Planning your next weekend getaway as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over? We’re doing the same, and way ahead into our winter holiday plans as well. If you’re looking for where to eat and sleep in Jim Thorpe (PA) – you reached a good place. Named after the coveted Olympic athlete, the town of Jim Thorpe or “America’s Little Switzerland,” was a location considered famous for many things at the turn of the last century: the site of the country’s first roller coaster and railroad, and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, for instance.
One of history’s hidden gems, the scenic mountainside town of Jim Thorpe has kept its antiquated charm and country comforts.
Get Outdoors: For Your Next Winter Vacation
Rent skis and organize a shuttle to the mountain with local shop Blue Mountain Sports.
Wondering whether to ski at Jack Frost or Blue Mountain? We highlight the best resorts of the Poconos in our Poconos Winter Mini Guide.
The Best Places to Eat in Jim Thorpe
Through the Looking Glass
111 Broadway | ttlgrestaurant.com
For your calorie fuel-up en route to Blue Mountain, this restaurant named after Alice in Wonderland is the place. The banana walnut pancakes are lightly sweetened and splattered with the perfect number of bananas and walnuts both in and on top of the stack. The French toast has the perfect consistency, with a nice, crispy outside. Orange juice is $1.85 for a good-sized glass plus free refills, and the $2 bacon strips are reason enough to visit. In case you’re not one for small talk, or need help finding a suitable subject matter, between the legs of each small glass-topped table lies a stack of magazines and books to browse while waiting for the meal. Pro tip: order a to-go sandwich to eat slopeside.
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Country Cottage
37 Race Street
We went for the pickles and left with much more. A local favorite shop full of handcrafted goods, expect to find shelves carrying varying shapes, sizes, and flavors of pickles, homemade strawberry and banana jams, and the latest jalapeño salsa.
The Muggles Mug
79 Broadway
Harry Potter fans will delight in this magically themed coffee shop decorated with everything from wands to owls. Grab a butterbeer latte or pepperup portion as you argue over the best Hogwarts House (note: it’s Ravenclaw).
The Best Place to Stay in Jim Thorpe
The Parsonage Bed & Breakfast
61 West Broadway
For a comfortable and affordable B&B, The Parsonage is ideal. Housed in a historic building from 1844, the B&B is decorated to the brim with paintings, miniatures and other oddities it is both cozy and interesting. The rooms are nicely sized, clean, and include free Wifi. Expect farm fresh and free-range food for breakfast in their communal dining room. Room rates start at $115 per room/night on weekdays. The B&B does not allow anyone under 18.
How To Get There: Check susquehannabus.com for schedules and information on the round-trip bus routes from NYC. The Jim Thorpe stop is one block away from the Inn at Jim Thorpe. Once in town, walk to local shops and restaurants and use the Blue Mountain Sports shuttle to get to your favorite adventure. For taxi needs, use local 903 Taxi.
Header photo by Chris Connelly.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram