Coolest Town in America '09 YOU!~ Jim Thorpe (Altoona, Huntingdon: 2009, home)

[Summering]

While away this week I was delighted to hear that our local town of Jim Thorpe was voted #7 in the Cooest Small Town in America Circa 2009......Wow, Jim Thorpe you made the news in "cool" living color.
Here is a link....
America's Coolest Small Towns, Circa 2009 - CBS News

Here is the list of winners:
1. Owego, NY
2. Rockland, Maine
3. Grinnell, Iowa
4. Vevay, Ind
5. Huntingdon, Pa ( anyone know about this town ?)
6. Onancock, Va
7. Jim Thorpe
8. Mineral Pt. , Wis.
9. Silverton, Ore.
10. Port Royal, SC
FYI: Our Jim Thorpe is at the base of Pisgah, and Flagstaff Mts..and is has a new group of artists from the cities opening galleries and shops.
I think we should post some pictures and areas of Jim Thorpe to enhance its new status.....Facts and Info.........I love the town a bunch. Those mountains are so hugable.

[ScranBarre]

Huntingdon, PA is home to Juniata College. It is out in the Laurel Highlands not far from Altoona. The town wasn't anything to write home about in my opinion when we visited back in high school for the Science Olympiad state finals, but it did have a lot of character and charm.

[61scout80]

i don't know about huntingdon, but it looks close enough for the nepa'ers to make a day trip :thumbup:

Huntingdon, Pa - Google Maps

[Gerania]

We all knew that Jim Thorpe was one of the coolest towns around, but now many are privy to that information. Ah! Does that mean it'll be harder to get a room in town?

Thanks for sharing.

[donnahonesdale]

We LOVE Jim Thorpe and have been there a few times. As a matter of fact my daughter was just saying how we need to get back BEFORE the season begins to avoid all the "traffic"!

[ki0eh]

Originally Posted by Summering

America's Coolest Small Towns, Circa 2009 - CBS News

Here is the list of winners:

5. Huntingdon, Pa ( anyone know about this town ?)

I found it interesting that someone called it "diverse". Did they realize there's a prison there that might skew the Census results?

The surrounding country IMO is either the #1 or #2 hiking destination in PA. Here is just one of the trails in the area: http://www.hike-sst.org/highlights.htm

Here is also where NoVA comes to show off their powerboats, despite the tagline here: http://www.raystownlake.com/ I wouldn't exactly call it a "best kept secret" - it's very loud on summer weekends and has tremendously eroded shorelines with no horsepower limited boats.

Here's my #1 favorite state park: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...oughcreek.aspx

More info on the area: http://www.thealleghenies.com/destinations.aspx?d=3

The #2 borough in Huntingdon County, Mount Union, is more genuinely diverse as a result of the early 20th century industry drawing from different sources other than just the white ethnics.

[Dawne]

Yay, Jim Thorpe!! (where both of my parents grew up, as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc).

If anyone does make the day trip to Huntingdon, be sure to check out nearby Raystown Lake. It's massive and awesome! They even have a tenting campground on an island that you boat to (Nancy's Ship to Shore).

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

[/b]I found it interesting that someone called it "diverse". Did they realize there's a prison there that might skew the Census results?

The surrounding country IMO is either the #1 or #2 hiking destination in PA. Here is just one of the trails in the area: Standing Stone Trail Highlights

Here is also where NoVA comes to show off their powerboats, despite the tagline here: Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania - In The Heart of Huntingdon County I wouldn't exactly call it a "best kept secret" - it's very loud on summer weekends and has tremendously eroded shorelines with no horsepower limited boats.

Here's my #1 favorite state park: Pennsylvania State Parks - Trough Creek - PA DCNR

More info on the area: The Alleghenies: Destinations

The #2 borough in Huntingdon County, Mount Union, is more genuinely diverse as a result of the early 20th century industry drawing from different sources other than just the white ethnics.

Here we go again...."diversity" only means dark skin colors????

[EnyaGirl]

We've got to get out and check out Jim Thorpe-- we've been living out here for a year and have yet to visit! I heard they have white water rafting and river raft tubing, which we want to do once it gets warm enough.

[Summering]

Even the Myrtle Beach Tour group has a trip to the "Switzerland" of America......
I was reading about a three day trip to Jim Thorpe.
Yes, I have seen some groups of Kayakers and some tubers in groups. However, for the white water rafting.....I think they have to wait for a good rapid river.
Looking from above it sure looks like a fun day......with whatever water transport.
We've gone for lunch a few times........the people there are so friendly and sweet! The history is awesome there too.