I got to spend the weekend in Lehigh Valley, PA! Situated in eastern Pennsylvania, it’s a fun and convenient getaway as it’s only an hour from Philadelphia and about two hours from NYC.
Lehigh Valley is made up of Northampton and Lehigh Counties and has three unique cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The good news is they’re very close to each other so you can see all three in a weekend. From beautiful parks and trails to history and art museums, Lehigh Valley boasts a variety of attractions for every traveler. Whether you’re looking for adventure, history, or amazing eats, you’ll surely find it in Lehigh Valley!
Keep reading for the best places to stay, explore, and eat in Lehigh Valley.
**This post is sponsored by Discover Lehigh Valley. All opinions are my own. Thank you Discover Lehigh Valley for hosting us!**
Where to Stay in Lehigh Valley
renaissance allentown
If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Lehigh Valley, I highly recommend staying at the Renaissance Allentown. This contemporary, luxurious hotel is perfect for a quick weekend getaway in the city. It’s located in downtown Allentown and is just steps from restaurants, bars, and popular attractions, such as the Allentown Art Museum and ArtsWalk Pocket Park.
The hotel features an elegant, contemporary design and artwork by local artists. Renaissance has all the amenities you need for an amazing stay including grab-n-go breakfast, an on-site restaurant, valet dry cleaning, an on-site fitness center, and stunning city views. The breakfast options were delicious and included cereal, muffins, fruit, yogurt, and hot coffee and tea. This fueled us up for all our adventures!
We stayed in a luxurious queen room and had everything we needed for a comfortable, clean, and relaxing stay, and I can’t rave enough about the top-tier service.
At the hotel, protocols were in place to ensure everyone’s safety and the staff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Our stay was absolutely superb! As far as amenities and location, you couldn’t ask for better accommodations. Click here to book your stay at the Renaissance Allentown.
Thank you, Renaissance Allentown & Discover Lehigh Valley, for hosting us!
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What to do in Lehigh Valley
national museum of industrial history
In Lehigh Valley, there’s no shortage of great museums to explore. During our Lehigh Valley trip, we checked out the National Museum of Industrial History and learned so much more about America’s industrial heritage and innovations in steel, propane, and silk [hosted].
The museum is housed in the former Electrical Repair Shop of the Bethlehem Steel facility and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. Through interactive exhibits and educational programs, it showcases the ingenuity and transformation of the steel industry in the U.S.
We experienced the museum through a guided tour and were so intrigued by how much steel has transformed the ways we live, travel, and work! I was stunned by the number of exciting exhibits on display, such as “Life in the Silk Mills” and “Up, Up, and Away.” Because there’s so much to see and learn, it’s the perfect museum for both children and adults.
The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at the admissions front desk.
Thank you @nmihorg & Discover Lehigh Valley for hosting us! We had a wonderful time and learned so much.
stroll around historic bethlehem
There’s lots of rich, colonial history to explore in Historic Bethlehem and the city has an abundance of exciting activities to enjoy. Main Street is lined with great shopping, dining, and hospitality. You can also experience the city through a walking tour or museum tour. During the holidays, Historic Bethlehem offers nighttime bus tours and carriage rides!
allentown art museum
Founded in 1934, the Allentown Art Museum features a wide collection of over 17,000 works of art. The collection consists largely of European Renaissance and Baroque paintings, American paintings and sculptures, Southeast Asian art, decorative arts, and textiles. The museum also has a growing collection of photography with a variety of images ranging from the industrial to the astronomical.
One treasure of the collection is the library from the Francis W. Little House (1912-1915), designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
My favorite exhibits were AI WEIWEI “Golden Age”, “Girl Balancing Knowledge” by Yinka Shonibare, and “Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper.” After exploring Washi Transformed, we even got to make our own Japanese paper lanterns!
The Allentown Art Museum also includes a café and store that carries a wide selection of books and specialty items from various artists. Be sure to visit their website for information on exciting programs and events, which are held throughout the year. The museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 11 AM – 4 PM and offers free admission on Sundays.
downtown easton
Easton is a vibrant, charming city with popular attractions like Crayola Experience, Easton Public Market, Easton Farmer’s Market, State Theatre Center for the Arts, and the Karl Stirner Arts Trail.
Easton also has a thriving food scene, with top-rated restaurants like Daddy’s Place, Bayou, River Grille, Sette Luna, and Maxim’s 22.
The city’s rich history and exciting attractions draw visitors from around the region. It’s the perfect place to explore on a day trip or weekend trip to Lehigh Valley.
fall foliage
Fall is the perfect time to visit Lehigh Valley as the leaves start changing. For a fun afternoon, we drove around with Discover Lehigh Valley’s self-guided historic covered bridge tour. The fall foliage with the red covered bridges provided the perfect photo backdrop! You can also stroll along the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. It runs about 48 miles in Lehigh Valley, so there’s a lot of spots and sites to explore on it. For those who love to hike, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary provides beautiful vistas, plus you’re likely to see some of the fall bird migration!
Where to eat in Lehigh Valley
the bayou southern kitchen and bar
If you love Southern food, add The Bayou to your list! The Bayou Southern Kitchen & Bar serves Southern-inspired American comfort food with a creative flair. Derived from classic New Orleans cooking, the menu includes fan favorites like chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, po’boys, jambalaya, and smoked ribs.
We tried the chicken and waffles, fried chicken sandwich, and crispy catfish with a side of cornbread. Everything was tasty but the cornbread stole the show! It was crispy on the outside and warm butter on top made it even more delectable.
The Bayou has two locations – Easton & Bethlehem. We loved our meal in Bethlehem so much that we decided to stop by their Easton location to try their famous Nashville Mac N’ Cheese and it didn’t disappoint! It was cheesy, creamy, and had the perfect amount of spice.
Thank you @datbayou for hosting us and for the amazing service!
zest bar+grille
If you’re looking for a great restaurant with even better vibes, Zest bar+grille is the place to go. Zest offers a variety of delicious brunch, dinner, dessert, and drink options. We tried the braised beef short ribs, grilled swordfish, and veggie + grain bowl. For dessert, we had the chai spiced carrot cake and apple tartlet. Everything was absolutely delicious. I think it’s safe to say that Zest is now on my favorite restaurants list. Zest also has a rooftop that provides stunning views of the city. Be sure to book a reservation in advance, as times can fill up quickly. Zest bar+grille has some of the best customer service I’ve ever received and I highly recommend visiting when you’re in Lehigh Valley.
vegan treats
Vegan Treats is a popular bakery in Bethlehem, PA that serves gourmet vegan treats such as donuts, cakes, cookies, and soft-serve ice cream. They also offer custom cakes. Here, we tried the cinnamon rolls, pecan sticky buns, and mini cakes. Everything tasted so fresh and wasn’t too sweet! I definitely recommend stopping here during your trip to the area.
For more Lehigh Valley trip inspo, you can follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Their hashtag is #LVMadePossible.
I hope this list put Lehigh Valley on your radar and provided some fun ideas of what to do and where to eat around the area. Let me know below: Have you ever visited Lehigh Valley? What places did you go to? Will you consider visiting this year? Let’s chat in the comments! Also, be sure to follow me on all social media platforms for more day trip ideas around the northeast.
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