Are you ready for an outdoor adventure mixed with small-town charm? Then add the town of Jim Thorpe to your Pennsylvania travel list. It tops the list when doing a quick internet search for charming places to visit in Pennsylvania, especially when the vibrant colors of the fall season stand as a backdrop to the historic clock tower. For unexpected pleasures and charm to experience by foot, bicycle, or scenic train, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is one of several small towns located in the Pocono Mountain region. It’s perfect for an overnight getaway, with travel time under 4 hours from Northern Virginia. We had time to explore the quaint downtown area and experience nature’s beauty with a bike ride that winds through a portion of the Lehigh River Gorge.
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When To Visit Jim Thorpe
Crowds descend on this small town in the fall, looking for the perfect leaf-peeping opportunity. The popular Fall Foliage Festival takes place the first three weekends in October. To better prepare, learn about parking options before your visit. Mid-week during fall is a nice time to visit for outdoor activities like biking and hiking, even if the trees are not yet at their peak fall colors.
If the fall crowds don’t appeal to you, other events throughout the year include the Olde Time Christmas festivities weekends in December, with special Santa Claus trains running on select dates and times starting in late November. February brings the annual Jim Thorpe WinterFest happening on February 14 and 15 in 2026. The town is not far from Blue Mountain Resort for skiing and snow tubing!Biking in Lehigh Gorge State ParkThe area draws many visitors for hiking, biking, white-water rafting, fishing, and a scenic train ride. The primary reason for our getaway was to take a bicycle ride through Lehigh Gorge State Park. Pocono Biking Jim Thorpe makes it easier with a paid one-way shuttle to transport riders and bikes to a starting point for a 15, 25, or 36-mile ride on a portion of the Delaware and Lehigh Biking Trail. With pick-ups in Jim Thorpe and White Haven, it’s easy to get started. Bike rentals are available, including e-bikes, and the Jim Thorpe shop is centrally located in the historic downtown.
Riders will enjoy a roughly 30-minute school bus ride to the first stop at the parking lot in Rockport for the 15 mile ride. The trip is described as a downhill grade on a crushed stone trail, although at times it felt somewhat flat. Rockport also has one of the few restrooms on the trail. Before you start the “downhill” trek, take a short ride up-river to see Buttermilk Falls. I can imagine how dramatic the falls would be after a spring rain! 
Expect changing scenery along the ride, from an overhanging canopy to dramatic views of rocks and towering trees climbing the gorge. For the first 10 miles, it felt like you were far from anyone, so be prepared to handle any biking emergencies on your own. On occasion, we stopped to enjoy the water views, pleasantly surprised when a bald eagle swooped along the river. The route was lined with picnic tables, perfect for a lunch or snack stop. As you get closer to Jim Thorpe, keep an eye out for photo opportunities when the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad passes near the trail. All in all, we spent about 2 hours and 45 minutes enjoying the beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and wildlife, with a total riding distance of 16 + miles.
Other Activities in Jim ThorpeNo matter the season, many folks come to town to experience the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad. It’s a 70-minute Reading & Northern Railroad train ride that can be enjoyed from several different types of seating, ranging from the wooden benches in the Open-Air cars to the Vista-Class Dome Car. For 2025, the Lehigh Gorge Autumn Leaf train runs from October 1st through November 16th. Enjoy a 45-minute train ride into scenic Lehigh Gorge State Park. Tickets may be purchased online in advance, or at the ticket window for same day tickets.
Other historic places in town include the Old Jail Museum and the Mauch Chunk Opera House. The historic Old Jail Museum has shortened hours for visiting, so plan accordingly if you want to take the tour. Visitors can also hop on the Historic Trolley Tour to learn more about the town’s history. Or just stroll the main street and browse the unique, local shops. Don’t be surprised to find shops and restaurants closed or with limited hours on some weekdays.
After seeing some of the historic buildings, you may wonder why the town is named after Jim Thorpe, a man raised in the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma, and considered by many to be the greatest athlete of all time. The nearby Jim Thorpe Memorial (a drive-by visit on the Trolley Tour), is a great place to learn more. The small park is home to Thorpe’s tomb, several statues reflecting his sports achievements, and a sculpture, “The Spirit of Thunder and Lightning,” which pays tribute to his Native American name. There you will learn that Thorpe was the first Native American to win 2 Olympic gold medals for the USA. He also played professional baseball and football, and was the first president of what is now known as the National Football League. 
After Jim Thorpe died in the 1950s, and commitments fell through to bury him in Oklahoma, his wife sold his remains to the two boroughs of East Mauch Chunk and Mauch Chunk after learning that they were looking for ways to increase tourism. The town became known as Jim Thorpe. Despite legal challenges from his children over the years, his memorial currently still stands in this former coal mining town, once home to wealthy railroad magnate Asa Packer. Read more of the Jim Thorpe story in The Spirit of the Legend.
Jim Thorpe RestaurantsAfter all that walking and biking, it’s time to explore the local cuisine. From small plates to seasonal drinks, we found a nice variety of restaurants in the downtown historic area. For lunch, Wild Elder offers a small sandwich selection plus delicious charcuterie boards that go well with a wine and cider flight. Stop by the cozy Notch Eight Craft House for a beer and burger (must be 21 or older to enter). Ouros is lively for a drink and dessert—we managed to snag the last two seats at the bar on a Monday night in September. Next time, we will bring our appetite to try the massive plate of Chicken Nachos. Need a caffeine fix? Check out Curiosities Coffee and Ice House. And yes, we did sneak in a Boston Creme donut from Donerds on the way to a hearty breakfast at the Broadway Grille. The extra sugar came in handy for the 15-mile bike ride!
Places to Stay in Historic Jim ThorpeAs expected, this charming town is filled with small inns and guest houses. We loved our overnight stay in artsy apartment B at the High Street Guesthouse and we will return! The owners are full of recommendations for activities and where to eat. It’s a short walk to restaurants and shops on Broadway, and the property has relaxing outdoor garden spaces for guests to enjoy. The Inn at Jim Thorpe, the Y on Broadway, and the Dolon House are also popular with visitors and centrally located in the historic downtown.
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