2021-12-09 13:38:26
Why You’ll Love It The charm of this region is how seamlessly you can move from a morning in the scenic outdoors to an afternoon stop-and-sip at craft breweries, and finally to a fun-for-all night at a sporting event, live performance, or festival. Experience the area’s rich heritage as remnants of the Industrial Revolution have been reimagined as new cultural centers, movie houses, and music halls. Along the way, you’ll discover an impressive lineup of museums, historic sites, and immersive living history experiences that offer a glimpse into bygone eras. GET IDEAS » Ways to Explore 1 SteelStacks, Bethlehem In the bones of an old steel plant, you’ll find a thriving arts and entertainment district. Walk among towering furnace “stacks” while enjoying a concert, festival, or film on this 10-acre campus. 2 Crayola Experience, Easton Explore dozens of hands-on attractions at this colorful playland. See how crayons are made, star in your own coloring page, and craft your own family-fun adventure. 3 Ironton Rail Trail, Whitehall This former Ironton Railroad route has been transformed into a 9.2-mile multiuse pathway. Pedal this spur of the Delaware and Lehigh Valley National Heritage Corridor to see scenery and historic sites. 4 Banana Factory Arts Center, Bethlehem With 30 resident artists and three galleries, art lovers will adore this creative treasure in a former banana distribution warehouse. Take a class or workshop to create your own masterpiece. 5 Easton Public Market, Easton Visit Easton Public Market—an extension of Easton Farmers’ Market, America’s oldest continuously running open-air market— for artisanal food vendors, a farm stand, and a demonstration kitchen. 6 Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown See science and technology come alive with a robotic dinosaur, an animation station, a hurricane simulator, and more hands-on exhibits at this interactive education center. 7 National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem Marvel at PA’s industrial heritage and see the innovations and advancements of various industries including iron, steel, textile, and energy dating back to the 19th century. 8 Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem Founded in 1745, this is not only the oldest bookstore in America, but it’s the oldest operating bookshop in the world. Explore the shop’s carefully curated library and discover its storied history. 9 Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Bethlehem Stay in the heart of this city’s National Historic Landmark District. With first-rate accommodations, an on-site restaurant, and a popular ice cream parlor, you’ll want to extend your stay. And don’t be frightened if you meet some special visitors—this hotel is rife with ghost stories. 10 Burnside Plantation, Bethlehem Through agricultural demonstrations and tours of the farmhouse, you’ll learn about the lifestyle and farming methods used on this 18thcentury Moravian farm. 11 Lehigh Valley’s Historic Covered Bridge Tour, Allentown Take a self-guided tour of the region’s seven historic covered bridges, the oldest of which dates back to 1839. The bridges have been the subjects of many artists and photographers for decades. 12 Liberty Bell Museum, Allentown Zion’s “Liberty Bell” Church, formerly Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, is the location where the Liberty Bell was hidden in 1777 from British troops who were about to seize Philadelphia. Today, you can observe a memorial to the Liberty Bell’s safekeeping and ring the replica bell in its honor. 13 National Canal Museum, Easton With interactive displays, visitors can learn about the technology and processes of building America’s canals. Ride a mule-drawn canal boat, build your own aqueduct in the museum, see a locktender’s house, and explore the D&L Trail along the Lehigh Canal and Lehigh River.
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Lehigh Valley
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