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Tucked into the Pocono Mountains, in Pennsylvania, Jim Thorpe is one of the most beautiful and unexpected little towns I’ve ever visited.
It’s so pretty and dramatic, with its historic streets, Victorian buildings and fantastic natural surroundings.
Here’s a fun fact to start: the town wasn’t always called Jim Thorpe.
It used to be Mauch Chunk, but in 1954 it renamed itself after the legendary Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, who is buried here, even though he never actually set foot in the town during his life.
The best thing about Jim Thorpe is that even though it’s a small town, there are plenty of things you can do.
It’s a wonderful mix of history, grand old mansions, quirky shops and cozy cafes, plus some of the best outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania, from white water rafting to waterfall hikes.
There really is something for everyone.
Here are 18 of the best things to do in Jim Thorpe.
🏘️ 1. Explore the historic downtown and browse the shops
The first thing to do is to visit the historic downtown of Jim Thorpe.
This is one of the prettiest small town downtowns I’ve seen in the United States. It actually looks like a small European town.
It’s packed with independent shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants, so give yourself plenty of time to just wander and browse.
Pop into the visitor center (in the old train station) first to grab a map of the historic downtown, which points out all the key sights.
You can then go on a self guided walking tour or book a walking tour with a guide.
💡 One tip: it gets very busy on summer and fall weekends, so arrive early to nab a parking spot.
There is a main parking lot by the visitor center but it fills up fast so I would recommend parking in the first spot you find and go all the way to the end as it’s not that much walking.
Alternatively, you can also find parking spots on the side of the road as you keep driving on Susquehanna Street.
🚂 2. Go on a scenic train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
You can’t come to Jim Thorpe, a former railroad town, and not take the train!
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway leaves right from downtown and runs north into the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park, following the river the whole way.
The regular ride is about 70 minutes round trip (around 16 miles) with narration along the way, though in October it’s shortened to 45 minutes due to demand.
You can choose different car classes, from open-air cars to the caboose. It’s especially spectacular during the fall foliage.
💡 PRO TIP: I would recommend booking the open-air car or the caboose. If you can’t then the standard carriage is a good option too.
I wouldn’t recommend booking the Crown carriage. It’s technically an upgraded version but I thought the experience wasn’t the best as, yes the seats are comfortable, but we didn’t get a great view especially since the windows don’t open.
For the best experience, you’re better off sticking to the traditional carriages.
💡 PRO TIP 2: This is the most popular activity in Jim Thorpe, so I would recommend either booking in advance or getting to the ticket office early to grab your tickets.
🔒 3. Visit the Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail operated from 1871 all the way to 1995, and it’s famous as the place where several of the Molly Maguires (Irish coal miners accused of crimes) were held and executed.
On the guided tour you’ll walk through the cells, including the infamous Cell 17, where a prisoner left a handprint on the wall.
Tours run roughly May through October, and tickets are bought in person on the day of your visit.
You can’t actually book in advance, it’s on a first come first serve basis.
🏛️ 4. Visit the Asa Packer Mansion
Perched on the hillside above town, the Asa Packer Mansion is a stunning 1861 Italianate Victorian home.
It was built by Asa Packer, the railroad tycoon and philanthropist who founded Lehigh University and was once one of the richest men in America.
The best part? It’s been preserved almost exactly as it was, right down to the original furnishings, so stepping inside really feels like traveling back to the 1800s.
Guided tours last about an hour and are well worth it.
🚎 5. Learn more about the town on the Trolley tour
If you’d like to know more about the town’s history, hop on the narrated trolley tour.
It loops around Jim Thorpe with live commentary, taking you past the main sights and up the hill (which saves you the climb) for some lovely views.
It lasts about 70 minutes, and it’s a great way to get your bearings and hear the stories behind the buildings early in your visit.
You can book your ticket online or at the till by the visitor center.
👻 6. Go on a ghost tour
With this much history, a former jail, grand old mansions and a dramatic coal-mining past, it’s no surprise Jim Thorpe has a reputation for being haunted.
An evening ghost tour is a fun, slightly spooky way to explore the dark streets and hear the town’s eeriest stories and legends.
It’s especially atmospheric around Halloween (but make sure to book in advance if you are planning to visit then).
🎭 7. See a show at the Mauch Chunk Opera House
The Mauch Chunk Opera House, built in 1881, is one of the oldest vaudeville theaters in America, and it’s still a working music venue today.
With only around 400 seats, it’s a wonderfully intimate place to catch live music, and the acoustics are fantastic.
