Jim Thorpe

A coal-era valley town dubbed the “Switzerland of America,” with Victorian streets climbing the hillsides, plus rafting, biking and scenic train rides in the Lehigh Gorge.

Jim Thorpe lies in Carbon County in eastern Pennsylvania, on the southwestern edge of the Pocono Mountains, where the Lehigh River cuts a deep gorge through the ridges. Its houses are stacked up the steep slopes, and as early as the 19th century the town was being called the “Switzerland of America.” Originally named Mauch Chunk, it grew rich on anthracite coal and railroad shipping, and tycoons such as railroad magnate Asa Packer left behind a wealth of Victorian architecture. In 1953 it took its current name when it became the burial place of Olympic legend Jim Thorpe.

There are three main ways to explore. First, walk the old town: the stone row houses of Broadway and Race Street, the Asa Packer Mansion, St. Mark's Church and the Old Jail Museum are all within walking distance. Second, head outdoors in the Lehigh Gorge: ride the scenic railroad, coast downhill on the rail trail by bike, go rafting in spring and summer, then drive out to the Hickory Run Boulder Field. Third, dig into coal-mining history at the nearby No. 9 Coal Mine, Eckley Miners' Village and Pioneer Tunnel, where you can ride a mine car underground. In fall you can also watch migrating raptors at Hawk Mountain, and in winter ski at Blue Mountain Resort.

The best time to visit is the October fall foliage season (weekends bring the Fall Foliage Festival, with big crowds, scarce parking and lodging that should be booked ahead). May–Sep is good for rafting and biking, and December brings Victorian Christmas events; many attractions close Jan–Mar. You'll basically need a car: it's about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia and about 2 hours from New York, or you can take a long-distance bus from New York to a nearby town and transfer. Plan on 1–2 days, and consider pairing it with the Poconos to the east or Bethlehem to the south.

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