From Wikitravel

Bethlehem [1] is a city in Pennsylvania, located along the Lehigh River 50 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles west of New York City. It is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, along with Allentown and Easton. The town was originally settled by a small group of Moravians (a persecuted Protestant religious group from modern-day Germany and Czech Republic)led by Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf in 1741. As the story goes, Bethlehem was founded on Christmas Eve, and the town was named for Jesus' birthplace, Bethlehem, Israel, because it was mentioned in the Christmas carols that were sung by the Moravians. During the Industrial Revolution it became home to one of the largest steel companies in the world, Bethlehem Steel, and its main manufacturing plant, both of which are now gone, as the company went bankrupt in the 1990s. Today, the town has a population of about 70,000, and is a thriving town with a beautiful historic district and many cultural events, as well as a large casino/entertainment complex under construction.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE) [2] serves the greater Lehigh Valley metropolitan area and is located about 10 to 15 minutes north of downtown Bethlehem by car. It is served by several legacy carriers, including Delta Connection, [3], Continental Express [4], Northwest Airlink [5], United Express [6], and US Airways [7]. Each offers several daily flights to their Eastern U.S. hubs. Air Canada Jazz [http:/www.aircanada.ca] offers flights to Toronto, and the airport usually has at least one low-cost airline with service to Orlando-Sanford. At present, there are two; Allegiant Air [8] and Direct Air [9]. The airline(s) flying this route tends to change fairly often; when one budget startup goes out of business, the airport tends to replace it with another one within a few months.

The airport is located on the outskirts north of the town. Take Airport Road south and get on Route 22 east; get off at the next exit for Schoenersville Road. Make a left at the end of the ramp, and follow the road until it becomes Elizabeth Avenue, at which point you are now in Bethlehem. To get to the south side, take the Route 378 exit instead of Schoenersville. When the expressway ends, make a left at the light onto S. 4th St; you are now in the south side neighborhood.

Other airports in the general vicinity are Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL) and Newark International Airport (IATA: EWR). As these are hubs for major airlines, and generally speaking much larger airports, flying into Philly or New York can save you a bundle. Expect a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia and about 2 hours from Newark, depending on traffic.

[edit] By car

Bethlehem is easily accessible by car from virtually any direction.

• I-78 is the main interstate through Bethlehem, connecting it with New York City to the east and Allentown and Harrisburg to the west. The Bethlehem exit is Route 412; turn right at the bottom of the ramp, regardless of which direction you came from.
• I-476, locally referred to as "The Turnpike", is the main interstate and toll road traveling North-South, going from outside Philadelphia to the Poconos. Get off at the Lehigh Valley Interchange (Exit 56) and continue east on Route 22, which runs through the town. Be aware that this not the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but the Northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but you can go between the two roads without paying the toll. Do not lose your ticket; you will be charged the maximum toll.
• US-22, colloquially "22," is the main highway through Bethlehem and the rest of the Lehigh Valley. It runs parallel to I-78 for its length through Bethlehem. Rush hour traffic can be a hassle and the road is altogether congested, and there are local efforts to expand the road, which have not yet resulted in any construction.

[edit] By bus

Several companies offer daily coach service to Bethlehem. Buses depart from the Park & Ride at I-78 and Route 412 in south Bethlehem, which can be reached by local mass transit.

• Bieber Tours, ☎ 1 800 BIEBER 4, [10].  edit Bieber runs buses several times daily between Bethlehem and Philadelphia's Greyhound Bus Station.

• Trans-Bridge Lines, ☎ 1 610 868 6001, [11].  edit Trans-Bridge operates busses to several points in New York. The "New York" bus stops at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but there are also services to the major airports.

[edit] Get Around

There are several ways to get around Bethlehem, depending on where you are and where you're intending to go. If you're sticking to the downtown areas, you can easily cover it on foot. It's important to realize that there are two downtown areas. "Downtown" usually refers to the historic district on the northern side of the River, centered along Main Street. However, it can also refer to the area on the south side along 3rd/4th St. on the other side of the Lehigh River, usually referred to as "South Side". Both can be covered on foot, but to go between them probably requires a car/bus. You can walk it, but it is a little more than a mile walk, most of it over the Hill-to-Hill bridge. Your best bet for parking downtown is the North Street garage, a short walk from the historic district (downtown). If your travel involves going to other residential neighborhoods or neighboring towns, it's probably best to go by car, bus, or taxi.

[edit] By bus

• Lehigh and Northampton County Transportation Authority (LANTA) provides affordable bus transportation in and around Bethlehem and the surrounding cities of Allentown and Easton. LANTA provides a Metro Plus service for those who are unable to ride the regular Metro due to disability or requirement of special attention. Schedules are available online[12]. LANTA buses serve mainly to link the three downtown areas of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, and if you're not staying/going in these areas, the bus service can be impractical. Service centers around the main depot at Broad & Guetter Streets, and fans out in every direction. The cost is $2 a ride, $2.50 for a day pass, with discounts if you buy in bulk.

[edit] On foot

The best way to see Bethlehem's historic district is on foot. Just about all notable landmarks are on Main St., or close to it. When referring to places along Main, "the top" of Main is at the intersection of Main and Broad, which is on top of the hill; "the bottom" is at the Brethren's House, and all points past there. To go to the South Side, go over the bridge just down the street to the Hotel Bethlehem. Make a left when you reach the Hill-to-Hill Bridge. When you get to the end of the bridge, turn left on 3rd or 4th St. to reach South Side. There are also several pathways which lead to the Monocacy Creek from Main St.

[edit][add listing] See

• Banana Factory, 25 W. 3rd St., ☎ 1 610 332 1300, [13]. Gallery hours: 11-4. 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. On the first Friday of every month there is an art showing.  edit

• Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, ☎ 1 610 691 6055, [14]. 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.  edit

• Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, 427 New St., ☎ 1 610 691 6055. Thu-Sat. 10-5; Sun 12-5. 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.  edit

• The Star of Bethlehem. During the Christmas season, the Star of Bethlehem on top of South Mountain is lit. It is visible from most parts of Bethlehem.  edit

• The Sun Inn, 564 Main St., ☎ 1 610 866 1758, [15]. 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 can be rented and catered for private gatherings. The courtyard also hosts a summer concert series.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Dutch Springs, 4733 Hanoverville Road, ☎ +1 610 759-2270, [16]. . Dutch Springs is an water/adventure park located on a 50-acre lake. It offers scuba diving, an Aqua Park filled with large inflatable objects, rock climbing and more. There are campgrounds on-site and they host picnics and parties.  edit

• Lehigh Valley Outlawz, ☎ 1 484 585 1081, [17]. The Outlawz are a minor league arena football team that plays in Stabler Arena. The team plays its season in the spring from March-June, and is the only minor league team in the city in any sport.  edit

• Sands BethWorks, [18]. Sands BethWorks is a still under-construction casino complex being built on the South Side. The complex will include 3,000 slot machines, a hotel, shopping, restaurants, night clubs, a cineplex, a concert hall, and a National Museum of Industrial History when everything is complete. The casino is set the open in Spring 2009, but the entire complex opening is still far off.  edit

• Saucon Valley Country Club, 2050 Saucon Valley Road, ☎ 1 610 758 7150, [19]. 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 sate, and the Old course will play host to the 2009 U.S. Women's Open. Inquire within for information on tee times and greens fees.  edit

• Steel Ice Center, 320 E. 1st St, ☎ 1 610 625 4774, [20]. The Steel Ice Center houses daily public indoor ice skating. $3-6.  edit

[edit] Events

• Musikfest, Downtown Bethlehem, [21]. 12-10. Musikfest is an annual 10-day music festival that takes place in the beginning of August. Over 1 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, Ludacris and much more. The food is top-notch 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. Free.  edit

• Celtic Classic, [22]. 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.  edit

• Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp, [23]. Philadlelphia Eagles Training Camp is located at Lehigh University in South Bethlehem from July through August. Spectators can watch the Eagles practice and meet players on special autograph days. There are also activities for kids. Bring a cooler; temperatures reach into the 90s, and do not wear any other team's jersey unless you like getting heckled by notoriously rowdy Eagles fans.  edit

• SouthSide Film Festival, [24].  editThe South Side Film Festival started in 2004, and takes place every June. Films of all genres are accepted from any type of filmmaker. The film screenings are at several venues on the Lehigh University campus.

