Historic Jim Thorpe Celebrates Wintertime With Milestone Event

 

Enjoy tons of winter fun in one of NEPA’s most iconic small towns.

Every President’s Day weekend in Jim Thorpe, thousands of visitors descend on the adorable, coal town to celebrate their annual Winterfest. It’s one of the best times of year to enjoy this hidden, beautiful gem in the southern Pocono Mountains and celebrate winter. Yes, winter.

The entire town, from the residents to the shops and cafes, are all too happy to join in the celebration. There’s so much to do in town, and so much to see. Park the car, make your way to the center of town and let the wintertime fun begin.

 

Explore by foot, carriage or train.

Start your visit at the gazebo in Josiah White Park just in front of the train station. Enjoy warm and tasty treats from local vendors and check out the iconic ice throne. Then, take in some of the live entertainment before embarking on a leisurely walk or horse-drawn carriage ride through town.

Crystal View Carriage Rides will take you on a magical tour through the quaint streets of Jim Thorpe. See all of downtown’s quintessential beauty by wagon ride. Or, hop on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for a 70-minute roundtrip excursion with stunning views of the gorge and surrounding winterscape.

There are plenty of fun events planned throughout the weekend. Bring the little ones by the Winter Wonderland at the Mauch Chunk Ballroom Saturday and Sunday between 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. for family fun, including vendors with freebies and games, baked goods and a selfie station.

Friday night, enjoy the Love & Light Luminary Walk. The historic district will be lit up with luminaries, with select businesses open for special late-night hours. Start off Saturday with Snowball Yoga & Morning Dance Party. And on Sunday, the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival presents for free an encore screening of the Sixth Annual Film Festival shorts, as well as showings of the best shorts from local artists over the last five festivals.

 

Grab a Mug and See the Sights

A great way to explore the town on foot and see many of the shops, businesses and restaurants in the main historic district along Broadway and Race streets is by taking part in the annual Mug Walk. And this year a Shopping Passport is a new addition to the fun.

How it works is simple. Preorder a commemorative Winterfest Mug (which also comes with a recyclable bag from the Jim Thorpe Olive Oil Co.) and choose your route – either the Fire Trail or Ice Trail. The enclosed shopping passport will take you on a 1–2-mile scavenger hunt, of sorts, throughout town. You’ll stop in shops and restaurants and receive small treats and trinkets. This is where the bag comes in handy. While this is not a drinking/alcohol event, some stops are for 21+, so keep that in mind if you are visiting with younger children.

After you complete the entire trail take your completed shopping passport to the Winter Wonderland to enter to win The Ultimate Jim Thorpe Experience.

 

Incredible art, history and live music abound.

Enjoy live entertainment all throughout the festive weekend. From local brass bands to performances by nationally renowned recording artists, there’s no shortage of great music. Check out the weekend lineup featuring Creedence Revived Tribute and ELO Tribute Show at the famous Mauch Chunk Opera House, as well as Alex and Naomi Obeid at Wild Elder Wine & Cider Co.

If your artistic tastes turn more toward the visual, you have to check out the whimsical Stabin Museum. Stay for a bite or a drink at the hip Café Arielle.

Of course, if you want the full Jim Thorpe experience, you have to check out the historic sites. Take a tour of the opulent and possibly haunted Harry Packer Mansion. Stroll through the grounds and gardens and get a lovely hilltop view of downtown. You can also visit the Mauch Chunk Museum for an engaging look into the town’s storied past. And don’t leave without stopping by Saint Mark’s & Saint John’s Episcopal Church. This 19^th Century architectural gem is truly a sight to behold.

 

Shopping is never a bad idea.

Dodge the cold weather at Winterfest by ducking into the many shops and boutiques along Broadway. Find it all from books and records, to toys, vintage clothing, antiques and more. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s even an old-fashioned candy store. Treat yourself or commemorate your visit with a souvenir.

Come Hungry

Good Food = Good Mood

Start your day with gourmet donuts and coffee or a budget-friendly homestyle breakfast. Then, on to the walking, sightseeing and shopping. In between, you’ll need a break. Pick up a quick pint and a sandwich for lunch at one of the welcoming pubs. And after you’ve taken in all of the sights and sounds, head to one of Jim Thorpe’s acclaimed restaurants for an unforgettable dinner. Throughout the day, be on the lookout for participating restaurants with Fire and Ice themed drink and food specials.

Embrace the Charm of a NEPA Winter

Make your way to Jim Thorpe’s 30th Annual Winterfest Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17-19.

Don’t miss all the family fun and festivities in one of America’s favorite small towns. Parking is available in the County Parking Lot behind the train station on Susquehanna Street. There is also limited meter parking throughout town.

Traffic entering Jim Thorpe during festival weekends can get congested at times. Be sure to plan accordingly. And if you truly want to beat the rush, maybe you should make a weekend out of it.

Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 02/03/2020.