5 Things to Do With Your Whole Family in Jim Thorpe, PA

A short 30-minute drive south of Split Rock Resort will land you in the picturesque town of Jim Thorpe, PA. The town features a breathtaking landscape and quaint charm; leading USA Today and Rand McNally to rank it number four on their 2012 list of the “Most Beautiful Towns in America.”

The little town with fewer than 5,000 residents is named after the sports legend of the same name. If you’ve never heard of Jim Thorpe, he is perhaps the greatest athlete in modern times, having played professional football, baseball, and basketball and competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics in the decathlon and pentathlon events - winning gold in both. 

For such a small town, Jim Thorpe, PA offers visitors a lot to do. Here are our five favorite activities around town:

1. Take a Ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

Enjoy gorgeous views of the Pocono Mountains through the windows of a vintage rail car. The 70-minute train ride takes you along the Lehigh River, zig-zagging across bridges over the water. The trip will be narrated by a host, sharing stories and history of the area.

The trains run at regular intervals from May through December. The ride is shortened to 45-minutes in October due to the popularity of the changing of the leaves. For a complete schedule or to book your trip, visit www.lgsry.com.

2. Go Behind Bars at the Old Jail Museum

Take a guided tour through the Old Jail Museum and see what life was like behind bars at the turn of the century. The two-story jailhouse was built in 1870 and offers visitors 72 rooms to explore, including 27 prison cells.

The jail famously held and hung seven Irish coal miners who were part of a secret society known as the Molly Maguires. The group advocated for better working conditions and it is believed the seven who hanged were innocent of the crimes they were convicted for.

The museum is open from May through October between the hours of 12:00 and 4:30 PM. Visit www.theoldjailmuseum.com for more information.

3. Take a Rafting Adventure Down the Lehigh River

For thrill seekers and lovers of the outdoors, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in and around Jim Thorpe. One of our favorites is the rafting adventures on the Lehigh River offered by Pocono Whitewater.

There are options available for all skill levels and interests. For families, we highly recommend the “Family Style Whitewater.” This 3-4 hour guided adventure will take you eight miles down the river in relaxing style.

From April 4, 2017 through October 31, 2017, Split Rock Resort is offering a Whitewater Rafting Adventure package in partnership with Pocono Whitewater. The package includes a stay at our resort and whitewater rafting down the Lehigh River. Click here for booking details.

4. Sightsee in Style from the Sidecar of a Motorcycle

Do you want to do something well outside the norm on your vacation? Take a guided tour of Jim Thorpe from the sidecar of a motorcycle. The six unique packages offered by Jim Thorpe Sidecar Tourz offer something for everyone. Options include a town tour, a scenic tour to the summit of Beat Mountain, or a wine tasting tour at a local vineyard.

Each motorcycle is operated by a licensed professional drive. To book your tour, visit www.jimthorpesidecartourz.com.

5. Take a Selfie at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Statue

While you’re in town, pay homage to its namesake. Jim Thorpe’s burial site, The Jim Thorpe Memorial Park, is open to the public. Visitors can read about the fascinating life of the world’s greatest athletes in the historical markers sharing his story. Take a selfie with one of the two bronze statues at the memorial site and let everyone on Instagram know how much you love #jimthorpe.