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Easton

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Easton a town in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America.

It is right on the Delaware River, across the bridge from Phillipsburg in the Skylands region of New Jersey.

[edit] Understand

In 1736, Thomas Penn (William Penn's son) surveyed the area and Easton was officially born in 1752. On July 8, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read in Easton's Centre Square, one of three public readings of the document. Every year, Easton celebrates this historic event with its Heritage Day celebration, held in July.

Easton became a primary commercial location during the canals and railroads era of the 1800's. The Delaware, Morris and Lehigh canals were vital for transportation of goods. The railroads replaced the canals for transportation and five railroads served Easton. The city had a strong German heritage. During Prohibition, it was known for nightlife and had plenty of liquor and a large number of brothels.[1]

The population in Easton continues to diversify. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the Hispanic and Black populations increased siginificantly. However, the primiary ethnicity in the city remains White/non-Hispanic.

[edit] Geography

Easton is located at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers; Native Americans originally called Easton "Lechawitauk" which means "The Place at the Forks".

[edit] Climate

The climate in Eastern Pennsylvania is unique in that it can be up to and over 100 degrees in the summer and get snow in the winter. Summers are always hot, with temperatures in the upper 80s and humidity is usually high, above 80 or 85%. Winters can be cold, with ice on the roads being a worse problem than snow, but it does snow. Some years the area will only get a few inches all season, with the last major blizzard in 1996, when Lehigh Valley saw over 2 feet of snow.

[edit] Tourist Information

  • Lehigh Valley Visitor Center - Easton, 30 Centre Square, 484-546-0594. Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
  • Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.LehighValleyPA.org

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

The primary and most convenient point of airline entry to Easton and Lehigh Valley is Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), which is less than 15 minutes away from most parts of the city. Various airlines operate out of this airport. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a major international airport that is about 70 miles away. Since it is a hub for several national airlines, it is easy to obtain non-stop flights to Philadelphia International compared to ABE and usually cheaper.

[edit] By car

  • US Highway 22 is a main thoroughfare, being a 4-lane limited-access highway with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour through all of Lehigh Valley except in Easton.
  • Drivers coming from points east will want to note that all of the major bridges across the Delaware River (from New Jersey) are free eastbound, but require tolls westbound. Locating the free bridge in Phillipsburg is possible, but not recommended to those unfamiliar with the area. It is called Northampton Street for the adventurous, and only adds about half a mile to the trip (assuming you don't get easily lost).
  • From the southeast and northwest, PA Route 309 provides fairly quick access and is a good road to travel.
  • Interstate 78 and Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike; tolled) intersect very close to the city of Easton, going in all directions north, south, east, and west.
  • PA Route 33 is the best approach for travelers from I-80 in the Poconos and points east.

[edit] By bus

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Extensive bus services are provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA). [2]

[edit] By cab

Several cab companies also operate throughout Easton and Lehigh Valley. These are:

  • Easton Taxi, 610-258-2888.
  • Lehigh Valley Taxi, 610-867-6000.
  • Quick Service Taxi, 610-434-8132.

[edit] By Limo

  • J&J Luxury Transportation, 610-776-1516 or 1-800-726-5466 [3]
  • Elite Limosuine & Coach [4]
  • Champagne Limousine [5]
  • ABE Limousine [6]
  • Adamo Limo [7]
  • Car One Limousine [8]

[edit] By horse & carriage

  • Bethlehem Carriage Company offers historical tours and weddings across the Eastern Pennsylvania area. [9]

[edit][add listing] Do

  • The Crayola Factory, 18 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042, ☎ 610-515-8000, [10]. Mon.-Sat., 9:30AM - 5PM; Sun., 11AM - 5PM. Fun, indoor theme park type place, where kids can enjoy lots of activities and learn how real crayola crayons are made. It's NOT the actual Crayola factory, but you can see how they make Crayola crayons. Very kid friendly. Adults & Children $9.50, seniors, military and infants charges less.  edit
  • Home to one of the oldest rivalries in American high school football history, the border war--the Easton vs. Phillipsburg high school football game--is held each Thanksgiving Day and routinely draws in excess of 15,000 spectators. Easton High School is also known for their often nationally-ranked wrestling team.
  • National Canal Museum, 30 Center Sq., 610-559-6613. [11] The only museum in the country dedicated to telling the story of America’s historic towpath canals. Features four galleries filled with hands-on exhibits that educate and entertain parents and children alike. Mule-drawn canal boat rides available.
  • The State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., 610-252-3132. [12] Located in the downtown Easton, it is home to many traveling artists, ballet groups, broadway shows, national music and comedy acts, and more. Most famous for the Freddy Awards, an Emmy award-winning awards show put on by local high schools for drama productions during the school year; named for the famous ghost who resides in the State Theater, Freddy, the first owner of the theater.
  • Skiing. This is a popular activity in nearby mountains. Most skiing areas are closed seasonally, since snow can usually only be manufactured from about November to April. Bear Creek Mountain Resort[13] and Blue Mountain Ski Area[14] are a short drive away in Macungie and Palmerton, respectively. Larger, world-famous ski resorts, including Jack Frost & Big Boulder[15], are located in the Poconos, about 1 hour drive north on Interstate 476.
  • Moyer Aviation, Braden Airpark, 3800 Sullivan Trail, ☎ 610-258-0473, [16]. See Easton and Lehigh Valley from the air on a private plane tour.  edit
  • Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd, ☎ 610-923-3548, [17]. Outdoor activities, hiking areas, arts events, historical sites all along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers.  edit
  • The Club at Morgan Hill, ☎ 610-923-8480, [18]. 18-hole public golf course. Named 2009's "Best Places to Play in North America" by Golf Digest. Full-service clubhouse.  edit
  • Riverview Country Club, ☎ 610-559-9700, [19]. Player-friendly layout, panoramic views. Two miles north of PA-22 on PA-611.  edit

