorpe, this park is also home to waterfalls, trout streams, and over 40 miles of hiking trails. There is no shortage of adventures to be had here, but if you only have time for one, we recommend prioritizing exploring the boulder field in the northeastern corner of the park.
• If you’re up for a day trip that involves hiking to 20+ waterfalls, Ricketts Glen State Park is calling your name. Beyond the falls, you can also take a kayak or canoe out on the park’s Lake Jean.

Where to Stay when Visiting Jim Thorpe, PA

As mentioned above, parking can be tricky (and expensive) downtown, so it may be advantageous to stay in the area and leave your car packed after you arrive. This Airbnb is located in town, sleeps four, and comes with two off-street parking spots, and if you’re visiting with family or friends, this historic home sleeps six and also comes with parking located a 5-minute walk away. If you’re looking for a unique stay just outside of town, Bilbo’s Burrow” Hobbit Hole is calling you, especially if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan. This 1947 log and stone cabin sleeps four and transports you to Middle Earth… and who doesn’t love a stay with some added whimsy?

Speaking of unique stays, on our most recent visit, we stayed about 1.5 hours away in Benton, PA (just outside of Ricketts Glen State Park) in a beautifully restored 1800’s schoolhouse. We’re big hikers, so we wanted to prioritize time in nature on this visit to NEPA, and we found it to be the perfect homebase for our group of four… and it made for an easy day trip into Jim Thorpe.

There are ample other affordable places to stay as well, but no matter where you choose, be sure to book well in advance. We cannot emphasize enough that Jim Thorpe is an extremely popular tourist destination for leaf peepers and Christmas-cheer-seekers. The town hosts a Fall Foliage festival in October and an Olde Time Christmas extravaganza in December, and neither are to be missed!

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Jim Thorpe is, without a doubt, a must-visit Pennsylvania destination. With its mix of historic charm, outdoor adventure, and cozy local spots to eat and unwind, it’s the perfect weekend getaway. So if you’re looking for your next road trip destination, or just need a little escape from your city, add Jim Thorpe to your list—you’ll be glad you did.