Jim Thorpe in the Fall: Festivals, Foliage, and Fun

While summer gets its fanfare in the form of salt-water vacations and outdoor barbeques, no season heralds itself quite as magnificently as autumn does. The spectacular foliage and invigorating air are an invitation to step outside this fall, to drink in the jewel-toned leaves and sunsets—perhaps summoning you to enjoy more and do less. If you’re looking for a place to experience fall in all its spectacular beauty, the charming town of Jim Thorpe is the perfect place. Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, this unforgettable small town near several extraordinary state parks can get you outdoors and maybe a bit closer to the things that truly matter.

The town of Jim Thorpe, referred to as a The Switzerland of the United States, has a distinctive and old-fashioned magic of its own, made even more idyllic by a backdrop of changing leaves. Between its revitalized Victorian mansions, quaint shops, and fascinating museums, not to mention dazzling mountain backdrop, it is unsurprisingly deemed one of the best small-town vacations in the country. In addition to the year-round attractions at Jim Thorpe, the Fall Foliage Festival  runs every weekend from October 2nd to 24th, offering free live music, arts and crafts vendors, haunted ghost tours, and an array of delectable food. Leaving from downtown, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway offers a picturesque train tour from the comfort of its vintage coaches, taking visitors beside cliffs, waterways, and untainted mountain wilderness.

If you’re looking to be completely within—not just surrounded by—the colors of fall, Jim Thorpe is close to several remarkable state parks. Lehigh Gorge State Park is aptly named after the stunning river gorge it surrounds, and it contains more than 20 miles of the D&L Trail, which is ideal for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. The Mauch Chunk Lake Park draws visitors for its pristine beech. Even when the air begins to cool, visitors can rent a boat or take a stroll before lighting a cozy campfire. Hickory Run State Park, a sixteen-thousand-acre state park, boasts more than 44 miles of hiking on 25 different trails, as well as some unique natural areas, including a large boulder field that is as striking as it is thrilling to explore.