Built in 1861, this Victorian Italianate architecture-style home was constructed over a span of two…read moreyears at a total cost of $14,000 dollars. The Asa Packer Mansion listed as a National Historic Landmark was the home of philanthropist, railroad magnate, and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer, from Oct. 16, 1861, to Oct. 29, 1912. Located in Jim Thorpe, this building is recognized by a red-ribbed tin roof and a central cupola proudly atop Packer Hill with the commanding stunning views of the surrounding Pocono Mountains, where my partner, his aunt and I came for a tour today. Tickets were easily available and reasonably priced for the 1pm tour, which covered the entirety of the first and second floors. Our tour guide was a young lady (she mentioned she is a senior in high school) who obviously loves her job and is personally interested in the history of the mansion and family. From the furniture, woodwork, and stained glass to the artwork, she spoke about the history or significance. The mansion is not a restoration where pictures and video are prohibited inside. An amazing walk back in time, for which we can recommend this place.

This was absolutely the highlight of our day in Jim Thorpe! Such a stunning home with amazing…read morehistory and it's incredibly well preserved. Our tour guide was very passionate about the subject and brought the story of the home to life. We learned so much about Asa Packer and his family as well as his contributions to the town itself. I highly recommend visiting the mansion. It's very affordable and you won't regret it. The setting is very scenic as it's set atop a gorgeous hill overlooking the region. Bonus points if you have the opportunity to visit during the fall season. You'll be surrounded by the most beautiful foliage. But very important to note, accessing the museum means walking up the hill and some stairs. It's a short walk but could be taxing for some. Very much worth your efforts though!

Such a great little place to explore. Municipal parking is only $8.00 overnight! This means if you…read morego in the morning and want to go back at night, your parking is paid for all day-such an incentive. Lots of shops and eateries. Loved the little square by the train station where there was seating and food trucks. Visitor center had A LOT of information and pamphlets.

Jim Thorpe is a charming little town filled with history and unique experiences. It is perfect for…read morethose looking to explore and have some fun. You can ride the train, rent a bike, or stroll through the streets. There is so much to enjoy, including walking through the town, visiting the different shops, admiring the architecture, exploring the variety of restaurants, and checking out all the great photo spots. We spent the day enjoying the Fall Festival, grabbing a bite to eat, and relaxing with a few drinks. You can easily experience everything the town has to offer in one visit. A heads-up for visitors is that restaurants do not open until 11 AM, which makes it tricky if you arrive early for parking since you will need to kill two hours until places open. The main parking area fills up quickly, and the one-lane road in and out can get backed up. During festivals, the town gets packed by noon, and the train line gets very long. The best plan is to get in early and head out quickly to avoid the crowds. Before leaving, we snapped a photo with the iconic Jim Thorpe statue, which was a perfect way to end a memorable day.

The Jim Thorpe Memorial is located on the far side of town, directly off Route 903. Parking is…read morelocated alongside the memorial on a gravel strip. Located here are his grave, two statues, a sculpture with information boards, and an additional piece yet to be revealed. The area is quaint and quiet for the most part. Of the statues, one commemorates his participation in Football, with the other commemorating his participation in amateur athletics. The sculpture with the information boards was deigned by Kenrick N. Higa, but built by students at the local vocational tech school. Information boards surrounding the sculpture provide detailed information about Thorpe and have been kept updated. Two minor concerns I would mention is the grave could use better sealing around it, and some of the concrete sidewalks are starting to wear. Is the Jim Thorpe Memorial worth checking out if traveling though the area? Yes, it's worth stopping by. On the other hand, if you are making a special trip here, you need to plan other activities around the area as a stop here will only take around 15-30 minutes.

This is a great memorial to Jim Thorpe, located in this town which has decided to name itself after…read morehim even though Jim Thorpe never lived or even visited here. His remains, and a giant memorial stone, sit in the center, and are surrounded by statues of him as a football player and a triathlete. The statue of him playing baseball is still under construction, still under construction but if it's as nice as the other two, it will be a great addition. We spent at least 30 minutes here and I learned a lot about Jim Thorpe. I especially liked the section that discussed his twin brother and the thunder and lightning sculpture. I came away from this memorial with great respect for Jim Thorpe and utter disgust for his third wife who would sell his remains to this town to make a quick buck against his family's wishes. I'm also pretty disgusted with a town and it's people who would pull a stunt like this just to get a little extra tourism. Jim Thorpe seems to have been a philanthropic and kind person who worked hard and genuinely cared about other people. It's sad to think that he will spend eternity in a strange place so a few people could make some quick cash off of all he achieved.