20 Unusual Things To Do In Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania's Old Jail Museum is a historic site with a rich and mysterious past. Built in 1871, it is most commonly known for its association with the Molly Maguires—Irish coal miners accused of murder and other crimes during the 19th century.

Visitors can explore the preserved cell blocks, warden’s quarters, and infamous ‘Hanging Room’ that witnessed the execution of seven Molly Maguires.

The museum also offers guided tours that delve deep into the history behind the prison, what miners went through and labor unrest at that time. The Old Jail Museum gives an interesting insight into Pennsylvania’s heritage from industrial to social complexities.

The Turn Hole Tunnel, in Lehigh Gorge State Park near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is a historical rail tunnel built in the late 19th century. It was part of the Central Railroad of New Jersey's route through the Lehigh Gorge, facilitating the transportation of coal and other goods.

The tunnel is carved through solid rock and showcases impressive engineering for its time. Although it is no longer in use, the Turn Hole Tunnel is a popular spot for hikers, bikers, and history enthusiasts.

The scenic Lehigh Gorge Trail passes by the tunnel, offering visitors stunning views of the surrounding gorge and river. The area is rich in natural beauty, making it a great destination for outdoor recreation and a glimpse into Pennsylvania's industrial past.

The Mauch Chunk Museum, in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania showcases the rich history of the town formerly known as Mauch Chunk. It features exhibits that highlight the coal mining history of this region, the railroad industry impact, and a story of the town’s renaming in honoring Native American athlete Jim Thorpe.

Exhibits consist of artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that help customers to appreciate change.

Visitors can also learn about how important Asa Packer was for the development of the area. The museum serves as an interesting window into how this charming town in Pennsylvania has developed throughout the years and cultures.

Pennsylvania offers many ghost tours that explore its haunted and rich past. One of them is Gettysburg Ghost Tours, where you can explore the haunted history of the Gettysburg battlefield, one of the most famous places for paranormal activities in the United States.

Philadelphia Ghost Tours reveal the ghostly legends in America’s historical city, including stories from colonial times and the American Revolutionary War. Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison in Philadelphia known for being haunted, offers night tours that highlight its frightful past.

The Ghost Tours of New Hope take you through this quaint little town recognized for its old and eerie places, offering a glimpse into its ghostly legacy.

Anyone who loves to fly in Lehigh River, Pennsylvania, will enjoy a beautiful and fulfilling journey. The river is famous for its collection of trout, especially brown and rainbow trout. Important areas for fly fishing comprise the Lehigh Gorge State Park and the area between White Haven and Jim Thorpe. 

Amid springtime and autumn periods there is an abundance of mayflies, caddisflies, and stone flies, that entice hungry trout to feed on them.

Anglers might consider using nymphs, dry flies, and streamers to match this insect hatch and improve their chances of success. The Lehigh River attracts fly fishermen due to its attractive setting and different fishing sites.

Climbing on rocks at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Pennsylvania allows climbers to face unique and difficult experiences blended with splendid natural attractions. This park delights with rough terrain, high cliffs, and scenic overlooks leading to various climbing opportunities for all people regardless of their abilities.

Some of the most popular climbing spots include Glen Onoko Falls and some very steep rocky walls along the banks of River Lehigh. Rock climbers can choose from traditional or sports routes within varying compositions of sandstone and shale deposits found in the park’s squally vegetation. 

The Lehigh River in Pennsylvania is an exciting place for kayaking or tubing, with different outdoor adventures suitable for all abilities. There are both calm stretches and Class I-III rapids, so it is a good kayak river for beginners and experienced ones.

The most popular section for paddlers is the Lehigh Gorge, where they can enjoy scenic views and thrilling rapids while kayaking. Tubing is ideal in calmer sections with slower currents allowing easy floating. Ideal tubing conditions occur near Jim Thorpe and Bowmanstown due to gentle currents and flat terrain surrounded by scenic beauty.

Pennsylvania’s geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game using GPS, including Lehigh Gorge State Park. The participants search for hidden containers known as geocaches based on specific GPS coordinates.

Visitors should sign up on a geocaching website or app, find a nearby cache, and use their GPS device to navigate it. Then, look for the container, sign the logbook, and share your findings online.

Geocaching in Lehigh Gorge is a great way to explore the beauty of this park’s trails and natural settings. While looking out for these rare treasures remember to wear comfortable footwear make sure not to harm nature and try to leave things as they were originally found.

Stargazing at Hickory Run State Park is a beautiful experience accented by how much light pollution is reduced. There are numerous open areas in the park and high grounds from which to watch stars, planets, and meteor showers.

For the best experience, go on a clear night with little moonlight. Bring a telescope or binoculars for better viewing, and a red-light flashlight so you don’t blind yourself.

Make sure you dress warmly and consider using stargazing applications to help identify celestial objects. Due to its natural environment, this park is an excellent place for an adventurer who wants peace when gazing at the stars' enthralling scenery.

Riding the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, offers a captivating journey through the picturesque Lehigh Gorge. This vintage train ride meanders along the scenic Lehigh River, providing breathtaking views of lush forests, rocky cliffs, and the serene river below.

