Enjoying the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival

Looking down on Jim Thorpe, PA from Mount Pisgah.

The annual Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival takes place the first four weekends of October in 2023, with October 7th being the first day and October 29th being the last day this year.

The Jim Thorpe Visitor Center on October 20th.
The Jim Thorpe Visitor Center.

October is one of the most fantastic times of the year to visit Jim Thorpe, known as the “Switzerland of America” because of the town’s historic architecture and idyllic mountain views.

Hotel Switzerland in downtown Jim Thorpe during the Fall Foliage Festival.
The Hotel Switzerland in downtown Jim Thorpe during the Fall Foliage Festival.

What follows is a list of some of the must-see spots when attending the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival – click on the blue text links to read more in-depth information about each destination.

Open air car on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.
Open air car on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

1. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

If you’re a railfan, take advantage of the fall foliage excursions on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway during the Fall Foliage Festival – you won’t be disappointed!

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, PA.
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, PA.

You’ll depart from Jim Thorpe and ride up the Lehigh Gorge parallel to the Lehigh River.

Passing over the Lehigh River on the fall foliage train out of Jim Thorpe.
Passing over the Lehigh River on the fall foliage train out of Jim Thorpe.

The entire out and back trip lasts approximately 45 minutes, which leaves plenty of time for exploring the sights in downtown Jim Thorpe.

View from onboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train.
View from onboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train.

2. The Asa Packer Mansion

The Asa Packer Mansion is another can’t miss sight during fall foliage season in Jim Thorpe.

The Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA.
The Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA.

The mansion sits high on a hill with a commanding view of downtown and the fall fall foliage on the surrounding mountains.

View from the Asa Packer Mansion on October 20th.
View from the Asa Packer Mansion on October 20th.

Next door, the Harry Packer Mansion (the inspiration for Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion) is another impressive sight.

The Harry Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe PA.
The Harry Packer Mansion.

3. Downtown Jim Thorpe

Downtown Jim Thorpe is awash with color on the Fall Foliage Festival weekends.

Downtown Jim Thorpe during the Fall Foliage Festival.
Downtown Jim Thorpe during the Fall Foliage Festival.

The Victorian building facades are decorated for the fall foliage festival, and a holiday mood fills the streets.

Fall Foliage Festival decorations in a downtown Jim Thorpe building.
Fall Foliage Festival decorations in a downtown Jim Thorpe building.

Jim Thorpe truly is a scenic paradise, and that’s never more apparent than in October.

Vibrant fall foliage surrounding Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
Vibrant fall foliage surrounding Jim Thorpe.

4. Fall Foliage Views from Mount Pisgah

If you’re really adventurous, hike to the top of Mount Pisgah for panoramic views of the Lehigh Gorge and Jim Thorpe.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall folaige excursion passing through the Lehigh Gorge on October 20, 2021.
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall folaige excursion passing through the Lehigh Gorge on October 20, 2021.

The views from the Lehigh Gorge Overlook on Mount Pisgah make the rather steep hike worth the effort.

Looking out over the Lehigh Gorge from Mount Pisgah, above Jim Thorpe, PA.
Looking out over the Lehigh Gorge from Mount Pisgah, above Jim Thorpe, PA.

From the Jim Thorpe Overlook on the opposite side of Mount Pisgah, it’s easy to see how the town garnered the nickname “the Switzerland of America”.

Mount Pisgah Trail summit above Jim Thorpe.
Mount Pisgah Trail summit above Jim Thorpe.

5. Fall Foliage Views at Glen Onoko

Finish your day in Jim Thorpe by driving out to the Glen Onoko access to Lehigh Gorge State Park, where you can catch the fall foliage train passing through yet again.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train passing through Glen Onoko on October 20th, 2021.
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway fall foliage train passing through Glen Onoko on October 20th, 2021.

 Moyer’s Rock Overlook at Glen Onoko offers a yet another fabulous fall foliage view of the Lehigh Gorge.

Moyer's Rock Overlook on an October afternoon at Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Moyer’s Rock Overlook on an October afternoon at Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Final Thoughts on the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival

Between the scenic train rides, live music, children’s activities, ghost tours, and seasonal specials at local restaurants, shops and galleries, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival in 2023!

A view of downtown Jim Thorpe from the Asa Packer Mansion.
A view of downtown Jim Thorpe from the Asa Packer Mansion.

Nearby Attractions

Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is a cascading waterfall along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, 1/4 mile north of the Rockport Access to the park and rail trail.

Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park.
Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Luke’s Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is an easy 1/4 mile hike/bike ride south of the Rockport Access along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail.

Fall foliage around Luke's Falls in October, 2021.
Fall foliage around Luke’s Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Tank Hollow Overlook in Carbon County offers visitors a stunning view of a bend in the Lehigh River in the western Poconos.

Early fall foliage at Tank Hollow Overlook on SGL 141.
Early fall foliage at Tank Hollow Overlook on SGL 141.

The Jim Thorpe Memorial is the final resting place of namesake of the town and the man voted “The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the 20th Century” by the Associated Press.

Jim Thorpe Memorial Park in Carbon County Pennsylvania.
Jim Thorpe Memorial Park in Carbon County.

Exploring Hickory Run State Park is an in-depth guide to the best things to see and do at this 15,990-acre park in Carbon County, just north of Jim Thorpe.

The best thinsg to see and do at Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County Pennsylvania.
Scenes from Hickory Run State Park.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.