This weekend we decided to take a day trip to Jim Thorpe, PA to check out their Autumn Leaf Train ride and walk around the Fall Foliage Festival that was happening in downtown. We visited Jim Thorpe in the spring of 2021 to experience the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway but were ready to get back to see it in a different season.
1. Dates to Remember: The 2023 Autumn Leaf Season runs from September 30th to November 5th, offering you several weeks to experience the fall foliage. The leaves were starting to change this weekend, but if you want to see it at its peak I would wait until the end of October or early November to visit.
If you’re planning to visit during the holiday season, make sure to mark November 24th on your calendar, as it kicks off the Santa Claus Special Train rides.
2. Quick and Scenic Adventure: The Autumn Leaf Trains offer a 45-minute round-trip through the Lehigh Gorge, showcasing the fall colors and the charm of Jim Thorpe.
3. Tickets and Timing: There are no advanced tickets for the Autumn Leaf Train ride. Tickets come on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket booth, open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
Insider tip: Arrive early to secure your parking spot, as the lot can fill up quickly, especially if you’re traveling with young children and no stroller.
4. Exploring the Area: We arrived at 9:30 am, and tickets were still available for the 10:00 am train. However, we opted for the 11:00 am ride to give our kids time for snacks, layering up for warmth, and the walk from the car to the train.
Insider tip 2: If you happen to park farther away, there are paved paths you can check out leading up to the train station. You can enjoy some extra time walking along the river, or snapping some family photos along the shoreline.
5. Riding in Style: We chose the open-air car, an incredible experience that allowed us to take in the unobstructed views. They also offer other car options, such as standard coach seating, crown-class seating, and vista-class dome car seating, each with its own unique features and prices.
6. Fall Foliage Festival: After our train ride, we walked around downtown Jim Thorpe. We were lucky to catch the Fall Foliage Festival, which runs every Saturday and Sunday in October. The festival offers arts and crafts stands, food stations, live music, children’s activities, ghost tours, and seasonal specials in local restaurants and shops. While it can get busy, it was the perfect way to wrap up our morning.
7. Road Trip from Philly: For those in the Philadelphia area, Jim Thorpe is just about 1 hour and 15 minutes away, making it an ideal day trip destination.
8. Share the Experience: Don’t forget to check out my Instagram reel for an overview of the Autumn Leaf Train experience!