Americas Destinations

Fall foliage in the Pocono Mountains

November 5, 2016
Pocono mountains fall foliage

Pocono mountains, you may wonder where they are? After some research about the best locations for viewing the autumn/fall foliage or Indian summer I came across this rural gem in Pennsylvania, only a two-hour drive from NYC but worlds away. We spent a weekend in and around the cute town of Jim Thorpe (named after one of the most successful native American athletes) and stayed in one of Jim Thorpe’s grand mansions, the lovely DeFeo’s B&B. Like in most historic houses in town, the interior was grand with lots of love for details. The delicious breakfast was brought to our room every morning. Not a bad way to start the day!

Jim Thorpe bed and breakfastJim Thorpe bed and breakfast Jim Thorpe bed and breakfast

Jim Thorpe might seem sleepy at first, but soon we realized that autumn is a very busy season and all hotels/B&B’s were fully booked over the weekend. Although we missed the peak colour by a few days according to the Pocono’s fall foliage forecast, there were still enough activities left. The countless mansions and grand buildings are open to visitors and worth seeing.

poconos7 poconos6Jim Thorpe Harry Packer Mansion Jim Thorpe Harry Packer Mansion Jim Thorpe Harry Packer Mansion Jim Thorpe town view

The reason we actually came for was the change autumn/fall foliage. And yes – unfortunately a lot of trees have lost their leaves already but we found a few spots where the colour ranges from orange, red and brown were still visible. One of them was the nearby Mauch Chunk Lake Park, which was super quiet and serene!

poconos14 poconos15 poconos16 poconos13 poconos23 poconos17

Another main attraction of the region is the Lehigh Scenic Gorge Railway, an museum train that runs through the attractive scenery of forests, rivers and waterfalls. I thought there will be only old people on the train but at least at the open car was full with people of all ages 😛

Lehigh scenic gorge railway poconos24

The next day we went to a very extraordinary destination further West: Through the deepest countryside we made it to Centralia. This former mining town is practically abandoned after it was hit by fires and toxic gases and has become a ghost town by today. Only 10 residents remained there but certainly more visitors enjoyed the empty roads either on their quads/motorbikes or by foot.

poconos21Centralia Pennsylvania

Especially one road has caught every visitor’s attention: The so-called graffiti highway, previously a part of Pennsylvania’s route 61, never got finished as the town’s fall came so sudden. Not only the pavement was covered in colours, also the surrounding forest was showing its prettiest autumn outfit. Certainly one of the most interesting places we visited during this trip!

Centralia Pennsylvania grafitti road

On our way back to New York we had lunch at a typical American rest stop by a Cracker Barrell store. The food was like the interior on the hearty side and quite decent!

Cracker barrell country store food Cracker barrell country store restaurant

Where’s your favourite spot to view the autumn/fall foliage?

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29 Comments

  • Reply SueT唐 梦 琇 November 6, 2016 at 3:51 am

    Looks like a wonderful weekend away Julia; shame you just missed the main autumn foliage but you certainly saw some lovely colours judging by your photos. Of recent times I think I enjoyed the autumn colours in China in particular in Beijing.

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 9:56 am

      I remember seeing some amazing autumn foliage photos from your trips. Beijing certainly must be a beautiful place during this season with all its parks…

      • Reply SueT唐 梦 琇 November 13, 2016 at 9:26 pm

        Yes it certainly is. Thank you for remembering my posts.

  • Reply The Wayfarer November 6, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    That is, by far, the most generous description of Cracker Barrel that I have ever heard.
    The picture looks beautiful! I hate winter but the fall colors almost make it worth it.

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 9:57 am

      Haha this is just an opinion of someone who is pretty amazed by all the chain restaurants in the US 😉 Yeah I bet winters there can be crucial.

      • Reply The Wayfarer November 12, 2016 at 2:26 pm

        True, everyone takes for granted the things they’re used to. Americans who’ve visited Europe always rave about the stall markets which are not so impressive once you’ve lived here.

  • Reply Julie November 7, 2016 at 2:23 am

    How fun that you got to the Pocono’s! Shame you missed the peak of the fall colors but what a quaint town – I can’t say I would have thought to go!! But makes me miss these places in the States…!

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 10:01 am

      Quaint is the right word! I hope you can visit the US of A soon 😉

  • Reply Paleica November 7, 2016 at 8:21 am

    so stellt man sich klischeehaftes amerikanisches kleinstadtleben vor 🙂 ein toller und ungewöhnlicher trip mit superschönen motiven! besonders mag ich das bild wo du am graffity highway richtung bunter bäume gehst *.* hört sich echt nach nem tollen trip an!!

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 10:06 am

      Danke, der Graffiti Highway war auch mein liebstes Fotomotiv! Das Kleinstadtleben dort ist nochmal eine ganz andere Liga, auf Dauer wär das nichts für mich 😛

      • Reply Paleica November 14, 2016 at 7:48 am

        haha das versteh ich – ich glaub, amerikanisches kleindstadtleben könnt ich auch echt nicht!

  • Reply Tiffany. Yang November 7, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    This looks like a beautiful place for a getaway. Everything seems so peaceful, such a good change of scenery. The graffiti highway is so cool, would love to see it in person one day! 🙂 Lovely photos as always!!

    Tiffany
    http://www.thelookingglassbyty.com

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 10:08 am

      The highway was pretty unique! After NY it was a massive change of scenery indeed 😉

  • Reply tayonthemove November 8, 2016 at 1:13 am

    I’ve always wanted to go to the Poconos as I’ve always heard so much about them. These photos look awesome and I especially like the graffiti highway. I need to check thelse places out too. Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 10:10 am

      Thanks Tay, I hope you get the chance one day to visit 🙂

  • Reply Rae November 10, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    Lovely post! The Poconos look like a lovely place to visit. I remember hearing about them when I was younger but I do not think I have ever made a visit there. The bed & breakfast you guys stayed at looks so darling and those scones look delicious! Also Cracker Barrel! Wow I have not been to one for ages! Do they still have those funny wooden peg games at the tables?

    Rae | Love from Berlin

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 10:15 am

      I heard about those peg games but unfortunately I didn’t see any on the tables 🙁 The B&B was very cute and perfectly matched the countryside atmosphere 🙂

  • Reply Mitzie Mee November 10, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    It really looks like another world! From the photos, I would never have guessed it was so close to NYC. Before reading the text, I was certain, it was somewhere in Europe! Love the photo of you in the mirror:)

    • Reply sileas November 12, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Yeah it’s quite incredible that this is so close to NY! Thank you 🙂

  • Reply Gudrun November 13, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Ich ändere ja oftmals meine Meinung, aber mittlerweile gehört der Herbst zu meiner liebsten Jahreszeit. Die Farbenpracht ist so schön, das würde mich auch in Amerika verzaubern. Ich mag das Foto wo du im B&B sitzt und liest…

    • Reply sileas November 14, 2016 at 11:23 am

      Danke, ich finde ja unser Zimmer war sehr fotogen 😉 Die Farbenpracht des Herbstes ist auch das, was mich über die Kälte und Dunkelheit tröstet…

  • Reply PinaySkattebasse November 14, 2016 at 10:52 am

    What a nice place and interesting things in the area. I like the graffiti highway. 🙂 But I was like Pennsylvania? Love place. 🙂

    • Reply sileas November 14, 2016 at 11:26 am

      There were a lot of things to discover actually. Quite surprising for such a rural area 🙂

      • Reply PinaySkattebasse November 14, 2016 at 1:23 pm

        Indeed. And it looked like European setting than US. 🙂 Really lovely place to be. It’s sad you guys missed the peak of autumn. It would have surely been picturesque.

  • Reply wazwu November 14, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    Even though I’ve lived in NY for 5 years and PA for 5 years, I’ve never visited the Poconos. Looks like a true rural gem, and your description of Cracker Barrel is the nicest I’ve ever heard, haha.

    • Reply sileas November 15, 2016 at 11:07 am

      Hahaha apparently Cracker Barrel doesn’t have the best reputation 😛 But it was just what I needed during this road trip – satisfying, simple food 😉

      • Reply wazwu November 20, 2016 at 8:05 pm

        Hahah, it definitely doesn’t, but I’m sure it did the job when you just needed a quick, simple meal.

  • Reply Agness of Fit Travelling March 3, 2017 at 2:15 am

    Amazing post! The Poconos look like a lovely place to visit. The photos look really good so does the food, Julia.

    • Reply sileas March 3, 2017 at 12:03 pm

      Thanks so much for your lovely comment!

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