Asa Packer Mansion Museum

Rain on the forecast? Head down to Jim Thorpe and step inside the Asa Packer Mansion, a remarkably well-preserved Victorian home. Built for Asa Packer, the railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University, the mansion sits on a hillside overlooking the historic town and still holds much of its original furniture and finery.

Guided tours lead you through ornate rooms filled with carved woodwork, chandeliers and period details, along with stories of the family and the coal and railroad boom that built Jim Thorpe. It’s a fascinating hour for history lovers, and a good change of pace for a group that’s spent the week on the slopes or the lake.

Tours run seasonally and hours vary, so check the website or call ahead before you go. During the Fall Foliage Festival, weekend tours are shortened to around 30 minutes to handle the crowds.

Pair your visit with lunch in town and a browse through the shops on Broadway. You’ll head back to Lake Harmony dry, well fed and with a few new stories to share by the fireplace.