Planning a surprise holiday trip for the girlfriend to the Jim Thorpe/ locomotives mountain area this weekend

Submitted by Low-Photograph-8045 t3_zg6tqf in Pennsylvania

Title pretty much says it all. We are going to a couple spots to see lights then finishing up at the Mt Airy casino and resort. Any good breakfast/dinner spots? Or just cool places in general? We like nice views and relaxing spots… and food lol. We are in the area on the 9th through the 11th. Thanks!

Edit: Poconos* oh my god I’m the worst

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cutiecat565 t1_izfdiap wrote

Just about all the restaurants in Jim Thrope are nice, but you 100% have to make reservations. They fill up fast.

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nepabi4u t1_izffl7v wrote

Bob's on east side of Jim Thorpe is great for breakfast quaint little hole in the wall where the cook & waitress are the same cheap good food

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mcvoid1 t1_izfmh2i wrote

I grew up there, but haven't been in a long time so I can't speak for dining and such. Other than the train rides, here's some stuff to see:

  • Jim Thorpe's monument on the east side. It's on 903 past the main part of town on your left. Olympic gold medalist in the pentathlon and decathlon, NFL hall-of-famer (so much that it's his statue at the front doors to the Hall of Fame), Major League Baseball player, pro basketball player, it's hard to argue that he wouldn't be the greatest athlete of all time. Nothing to do with the town except that here's buried there, though.
  • Downtown, go down Broadway and on the right is the old County Jail. It's cool for the tours and ghost stories. Charles Neast, the old Sheriff, went to my church when I was a kid (probably died around 1990) and he swore the phantom handprint was legit.
  • Also downtown, Race St has a quaint European vibe and is filled with little shops.
  • The Asa Packer and Harry Packer mansions on Packer Hill at the bottom of Center Ave have tours and are pretty cool. In winter the street might be one-way for safety reasons (it's a pretty steep hill) so watch out.
  • Outside of downtown 209, Flagstaff has a scenic overlook of the town. Was a night club and restaurant at various times. I have no idea what's up there nowadays.
  • If you're into creepy, there's an awesome cemetery in the heights on South Ave next to the Lutheran church that you can walk through and see the monuments.
  • If you're into hiking and risk-taking, you're definitely not allowed in Glen Onoko Falls. It's closed off and too dangerous. Do not cross the river and take a left off 903 to Lehigh Gorge State Park at the bottom of the trail.
  • For less risky, but a bit more boring and less scenic hiking, the historic Switchback Trail is in the heights, and can be accessed off Center Ave, IIRC.
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Ben3555 t1_izfodc0 wrote

Restaurant Recommendations/Notes:

• ⁠“Notch 8” for PA Craft Beer/Liquor also good food in a bar setting.

• ⁠ “The Gorge Eatery” at The Hofford Mill has great food as well. Lots of space too.

• ⁠ Definitely “Moya” for a quality dining experience, you’ll need reservations.

• ⁠”Marion Hose” is also good for dinner/drinks

• ⁠“Wild Elder Wine and Cider” for Charcuterie and Wine/Cider Tasting

• ⁠“Union Publick House” pitches themselves as “Jim Thorpe’s Dive Bar”, but it’s a real solid choice to get good food and drinks. Not for a fancy dinner, but if you’re looking for more things in the area, this place is great.

I’d avoid Molly Maguire’s, it’s definitely a Tourist aimed restaurant. Not aggressively bad, but, pricey for very basic food/drinks. At least the last time I was there.

Double check what’s open when, the town is pretty quiet Mon-Wed, but can be VERY busy on weekends. Definitely plan accordingly. Thursdays are some of the best days to visit.

Have fun!

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E_Pluribus_Omnom t1_izfr5d1 wrote

Plan to use your car as little as possible, parking can be painful Fri- Sun.

Rent bicycles.

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artificialavocado t1_izihc2m wrote

I haven’t been there in years but Jim Thorpe is an absolutely lovey town.

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Allemaengel t1_iziij5n wrote

I live just outside Jim Thorpe and you got a lot of good suggestions.

I'd only add that the restaurant recommended at Hofford Mill is actually down the river in Weissport (across from Lehighton). Hiking the Weissport Canal towpath section of the D&L Trail before/after could tie into that

Also hiking the Switchback Rail trail between Jim Thorpe and the Much Chunk Lake dam overlook is nice.

Some of the trails at Hickory Run S. P. are nice too but go on Sunday as Saturday is the last day of regular deer season.

Edit: typos

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