A Fall Day in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

The town of Jim Thorpe, nestled within Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, is actually located on a mountain and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Normally, Jim Thorpe has a fall festival through October that offers different craft food booths and more, but it was canceled this year due to COVID-19. Even though the festival is canceled, there is still plenty to see and do during the fall.

Spend a weekend exploring the town and the scenic region, including one can’t miss-attraction, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train ride. The train starts off in the historic downtown station in Jim Thorpe and travels through Lehigh Gorge State Park, showcasing stunning vistas of the park from the comfort of the train.

Once you’ve taken in the sights, walk around town and explore the many different shops and attractions. From antiques to candy stores, window-shop or pop in for a good buy.

After you’ve done some exploring, you’re bound to work up an appetite, and the town has plenty of delicious restaurants to choose from. Some top eats include Marion Hose Bar (try the cauliflower buffalo bites!) or Molly Maguires Pub & Steakhouse.

Photo: Andrew Kazmierski | Dreamstime.com

If your family is brave enough to encounter ghosts and paranormal activity, head to Old Jail Museum for a spooky tour through the old jail after dark. Peek in Cell 17 to get a glimpse of the mysterious handprint on the wall, check out the creepy dungeon with solitary confinement cells and more — just be careful an orb doesn’t follow you home.

End the night treating the kids to some sweets at Rainbow’s End, a candy shop that will transport you back in time. Enjoy delicious ice cream or an assortment of candy for your walk around town at the end of the day.