Overview
Jim Thorpe is a borough in the Coal Region, near Lehighton, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
6 sights · 6 things to do · 6 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Jim Thorpe
Blue Mountain Ski Area
A few minutes from Jim Thorpe, it features several ski hills and a snow tubing area. An all day lift ticket is $39. Check out the ski package in conjunction with Mahoning Inn.
Harry Packer Mansion
A mansion built in the late 1800s by an influential family.
The Old Jail Museum
Used up to 1995, tours of this cool old building are sure to get you thinking.
Jim Thorpe Memorial
Visit the grave and monument to one of the world's greatest athletes.
St Mark's Church
A beautiful old Gothic church with amazing architecture and rich construction. Tours available seasonally.
Mauch Chunk Museum
An old Methodist church that's been changed into a local history museum. A great place to get an overview of what this town is all about.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Allentown)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ABE Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown/Bethlehem — 22 mi away. Directions
- AVP Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton — 32 mi away. Directions
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia — 74 mi away (major hub). Directions
The closest airport is Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown ABE. Lehigh Valley International is roughly a 30-minute drive from Jim Thorpe.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Harry Packer Mansion, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, St Mark's Church
- Lunch Through the Looking Glass
- Afternoon Mauch Chunk Museum, The Old Jail Museum
- Dinner Moya
Day 2
- Morning Blue Mountain Ski Area
- Lunch Molly Maguires Pub & Steakhouse
- Afternoon Jim Thorpe River Adventures
- Dinner Broadway Grille
Day 3
- Morning The Number 9 Mine and Museum
- Lunch Macaluso's
- Afternoon Penn's Peak
- Dinner Roadies Restaurant and Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Downtown has a wide selection of restaurants, including some fine dining options. All restaurants expect Macaluso's are within walking distance.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The town was founded as Mauch Chunk in the early 19th century. It was later renamed for the distinguished Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, who excelled in football and baseball and won gold medals at the 1912 Olympic games. Despite Thorpe never living in or even visiting the area in his lifetime, the town renamed itself to improve its chances of becoming his burial place.
Get in
The closest airport is Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown ABE. Lehigh Valley International is roughly a 30-minute drive from Jim Thorpe.
By plane
Domestic flights arrive from Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte and other Mid-west and East coast hubs. Airlines serving Jim Thorpe include American, Delta, United, Allegiant, and Pace.
Philadelphia and Newark
If you are more interested in a better fare, you may choose to fly into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). American Airlines operates a large hub in Philadelphia and United operates a hub in Newark, so there is a good chance you have a direct flight to and from your home airport.
If you are looking for low fares, Southwest flies into Philadelphia as does Frontier. Finding low fares into Newark and Philadelphia is much easier than finding lower fares into Allentown. though Allentown is more closely situated.
By bus
Trailways offers service to Jim Thorpe from New York City or Philadelphia twice a day, with several stops in between. $42 one-way to New York City (3 hr 15 min), and $28 to Philadelphia (~3 hr) (Oct 2017). Buses stop at the Trailways Bus Stop, on 5 Lehigh St in front of the Subway store.
Get around
Experiencing downtown Jim Thorpe is best done on foot, all attractions and restaurants are within walking distance as the town is small. However, for attractions outside the town a car is almost a necessity as public transport is very limited. For car rentals, Enterprise has an office in nearby Lehighton
See
Walking around in Jim Thorpe and experiencing its rich history is a treat in itself. Especially along Millionaire's Row on Broadway, a row of stately homes along the main street featuring amazing architecture and rich construction. Some can only be viewed from outside, but parts of Dugan's, Alice's Pantry, Driesbach House, and Albright Mansion are open.
See St Mark's Church
A beautiful old Gothic church with amazing architecture and rich construction. Tours available seasonally.
Do
Do Jim Thorpe River Adventures
Jim Thorpe River Adventures is a locally-owned and operated whitewater rafting company. They are the only rafting company in the town of Jim Thorpe, so the bus ride to and from the river is much shorter! The guides are great and you get a free cookout afterwards!
Do Penn's Peak
An entertainment venue in Penn Forest Township. It can comfortably host 1,800 concertgoers with its spacious dance floor, lofty ceilings, twin bars and a restaurant. A broad open-air deck offers a breathtaking view of Beltzville Lake and a picturesque 50-mile panoramic view of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is the perfect location to host weddings, trade shows, conferences, seminars and private parties. Penn’s Peak is a Wi-Fi Hot Spot location.
Buy
Downtown Jim Thorpe has over four dozen different shops and restaurants that cater to many budgets and tastes.
Eat
Downtown has a wide selection of restaurants, including some fine dining options. All restaurants expect Macaluso's are within walking distance.
Eat Through the Looking Glass
Romantic atmosphere, live entertainment and interesting eclectic decor. Their breads are all homemade. They offer 6 varieties of soup daily. This is also a very romantic venue, with dim lights and oil lamps on the tables. The service is a bit slow.
Eat Macaluso's
A bit more expensive and much more elegant, Macaluso's serves Italian food. Highly recommended if you are looking for a more upscale dining experience while in the area.
Eat Molly Maguires Pub & Steakhouse
Eat Roadies Restaurant and Bar
In Penn's Peak.
Sleep
Stay Mary's Guesthouse
A comfortable, economical lodge in a casual atmosphere. Full kitchen and dining area, cozy living area.
Stay The Harry Packer Mansion Inn
The Mansion was used as the model for the Haunted mansion in Disney World so it is only fitting that they specialize in murder mystery weekends. They also offer overnight lodging, wine tastings and small events. Tours and Libations Lounge hours are 1PM to 6PM
Go next
- Susquehanna Bus Lines offers daily service from Jim Thorpe, with ultimate destinations being New York City or Philadelphia, with several stops in between. As of 2010, the prices are about $45 round-trip to Philly, and $65 r/t to NYC. Leave JT at 9AM or 5:30PM. Arrive from the cities at 11AM (P), 11:45 (NY) or 7:30PM (P), 8:15PM (NY).
Nearby
Lehighton
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
Slatington
City / town · 20 listings · 11 mi away
Hazleton
City / town · 7 listings · 14 mi away
Whitehall Township
City / town · 8 listings · 19 mi away
Fogelsville
City / town · 16 listings · 21 mi away
Allentown
City / town · 82 listings · 23 mi away
Nazareth
City / town · 2 listings · 24 mi away
Kutztown
City / town · 21 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
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