4:00 PM
Check in
Stay at The Inn At Jim Thorpe.
Built in 1849, this Victorian inn offers historic-district rooms, a ground-floor grille, EV charging, and secure bike storage with e-bike outlets.
Weekend itinerary
Two nights in Jim Thorpe
Arrive for Broadway and dinner, give Saturday to the scenic railway and historic houses, then choose a bike, raft, or gorge walk before heading home.
By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary
Two nights separate Jim Thorpe's railway-and-mansion day from an active morning in the gorge.
Best length
2 nights
Two nights provide one complete town-and-railway day plus a distinct gorge block. A third night is useful only when rafting and a long bike ride both matter.
Stay
The Inn At Jim Thorpe
Built in 1849, this Victorian inn offers historic-district rooms, a ground-floor grille, EV charging, and secure…
Main activity
Broadway, scenic railway, Packer Hill, Mauch Chunk history, and one Lehigh Gorge outing
Keep Saturday centered on the railway and historic district. Reserve Sunday morning for one outdoor outing whose distance and return time fit the drive home.
Two days in town
Town day, gorge morning
Check the railway, mansion, and outfitter calendars before fixing meal times; their operating days change through the year.
Friday
Park, check in, and follow Broadway uphill.
Let the station, courthouse, stone storefronts, and wooded slopes introduce the town before dinner.
6:30 PM
First dinner
Keep Friday dinner on Broadway.
Inside the historic Inn at Jim Thorpe, this Victorian pub serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside burgers, steaks, seafood, craft beer, and creative cocktails.
Saturday
Ride into the gorge, then climb into town history.
Board near the historic station, return for lunch, and spend the afternoon between Packer Hill, Broadway, and Race Street.
8:30 AM
Breakfast
Eat before the station gets busy.
Scratch-made cooking pairs locally farmed ingredients with fried cheese curds and seasonal handcrafted cocktails at the Hofford Mill in Weissport.
Morning
Main activity
Take the scenic railway through the gorge.
The narrated round trip follows the Lehigh River past Glen Onoko and into Lehigh Gorge State Park. Confirm the exact train, car class, duration, and arrival guidance directly.
4:30 PM
Afternoon
Walk from the station to Packer Hill.
The ascent is short but steep. Match mansion tour availability to the day, then continue through the historic district at street level.
7:00 PM
Dinner
Return to Broadway for Saturday dinner.
Ouros fits a reserved dinner; Notch Eight or Stone Row keeps the evening relaxed after a full day on foot.
Sunday
Choose wheels, whitewater, or a river walk.
Book a bike shuttle or guided raft trip when the gorge is the reason for the weekend. Otherwise walk an out-and-back from the southern park access before the drive home.
Morning
Sunday morning
Fuel up before the gorge.
Match breakfast and checkout to the confirmed shuttle, outfitter check-in, or daylight walking window.
11:00 AM
One last stop
Finish beside the Lehigh River.
A long bike ride, guided rafting trip, and quiet rail-trail walk are different days. Pick the version that suits the group and current conditions.