Fall Foliage Trip to the Jim Thorpe, PA, Area

Enjoy Fall in Jim Thorpe, Pa.

This four-day Columbus Day Weekend trip is for anyone who'd like to enjoy a relaxing, fun time in the Jim Thorpe area of Pennsylvania for one or more days of activities. It's scheduled around the whitewater rafting trip, planned by Jill Darling, on October 12, as a loosely organized U-drive trip with various activities planned for each day.

You can do some things on your own and join in with organized activities as much or as little as you want. If you're staying overnight, It is recommended that you make your own reservations as soon as possible. Places are filling up fast. Jill has reservations at an Airbnb in Weissport, east of Jim Thorpe.

Activities

This is a listing of activities for each day. Contact Jill Darling at 607-239-1029 for more information about each one and to coordinate on some events with Jill.

Friday, October 11

• Underground Coal Mine Tour, No. 9 Coal Mine, 9 W. Dock St., Lansford, PA.
• • Time: Meet at 10 a.m., for 11 a.m. tour
  • Cost: $12 for adults, $10.50 for seniors, military, AAA, AARP
• Asa Packer Mansion Museum, Packer Hill Ave., Jim Thorpe, PA — Go on your own
• • Open from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first--served basis. No online sales.
• Old Jail Museum, 128 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA — Go on your own. 
• • Jail reservations must be made ahead of time ASAP for Friday as Saturday and Sunday times are sold out. 

    Click on the links for details.

Saturday, October 12

• Whitewater rafting in Nesquehoning, PA, for some TCSC members. (See whitewater rafting event for information).
  
  
• It's Fall Foliage Festival in Jim Thorpe. Go to the link for details, especially about parking. Go early (by 9 a.m.) to get parking at the train station, otherwise you may need to find other parking and be shuttled. 
  
  
• Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway: No reservations are made ahead of time during leaf-peeping season. Plan to arrive early to secure tickets. My recommendation is to arrive by 9 or 9:30 am to get a train ticket for the day. 

Sunday, October 13

• Episcopal Church of St. Mark & St. John, 21 Race St.,  Jim Thorpe.
• Church service at 9 a.m. National Historical Landmark: Gothic Revival architecture with Tiffany windows and the oldest working Otis elevator in the country. Tours of the church are $10.

• Fall Foliage Festival in Jim Thorpe. See above note. 
  
  
• Pocono Bike Riding has shuttles that take you from Jim Thorpe to Rockport, 15-miles away or to White Haven, 25-miles away, for $26.96 (same price for both). There is no train/bike ride during leaf season as all their railroad cars are devoted to scenic railway tours. Bikes can be rented right across the street from the train station. 

You can also just go biking (or walking) on the trail right from the train station in Jim Thorpe and turn around and come back, which is what I plan to do. I'll do a 5-miles up the trail with a two percent grade and then back. 

Monday, October 14

Country Junction General Store, 6565 Interchange Rd, Lehighton, PA.

Visit this huge general store that has just about everything with many unique items. Enjoy the Great Pocono Pumpkin Fest while you're there. Wrist bands are $15 for the Pumpkin Fest, but 65+ are FREE! Get there early to beat the crowd at both the store and the fest. 

Restaurant Suggestions

• Marion Hose Bar (a former fire house) has great food and canopy-covered outdoor seating.
  
  
• Stone Row Pub is a must-do dining experience for real foodies. Chef Margaret creates new menus on a daily basis and every order is freshly made. Plan to spend extra time for the personal preparation and enjoy the ambiance of dining in an old-fashioned home.

Lots of food vendors will be available during Fall Foliage Fest.