[edit] Learn

Bethlehem is home to two major institutions of higher learning. The larger of the two is Lehigh University, with a student population of 6,500. It is largely known as an engineering school, and in athletics it has a storied wrestling program. The smaller is Moravian College, located in downtown. It is now a small liberal arts college, but it was once the first seminary for women in the U.S. when it was founded in 1742, making it the 6th oldest college in the country.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Christkindlmarkt, [25]. Thurs-Sat. 10-8; Su. 10-6.. 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. $8; 12 and under admitted free.  edit

• Moravian Book Shop, 428 Main St., ☎ ''1'' 610 866 5481 (fax: ''1'' 610 868 8330), [26]. M-W 10-6, Th-Sa 10-8, Su 12-5.  edit 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 at Saucon Valley, 2845 Center Valley Parkway, ☎ 1 610 791 9707, [27]. Mon-Sat. 10-9. Sun. 11-6. 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, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Fresh Market. The complex also contains restaurants and a movie theater.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Downtown is where most of Bethlehem's most popular restaurants are located, but for the best bargains, you'll have to venture into the residential neighborhoods of the town. Generally speaking, the closer to downtown, the more expensive the restaurant. Bethlehem's most popular upscale resaurants can be found on W. Broad St., known as "Restaurant Row."

[edit] Budget

• 3rd Street's Chicken and Ribs, 2 W. 3rd St., ☎ ''1'' 610 866 1212, [28]. Tues-Sat. 11-8, Sun. 12-8. You guessed it, chicken and ribs are the specialty at this south side fixture. A great place for buffalo wings. $2-9.  edit

• The Cup at the Bethlehem Dairy Store, 1430 Linden Street, ☎ ''1'' 610 691 8422, [29]. 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. $2-5.  edit

• Carl's Corner, 2 W. Elizabeth Ave., ☎ ''1'' 610 691 1541. Mon-Sat. 10:30-9. Located down the street from Moravian College's football field, steak sandwiches and subs offer an inexpensive postgame (or anytime) meal.  edit

• Deja Brew, 101 W. 4th St., ☎ ''1'' 610 865 2739. Mon-Sat. 10-7, Sun 10-6. 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. $2-8.  edit

• Lehigh Pizza, 13 W. 3rd St., ☎ ''1'' 610 866 1088, [30]. 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. $7-21 per pie.  edit

• Potts' Hot Dogs, 114 W. Fairview St., ☎ ''1'' 610 865 6644. 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. $1-5.  edit

• Tulum, 17 W. Morton St., ☎ ''1'' 610 691 8300. Mon-Fri. 11-9, Sat. 12-9. Tulum is good for Mexican eats on the cheap, and they also have many vegetarian options.  edit

• The Wise Bean Coffee & Espresso Bar, 634 N. New St., ☎ ''1'' 610 867 5010, [31]. 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. $1-6.  edit

[edit] Mid-Range

• Bethlehem Brew Works, 569 Main St., ☎ ''1 610'' 882 1300, [32]. 11 AM-2 AM. 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. $9-20.  edit

• Main St. Depot, 61 W. Lehigh St., ☎ ''1 610'' 868 7123. The Main St. Depot is housed in a former train station; naturally there's a railroad theme to go along with the steaks here. $16-25.  edit

• Nawab Indian Restaurant, 13 E. 4th St., ☎ ''1 610'' 691 0388. 11:30-7:30. Nawab is one of only a handful of local Indian restaurants. Eat in at the buffet, or takeout if you prefer. $9-15.  edit

• Starter's Riverport, 17 W. 2nd St., ☎ ''1 610'' 625 2300 (fax: 1 610 625 2310), [33]. Starter's is a sports bar on the South Side that serves much more than typical bar food. A great place to watch the big game (most TVs in the Lehigh Valley) or to bring kids (with a huge two-floor game room). $7-25.  edit

• Tortilla Flat, 500 Main St., ☎ ''1 610'' 868 8903, [34]. Mon-Fri. 11-10; Sat. 9-10; Sun. 9-8.. Authentic Mexican cuisine including fajitas, burritos, and enchiladas.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Apollo Grill, 85 W. Broad St., ☎ 1 610 865 9600 (fax: 1 610 865 9800), [35]. 11-10. 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. $20-40.  edit

• blue Grillhouse, 4431 Easton Ave., ☎ 1 610 691 8400, [36]. Mon-Thurs. 11:30-10, Fri. 11:30AM-12PM, Sa 4pm-mid, Su Noon-9pm. 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. $20-30.  edit

• Edge, 74 W. Broad St., ☎ ''1 610'' 814 0100, [37]. Mon-Sat., opening at 5. Bar opens at 4.. 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. $26-30.  edit

• Starfish Brasserie, 51 W. Broad St., ☎ ''1 610'' 332 8888, [38]. Mon-Thurs. 5-9:30, Fri. & Sat. 5-10, Sun. 5-8.. Starfish serves up seafood like no other spot in the Valley, as evidenced by its many local awards. $21-30.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

With thousands of college students attending Lehigh University, Bethlehem has its fair share of bars. Most are located on the south side (close to the school) on 3rd and 4th Sts. You can find places to have a drink downtown too, but these cater more towards a more touristy, older crowd. Downtown, particularly Main St., is well-preserved and clean, and the city government prefers to keep it that way; head to the south side for a more uptempo scene, and stick to downtown for a more relaxed atmosphere.

