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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. Pair this guide with our Poconos Winter Mini Guide for the perfect weekend ski getaway.

Through the Looking Glass
111 Broadway | ttlookingglass.com
For your pre-ski 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 for a good-sized glass plus free refills, and the $1 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. Computers are available with Internet access. And when it’s five o’clock somewhere, B.Y.O.B.

Pufferbellys
36 Susquehanna Street (entrance on Race St.) | 570.325.2528 | pufferbellys.info
T-shirts, old railway signs, and even a NJ Transit helmet adorn this one-room haven for all things locomotive. There are toy trains and train set supplies, and even train-themed jewelry. Pete, the Pufferbellys proprietor, makes conversation worthwhile even for those less locomotively-inclined. This tiny shop will toot your horn.

Country Cottage
37 Race Street | 800.304.8522
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 Broadway House
46-48 West Broadway | 800.329.2599 | broadwayguesthouse.com
For a comfortable and affordable B&B with an outdoor hot tub, The Broadway House, a guesthouse connected with the Inn at Jim Thorpe, is an ideal location. The rooms are nicely sized, clean, and include free Wifi. For those who have rented a hybrid, there is an indoor garage attached to the guesthouse. For bus-goers, the walk along Broadway is a breeze and highly recommended. Alternatively, the Inn offers shuttles to and from several ski areas. Room rates start at $99 per room/night on weekdays and $115 on weekends and holidays.

How To Get There: Check susquehannabus.com or call 800.692.6314 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.

Getting around once you are in the Poconos can be tricky without a car or a friend in the area, so consider renting a hybrid vehicle. Check out our Mini Guide To Renting Hybrid Cars In Manhattan

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