     |
|
friday 07.06.07
|
| .pocono pleasures |
A weekend in the Poconos may bring to mind heart-shaped tubs, paddleboats, and other 1970s kitsch. But in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a village with the perfect mix of Victorian charm and wide-open spaces, you'll find a retro experience of a different sort.
Jim Thorpe is one of the most photographed small towns in America, and its main street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Filled with quaint shops and winding streets, this town feels much farther away than just 2-1/2 hours from Manhattan.
You can fill your days with diversions indoors and out: tour the local art galleries, enjoy the ornate architecture, or rent a mountain bike and head for the hills. On July 15, the town will host the Anthracite Triathlon, a swim-bike-run race through mountainous terrain and based at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Or enjoy Movies At The Opera House (July 21), featuring cartoons, newsreels, short subjects, cliffhangers, and classic feature films, invoking the spirit of the old-time Saturday matinee (tickets $5).
 |
When you're in Jim Thorpe, where else would you stay but The Inn at Jim Thorpe. You don't want to miss spending an evening on the Grand Balcony of this New Orleans-style hotel, overlooking the historic village and the majestic mountains beyond. They offer a Romantic Couples Package, which includes a two-night stay, his and hers massage, complimentary wine in your room with 2 souvenir wine glasses, dinner on one night, and a breakfast buffet in the morning ($255 weekends and holidays in July and August). If your idea of romance is a bit more extreme, try their three-night adventure package, where you can bike the Gorge, raft the scenic Lehigh River, or kayak pristine Mauch Chunk Lake. This package includes two dinners and breakfasts, and you still get those souvenir wine glasses (starting at $355 for weekends and holidays July and August).
|
|
|
