Jim Thorpe – recognized as “the Switzerland of America” – is one of the Pocono Mountain gems, surrounded by mountain views, Victorian structures, and outdoor adventure. The strikingly beautiful town hosts fun for families, couples, and individuals with a variety of different interests. Whether looking to dive into its comprehensive sports scene, engage in its rich history, take advantage of scenic views and trips, or indulge in unique restaurants and shops, your day in town is sure to be an enchanting experience.
Some of the town’s top attractions include:
- Asa Packer Mansion Museum
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Tour
- Old Jail Museum
- Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center
- Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary
- Big Creek Vineyard
- Pocono Whitewater & Jim Thorpe River Adventures
- Jim Thorpe Sidecar Tourz
If you’ve heard of the beautiful (albeit challenging) Glen Onoko Falls Trail and were eager to hike it, unfortunately due to safety concerns the well-known trail has been closed indefinitely. Don’t worry though – there are plenty of other nature attractions in the area (of all difficulty levels and landscapes) to satisfy your hiking itch.
The excitement does not end with the warm weather. Visit in the winter months to enjoy cooler activities such as ice skating, downhill or cross-country skiing and snowboarding, paintball, snowshoeing, tubing, and more!
Just 2 hours east lies New York City, otherwise known as “the city that never sleeps.” The prominent city has significant influence in media, finance, art, fashion, entertainment, and more. Explore the limitless diversity of food, shopping, and culture during a trip to the “Big Apple.”
One of the easiest ways to get there (and the method most commonly used by Lehigh Valley residents) is to drive to a nearby NJ Transit train station, park, and take the train into the city (New York Penn Station, to be exact). The train ride itself takes about 20 minutes, but traveling at a busy time can mean long waits for crowded trains, so you may want to plan accordingly. The Frank R. Lautenberg station in Secaucus is closest to the city, and roughly an hour drive from the Valley.
Once you’ve made it to the city, the endless list of activities and tourism can be plenty of ground to cover. Here is a list to help narrow down some of the city’s top attractions notable to the world:
1. Times Square
2. Empire State Building and One World Observatory at Rockerfeller Center
3. Museums (Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMa, 9/11 Memorial, and more!)
4. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
5. Central Park
6. Broadway Musicals
7. The High Line
8. Ferry to Staten Island (for free!)