A city made famous for its history and industries- Bethlehem is a city that is often overlooked when it comes to booking a holiday destination. Located just 90 minutes from both New York City and Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley has all the makings of the perfect weekend getaway location. It’s close to just about everywhere on the East Coast and there are a ton of activities to keep you busy. And yet, Bethlehem and Allentown are often overlooked. Come on- let us take a look at The best fun things to Do in Bethlehem This Summer.
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Go to the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
When you are here in Bethlehem, you are going to come across some unique attractions that are quirky and draw a lot of people at the same time. Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts is another one of these attractions. The authorities took three 19th century houses that make up the museum.
Did you know the whole country has only 15 of these? Yes, Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts is one of them. So, you get why it is so crowded all the time. The furniture, dinnerware, clothing, different pieces of art- display how much different things used to be back in the old days.
There are even rotating galleries inside. There is also a garden outside that has been designed by Scott Rothenberger. Do take a quick look before leaving.
Go to the Mayfair Festival of the Arts
When spring has sprung in the Lehigh Valley and everything at the Sayre Mansion is green again, then you know it’s time to start looking forward to the Mayfair Festival of the Arts. Each May Allentown, PA comes alive with a celebration of the arts. From galleries to hands-on experiences for the whole family, the Mayfair Festival of the Arts is a must-attend event for those with any artistic inclinations.
Explore Historic Bethlehem, PA
Much of Bethlehem’s charm is wrapped up in its history and you won’t forget your time spent getting to know the roots of this beautiful town. From the Moravians who first established the area to the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Bethlehem Steel, the history of the area is still very much a visible part of life today. This spring, get to know our roots by visiting a few historic sites during your visit.
Martin Guitar Factory
The large Martin guitar factory is a temple to the glorious sounds of music. From country to rock, it has all been done on a C.F. Martin & Co. guitar. We don’t play guitar, so we aren’t as passionate as many visitors, but the tour is a fascinating and enjoyable experience.
Visitors enter through a rustic barn entryway into a thoroughly modern factory inside. The tour traces the 300 different steps in building a guitar as well as quality control, which includes employees riffing out some tunes on the newly minted instruments. But the highlight is the memorabilia room where famous Martin Guitars can be seen along with displays about the musicians who put the company on the map.
Go scuba diving at Dutch Springs
Are you looking forward to having some fun with the waters?
One of the more unusual things to do in Bethlehem is scuba diving. Despite being over 75 miles to the ocean, thousands of people flock to Dutch Springs in the summer to learn to dive. Submerged deep in the quarry are objects for divers to explore: a firetruck, a school bus, a truck, a helicopter, and even an airplane.
The quarry also speaks to the Lehigh Valley’s roots as the cement capital of the United States. Most of the cement raw materials for America’s second industrial revolution and the build-up for World War II came from the Lehigh Valley. Diving in Dutch Springs is one of the most unique things to do in Bethlehem and is an interesting way to see the area’s history in a new way.
Dutch Springs Aqua Park
You might think you know what to expect from a water park, but Dutch Springs Aqua Park takes it to the next level. With attractions floating on an actual lake in a former quarry, Dutch Springs combines theme park fun with a true outdoor experience. Try the giant floating obstacle course, jump on a trampoline, and water slide on the lake. The park also has a lakeside rock-climbing wall and ropes course. If you want to have a more chill day on the water, you can rent kayaks or paddle boats. The park’s summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
