Places to visit in Bethlehem, PA.
Bethlehem’s major annual attraction, the Christmas City Festival, is not to be missed if you are in Bethlehem during Christmas. The festival takes place during the week before Christmas and offers visits with Santa.
As well as trolley rides through town (they only do it for about a month; check their online schedule), holiday shopping at the Shoppes on Broadway and Steel Stacks Center, and a slew of other activities that make this festival one of the best of its kind. If that isn’t enough to convince you to go, remember that you can visit the renowned Moravian cookies shop while you are here.
Christmas City Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
During the Christmas season, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is known as “Christmas City USA” and is one of the best holiday destinations in the state. This historic city is a great place to visit for holiday shopping, festive events, and entertainment. It’s also home to the first Christmas tree in the United States.
The Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites offer tours throughout the holiday season, including an hour-long Christmas Stroll. Costumed docents lead visitors through downtown Bethlehem, discussing the city’s rich history as a Christmas city and its Moravian roots.
One of Bethlehem’s most popular holiday destinations is the Christmas City Village. This open-air festival is set against a backdrop of Victorian architecture. It’s a family-friendly event that features quality crafts and food. It’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the holidays.
Another holiday tradition for visitors is a horse-drawn carriage ride. Rides leave from the Central Moravian Church or the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. These rides are privately reserved for up to four adults and two children on laps. The ride includes a stop at the Bethlehem Waterworks and the community putz.
The Moravian Book Shop is one of the oldest continuously operating bookstores in the world. This store offers a wide selection of books and gifts. They also offer chocolate and beer tastings. They also sell Bethlehem souvenirs. The store is open during the holiday season, so visitors can take home some unique gifts to remember the holidays.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem Pennsylvania
Located within Historic Moravian Bethlehem, Historic Hotel Bethlehem is one of the oldest hotels in the United States. Originally known as the Golden Eagle Hotel, the hotel was built in 1823 and remained operational until 1919. It was replaced by a modern building in 1922.
The hotel is located in Historic Moravian Bethlehem, only three minutes from the museum. In addition to offering elegant guest accommodations, the hotel features a gym, high-speed internet access, free shuttle service to Lehigh Valley International Airport, meeting facilities, and a ballroom decorated with murals.
Guests are also welcome to enjoy Sunday brunch at 1741 on the Terrace. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner. This hotel has hosted many celebrities like Harry Connick Jr. and Amelia Earhart.
The hotel is also a member of Historic Hotels of America. It also features an iPod dock in all of its rooms and has free wireless Internet access. Guests can also enjoy the complimentary USA Today newspaper. It also offers meeting facilities, high-speed internet access, and ironing facilities.
The hotel has a free shuttle service to Lehigh Valley International Airport, and the staff is available 24 hours a day. It also accepts cashless payments. It is pet friendly. The hotel also offers rooms that have floor-to-ceiling palladium windows.
Moravian Museum of Bethlehem
Located in the 1741 Gemeinhaus community house, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem tells the story of the Moravians who settled in Bethlehem. The Moravian Historical Society operates the museum and offers tours and special exhibitions.
In addition to the museum, the Moravian Historical Society offers an award-winning bookstore, a museum store, and a unique event venue. It is the third oldest historical society in Pennsylvania. A variety of tours are offered, including guided tours. The museum also features an extensive collection of archival materials.
Visitors can also view the historic Moravian Christmas putz display in the 1740 Gray Cottage. This elaborate display shows the story of Christmas in the eighteenth century.
The Moravian Historical Society also offers various special events, including the annual Christmas in Nazareth town-wide celebration. In addition, the Museum of the American Indian also features changing exhibitions, including toys, samplers, and tall-case clocks.
Wind Creek Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Wind Creek Bethlehem is a casino, hotel, and entertainment facility owned by the Poarch Creek Indians of Alabama. The casino is part of the Sands Casino Resort. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation previously held the casino. The property was renovated in May 2009 and was rebranded as Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Wind Creek Bethlehem offers 282 rooms and suites, a 24-hour fitness center, and free parking. The casino also features a nightclub and a restaurant.
The casino also has an indoor water park and an adventure park. In addition, wind Creek Hospitality will build a second hotel with about 400 rooms. It will be located next to the adventure park. The new hotel will also feature a spa and meeting space.
SteelStacks
Located on the former Bethlehem Steel Plant site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, SteelStacks is a cultural campus. In addition to a visitor center, the campus includes an arts center and a music pavilion. Throughout the year, SteelStacks hosts more than 1.5 million visitors.
The Levitt Pavilion is the accessible music venue on the SteelStacks campus. It is a contemporary outdoor amphitheater with a backdrop of the iconic blast furnaces of Bethlehem. This free music venue is an important symbol of Bethlehem’s rebirth as a music destination.
The ArtsQuest Center is the heart of the SteelStacks campus. The facility hosts regular events, art exhibits, classes, meetings, and other activities. It is a sleek, modern building with two intimate concert venues and a community stage.
During the fall, the festival season begins. The 10-day festival includes live music, family and youth programs, and exhibitions. In addition to ticketed concerts, the festival will also feature various free performances.
Banana Factory Arts and Education Center
The Banana Factory Arts and Education Center is a dynamic cultural arts and education center located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The facility has three galleries, classrooms, and artist’s studios. Previously a banana distribution warehouse, the building is home to galleries and artist’s studios.
The Banana Factory Arts and Education Center offers children and adults visual arts and education programs. The facility also houses the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which provides educational and crafts activities for children with cancer. In addition, its Crayola Gallery features artwork exhibitions throughout the year. It is also home to a hot glass studio, the Olympus Digital Imaging Center, and the Fowler Arts and Education Center.
The facility has been a big part of the surrounding community. Initially opened in 1998, it is home to more than 30 artist studios and classrooms. There are also galleries and a community room.
Best Things to Do in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Places to visit in Bethlehem, PA:
- Christmas City Festival in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Historic Hotel Bethlehem Pennsylvania
- Moravian Museum of Bethlehem
- Wind Creek Bethlehem
- SteelStacks
- Banana Factory Arts and Education Center