Lehigh Gorge Scenic Train Rides at Jim Thorpe, PA

Location: 1 Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe PA 18229

https://www.lgsry.com/

“Relax and ride comfortably in our vintage coaches built as early as 1917 pulled by diesel engines.

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.”

70 MINUTE ROUND TRIP TRAIN RIDES - SANTA CLAUS SPECIAL TRAIN RIDES - BIKE TRAINS

Bike Trains is what we did! During a weekend in November 2022.

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, in collaboration with Pocono Biking, offers a unique experience where you can bring your bike on their trains and embark on a 25-mile journey through Lehigh Gorge State Park to White Haven. Upon arriving in White Haven via rail, you'll benefit from a gentle downhill slope, allowing you to leisurely pedal back to Jim Thorpe while enjoying the scenic beauty of the state park along the Lehigh River. Their bike trains cater to riders of all ages and fitness levels (we even saw some E-bikes out on the trail), providing an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Overview:

We booked our tickets (4) ahead of time, by calling the ticket office (570-325-8485). It is recommended you purchase your tickets in advance.

Matt and I headed to Jim Thorpe after I worked a morning shift on a Saturday in Nov 2022. We met up with Sarah and Colin at some wineries (Galen Glen Winery & Cellar Beast Winehouse), on our way to Jim Thorpe. We checked into our Airbnb right downtown (The Cottage at the Cortright House hosted by Dina). Next we headed to Molly Maguire's Pub. Too busy to get a table, so we grabbed a drink at the bar before heading to our dinner reservation at Stone Row Pub and Eatery. After a fancy dinner, we concluded the night with drinks (and quite an awesome live band that had the whole bar singing along!) at the Broadway Grille and Pub, at the Inn at Jim Thorpe.

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast at Donerd's Donuts, before hitting the train station! We picked up our tickets at the Jim Thorpe Ticket Booth. Workers took our bikes (we brought our own) and loaded them up onto a railcar. Note: You must remove everything on your bike, if it's not bolted/permanently attached to it. For example, I had a velcro-on bag to my front handle-bar, which had to be removed for safety reasons. We then hopped aboard a vintage passenger car, and settled in for our 25 min train ride through the Lehigh Gorge. The view of the mountains and the river were GORGEOUS, as we learned some informational history tad-bits along the way. We passed Glen Onoko, the southern gateway to the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Once we arrived in White Haven, we retrieved our bikes that were unloaded for us, and started riding the flat/kinda down-hill gravel path, back to Jim Thorpe, via the Lehigh Gorge trailhead. This is go at your own pace. We stopped occasionally to take pics of waterfalls (like Buttermilk), the river, use provided bathroom, and eat lunch at a picnic table along the trail. It is rec'd to buy lunch ahead of time via Renee’s Cold Cut Hut (570.215.0057) but she was closed when we went, so we picked up subs the night before our train ride, at Antonio's Pizzeria. When we got back to Jim Thorpe, we were right near our car to load up the bikes. We grabbed lunch at Marion Hose Bar before heading home.

Details:

Parking: We drove around Jim Thorpe trying to find free parking, but to no avail. All the street parking and lots we found were the same price; just watch time-limits. We ended up parking in the lot adjacent to the Train Station (Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway) in downtown Jim Thorpe (Jim Thorpe Municipal Parking); Trademark of the Reading & Northern Railroad (1 Susquehanna St, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229).

Pricing: