Visiting Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: what to see and do
Jim Thorpe is a charming, small Pennsylvania town to visit in the beautiful Lehigh Gorge of the Pocono Mountains. It’s about a two-hour drive from New York City and Philadelphia.
Jim Thorpe, named after the famous athlete, features white water rafting, old-time railroad rides, biking, great restaurants, and unique shops.
Since attractions are so varied the town attracts families, singles, young people, and senior citizens.
Passengers on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway wait to depart downtown Jim Thorpe.
History of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
The town was founded in 1818 and originally known as Mauch Chunk. The town grew because of the huge coal deposits in the surrounding mountains and the easy access to ship the coal on the adjacent Lehigh River.
The town really took off when Asa Packer started a railroad to ship the coal throughout the Northeast and beyond. The legacy of both Packer and the railroad is very obvious today.
In 1954 Mauch Chunk and a bordering town merged and renamed the municipality Jim Thorpe, after the Olympic, pro football, and pro baseball athlete who began his career nearby. (More on Jom Thorpe’s amazing life later).
Things to do in Jim Thorpe
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Since the railroad runs right through the middle of the town it’s obvious that railroads dominated Jim Thorpe’s past and present.
We took the 70-minute scenic train ride through Lehigh Gorge and thoroughly enjoyed it. The train follows the river for approximately 35 minutes then the locomotive disengages and moves to the other side of the train to pull us back on the same route back to town.
There are a variety of cars available ranging from the glass-domed luxury cars to the open-sided cars at the rear of the train.
We opted for the open car since it gave us the best platform for photos. It can get chilly in the open car so dress appropriately.
The best views are on the right-hand side of the train as you depart town so grab a seat on that side.
The train can get crowded, especially on weekends in the fall leaf season, so we’d suggest buying tickets on their website
There is also a train that has multiple cars reserved for bikes. This specific bike train will bring you out 25 miles through the Lehigh Gorge and you are free to ride back along the adjacent rail trail.
Old Jail Museum
On weekends the town’s Old Jail is open for tours. The imposing two-story stone building sits on the main street just past downtown.
The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as the Molly Maguires in the 1800s. You’ll see references to the Molly McGuires around town, including the Irish bar/restaurant by the train station.
The guided tours run every half hour and last about 30 minutes.
You can purchase tickets on-site.
Weekends can be crowded so you can purchase a ticket early in the day for a later tour to be sure they are not sold out.
Asa Packer Mansion
The Asa Packer Museum atop a tall hill in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
We were debating if we should tour the home of the railroad magnate and we were pleasantly surprised with how interesting it was.
Asa Packer was the extremely wealthy owner of the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill, and Susquehanna Railroad the railroad served a vital role in transporting the area’s coal throughout the country.
Wonderful guides bring the history and the family to life.
The woodworking, wall coverings, gas lamps, and other ornate touches are amazing. His daughter’s will stated that nothing could be removed from the house so everything is original.
The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is given every day except Tuesday.
While the tour is great for adults and history buffs, kids under high school age would definitely be bored so stick with the other Jim Thorpe attractions for them.
Jim Thorpe’s Grave
Jim Thorpe’s gravesite.
Before our visit, I really only knew that Jim Thorpe was a great athlete but his life history is amazing.
Thorpe was the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States in the Olympics.
Played for the New York Giants baseball team
Played for the New York Giants football team
Two-time All-American college football player
NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
In 1950, an Associated Press poll named him the "greatest athlete" of the first half of the 20th century.
You can visit his grave across the river from downtown. It’s a quick stop but reading the displays with info on Jim Thorpe’s life was fascinating.
White Water Rafting
White water rafting in the Lehigh River
We knew Jim Thorpe is well known for white water rafting. While we didn’t try rafting we had a chance to watch a very large group of rafters start their journey along the Lehigh River from a spot right near the train station.
The tour seemed very organized and the group included people of all ages.
Area tour operators offer tours that include various intensities of whitewater.
Among the tour operators are:
https://www.poconowhitewater.com/
Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum
If you are interested in seeing what a real-life coal mine looks like the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum is for you.
Located just outside downtown Jim Thorpe visitors can ride a rail car 1,600 feet into the mountain. You’ll then walk through the mine on a guided tour.
The museum is closed in the winter and on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The mine is 50 degrees, even in the summer, so remember to bring a jacket.
Mauch Chunk Opera House
Mauch Chunk Opera House
The Mauch Chunk Opera House has been operating for more than 138 years making it one of the oldest vaudeville theaters in the country.
Despite the name, the 380 seat opera house features all kinds of music.
Check out the concert schedule on their website to see if there is an interesting show when you are in town.
D&L Rail Trail
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is an amazing 165-mile trail between Wilkes-Barre and Bristol, Pennsylvania. You’ll see lots of bikes around Jim Thorpe since the trail passes right through the town along the river.
There is a bike rental shop right across from the train station.
As mentioned above in the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway section, you can take a train 25 miles into the Gorge and ride back along the trail. They will even rent you a bike for the day.
Where to eat in Jim Thorpe
A band performs at Wild Elder Wine & Cider Co. in Jim Thorpe.
Wild Elder Wine & Cider Co.
Wild Elder is a winery specializing in wines and ciders made from the fruits and flowers that are native to the Lehigh Valley.
We had this spot on our “must-visit” list and we weren’t disappointed.
While there is a nice outside area with tables in the back we decided to sit inside because they had a band playing.
We ordered a flight of wine and cider. They ask if you prefer sweet or dry and tailor it to your taste. The excellent charcuterie board is adjusted based on your selected wines.
The Inn at Jim Thorpe
We stopped here for lunch and it was excellent. Hamburgers and pulled pork caught our eye and the drink menu had lots of seasonal cocktails. We sat on the porch with a nice view of Broadway.
Muggle’s Mug - the Harry Potter Cafe
While the Harry Potter theme is definitely what Muggle’s Cafe is known for, the coffee is pretty good too. The seating is very comfortable so it’s a good spot to stop for a snack and a few minutes rest while walking around downtown.
Inside Muggle’s Mug - the Harry Potter Cafe
Donert Donuts
Located next to Wild Elder Wine & Cider Co. Donert Donuts has seriously good-looking and tasty donuts. During our visit they featured many fall-themed donuts. An added plus is they have a nice clean bathroom.
Seasonal treats inside Donert Donuts
Shopping in Jim Thorpe
Strolling along Broadway and checking out the eclectic stores is probably the number one activity in Jim Thorpe.
We enjoyed the large collection of vinyl albums at Sound Check Records. Of course, we have no way to play vinyl anymore but it’s definitely a fun stop.
Somersault Letterpress features unusual, and sometimes funny, hand-crafted cards. Even if you aren't in the market for wedding invitations take a look at their samples, the craftsmanship is amazing.
We thoroughly enjoyed our overnight trip to Jim Thorpe. I think next time we’ll bring our bikes and try the bike train experience.
If you are looking for other things to do in the area check out our posts:
Visit Bushkill Falls: a unique Poconos attraction
Visiting Longwood Gardens, what you need to know
This post was researched and written by John of the Empty Nest Explorers. You can learn more about the Empty Nest Explorers here.
Some well-reviewed Pennsylvania tours:
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