What Are The Best Things To Do in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
If you are heading to Jim Thorpe for the day, there are certainly lots of fun things to do for all ages and interest levels. If you are looking for the best things to do in Jim Thorpe, you’ve come to the right place.
From biking, train rides and walking trails, Jim Thorpe is a great place to be if you love the great outdoors. There’s a lot of history here too, as well as great restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and cute one of a kind stores too.
So, what are the best things to do in Jim Thorpe? Let’s get started so you can start planning your trip today.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway 
All aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for an unforgettable experience on the beautiful and meticulous coach trains of yesterday. These exquisite vintage trains will take you on a 70 minute narrated round trip through some of the most fabulous and visually amazing spots in the Lehigh Valley.
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway also has a bike train that will take you 25 miles through the Lehigh Gorge to the town of White Haven. Once you arrive at the destination, you can bike the Lehigh Gorge trail back to the town of Jim Thorpe.
Bike Riding
Bring your own bike, or rent one from Pocono Biking. Jim Thorpe is an awesome place to go for a bike ride and explore. The charming town and many trails make Jim Thorpe an excellent place to discover and enjoy. There are many places to ride including the beautiful Lehigh Gorge Trail.
Glen Onoko Falls Trail
This is a great hike with gorgeous views! It’s a short and steep trail of 1.8 miles in length. Be sure to wear good shoes with traction as part of the trail can be very slippery.
This small but mighty trail offers an abundance of beautiful scenery, a gorgeous waterfall, and an amazing view of the gorge.
Tour The Packer Mansions – One of my favorite things to do in Jim Thorpe!
Asa Packer Mansion
Asa Packer was the founder of Lehigh University, a philanthropist and was very integral parrot of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He made his money by building and operating canal boats along the Lehigh Canal. When the canals started drying up, he financed construction of a new Lehigh Valley Railroad. He was a state lawmaker, a Carbon County judge and then a member of the US. House of Representatives.
His beautifully preserved home of 11,000 square feet and eighteen rooms is a Victorian delight! The woodwork,stained glass, chandeliers are exquisite, and almost everything in the home is original.
The guided tour is great and gives you incredible insight to how the Packer family lived.
Harry Packer Mansion
This mansion with a haunted past was a gift from Asa Packer on his wedding day to his son, Harry. Set atop a hill overlooking the Lehigh River and the town of Jim Thorpe, this beautiful facade was the inspiration for Disney’s Haunted Mansion and was built in 1874.
This beautiful mansion is now a luxurious inn that hosts Murder Mystery Weekends, wine tastings, private functions and self guided tours.
Stroll through Town
The town of Jim Thorpe is quite charming and filled with unique stores, coffee shops, restaurants and pubs. Take some time to walk around and stroll through town and explore the best things Jim Thorpe has to offer.
One of my favorite things to do while exploring new cities is to check out the book shops. Sellers Books & Art is a great place to get lost in. Located on 65 Broadway, Sellers has a great selection of new and used books as well as art too!
Old Jail Museum
This really cool two story structure was built in the late 1800’s. It was used as a jail up until 1995 for Jim Thorpe, and encompassed towns. Most famous for the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s and the Hand on the Wall Legend, this former jail is a combination of creepy and cool.
Molly Maguires were a secret organization of coal miners that were purportedly responsible for terrorism acts in the coalfields of West Virginia and Pennsylvania in the 1800s.
The Hand of the Wall Legend is that one of the Molly Maguires prior to being hanged was protesting his innocence and supposedly said that his hand print on the wall will be a forever reminder of his innocence.
So. what are the best things to do in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania? You decide. Whatever you choose to do in Jim Thorpe, you will not be disappointed. It’s a lovely scenic area that offers so much to enjoy.