Weekend Getaways Near Jim Thorpe: Curated Itineraries From Bischoff Inn
View from Hawk Mountain overlook
Looking for a weekend getaway near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania? Bischoff Inn in Tamaqua is a relaxed, historic home base for exploring the Pocono Mountains, Lehigh Gorge State Park, local wineries and breweries, outdoor adventures, antiques, and small-town dining. Located less than 30 minutes from Jim Thorpe, about 45 minutes from the Lehigh Valley, 90 minutes from Philadelphia, and roughly 2½ hours from New York City, the Inn makes it easy to experience the region without staying in crowded Jim Thorpe.
Whether you are planning a romantic Pennsylvania weekend getaway, a friends’ trip, a family adventure, a railfan excursion, a food-and-drink weekend, or a quiet retreat built around hiking and fall foliage, these itinerary ideas make the most of a stay at Bischoff Inn. Choose one theme or combine a few experiences to create a weekend that feels entirely your own.
At a Glance
Best for outdoor adventure: Hiking in local state parks, rails-to-trails biking, Lehigh River rafting & tubing , State Park beach swimming & kayaking, and White Birch & Old Homestead public golf courses.
Best for couples: Galen Glen & Cellar Beast Winehouse Wineries, Eight Oaks cocktails, historic train rides from Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe, dining, antiques, and scenic drives.
Best for families: State parks, beach days, mini golf, ice cream, the Bungalow pool, and drive-in movies.
Best for history lovers: Tamaqua Station Restaurant, the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, Jim Thorpe historic sites, Yuengling Brewery, and Fighter’s Heaven.
Best for fall: Hawk Mountain, foliage hikes, scenic rail trips, farm markets, pumpkin patches, and Jim Thorpe’s Fall Foliage Festival.
Best for a winter escape: Scenic train rides, breweries, distilleries, antiques, historic downtowns, cozy dining, and snow-season walks.
Outdoor Adventure Weekend
Tamaqua and the surrounding Pocono Mountains offer an excellent mix of hiking, water activities, biking, and scenic outdoor experiences. Start your Friday evening with dinner in Tamaqua at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant, La Dolce Casa, or Gimbel’s, then settle into Bischoff Inn before a full day outside.
On Saturday, choose the adventure that fits your pace. For hiking, nearby favorites include Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle Loop, Tuscarora State Park, Locust Lake State Park, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Hickory Run State Park, and Beltzville State Park. Hawk Mountain is particularly memorable during fall migration, when visitors may see hawks, eagles, and other raptors moving along the Appalachian flyway. For gentler scenery, walk or bike the paved 1.3-mile loop around Locust Lake State Park, or explore the lake and forest trails at Tuscarora State Park.
In warmer months, rent a kayak, canoe, or stand up paddleboard at Locust Lake—or bring your own to Tuscarora—to enjoy scenery from the water. Both parks also offer hiking and fishing opportunities. For a more energetic experience, book a Lehigh River whitewater rafting trip with Jim Thorpe River Adventures or Pocono Whitewater, or choose a more relaxed tubing trip with Luna Rafting. The D&L Trail offers another signature outing: ride the roughly 24.5-mile downhill route from White Haven to Jim Thorpe, using your own bike, a Jim Thorpe rental, or gear from D’nA Bikes in Tamaqua.
On Sunday, choose one final local activity before departing. Play a round at White Birch or Old Homestead Golf Course, cool off with locally made ice cream and mini golf at Heisler’s Creamery, or take a scenic walk before returning to the Inn to refresh. In summer, families may also enjoy Tamaqua’s Bungalow pool, which is within walking distance of Bischoff Inn and traditionally offers a waterslide and diving board during its seasonal operation.
Jim Thorpe Train and History Weekend
For visitors searching for a Jim Thorpe weekend itinerary, this is an ideal blend of railroad history, Victorian architecture, local museums, and mountain-town sightseeing. Begin Friday evening with dinner in Tamaqua, especially at the historic Tamaqua Station Restaurant, located inside a restored 1874 railroad passenger station, then enjoy a quiet night at Bischoff Inn.
On Saturday, head to Jim Thorpe to browse Broadway’s independent shops, restaurants, galleries, bookstores, antique stores, and historic streetscapes. Book a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway for a narrated excursion through the gorge, or, on select weekends, take the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad directly from Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe. The train option offers a particularly easy way to avoid parking pressure during busy weekends and lets you enjoy the scenery before you arrive. Set aside time for the Asa Packer Mansion Museum, one of Jim Thorpe’s most recognizable Victorian landmarks, or visit the Old Jail Museum for a distinctly local historical experience.
On Sunday, continue the coal-region story with a visit to the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Lansford. Visitors ride a mine train 1,600 feet into the mountain, then take a guided underground walking tour past the mule-way, original mine shaft, equipment, and a miner’s hospital carved into rock. Round out the weekend with Sunday brunch at Tamaqua Station Restaurant
Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries Weekend
A food-and-drink getaway at Bischoff Inn can be as relaxed or as celebratory as you like.
Begin Friday evening with dinner in Tamaqua, then enjoy a locally brewed beer at Stoker’s Brewing Company or Revere Brewery. Stoker’s offers a dog-friendly atmosphere, outdoor seating, games, and frequent food-truck visits; guests can also bring in takeout from a nearby restaurant.
On Saturday, explore the countryside beverage trail near Andreas and New Tripoli. Galen Glen Winery, Cellar Beast Winehouse, and Eight Oaks Farm Distillery are close enough to build into one scenic afternoon, though responsible pacing—and a designated driver—is essential. Galen Glen is known for estate-grown wines and vineyard views; Cellar Beast offers boutique, small-batch wine tasting; and Eight Oaks is a farm distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, applejack, and other spirits from grains grown on its own Pennsylvania farms. Galen Glen and Cellar Beast have a variety of snacks and occasional food trucks, with Eight Oaks being the most robust for lunch and dinner options. End the day near Bischoff Inn with dinner in Tamaqua and a restful evening.
