There’s never a shortage of awesome things to do in Lehigh Valley, but there are some things you must experience — especially if you’ve either never been to our region, or if it's been a few years.
On the hunt for something to do this weekend? Browse the event calendar for local happenings.
The story of Lehigh Valley is told at Allentown’s Liberty Bell Museum, where America’s symbol of freedom was hidden during the Revolutionary War and now where visitors come for the Pip the Mouse puppet show before Christmas. The region’s tale is told in the towering blast furnaces of Bethlehem’sSteelStacks™, reborn as the backdrop for musical performances and festivals, regional celebrations, and art exhibitions. The narrative meanders through Easton’s canals that once served industries like coal, silk, steel and iron, but now transport, guests for dinner cruises on Pennsylvania’s only mule-drawn canal boat. And while a walking tour of downtown Bethlehem offers a deep look into Colonial history, the region as a whole offers far more than just historic sites and a tentative to the World Heritage List for its historic Moravian district.
A spot that reflects its past but seamlessly blends the hip with the historic, Lehigh Valley has developed a rich, sustained arts and entertainment scene, especially when it comes to live music. Famous names pack historic theaters, churches, and outdoor pavilions for legendary rockstars, blues artists, country singers, and internationally acclaimed musicians who bridge genres from Afrobeat to Zydeco, all while visitors can tour the factory where Martin Guitars are handcrafted.
One of Pennsylvania's top-rated resorts and casinos, Wind Creek Bethlehem is a gaming and entertainment destination in the heart of the former Bethlehem Steel campus located on the south side of Bethlehem. Built for shoppers, foodies, spa-goers, and gaming enthusiasts, the casino and AAA Four Diamond hotel features more than 280 upscale hotel rooms, plus 150 table games, state-of-the-art slot machines, live dealer stadium gaming, dining, and entertainment venues.
Lehigh Valley has dozens and dozens of headlining festivals sure not to miss, i.e. Musikest, Christkindlmarkt, PEEPSFEST, Celtic Classic, Oktoberfest and more.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the same sites from a different perspective, kayaking the Lehigh or Delaware Rivers, hiking miles of trails like the Appalachian or D&L Trail, or pedaling miles of bike trails and quiet country roads.
Residents and visitors alike love the farmers markets nearby, especially during harvest times throughout the year to wrap their fingers around strawberries and apples, pumpkins, and vegetables. At the same time, those passionate for another fruit– the grape –enjoy tours and tastings at more than 12 wineries, and hop-lovers taste still another side of the area's award-winning, small-batch breweries that make up the Lehigh Valley Ale Trail. And did we mention the handcrafted cocktails from local distilleries?
Lehigh Valley’s historic Moravian Bethlehem, a tentative for World Heritage Designation, draws both U.S. and international visitors with sites demonstrating a unique, historically rich, and culturally significant way of life for over 300 years. Those wanting to explore the history of the former Bethlehem Steel won't want to miss a walk along the Hoover Mason Trestle, an elevated 1/3-mile walkway built along the railway that once hauled iron ore to Bethlehem Steel’s blast furnaces. You can actually touch – and ring – a replica of the Liberty Bell that rests at the Liberty Bell Museum in Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ in Allentown. The site was not only where America’s most famous symbol of freedom was hidden during the Revolutionary War, but it also served as a refuge during Indian raids, a hospital, and a meeting place for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. While these sites form a triple-crown for history lovers, the region offers much more for anyone fascinated by glimpses of the challenges, culture, and quirks of colonial and industrial life.
