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City in Pennsylvania, US
Photo: Jschnalzer at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Bethlehem is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Easton, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania.
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This Moravian Chapel was the second place of worship in Bethlehem's colonial era.
The 1758 Sun Inn is a restored 18th-century inn that once hosted guests such as George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette. It has been fully restored and now offers guided tours, which provide a rich history of 1700s Bethlehem. It can also be rented and catered for private gatherings. The courtyard also hosts a summer concert series.
The Banana Factory is a community center for the arts located on Bethlehem's south side. What was once a banana warehouse has been renovated into space for two art galleries, classrooms and artists' studios. Offers daily guided tours and the Lehigh Valley's only glassblowing studio, and on the first Friday of every month there is an art showing. Unless you love art it's probably not worth a trip to the South Side by itself but if you're there already be sure to stop by.
This local plantation affords an excellent look at rural life in the Lehigh Valley beginning in the mid-18th century. The restored Moravian homestead highlights farm life and the region's industrial development through the mid-19th century. It not only makes the past come alive but provides a showcase for agriculture and craftsmanship of the era.
Recognized as the country's oldest Moravian Church and was inscribed as a in 2024.
This area contains a few of Bethlehem's early buildings, like the 1761 Tannery, 1762 Waterworks (a National Historic Landmark), the 1869 Luckenbach Mill, and the Miller's House Garden (an 1870 Victorian garden). The area is right along the Monocacy Creek, so it's a great place to take a walk or even fish, right downtown (if you have a license).
If you're on Main St., you'll probably walk by here. A nice little place to stop by with a few rotating exhibits, but not a destination itself. Beer enthusiasts take note though - Goundie was the town brewer back in the day.
An interior designer's dream come true, the Kemerer Museum is dedicated to the history of decorating. There are various rooms dedicated to periods in history, with textiles, china, paintings and more. The Victorian gardens on the ground provide a welcome spot to relax.
For those interested in learning a bit about the history of Bethlehem, or the Moravian people or faith, this should be a stop on your tour. It's housed in the oldest building in Bethlehem, the 1741 Gemeinhaus. It's only open on the weekends, however.
A Smithsonian affiliate dedicated to preserving America's rich industrial heritage. Exhibits on steel-making and manufacturing.
A venue for performing arts and cinema on the former Bethlehem Steel property. Attractions include the ArtsQuest Center, the performing arts center; the Air Products Town Square, with over 400 free musical performances annually; PNC Plaza, which will host festivals, a farmers market, and will also serve as a stage for Musikfest; and the Levitt Pavilion, which will host free concerts.
The Star of Bethlehem on top of South Mountain is lit year-round. It is visible from most parts of Bethlehem.
This seasonal tour runs throughout December on Th F Sa and Su at 5:30PM, 6:30PM, and 7:30PM. Tour includes a display of the Christmas City by bus.
Tours begin at the Visitor's Center and highlight the important historic sites.
Tours begin at the Banana Factory and highlight the churches, architecture, and multiculturalism of the South Side.
Tours run Nov 26-Dec 30. Sights include 18th-century buildings and other historic sites.
Carriage rides last about 15 minutes and run from Nov 27-Dec 30.
Public golf course within the city. For those looking for just a round on the links on the cheap, the city course will do the trick. Also see Saucon Valley Country Club below.
A 750-ft-long skateplaza offers BMX riders and skateboarders a safe place to ride across from Wind Creek Resort.
One of Bethlehem's city parks, Illick's Mill Park offers ice skating (seasonal), pool (seasonal), the Bethlehem Municipal Golf Club (see above), a driving range, baseball fields, and a nature trail that runs along the Monocacy Creek.
Bethlehem's three largest high schools, Bethlehem Catholic, Freedom, and Liberty, all participate in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, which includes the 18 largest high schools from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos and is often ranked as one of the best in the state and nation. In 2008, Liberty High School won Pennsylvania's Division AAAA state championship in football. Although Liberty won in 2008, Freedom Football and Freedom Family have raised some of the biggest football stars, including Joe Young and Dwyane Johnson, and have beat Liberty for many years in a row. In addition to football, Bethlehem's girls and boys basketball and wrestling events are also very highly attended. All three of Bethlehem's high schools play their home football games at Frank Banko Field at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium, one of the largest high school stadiums in the state, located at 1115 Linden St.