Check what’s on during your visit, because seeing a show here is a real treat and a lovely way to spend an evening.
🪦 8. Go to Jim Thorpe’s Grave
The town is named after Jim Thorpe, the legendary Native American athlete and Olympic gold medalist, and you can find his memorial here.
Please note that the grave is not located in the historic downtown but at the top of the town which is about 5 minutes drive.
I would recommend going there once you leave Jim Thorpe so you don’t lose your parking spot.
🚣 9. Go white water rafting
Jim Thorpe is one of the best white water rafting spots in the northeast, thanks to the Lehigh River running right through the gorge.
Several outfitters in town run guided trips, from gentle family floats to more thrilling Class III rapids on dam-release days.
It’s a brilliant way to experience the gorge from the water, and a great day out in the warmer months.
⛰️ 10. Hike to the top of Mount Pisgah
For the best view over Jim Thorpe, hike up Mount Pisgah.
It’s a moderate hike of around 1.4 miles, steep and rocky in places (so wear proper hiking shoes), but the reward is an incredible view of the Lehigh River winding through the gorge and the town below.
It’s a stunning spot for sunset.
🛶 11. Go kayaking
If rafting feels a bit much, kayaking is a calmer way to get out on the water.
You can paddle sections of the Lehigh River, or head to nearby Mauch Chunk Lake Park for a peaceful paddle surrounded by mountains.
Rentals are available locally, and it’s a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon.
🏰 12. Stay at the Harry Packer Mansion Inn
If you want somewhere truly special to stay, book a room at the Harry Packer Mansion Inn.
Built in 1874 for Asa Packer’s son, this Gothic Victorian beauty is so striking that Disney Imagineers used it as an inspiration for the Haunted Mansion!
Today it’s a boutique bed and breakfast known for its opulent rooms and famous murder mystery weekends. Even if you don’t stay, it’s worth walking up to admire it from the outside.
🚴 13. Go biking
Jim Thorpe is a paradise for cyclists, mostly thanks to the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, a flat, scenic 26-mile path along the old railroad grade through the gorge.
Bike rental places can be found in town.
I would also recommend checking out the bike days on the Lehigh Scenic Railway.
A few times a year, they organise bike days which means you can go on the train with your bike and then cycle back to Jim Thorpe.
This is a great way of making the best of both worlds.
☕ 14. Get a coffee from Muggles Mug
Muggles Mug is an adorable whimsical coffee shop on Broadway.
The magical theming is so much fun. Make sure to get the butterbrew latte!
💧 15. Go to Hawk Falls
Hawk Falls is a beautiful 25-foot waterfall tucked into the edge of Hickory Run State Park, just a short drive from Jim Thorpe.
The trail down is easy and only about 0.6 miles, making it a great option if you want a quick, rewarding waterfall walk. It’s especially pretty after rain, when the water is really flowing.
🪨 16. Visit the Hickory Run State Park
Just outside town, Hickory Run State Park is a huge 16,000-acre playground of forests, streams and trails.
Its most famous feature is the Boulder Field, an enormous, otherworldly expanse of boulders that’s so unique it’s been named a National Natural Landmark.
It’s a genuinely surreal sight, and unlike anywhere else you’ll see nearby.
🏞️ 17. Explore the Lehigh Gorge State Park
Lehigh Gorge State Park is the dramatic river gorge that makes Jim Thorpe so special.
The rail trail running through is perfect for biking and walking, and along the way you’ll find gorgeous waterfalls like Buttermilk Falls and Luke’s Falls, both easy to reach from the trail.
Whether you’re rafting, biking or just walking a section, the scenery is absolutely stunning.
⛏️ 18. Go on the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum tour
This one is not technically in Jim Thorpe but in Lansford which is a short drive away.
The No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum offers something really unique.
You ride a mine car 1,600 feet into the mountain for a guided walking tour of an anthracite coal mine that dates back to 1855, making it one of the oldest in the world.
It’s a fascinating, slightly eerie look at the region’s coal-mining history, and there’s a museum with the area’s largest collection of mining relics too.
🗺️ Map of the best things to do in Jim Thorpe
❓ Is Jim Thorpe worth visiting?
Absolutely! Jim Thorpe really has it all: history, gorgeous Victorian architecture, quirky shops, great food and some of the best outdoor activities in Pennsylvania.
It’s definitely worth your time but bear in mind that it can be very busy so you should plan on getting there early and book in advance if you can.
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