For more things to do in the area, check out the Allentown or Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) pages.

[edit] Shop

  • Palmer Park Mall, PA-248 West, about 2 miles from Easton. [20] It is the premier shopping site for the Easton, Glendon, Palmer, Forks Township and Wilson communities. It features 50+ unique stores and weekly events dedicated to arts and crafts, collectibles, and different artists.
  • Famous Smoke Shop, 1100 Conroy Place, 610-559-8800. [21] The area's best selection of Cohiba, Macanudo and other top name cigars.
  • The Crayola Store, 18 Center Square, 610-253-2966. Home decor, toys, party products and craft supplies by Crayola.
  • Partyology, 230 Northampton Street, 610-330-9535.[22] Cool, eclectic gifts and party supplies.

For more shopping in the area, check out the Allentown and Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) pages.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are several bar locations throughout the Easton area. A few very popular ones are Drinkys, located in the Circle[23], Fat Jacks, right on the border between Wilson and Palmer, and several firehouse and police associated "members-only" bars.

For dining, there are many family-owned restaurants around the area, such as Steve's Pizzeria and Tic-Toc Diner (open 24 hours). In the last few years, Easton has experienced a sort of renaissance of restaurants in the city center, including upscale restaurants like River Grille[24], Sogo, and Valenca, italian food at Sette Luna[25], mexican at Mex-Tex Trio[26], and of course, Pearly Baker's[27].

There are many chain restaurants around the area as well (Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Lonestar, Don Pablo's, and Pizza Hut).

  • Red Robin, 3716 Easton Nazareth Highway, ☎ 610-515-1111, [28].  edit
  • Porter's Pub, 700 Northampton St, ☎ 610-250-6561, [29].  edit
  • Vintage Restaurant & Bar, 100 Cluhouse Drive (located at The Club at Morgan Hill), ☎ 610-923-8480, [30].  edit
  • Marblehead Grille & Chowder House, 4101 William Penn Highway, ☎ 610-258-4301, [31].  edit

For more places to eat in the area, check out the Allentown and Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) pages.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Easton has many locals dive bars and hangouts.

  • C.R. Fanny's, 1700 Butler St, ☎ ''1'' 610 559 5170, [32]. C.R. Fanny's is the Lehigh Valley's newest strip club/sports bar.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Located right off of 22, the Holiday Inn Express features continental breakfast and free internet.

The Lafayette Inn, located on historic college near Lafayette College, is a beautiful bed and breakfast. On the pricier side, it provides its guests with a spa, balconies and other special amenities. All of the eighteen custom decorated rooms feature antique furnishings and private baths. A variety of bed sizes is available to suit every need. All of the rooms have a desk, armoire or closet, TV with VCR, alarm clock, hair dryer, and telephone with data port. The Lafayette Inn welcomes families, business guests, visitors to Lafayette College, and anyone wishing to stay or meet in a gracious, comfortable setting. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or meeting up with friends and family; they've got a room that will suit your needs.[33]

  • Comfort Inn Easton, 2415 Nazareth Rd., ☎ +1 610 253-0546‎, [34].  edit
  • Hampton Inn, 3723 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., ☎ +1 610 250-6500, [35]. $75-150.  edit
  • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 90 Kunkle Dr., ☎ +1 610 923-9495, [36]. $75-150.  edit
  • Quality Inn, 185 S. 3rd St., ☎ +1 610 253-9131, [37].  edit
  • TownPlace Suites Bethlehem Easton, 3800 Easton Nazareth Highway, ☎ 610-829-2000, [38].  edit
  • The Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel, 140 Northampton St, ☎ 610-258-6350, [39].  edit

For more places to stay in the area, check out the Allentown and Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) pages.

[edit] Learn

Easton is home to Lafayette College[40]. Other colleges are located throughout Lehigh Valley.

[edit] Get out

[edit] Other regions

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