Poconos Waterfalls & Jim Thorpe Mountain Town
Depart from New York, drive through the Delaware Water Gap to see waterfalls, then visit historic Jim Thorpe and the World Heritage district of Bethlehem.
A mountain getaway between New York and Philadelphia, spectacular in autumn. Spend the first two days exploring the Water Gap and waterfalls along Route 209, ride the gorge train in Jim Thorpe on the third day, and head south to Philadelphia via the Moravian district of Bethlehem. Mountain drives are short, and hiking options are flexible. This route bypasses Lake Wallenpaupack and the major resorts, making it ideal for those who want to see fall foliage without traveling too far.
Autumn foliage peaks in October; fall foliage train tickets and weekend accommodations often sell out well in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Delaware Water Gap Hiking
Pocono Mountains（Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area、Mount Tammany）
Drive from New York along Interstate 80 to the Water Gap (approx. 1.75 hours), then drive about 15 minutes to Stroudsburg in the afternoon.
The Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail is steep and rocky; wear hiking boots and arrive early on weekends to secure parking.
Stay: Stroudsburg
Day 2 · Waterfalls Along Route 209
Pocono Mountains（Bushkill Falls、Raymondskill Falls、Grey Towers National Historic Site）
Drive north along Route 209 to Bushkill (approx. 35 minutes), then to Milford (approx. 40 minutes), returning to Stroudsburg in the evening.
Dingmans Falls is closed for construction in 2026; visit Raymondskill Falls instead.
Stay: Stroudsburg
Day 3 · Boulder Field to Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe（Hickory Run State Park Boulder Field、Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway、Asa Packer Mansion、Jim Thorpe Historic District & Race Street）
Drive from Stroudsburg to Hickory Run Boulder Field (approx. 50 minutes), then drive another 35 minutes to Old Mauch Chunk / historic Jim Thorpe.
The scenic railway departure station may change due to rockfalls on Route 209; check the official website before departing.
Stay: Jim Thorpe Historic Old Town
Day 4 · Bethlehem World Heritage to Philadelphia
Bethlehem (Pennsylvania)（Historic Moravian Bethlehem District、Central Moravian Church、SteelStacks） → Philadelphia
Drive from Jim Thorpe to Bethlehem (approx. 50 minutes), then drive south along Interstate 476 to Philadelphia (approx. 1.25 hours) in the afternoon.