Allentown offers a variety of reasons to visit: walking trails in historic parks, museums with set visiting hours, live theater, and a market with a wide selection of foods. Which stops are right for you also depends on whether you want to focus on green spaces, culture, or a specific program.
Parks and Trails in Allentown
West Park is Allentown’s oldest park. In addition to its green spaces and walking trails, it has a historic fountain and a bandshell for concert events. This combines time outdoors with visible historic features and a venue for concerts.
Lehigh Parkway has a different focus: The public park covers 629 acres and is located along Little Lehigh Creek. Activities mentioned there include scenic fitness trails, horseback riding trails, and fishing spots. When planning a park visit, you can choose based on the activity you want: walking trails and historic features at West Park, or trails, horseback riding, and fishing at Lehigh Parkway.
Museums and Visiting Hours
America On Wheels is open year-round: Sundays from 12:00 to 16:00 and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The program at the Restoration Center is also worth considering when planning your visit: A guided tour takes you through the area with an exhibit space for classic vehicles. Visitors can watch restorers repair and refurbish classic vehicles. Tour times and admission conditions may change; check these details before your visit.
The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum welcomes visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00; it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Its opening days differ from those of America On Wheels: The Heritage Museum is open on Tuesdays, while America On Wheels is closed; on Sundays, the reverse is true. Both museums are closed on Mondays. Check the respective hours again before planning your visit.
Theater, Science, and Motorsport
The Civic Theatre of Allentown’s historic 19th Street Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since its founding in 1927, Civic Theatre has continuously produced live theater. Allentown’s offerings therefore include both a historic venue and ongoing theater productions.
The Da Vinci Science Center is located in Downtown Allentown and offers award-winning STEAM programs and events. Lehigh Valley Grand Prix offers a different kind of activity: The indoor track is a quarter-mile long and uses gas-powered karts that reach speeds of up to 45 mph. The choices range from theater and science programs to a motorsport-related attraction. Current operating details may change.
Market and Regional Food and Drink
The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market provides a platform for more than 65 vendors. Its offerings include meat, poultry, produce, delicatessen items, baked goods, and seafood, as well as local wines and spirits. There are also pies and other baked goods baked on-site by Amish vendors. For a visit focused on food, the selection ranges from fresh and prepared foods to drinks and baked goods. Vendors and offerings may change.
Discover more destinations: Whitehall, Breinigsville, Coopersburg, Upper Saucon Township, Laurys Station.
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