Ask anyone in the Lehigh Valley where to go for a day trip and the answer, more often than not, is Jim Thorpe. This former coal town in Carbon County, about an hour north of Allentown, has reinvented itself as one of the most charming small town destinations in the state, and it has earned every bit of the praise.
The Town
Jim Thorpe, formerly Mauch Chunk, sits in a mountain valley at the southern end of the Lehigh Gorge. The Victorian era architecture is stunning. Ornate row houses climb the hillside. The historic courthouse anchors the town center. Broadway, the main commercial street, is lined with independent shops, restaurants, galleries, and ice cream parlors that make you want to walk slowly and look in every window.
The town was originally named for the legendary Native American athlete Jim Thorpe in 1954, part of a deal to attract tourism. It worked. But the real draw today is the combination of natural beauty, historic architecture, and a downtown that feels like it belongs in a travel magazine.
The Adventures
Jim Thorpe is the gateway to some of the best outdoor recreation in eastern Pennsylvania. Whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River starts here, with five outfitters offering trips through the gorge. The Lehigh Gorge Trail, a twenty six mile cycling and hiking path, ends at the edge of town. Mountain biking trails fan out into the surrounding hills.
In winter, skiing and snowboarding at nearby Blue Mountain are a short drive away. Scenic train rides along the Lehigh Gorge operate seasonally, offering a more leisurely way to experience the river and the mountains.
The Food and Drink
Jim Thorpe's dining scene has grown significantly. Local restaurants range from casual pubs and pizza joints to more ambitious kitchens that take advantage of the town's tourist traffic. The bars are solid, the coffee shops are cozy, and the ice cream on Broadway is a non negotiable stop on any visit.
How to Do It
The best Jim Thorpe day trip combines an outdoor activity with time in town. Raft the river in the morning, eat lunch on Broadway, browse the shops in the afternoon, grab dinner before the drive home. Or bike the Lehigh Gorge Trail downhill from White Haven, coast into Jim Thorpe, and spend the rest of the day exploring.
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, especially during fall foliage season when the town fills up and parking becomes a challenge. If you go on an October weekend, arrive early.
Jim Thorpe is one of those places that Lehigh Valley residents claim as their own even though it technically sits in the next county. It is close enough to visit on a whim, beautiful enough to justify the drive, and interesting enough to bring you back again and again.
