UpstatePA and Lehigh Valley
Small Town Charmy
A wonderful day in
the neighborhood
Duration: Two days and two nights
This region - full of mountains, valleys and all the towns in between - nestles nuggets of unusual charm along its curious streets. The famous Pocono Mountains are here, along with loads of the little boroughs that look like they'd be at home in a storybook or a Jimmy Stewart movie. We'll meet at a cozy hamlet The Atlantic magazine calls "the prettiest county seat in America," and go from there, with the Pocono Mountains ushering us through some of your new favorite small towns.
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Milford
From I-84, take the US 209 exit at Matamoras and follow it to Milford. A resort town since the Gilded Age, Milford is popular with newcomers interested in its Victorian houses. Its famous Grey Towers, built by the first Chief of the U.S. Forestry Service, has a history that reaches back to the 1880’s. But that’s not the only reason Frommer’s named Milford one of the “Ten Coolest Small Towns.” The shoppes and gardens that line the streets are what make this hideaway special. And don’t miss the Columns Museum, a treasure-trove of local history and lore, and home of the famous "Lincoln Flag." This 36-star flag was draped over the balustrade in presidential box the night Lincoln was assassinated.
Delaware Water Gap
About a 45 minute drive south through picturesque forests and past pristine lakes of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area brings us to the edge of the park and our next stop, the town of Delaware Water Gap. Grab some lunch at one of several cafes and coffee shops on their revitalized Main Street, then take your coffee with you and discover where the Appalachian Trail intersects with Main Street. Don't forget to hop aboard the authentically styled all-weather Trolleys and relax while you listen to the history of this American original.
Jim Thorpe
Located at the base of a steep valley carved by the Lehigh River, the Town of Jim Thorpe delivers all the legend and folklore you like to think Main Street America is made of. Start by strolling along St. Mark's Church for a taste of its Gothic Architecture, and hit the Asa Packer Mansion as you wind up through Millionaire's Row, the place that the old coal and lumber barons called home sweet home. Back down in town, see the Mauch Chunk Opera House, once famous on the old Vaudeville circuit. You can just feel the old timey vaudevillery in the air. Then, spend a bit of time poking about Castle Ruin, where trees twist through the windowless walls of the eerie, abandoned turrets. End up at the Old Jail Museum – complete with in-house gallows and the mysterious haunted handprints of an infamously executed Molly Maguires. All this walking probably has you thirsty, and Molly Maguire's Pub is only too happy to oblige.
Eat Here
Flow (Jim Thorpe)
Art and local food flow through this Jim Thorpe establishment. Flow is a farm-to-table restaurant and bar with an adjoining art gallery that has the sophistication befitting of any city-dweller. This award-winning restaurant has an underground stream visible from the dining room and serves chemical free meats, poultry, dairy and vegetables prepared daily to reflect the season.
Sleep Here
Hotel Fauchere (Milford)
Sleepy travelers have been resting in these cozy rooms since the mid 1800's when Louis Fauchere, known around Milford as "The Crazy Frenchman," first purchased the building. His workers may have thought he was a little eccentric at the time, but when you take a look around, you'll see the results of his obsession with perfection.
The Inn at Jim Thorpe (Jim Thorpe)
One of the Lehigh Valley's true historic hotels and located in the heart of the National Historic District in Jim Thorpe this Inn has all the old world charm with modern conveniences. We recommend scheduling a spa treatment by one of their talented therapists.
Martin Guitar Factory (Nazareth)
For a melodius experience, how about an easy old amble through the Martin Guitar Factory. Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Beck and many more love using a Martin guitar, and on this tour you'll be able to see and learn why. Tours are first-come, first-served and start at 11am. You can take photos, but they ask you to hold the flash. A guide narrates parts of the 300-step process (via headphones during the louder bits) like the part where clothespins hold the layers together and the artists bend soaked wood into the curvy side pieces. It's impossibly cool to watch. Plus, you get to take home a sound-hole cutout right from the factory floor. All this learning sure works up an appetite. Good thing your next destination is just a short drive away (and full of tasty snacks).
Historic Bethlehem Walking Tour (Bethlehem)
It's time to hit the Bethlehem Visitors Center, and tours leave promptly at 2:30pm with a local guide. Each month offers a different theme, everything from the impact of the French & Indian War, to the Industrial Revolution sites. Not much of a walker? Check out the Segway Tours! These motorized people movers make for a futuristic way to view a historic city. Make sure you pre-book the three-hour Segway Tour (helmets included!) as they tend to book up fast. After you've gotten your fill of strolling up and down Main Street (where art galleries, boutiques, and other small shops abound), stop in for a tour of the 250-seat Bethlehem Brew Works where many local specialty beers are conceived and brewed. After the tour, feel free to stop in at the adjacent Steelgaarden lounge for a drink and a snack. If microbrews aren't really your bag, look no further than McCarthy's Tea Room on Main Street. Partake in their daily high tea, and choose from the extensive tea list, which draws from Ireland, England, Scotland, and beyond. Your relaxing mid-afternoon brew will be accompanied by the Tea Room's delicious baked goods, which include scones, homemade brown bread, and savory Cornish pasties.
Eat Here
Bethlehem Brew Works (Bethlehem)
Brew pub meets steel town uses organic produce whenever possible and adds a local vibe to its offerings, like Christmas City Salad and Pig Iron Pulled Pork. Look how a whole section of PA Dutch specialties–like pierogies and pot pie–has worked its way into the menu, then pair them with a pint of the local's favorite Valley Golden. Downstairs don't miss the Steelgaarden Lounge for specialty bottled Belgian beers.
Billy's Downtown Diner (Bethlehem)
Lehigh Valley Magazine's Best Breakfast winner three years running, Billy plays jazz and blues on the hi-fi in his Bethlehem diner and cooks every last meal himself. Belly up for a Green Eggs and Ham, open up the Bethlehem newspaper and start the day relaxed and acting like a local. Homemade soups and a great lunch menu are other can't miss parts of the diner.
Sleep Here
Hyatt Place (Bethlehem)
Kick up your feet and relax in this hotel just a few steps outside of historic downtown Bethlehem's attractions. The beds are the soft, luxurious kinds that, when you get home, you don't say "it's nice to be in my own bed."
Hotel Bethlehem (Bethlehem)
The owners have taken great care to restore the hotel to its 1922 grandeur and you can tell. The rooms are spectacular, but the beautiful murals on the Ballroom wall are worth the price of admission alone.