• The Funhouse Pub, 5 E. 4th St., ☎ ''1'' 610 868 5311, [39]. For the best local bands, The Funhouse Pub is the place to go. Located a block down from Lehigh University.  edit

• Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., ☎ ''1'' 610 867 2390, [40]. Godfrey Daniels is a 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.  edit

• JP McGrady's, 117 E. 3rd St., ☎ ''1'' 610 868 9625. JP McGrady's is a popular bar for Lehigh students to grab a drink; expect crowds on weekends.  edit

• Looper's Bar and Grille, 313 E. 3rd St., ☎ ''1'' 610 882 2424. Looper's is a golf-themed, business casual upscale bar with cigar and wine bars, and over 150 martinis available. $5-10.  edit

• Ripper's Pub, 77 W. Broad St. (''1'' 610 866 6466). 11AM-2AM. If you're just looking for a hole-in-the-wall to grab a beer downtown, Ripper's is probably your best bet. Average Drink: $2.  edit

• Steelgaarden, 569 Main St.. Steelgaarden is a lounge located inside the Bethlehem Brew Works, with a large drink menu and six beers bewed onsite. $4-16.  edit

• Tally-Ho Tavern, 205 W. 4th St., ☎ ''1'' 610 865 2591, [41]. 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. $9-15.  edit

• Your Welcome Inn, 325 S. New St., ☎ ''1'' 610 868 8887. Your Welcome Inn is the local scene/dive bar, close to downtown.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

A number of hotels are located on Airport Road near LVIA and the immediate areas surrounding it. Most hotels are located on the outskirts of town along Route 22. If you're going downtown figure about a 10 minute drive, cab, or bus ride. For those who would prefer to stay downtown, Hotel Bethlehem is basically your only option; the location is great, but it is also the most upscale place to stay in the entire city.

[edit] Budget

• Comfort Inn, 3191 Highfield Drive, ☎ ''1'' 610 865 6300 (fax: ''1'' 610 861 5074), [42]. checkin: 2 PM; checkout: 12 PM. $90.  edit

[edit] Mid-Range

• Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center, 300 Gateway Dr., ☎ ''1'' 610 866 5800 (fax: ''1'' 610 867 9120), [43]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 12 PM. $99.  edit

• Comfort Suites, 120 W. 3rd St., ☎ ''1'' 610 882 9700 (fax: ''1'' 610 882 4389), [44]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 12 PM. $129.  edit The Comfort Suites is one of the few hotels on the South Side, and it is located close to Lehigh University.

• Fairfield Inn & Suites, 2140 Motel Drive, ☎ ''1'' 610 867 8681 (fax: ''1'' 610 758 9000), [45]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 12 PM. $109.  edit

• Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 3375 High Point Blvd., ☎ ''1'' 610 882 2255 (fax: ''1'' 610 882 1381), [46]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 11 AM. $105.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main Street, ☎ 1 800 607 2384 (info@hotelbethlehem.com, fax: ''1'' 610 625 2218), [47]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 11 AM. $169.  edit Hotel Bethlehem is downtown Bethlehem's largest (and only) hotel. Its prime location means it fills up quickly in the wintertime, so book well in advance.

• The Sayre Mansion, 250 Wyandotte St., ☎ 1 877 345 9019, [48]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 11 AM. $160.  edit The Sayre Mansion is a 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.

[edit] Get out

Bethlehem's central location in the Lehigh Valley make it a particularly good starting point for exploring the region. For moving on, consider these attractions:

• Dorney Park, (I-78 West to Exit 54-B), ☎ ''1'' 610 395 3724, [49]. Hours vary by season. For the thrillseeking type, Dorney is one of the biggest amusement parks on the East Coast, located next door in nearby Allentown. $44.  edit

• The Poconos. The Poconos are the place to go for skiing and snowboarding in Eastern Pennsylvania. Most of the resorts are about 60-90 minutes north of Bethlehem by car. For the non-ski bums there is also an outlet center and a waterpark in the summer.  edit

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