Fallin' in the Pocono Mountains 26

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the picturesque scenery filled with brilliant fall foliage along every turn of the highway as we travel to the town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, nestled in the breathtaking Lehigh River Gorge. With the feel of a quaint alpine escape, Jim Thorpe has been called the "Little Switzerland of America" due to its picturesque scenery, mountainous location, and Victorian architecture. We begin our tour by taking our reserved seats at Penn's Peak, a beautiful mountaintop theatre with 50-mile panoramic views of Eastern Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains! Penn's Peak is the Lehigh Valley and Pocono Mountain's premier entertainment venue specializing in matinee performances that range from Broadway shows and comedies, to vibrant musicals, special music events and concerts. First, enjoy a delicious luncheon, followed by a tribute show. After the show, it is a short drive to Lehighton, Pennsylvania, to check into the Hampton Inn, for the next two nights. Following our hotel check-in, you will have time to unwind and freshen up before going out for a delicious dinner at Macaluso's Restaurant, a destination restaurant located at the front door of the Pocono Mountains, serving Italian dishes with a creative twist for over 30 years. Afterwards we return to our hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day 2

After breakfast we will meet our conductor and climb aboard the nostalgic Jim Thorpe Trolley for a narrated tour highlighting the history of the area and its natural beauty. The trolley tour showcases all the best of Jim Thorpe . . . the Jim Thorpe Memorial, the Lehigh Gorge State Park, up Broadway past all the shops, restaurants, museums, and historic buildings downtown on to Mauch Chuck Lake before arriving at the Visitor Center. Following our trolley tour, enjoy lunch on your own at a local restaurant or pub, followed by some leisure time to explore the charming shops, local boutiques, antique shops, Main Street merchants, and art galleries, all within walking distance from the town square. This afternoon we will visit the Old Jail Museum for a guided tour. See how the past prisoners lived during their time served. Resembling a fortress standing guard over the town of Jim Thorpe, the 19th century historic Old Jail Museum is a beautiful two-story stone structure. Containing approximately seventy-two rooms, this magnificent structure shouts to all 'Be good'! The building has twenty-seven cells, plus basement dungeon cells used as solitary confinement. The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s. We conclude our touring day with a guided tour of historic Asa Packer Mansion. The Mansion was the home of philanthropist, railroad magnate, and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer. Built in 1861 by Philadelphia architect, Samuel Sloan, the home was constructed over a span of two years and cost a total of $14,000 dollars. Topped by a red-ribbed tin roof and a central cupola, or belvedere, the home was built over a cast iron frame and consists of three stories, eighteen rooms and approximately 11,000 square feet of living space. After a day of touring, we return to our hotel where you will have time to relax and freshen up before going out for tonight's dinner at a restaurant that serves great local flavors.

Day 3

After breakfast we embark on a scenic train ride through the Pocono Mountains on board the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. The narrated round trip follows the majestic Lehigh River over bridges, through Glen Onoko, and into the Lehigh Gorge State Park. High-rising cliffs, mountain scenery, and wildlife surround the train along the forested route to Old Penn Haven. After our train ride, we will discover a hidden treasure in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, called Country Junction in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. Prepare to be dazzled at Country Junction, the granddaddy of general stores, where aisles sprawl like endless treasure hunts. A general store and family entertainment center featuring a petting zoo, arcade, and food, Country Junction is more than just a store, it is a treasure trove of the unexpected. Next, we depart for home with fond memories of the splendor of fall in the Pocono Mountains, and a unique American town rich with history and charm, Jim Thorpe!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner