Local Town Falls Short in "Most Beautiful" Contest

The quaint Carbon County town of Jim Thorpe boasts beautiful scenery (it was once known as "The Switzerland of America"), Victorian architecture and the name of a famed Olympic champion.

But all those qualities weren't quite enough for the town, formerly known as Mauch Chunk, to be named "Most Beautiful Small Town" in the "Best of the Road" contest from Rand McNally and USA TODAY.

Bardstown - one of two Kentucky towns that were finalists - took the prize.

Finalists were chosen by voters during the spring. The winners were chosen by five pairs of travelers who competed against one another in a road rally competition.

Jim Thorpe still holds several honors including:

• One of the USA's Top 50 Places to Live and Play
• One of the USA's Top 100 Adventure Towns
• Ranked #1 by Yahoo for Fantastic Towns for Fall

Jim Thorpe is a great day trip destination for residents of the Lehigh Valley. It's less than an hour away and offers history, art galleries, train rides, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and walking tours.

One of the town's main attractions is the Asa Packer mansion, home of the entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

Visitors can stay the night at the neighboring Harry Packer Mansion Bed and Breakfast, the former home of Asa Packer's son. The Harry Packer Mansion was the inspiration for the "Haunted Mansion" ride at Disneyworld.