Capture the joy and magic of the holidays with a mountain getaway to Jim Thorpe, Pa. Nestled between three breathtaking mountains high in the Poconos, with the Lehigh River running right through the center of town and train tracks beside it, the charming village of Jim Thorpe is like stepping inside a Currier & Ives Christmas card.

Dubbed the “Little Switzerland of America,” this small mountain town is filled with history, outdoor adventure,

delightful attractions, specialty shops, unique restaurants, Victorian bed and breakfasts, and much more.

The Old Time Christmas Celebration is held the first two weekends in December. Families can experience the small-town charm of a tree lighting ceremony in Packer Park, caroling throughout town and train rides with Santa on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

Everyone will find something to do in historic Jim Thorpe. A walking tour of downtown Jim Thorpe will uncover many local treasures. Broadway Street and Historic Stone Row on Race Street have over 50 unique shops and world-class art galleries. The shops carry everything from outdoor wear and designer clothing, imported goods, unique crafts and handmade jewelry to souvenirs and “5 and dime” items. Dine in a variety of wonderful and eclectic eateries. Take in a show at the historic Opera House, visit the Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center, or take an old-fashioned train ride through the mountains around the Lehigh River.

History of Jim Thorpe

Who is Jim Thorpe and why was a town named after him? Jim Thorpe, a native American hero of the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, was buried here in 1953 when the towns of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk merged and changed their names to honor his memory.

 In Until his death, Jim Thorpe had no direct connection with this area. the 19th century, the two Mauch Chunks were thriving commercial centers during Spearheaded by Asa Packer, one of the nation’s the Industrial Revolution. wealthiest tycoons and founder of Lehigh University, Mauch Chunk was a center The area became a popular summer for railroading, canal trade and coal shipping. resort, attracting thousands of wealthy visitors each year to marvel at the However, with the decline scenic beauty of the mountains and the Lehigh River. of the coal mining and railroading after the Great Depression, the towns settled  into a period of slow decline.

 In 1912, he was at the A similar thing happened to Jim Thorpe the athlete.  He took the Stockholm Olympics by storm, breaking height of his power and fame. record after world record and setting a point total unprecedented in the modern  But soon after the Olympics, a reporter discovered that Thorpe had Olympiad.  The played a season of professional baseball in North Carolina for $60 a month. Olympic Committee stripped him of his medals on the grounds that Thorpe had forfeited his amateur status.

Thorpe died in 1953, and his widow discovered that his native state of When she Oklahoma would not assist in developing a suitable memorial to him. learned how the communities of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk were also struggling for economic survival, she visited the town and asked for assistance. A group of local citizens thought this would be an opportunity to end decades of sectional rivalries by merging the towns, naming them in honor of Jim Thorpe, and hoping that the change would give added impetus to positive thinking in the  They were right; the town not only survived but thrived. Visitors community. will find many ways to experience the exciting history of the town.

Must-see sites

Your trip to the Poconos should include riding the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway through the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park on a 1920s train. For the 16-mile roundtrip, visitors ride the former mainline of the Jersey Central Lines leaving Jim Thorpe. The train follows the winding Lehigh River, rounding curve after curve until it reaches Old Penn Haven. For information, visit www.lgsry.com.

The Asa Packer Mansion, overlooking the Old Mauch Chunk National Historic District, home to entrepreneur and philanthropist Asa Packer, is not a restoration; it exists essentially as it was when the Packers lived in it from 1861 to 1912. The 11,000 sq. ft. home and furnishings were given to the Borough of Mauch Chunk, and the home is open seasonally for tours. For information, call 570-325-3229 or visit www.asapackermansion.com.

Where to stay

Accommodations in the Historic District and surrounding area reflect the Many of the B ambience of the town.&Bs and various lodgings are located in  Most of the accommodations are open year round. Victorian mansions and houses. Many Jim Thorpe hotels, inns and resorts offer special getaway packages, which typically include accommodations, some meals, spa treatments, shopping and entertainment.

The Inn at Jim Thorpe, which is located in the heart of the town, combines old– world charm with modern amenities. This historic hotel features 45 elegant guest rooms and suites. Each room is furnished with handsome Victorian reproductions, and the suites offer whirlpools and a fireplace. You will find spa services, meeting rooms, exercise facilities and grand balcony overlooking the village of Jim Thorpe. Visit www.innjt.com for information on various packages.

For a gorgeous panoramic view of the area, take a ride five miles up the mountain from Jim Thorpe to Penn’s Peak, where you can eat at Roadie’s Restaurant or take in first-class entertainment. Penn’s Peak can comfortably seat up to 1,800 concert-goers. Visitors can enjoy the majestic mountain view while taking in performances of various artists of every genre.

Visit www.pennspeak.com for details.

Visit www.800poconos.com, or contact Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau at 1-800-POCONOS for information on other seasonal activities. 

OLD TIME CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

For information, visit www.jimthorpepa.com.