Rose Garden Park is on 8th Ave and offers playgrounds, a bandshell where the Music in the Park concerts are held, and the DAR House, a replica of the first log cabin built in Bethlehem.
Sand Island Park is along the Lehigh River and offers playgrounds, hiking trails, basketball and tennis courts, and plenty of room for fishing.
formerly Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem
A casino (established 2009) with 3,000 slot machines, 89 tables, a 300-room hotel (May 2011) and 200,000 square feet of retail space on the formerly-industrial South Side. Part of a larger complex which includes the Museum of Industrial History (opened mid-2016) and which, when completed, will have over 40 stores at The Shoppes at Sands, 6 restaurants, 2 night clubs, a cineplex, 46,000 square feet of convention space, 18 meeting rooms and a concert hall.
Saucon Valley Country Club is a world-class golf course just south of the city. The club's courses have been named among the best in the state, and the Old Course played host to the 2009 U.S. Women's Open. Inquire within for information on tee times and greens fees.
The Steel Ice Center houses daily public indoor ice skating on the South Side, along with open hockey sessions.
Takes place during the first weekends in May.
January 31 through February 6.
The Blueberry Festival is held each July and features a classic car show and various products made from blueberries.
Celtic Classic is an annual festival in Bethlehem celebrating Celtic heritage. The festival is host to the U.S. National Highland Games and provides an environment filled with a wide variety of traditional elements. Included are traditional musicians, food vendors, clothing vendors, artists, and more. If you have a kilt, wear it. For the adventurous, taste the haggis, a traditional Scottish dish.
Stores feature many discounts and bargains during this three-day event.
Fireworks are shot off from Sand Island Park on July 4th, the end of Musikfest, and New Year's Eve.
The Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Show runs from late March to early April. It is an annual display of over 200 vehicles.
Takes place at the beginning of October.
Musikfest is an annual 10-day music festival that takes place in the beginning of August. Over a million people visit the festival every year. All of the hundreds of concerts, save the headlining acts, are free of charge, and take place at various "platzes" set up around the historic district. Past performers include Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Clinton and Ludacris. The food is top-notch (if expensive) as well, with everything from fried Oreos to gyros, and there are activities for children as well. Check out the polka tent for the festival's only dance floor and the famous "Chicken Lady," a local legend.
Celebrated at the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, this festival includes Russian food and beer, arts and crafts, and desserts. Admission is free. Held September.
Local church festival featuring authentic Greek food. Held in September.
One of the best diners in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley, located in Center City. Breakfast, salads, sandwiches and different "small bites".
Sandwiches as well as a Russian and Ukrainian menu.
The Dairy Store, sometimes called "The Cup" is the hot spot for ice cream, with 80 years of history and over 25 flavors. Lines can get long in the summertime, but it's well-worth the wait.
Located down the street from Moravian College's football field, steak sandwiches and subs offer an inexpensive postgame (or anytime) meal.
Simple Turkish breakfasts and lunches, like korkerec. Limited seating.
Deja Brew is Lehigh U's local coffeeshop, frequented by students and staff alike. Penn State fans, watch the football game here; the owners are die-hard fans.
Francisco's Salvadoreño Restaurant features Salvadoran food at a lower price.
A student favorite, the Goose offers delicious subs at great prices. Make sure to look at the various "specials" posted on signs behind the counter.
Located on the South Side near Lehigh University, this family-run Mexican restaurant is known for guacamole and tortillas.
Lehigh Pizza is one of many Bethlehem pizzerias, but it is one of the best on the South Side. Located next to the Banana Factory.
Located on the South Side, MachPiccu brings a piece of Peru to Bethlehem with this authentic restaurant.
Potts' (pronounced "Pott-zees") is, as anyone in Bethlehem will tell you, probably the best hot dog in the Lehigh Valley. The dogs are super cheap too.
Tulum is good for Mexican eats on the cheap, and they also have many vegetarian options.
The Wise Bean is a very relaxed coffeehouse downtown. It's a great place to get some work done; they'll even pop in your favorite CD if you ask.
Bakery offering 100% vegan fare.
The Brew Works is an industrial-themed restaurant with its own microbrewery on site. Serves standard American fare, but with a German influence, such as Wiener schnitzel and sauerkraut.
Fantastic buffet and hibachi at an inexpensive price.
Popular chain of fondue restaurants.
