Jim Thorpe

Absolutely beautiful town, wish I could live there. Every time I go I’m amazed by the way the town blends in to the mountains.

PA at it’s best.

I was here on Christmas Day 2006, passing through very quickly with a friend on the way to see her family after my flight home through Denver was cancelled due to the blizzard. I snapped some photos of the old train station and thought the Lehigh Valley looked like a beautiful place to return to for rafting and other outdoor fun in the summertime.

I grew up in Jim Thorpe and now go back about once a month. If you like outdoor activities (e.g. mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, skiing — downhill and cross country — etc.), Jim Thorpe is a great place to visit. You can get in an outdoor adventure during the day and then grab a drink and something to eat in the evening. It’s a good place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

There are also art/collectibles/antique shops to visit as well as the Asa Packer Mansion (take a tour), Flagstaff (get a great overlook of the town), the old jail house (hear the folklore tale), Glen Onoka (hike up if you dare), Mauch Chunk Park (rent a boat and watch the ducks), and more. You can get hear music (Penn’s Peak) or see a play (Mauch Chunk Opera House). And don’t forget to check out the seasonal festivals (Fall Foliage, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mountain Laurel Festival, Stay at Home Fourth of July, Fringe Fest, Old Time Christmas, etc.).

I grew up about 10 minutes away from Jim Thorpe and I wish I would’ve spent more time there while I was living at home. I live in Virginia now, but every time I go home I visit Jim Thorpe. The town is rich in history. It’s best to spend a week if you want to experience everything. There are plenty of little shops on Broadway (the main street). This is also a great place for hiking, biking, and white water rafting (I know there are tours available and quite a few places that rent equipment). If you do visit, please don’t miss Glen Onoko falls. It’s a trail up a mountain (part of the Appalachian mountains) and along the trail are 3 gorgeous waterfalls that are breath-taking in every season. It’s a fun hike and I like to pack a backpack to have a picnic once I reach the top. The view from the top is hard to beat.