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City in Pennsylvania, United States
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Allentown is the largest city in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, the county seat and largest city in Lehigh County, and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a population of 125,845 as of 2020.
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World-class permanent art collection with changing exhibits.
Museum showing the history of wheeled transportation, largely inspired by the historical role Mack Trucks, based in Allentown from 1905 until its move to North Carolina in 2005, played in the city and region for a century.
Da Vinci is a hands-on children's science center featuring two stories of interactive activities to teach visitors about the world in which we liv. Highlights include a dark tunnel, shadow-room, seawater touch tank, and Keva building blocks.
Exhibit galleries, library and area archives.
The Mack Trucks Historical Museum is the repository of historical documents and artifacts from Mack’s long and storied history as the leading American truck manufacturer and world-renowned brand name. There are more than 80,000 photos in the collection, many dating back to Mack's 1905 founding in Allentown. Mack has records for nearly every chassis it manufactured since 1905, all of which appear in this Allentown-based museum.
Museum that preserves the history of the Lenape Indian tribe, who occupied the region before its settlement by German immigrants in the early 1700s.
Swimming pool, two beach and two hard volleyball courts, four lighted basketball courts, 2.3 miles of multi-use trails, playground.
A public golf course. Great course at great value.
Major regional symphony orchestra.
This popular amusement park and water park is home to at least six world-class roller coasters, including the 200-foot-tall Steel Force (the eighth longest steel roller coaster in the world), multi-looping coasters Talon and Hydra: The Revenge, and antique wooden roller coaster Thunderhawk. The park is open from early May to the end of October, and the waterpark is open from late May to early September. During the times that the waterpark is open, waterpark admission is included in the price of admission to the regular park, and guests can move freely back and forth between the two interconnected parks.
36 bowling lanes. Also hosts bowling leagues. Attached to the Mixx Nightclub & Lounge, a self-described "high-energy haunt," with live music, karaoke, and high resolution televisions for sporting events.
Allentown's three high schools compete athletically in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, which includes the 18 largest high schools from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos and is widely recognized as one of the highest quality high school athletic divisions in the nation. The conference has produced numerous professional and Olympic athletes and is especially known for its quality football and wrestling programs. All three of Allentown's large high schools play their home football games at J. Birney Stadium, the largest high school football stadium in Pennsylvania, located at 2027 Linden Street in Allentown.
Indoor karting with vehicles that reach speeds nearing 45 mph on an indoor 1/4 mile road course style track.
Triple A Minor League affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies
The AAA-level minor league baseball team of the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies play their home games from early April through early September at Allentown's Coca-Cola Park.
American Hockey League affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers
The primary development team of the Philadelphia Flyers, competing in the American Hockey League, and playing at the PPL Center in center city Allentown from September through May.
Allentown's Municipal Opera and community theatre.
Civic Theatre of Allentown
Oldest cinema theatre with art movies and foreign films in between productions.
Annual event since 1852. It includes everything from family-owned food stands to a bill of national musical acts. The fair brings the world of the county fair and the street carnival together. At other times of the year, various events are held at the fairgrounds, including concerts, gigantic flea markets, antique sales, computer shows, and an assortment of many other shows and expos.
Mayfair Festival of the Arts takes place over Memorial Day weekend. It brings performers and artisans to Cedar Beach Park to put their talents on display with six performance stages, over 100 artists and craftspeople, roving entertainers, and more than two dozen vendors offering authentic regional foods.
Known more for being the home arena of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ice hockey team, this 10,000-seat arena hosts regular major concerts and other entertainment events. Also has various indoor stadium food locations.
California-style Mexican cuisine. Organic, vegetarian, vegan. Laid-back vibe.
Pizza.
Chinese cuisine.
Reasonably priced Italian.
A popular, locally owned place with several Lehigh Valley locations. In Allentown, it is on 17th street.
A local favorite for hot dogs, steak sandwiches, fries. Only the original location remains.
This small hot dog chain is considered to be a local favorite, and is a must-try for first-time visitors to Allentown. There are six Yocco's locations in Allentown and its surrounding suburbs.
Another must-try for anyone coming to Lehigh Valley. A local version of the Philly steak sandwich from a restaurant that has been an Allentown institution since 1940.
Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.
Wood-pit bar-b-que. Southern cuisine.
Seafood.
Hibachi-style Japanese steak house.
Casual, Mexican cuisine.
Famous for wings and pub fare.
Pizza and Italian food delivery.
Mexican cuisine.
Diverse American menu and reasonably priced
Fine fusion cuisine with an eclectic martini bar.
Simple pizzeria offering a variety of pies, pastas and salads for delivery or dining in with BYOB.
Excellent seafood. Reservations a must.
This restaurant is a second location modeled after the Bethlehem Brew Works also owned by the Fegley Family. A micro brewery, the four-level restaurant serves upscale bar fare, with bars on three levels, including the Silk Lounge on the lower level.
Since the early 1989s, a reliable lounge and bar. Grill open until 1:30AM.
Bar and Mexican bar food.
Large and festive nightclub with modern dance and hip hop music, large dance floor, outside bars open in summer. Dance and hip hop music spun by top New York City, Philadelphia and Allentown DJs. Also has periodic under 21 nights.
High energy sports bar with multiple televisions attached to a bowling alley. Jam-packed for most Philadelphia Eagles games. DJs, periodic live bands.
A gentleman's club.
Tavern and tap room, built in 1920.
Bar with bar menu.
Bar food and Italian cuisine, Taco Tuesdays, Wide selection of bottled microbrews and imported beers.
Like its Emmaus counterpart, a go to location for affordable drinks, cold beer, and televised sports (including out of town games). Over 10 large screen plasma televisions. Broad food and beer selections. Several large rooms, including the bar area.
Part of the Ascend Collection by Choice Hotels.
Has lounge/bar and 24/7 fitness center.
Amenities include an in-room micro-fridge, hi-speed internet, hair dryer, free breakfast.
Indoor swimming pool.
Close proximity to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Luxurious suites, on-site restaurant (The Dime), fitness center, meeting space, center city location
Largest shopping mall in the Lehigh Valley anchored by Macy's, JCPenney, Boscov's, and Barnes & Noble.
South of Allentown on the border with Emmaus.
A newer and very upscale shopping destination, which also includes restaurants and Lehigh Valley's largest movie theater. Anchor stores include Ann Taylor, Sage, Banana Republic, and Brooks Brothers.
Shopping mall in Whitehall Township, next to Lehigh Valley Mall.
Family-owned and -operated. Home-made chocolate and other sweets.
Print digital prints while you wait. Create cool gifts using your own photos. Camera equipment for sale and rent.
By train
By bus
The Allentown Transportation Center is at 110-112 N 6th in center city Allentown, and several commercial bus companies offer transportation to Allentown, including:
By car
Allentown is easily accessible by several major highways. The two interstates most commonly used are:
By bus
Extensive public bus service in Allentown and South Whitehall Township is provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA).
By cab
Multiple cab and limousine companies operate throughout Allentown and Lehigh Valley.
By car
Most visitors to Lehigh Valley will want to either rent a car or drive their own.
By bike
Riding a bike can also get you around in Allentown and its fabulous park system.
On foot
The main Allentown downtown area is small and easy to walk. You may want to park your car in one of the many garages and walk downtown.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Allentown/Bethlehem · Regional · ABE
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