- Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is often called the "Little Switzerland of America."
- Tucked into the state's Pocono Mountains, Jim Thorpe feels like a quaint alpine escape.
- I visited on a busy Sunday in October. Next time, I'd go during the week to avoid crowds.
My trip to Jim Thorpe, a small Pennsylvania town often called the "Little Switzerland of America," was an afterthought, a brief stop on the way back to New York City the Sunday after a girls' weekend in nearby Long Pond. About two hours from the city, Jim Thorpe is an easily accessible day trip from Manhattan.
Because it wasn't the main focus of our trip, I hadn't put any thought into our excursion. I'd heard of Jim Thorpe from friends who had visited and vaguely remembered reading about it last year, but otherwise had no expectations for what I (incorrectly) assumed would be a sleepy mountain town.
Driving down the tree-lined road into town, two things became clear: it was as beautiful as I had heard, and it would be much busier than expected.
Jim Thorpe, the 'Little Switzerland of America,' is perfect for a fall getaway
The town, originally called Mauch Chunk when it was founded in 1818, was renamed in 1954 after Native American Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, according to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. Tucked away in the southern Poconos, Jim Thorpe is pressed against the area's foothills, creating the stunning backdrop that earned the town its designation as a Swiss-like escape.
I found that October is a perfect time to go when the leaves are changing and the air is starting to crisp. It's warm enough to walk around with a sweater but cool enough to get into the autumnal spirit.
Plus, the town's quaint brick buildings, Victorian architecture, towering church, and the passenger train that snakes through the neighboring hills, all play into the feeling that you're walking through an alpine village.
When we arrived, visitors rode horse-drawn carriages through the streets, adding to Jim Thorpe's fairytale-like allure.
It's stunning during the fall, but next time, I'll go during the week to avoid crowds
While I loved popping into the town's enchanting shops and cafés — like a Harry Potter-themed coffee shop, the Muggles Mug — it was busier than I anticipated.
Given the trip's spontaneity, we hadn't realized we'd be arriving during Jim Thorpe's Fall Foliage Festival, which runs every weekend in October. With street vendors, live music, and leaf-peeping train rides, the festival is a fun excuse to visit the town — but it also makes it overwhelmingly busy.
The influx of tourists made it nearly impossible to find parking. We finally squeezed into a spot after about 30 minutes of searching. The sidewalks were crawling with spectators, and the cute shops were crammed with people, making navigating difficult. We stopped by three restaurants for lunch, each with a more than 45-minute wait. The Muggles Mug had an even longer line of caffeine-seeking visitors.
Ultimately, we were seated at China Garden, a Chinese restaurant on the town's main street, which made for a quick and inexpensive lunch before exploring the rest of town.
Overall, Jim Thorpe was just as charming as it's made out to be, especially as the trees began their transformation. October was a beautiful time to visit, but next time, I'd try to go during the week to avoid all the crowds that come for the Fall Foliage Festival.