Passengers can enjoy the rich history and natural beauty of the area while relaxing in comfortable, restored railcars. It's a perfect way to experience the charm of the region, whether you're a nature lover or a history enthusiast. The train ride promises a memorable and tranquil escape from the everyday.

In Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, the Asa Packer Mansion is a historic house museum that presents an insight into the life of Asa Packer,  a notable 19th-century industrialist and the founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.

It was constructed in 1861 and acts as a representation of Victorian architecture with its intricate designs, featuring fancy furniture, stained glass windows, and detailed woodwork.

Discover how much he affected this area and how he contributed to railway development. The Asa Packer Mansion gives an intriguing view of the lavish lifestyle lived by one important individual in the industrial history of Pennsylvania.

The renowned Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival which takes place annually in October, is held in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. This vibrant event, involving arts and crafts vendors, live performances, street acts, and food kiosks, celebrates the breathtaking autumn colors.

Among other attractions, the visitors can take train rides around the scenic areas or visit the town’s historical places. The feast attracts many people because of its scenic beauty and fun atmosphere; hence it is a must-visit site for one to experience the lovelyness of Jim Thorpe in autumn.

Berry picking at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania is a splendid summer activity. Cherry Hill Orchards, located a few miles away has different kinds of berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Vacationers can harvest fresh fruits in an adorable environment while being one with nature and picking off sweet and ripe juicy berries.

The orchard nearby provides baskets and advice on how to choose them properly. This makes it a good family-friendly thing to do for appreciating the scenic beauty of the area plus bringing some mouth-watering locally grown fruits back home.

For all players from beginners to experienced ones, the Jim Thorpe area offers interesting games of disc golf. It features a variety of courses through woods and open areas presenting both scenic rear and various terrains at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

The intention is to make accuracy and strategy the key aspects alongside some beautiful sceneries from different parts of the course. Whether you are an expert or one who has just started this sport, take your time to enjoy outside with disc golf. Since it is well-kept and is located in the wild, many disc golf fans frequent this site.

A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch meal highlights hearty, comforting dishes reflecting the region's culinary heritage. It often includes scrapple, a savory pork-based breakfast dish; pot pie, a rich stew with chicken or beef, vegetables, and a dough crust; and shoofly pie, a sweet molasses pie with a crumbly topping.

Chicken and waffles, featuring fried chicken served with fluffy waffles and gravy, is another favorite. Apple butter, a spiced, slow-cooked apple spread, is commonly enjoyed on bread or biscuits. These dishes emphasize simple, wholesome flavors and are staples of Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine.

In Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, Penn's Peak Winery is a well-known locality that offers various wines derived from Pennsylvania grapes. This winery has a beautiful environment perfect for savoring the region’s wines and de-stressing through tastings.

If you enjoy craft beer, then Jim Thorpe Brewing Company is likely your favorite place to go in Jim Trope Pennsylvania. Situated in the center of town, this establishment serves different craft beers brewed at the brewery, including seasonal flavors and signature brews.

Moreover, it frequently organizes events and provides an intimate setting for tasting locally crafted beers. Both establishments have samples of their local cuisines which add to the beauty of Jim Thorpe.

Picnicking in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is a beautiful and fun outdoor activity. Mauch Chunk Lake Park is a great place to enjoy the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains with designated picnic areas and tables. You can have a meal in nature at a nice place where you can fish or hike.

Additionally, Lehigh Gorge State Park has a lovely picnicking site edged by overgrown places and the Lehigh River. In both places, one experiences an atmosphere of tranquillity that allows one to marvel at the beauty of nature in Jim Thorpe.

In the Jim Thorpe area, there is a wide range of suppliers for local honey giving you some traces of a taste from this town. One way to do this would be through Mauch Chunk Farm, which has honey that brings out different types of flowers and other nectar sources in our area.

Another choice would be Honey Haven Farm, known for its select honey varieties and extensive beekeeping experience. 

These local producers provide fresh raw nectar that encompasses their life cycle and enables the latter part to go into organic farming. By buying from them, you will enjoy distinctive flavors and sell yourself to businesses around them.

The culinary landscape of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania is revealed through a flavor-laden fluency of food in this area where you will never regret what you have chosen to eat during your vacation.

For chunky American meals look out for The Broadway Grille; also The Tara – A Country Inn serves a variety of foods from farms in Pennsylvania which are well prepared.

You can also check out Molly Maguires Pub & Restaurant which offers traditional Irish dishes and if that does not do justice to your taste, swing by Sweet Treats Bakery which specializes in sweets.

The Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, a mouth-watering treat, hails from Jim Thorpe in Pennsylvania. Known for its characteristic crunchiness and rich flavor, the traditional recipe has been handed down from generation to generation.

The dough is rolled out and twisted into the conventional shape before being baked in an oven sometimes sprinkled with salt.

You will find these pretzels at local shops and bakeries throughout Jim Thorpe eaten by locals and tourists. Mustard or cheese are some of the toppings you can easily get to have a delicious meal and understand what it means to eat like a Pennsylvanian Dutchman.