Eight Oaks is especially appealing on Sunday, when guests can enjoy cocktails, a farm setting, and brunch or a snack before returning to Tamaqua. For another historic brewery experience, plan a trip to Pottsville and take a tour of Yuengling, America’s oldest brewery, then explore the city’s cafés, bakeries, shops, and restaurants.
Antiques and Small-Town Shopping Weekend
If your ideal escape involves browsing for one-of-a-kind finds, vintage furniture, records, books, local art, handmade goods, or unusual gifts, Tamaqua makes a wonderfully relaxed starting point.
Arrive on Friday evening and settle in for dinner at one of our local Tamaqua restaurants.
On Saturday, venture to Studio 895 or Vintage 61 Storehouse for antique and repurposed goods, or visit the Slatington Marketplace, a large vendor destination with an expansive mix of collectibles and a food hall. Pair shopping with lunch at Slatington Marketplace’s Food Hall & Farmer’s Market, return to Bischoff Inn to rest, and finish the evening with dinner and a drink in Tamaqua or Jim Thorpe.
Begin Sunday with coffee and breakfast at Hope & Coffee, then browse Tink’s Antiques and Tap-S-Trees in town. Both offer the kind of leisurely treasure-hunt shopping that rewards curiosity and a little extra time.
On Wednesday, visitors can build an entire day around the Hometown Farmers Market, which operates year-round and brings together fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, Pennsylvania Dutch foods, antiques, records, books, clothing, kitchen goods, tools, collectibles, and other secondhand finds. It is one of the most distinctive local shopping experiences in the area.
Family Fun Weekend
Families can build a memorable weekend around easy outdoor activities, ice cream, water play, and classic local entertainment. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, start Saturday with a swim, kayak/canoe/stand up paddle board rental (Locust Lake only offers rentals, or bring your own to either park), or nature walk at Locust Lake State Park or Tuscarora State Park. Both locations offer water access and trails, creating an easy choose-your-own-adventure day for families with different energy levels.
For a more adventurous family outing, book a rafting or tubing trip on the Lehigh River. For something simpler, head to Heisler’s Creamer for mini golf, driving-range fun, homemade ice cream, and countryside views. During August, Second Mountain Sunflowers (only planted during the odd numbered years) & Heisler’s Creamery offer colorful sunflower fields where visitors can walk or ride through the flowers, take photographs, or cut flowers to bring home. Hours are weather dependent, so confirm before visiting.
In the evening, make a plan for Mahoning Drive-In Theater, a beloved local landmark known for a retro outdoor-movie experience and adventurous programming. Bring blankets, snacks, a radio and an open mind—its mix of cult favorites, horror films, classics, and double features makes it a memorable alternative to a standard night at the movies.
Seasonal Weekend Itineraries
Late spring through early fall
Friday: Check into Bischoff Inn, settle in, and enjoy dinner at Tamaqua Station Restaurant, La Dolce Casa, or Gimbel’s.
Saturday: Start with coffee and breakfast at Hope & Coffee or Pressed Coffee & Books. Spend the day swimming, kayaking, hiking, golfing, rafting, tubing, or biking. In the evening, bring pizza or takeout to Stoker’s Brewing Company, enjoy a food truck if one is scheduled, or dine at a local restaurant.
Sunday: Enjoy Sunday brunch at Tamaqua Station Restaurant, browse antiques at Tink’s or Studio 895, then choose an afternoon outing: Jim Thorpe’s Broadway and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, the No. 9 Coal Mine, Galen Glen Winery, a Yuengling tour, or a show at Mahoning Drive-In Theater. Or make it a day trip to Jim Thorpe and take the scenic train from Tamaqua’s train station to Jim Thorpe.
Late fall through early spring
Friday: Arrive at Bischoff Inn and enjoy a relaxed Tamaqua dinner.
Saturday: Begin with a cozy coffee stop, then take the train from Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe on a Reading Blue Mountain & Northern excursion, or book the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe. Spend time exploring shops, museums, restaurants, and the historic downtown, then return to Tamaqua for a brewery stop or dinner.
Sunday: Start with brunch at Tamaqua Station Restaurant. Continue with a tasting and snack at Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, Galen Glen Winery or Cellar Beast Winehouse, an antiques outing, a Yuengling Brewery tour, or a quieter hike at Locust Lake, Tuscarora State Park, or Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. In bird migration seasons, Hawk Mountain is especially rewarding for wildlife watchers.
Plan a Group Getaway
Bischoff Inn is also a thoughtful option for a small group getaway, birthday weekend, anniversary, wedding-related stay, or friends’ retreat. The entire Inn accommodates up to 12 guests, with five queen beds and one pullout sofa bed, as well as shared access to the lounge and kitchenette areas. Whole-inn bookings provide the privacy and flexibility to plan a personalized group itinerary.
A private Inn stay works especially well for a wedding party, a hiking group, a railfan weekend, a winery outing with designated transportation, or a family gathering. Contact Bischoff Inn directly to discuss availability, pricing, and the best arrangement for your group.
Stay at Bischoff Inn
Bischoff Inn offers a more relaxed alternative to staying directly in Jim Thorpe while keeping the area’s best activities within easy reach. From hiking and rafting to train rides, wineries, history, antiques, markets, and family attractions, Tamaqua is a practical home base for a weekend in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Book a stay, choose the itinerary that fits your travel style, and leave room for the unexpected—a scenic overlook, a hidden antique find, a local dessert, or an extra hour spent beside a lake or in a historic downtown.