Nawab is one of only a handful of local Indian restaurants. Eat in at the buffet, or takeout if you prefer.
The Apollo Grill has been consistently rated as one of the Lehigh Valley's top restaurants. They serve contemporary American cuisine, and reservations are recommended.
blue Grillhouse is an upscale-casual restaurant with an extensive wine bar, serving steaks and seafood. Located outside of Bethlehem in neighboring Bethlehem Township, it is a 15-minute drive from city center which will lead you to its strip-mall location. Don't be fooled by the surroundings; it is one of the best. Patio seating available.
American steakhouse at Wind Creek Resort.
Asian fusion is what's on the menu at Edge, a great place for a swanky dinner date. Or, grab a martini at the lounge. Located inside the Liberty Place building at Broad and Main Streets.
The Bethlehem counterpart to Fegley's Allentown.
Non-profit, member-supported listening club on the South Side. The acts focus on folk, but jazz, early rock-and-roll, and blues are also sometimes offered.
A pub remodeled from a historic inn. Monday night is Wing Night, featuring 40-cent wings. Good bar food. Great place for a drink.
Pub.
If you are looking for a dive, this is definitely the place.
If you're just looking for a hole-in-the-wall to grab a beer near Main St., Ripper's is probably your best bet.
Steelgaarden is a lounge located inside the Bethlehem Brew Works, with a large drink menu and six beers brewed onsite.
The Tally-Ho's motto is "We try to be all things to all people," and they cater to locals, Lehigh students, and everyone else at this charming pub. While anyone is admitted at the Tally-Ho, this place is best if you are drinking shots. Lots of them.
For the best local bands, The Funhouse Pub is the place to go. Located a block down from Lehigh University.
Wind Creek Bethlehem has three drinking/partying establishments: Coil, Molten Lounge, and Vision nightclub.
former Comfort Inn
Spacious rooms with what one would expect of an average hotel room.
The Comfort Suites is one of the few hotels on the South Side.
Hotel with rooms and suites, indoor swimming pool, wireless Internet access and meeting space.
Rooms with 1 king or 2 queen size beds, and amenities one would expect from an average hotel room. Breakfast included.
Free parking, Wi-Fi and breakfast. Gym and business center.
hiesales3375@aol.com
Opened in 2007. Complimentary airport shuttle available. Features an adjacent restaurant and lounge.
Rooms with 1 king or 2 queen size beds, and amenities one would expect from an average hotel room. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast included.
Spacious rooms. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast and parking. Business center and fitness center.
Downtown Bethlehem's largest hotel. Its prime location means it fills up quickly in the wintertime, so book well in advance.
Quaint former mansion that has been refurbished into a 21-room bed-and-breakfast in the city's Fountain Hill section. Meals are included in the room rates.
Features facials, waxing, a color bar and products from Somme Institute, Davines, and USpa, and other accessories.
Christkindlmarkt is a holiday market, named among the world's best, open on weekends during the Christmas season. Handmade arts and crafts are for sale, as well as German and Austrian food, a celebration of the town's heritage.
Celtic jewelry, music, food and other Irish and British items.
Moravian Book Shop is the oldest bookstore in the country, open since 1745. They sell mostly books, but also souvenirs and Moravian stars, which are popular during the Christmas season.
The Promenade Shops is an outdoor mall and "lifestyle center." The stores are located just south of Bethlehem in a wealthy suburban area. The stores cater to an upscale taste and budget, with stores such as Coldwater Creek, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers and Fresh Market. The complex also contains restaurants and a movie theater.
Carries a collection of olive oils and vinegars that you can taste before you buy.
Westgate Mall is an indoor shopping mall, hosting anchors Bon-Ton and Weis Markets. It features over 40 stores and services. It is, to put it lightly, undercrowded, and probably not worth your time.
By train
Despite being crisscrossed by several railroads, there aren't any passenger services to Bethlehem.
By bus
Trans-Bridge Lines offers daily coach service to Bethlehem. Buses depart from the Park and Ride at I-78 in North Bethlehem, which can be reached by local mass transit.
By car
Bethlehem is easily accessible by car from virtually any direction:
By bus
By taxi
Several taxicab companies are in the Lehigh Valley. Taxis do not often drive around the streets, like in New York City.
On foot
The best way to see Bethlehem's Historic District is on foot., or close to it.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Allentown/Bethlehem · Regional · ABE
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