Bethlehem can be explored through two distinct themes: Moravian history and the industrial past of Bethlehem Steel. Museums and guided tours give these themes a specific place, while trails along the creek, canal and river offer another way to experience the city. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the two: museum visits and tours focus on buildings and historical interpretations, while trails differ in route and use.
Moravian History and Decorative Arts
Bethlehem’s oldest building is home to the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, which explores the city’s Moravian history. Built in 1741, the Gemeinhaus is designated a National Historic Landmark and is part of the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem World Heritage Site. It is considered the largest continuously used log building in the United States dating from the 18th century. Its construction date, designations and continued use give the building different historical associations.
The Old Bethlehem Walking Tour is a 90-minute tour through the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District. Its focus is therefore on the historic district, not just on a single building.
The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts offers a different focus. It is housed in three interconnected homes dating from the mid-19th century. Its offerings include changing exhibitions, period rooms and galleries tracing three centuries of style and design history. The museum is Pennsylvania’s only museum of decorative arts and one of only 15 museums in the United States devoted exclusively to this art form. This offers two distinct areas of focus: the Moravian Museum centers on the city’s Moravian history, while the Kemerer focuses on decorative arts and design.
Industrial History and Events
The National Museum of Industrial History is housed in the former Electric Repair Shop on the Bethlehem Steel site, within the SteelStacks arts and culture campus. SteelStacks is a ten-acre campus operated by ArtsQuest; the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces provide its distinctive backdrop.
On the Bethlehem Steel Plant Site Tour, former steelworkers or guides trained by steelworkers lead visitors around the Bethlehem Steel plant site and across the Hoover-Mason Trestle. The tour schedule may change; check current dates before your visit.
Musikfest takes place in Bethlehem every August. The ten-day festival is dedicated to music, art and community, offering another cultural reason to plan when to travel.
Walks and Trails Along the Water
The Monocacy Way Trail runs along Monocacy Creek through Center City Bethlehem to the Monocacy Recreation Complex on Illick's Mill Road, or back in the opposite direction. The South Bethlehem Greenway offers a walk through Bethlehem’s Southside, with the skate plaza, exhibitions in the Southside Arts District and play areas along the trail. The two urban trails differ primarily in their orientation: one follows the creek to a named destination, while the other passes through the Southside and offers art and play areas along the way.
The D&L Trail section between Allentown and Bethlehem runs along the canal towpath. Its surface is mostly gravel, and the section is intended for cycling and walking.
Sand Island is in Bethlehem on the Lehigh River and the D&L Trail. The Sand Island Trail runs through the Delaware and Lehigh Corridor to Allentown or Easton and beyond, and tells the story of the Lehigh Canal. This means the trail descriptions differ: one gives the surface of a specific section, while the other describes a route with named destinations and a historical connection.
Discover more destinations: Easton, Wind Gap.
View the regional travel overview: Northampton.
