This tiny town is nestled in the Pocono Mountains. Although I have been to the Poconos before, I have never ventured to this historic location. My mistake was not realizing what a tourist trap the little town would be! My advice? Get there early in the day to find a parking spot. Even though I took off work and traveled here on a Friday morning, it was still busy.

We arrived early and found a church parking lot charging $20 for the day, which was perfect. From there, we only had to walk for a few minutes before we reached the main streets. I used this MAP to find the shops we wanted to see, but it wasn’t necessary. It seems impossible for anyone to get lost or turned around here.

One of the museums guests could visit was the Old Jail Museum pictured below, which looked very interesting.

I also learned that the town of Jim Thorpe (named after a Native American athlete) was originally named Mauch Chunk. This name is the Lenape phrase meaning “Bear Mountain” as the town is nestled against a hilly backdrop. Visitors can see references to “Mauch Chunk” listed on shop signs, paying homage to the original name.

The narrow streets were hilly and the environment felt like a European town. Buildings were colorfully painted and there was a beautiful aesthetic to every inch of the area.

Around every corner, little shop signs described interesting wares found within. There were coffee shops and small eateries, vintage/antique shops, or places selling unique or handmade goods. One of my favorite places focused on seasonal goods and decorations. Naturally, I had to buy a selection of tiny glass pumpkins from a seasonal shop! Another fun stop was a sassy print shop that made funny cards and other paper products. The printing machinery was visible for visitors to admire along with vintage components scattered around the store.

No visit would be complete without documenting a street mural. This was the only mural I noticed, and it was added to a beautifully restored building.

Although I did not take the train ride, I appreciated seeing the bustling station. Many families were using the short ride to further appreciate the Fall season on a nice sunny day. Now that I know what to expect, I would love to return and visit again!