The Lehigh Valley Style Must List 2021

TH E LE H I G H VA LLE Y

A GUIDE TO OUR CITIES

BY LEHIGH VALLE Y ST YLE

Consider this your introduction to the region’s three principal cities: Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M A T T B I S H O P, M A R C O C A L D E R O N , C O L I N C O L E M A N , A L I S O N C O N K L I N , S H E L B I E P L E T Z

Each one offers a unique approach to life in Eastern Pennsylvania, with varying takes on arts and culture, dining, shopping, events and beyond.

So, if you’re new here, and assuming you’re here to stay, we’ve created the ultimate must list, outlining everything you must do, must eat, must visit and must know to make yourself at home.

Photo by Douglas Benedict

MAKE RESERVATIONS The Valley loves its restaurants, and with decades under their belts, there are a few that have really made their mark.

Bolete is headed into its 15th year in business, and as they continue to innovate, the accolades just keep coming— check out the “scuttlebutt” page on their website if you don’t believe us. Some credit Bolete with blazing the farm-to-table trail here in the LV, and their sustainable fine dining is certainly special occasion worthy.

GET DOWNTOWN YOU MUST

It’s not called the Christmas City for nothing—you must plan a visit during the holidays; it is magical.

BETHLEHEM

Explore the charming historic downtown that is Main Street Bethlehem! There are so many quaint places to shop and dine, and be sure to get some Penn State Creamery ice cream at the Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor, located across the street from Historic Hotel Bethlehem. There are also 20 historic buildings and sites nearby that are worth checking out.

ALLENTOWN

One of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Allentown— the Queen City—has it all. Head downtown to dine at one of the trendy restaurants and stick around to enjoy the buzzing nightlife. If you fall in love with the city’s energy, check out one of the many luxury apartment buildings—there’s always a new one popping up.

EASTON 2

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Easton’s downtown might best be described as urban and up-and-coming. New retailers, restaurants and places to live are always popping up. Easton’s roots stretch back to the 1750s, but there’s a young crowd and a modern feel throughout the city.

For more than 20 years, Savory Grille has delighted diners in its intimate, countryside setting. The offerings change seasonally, but you can always expect to find some iteration of sea scallops and duck on the menu as customers can’t get enough.

Known for their extensive list of appetizers, Apollo Grill encourages a “grazing and sharing” dining experience.

Apollo’s been around since 1999.

Enjoy unique New American cuisine at Grille 3501, whether you’re dining indoors, al fresco on their patio or grabbing a seat (and a cocktail!) at the open-air bar. The restaurant will celebrate 20 years this November. (Its much younger sister restaurant in Southside Bethlehem, ZEST, offers rooftop views and is also worth checking out.)

YOU MUST

A Yocco’s hot dog is like a rite of passage around here. A tried-and-true tradition since 1922, there are six locations in the Lehigh Valley. Yocco’s is run by the Iacocca family, which is where its name came from—you see, the Pennsylvania Dutch population pronounced it “Yo-co-ca.”

IF YOU LIVE HERE LONG ENOUGH, THERE ARE SEVERAL FOOD AND DRINK ITEMS THAT YOU’LL COME TO REGARD AS LEGENDARY… BECAUSE THEY ARE.

Two Rivers’ Peanut Butter Bacon Cheeseburger. That’s right, peanut butter on a burger. It’s graced our cover before, making it as photogenic as it is delicious.

3rd and Ferry is famous for many things (that Crabby Mary, the lobster roll), but they pale in comparison to the iconic Market Fries, fresh-cut and tossed in crab aioli.

You say sangria, we say Tapas.

There’s a reason why our readers vote Tapas on Main the region’s Best Sangria year after year.

Available by the glass, the pitcher or the flight, there’s always a wide seasonal variety to choose from— and they never disappoint. Stop by any Thursday when glasses are just $5 and pitchers are $20.

Vegan Treats receives tons of local and national praise. Its famed peanut butter bombs are a Dutch chocolate cake ring topped with a light and fluffy peanut butter mousse, encased in Belgian chocolate. And of course, they’re vegan.

Grab a slice at Lehigh Pizza, where they go through 2,000 pounds of fresh dough every week—and the sauce is made from scratch using a 20-year-old secret recipe. Their specialty pizza menu is never-ending, and includes everything from Hawaiian to buffalo chicken.

Order Komé Fine Japanese Cuisine’s Saucon Valley Roll.

Aptly named for the restaurant’s location inside the Promenade Shops, the spicy tuna roll is topped with avocado, tempura flakes, spicy mayo and eel sauce.

Bethlehem Dairy Store, referred to by natives as “The Cup,” is a local institution that’s been around for nearly a century. The ice cream is homemade and available in around 50 different flavors at any given time. You’ll be hard-pressed to find the shop without a line wrapped around it in the summer.

Josh Early Candies has been delivering the Valley specialty chocolates for decades through its two locations. Their signature nonpareils combine decadent chocolate and crunch, and are perfect for gifting or endless snacking!

Around here, Cali Burrito has a cult following. Check out their menu for an inventive array of burrito offerings, including breakfast and an option to build your own.

Khanisa’s Pudding Bar hasn’t been on the map for quite as long as some of the other establishments on this list, but their decadent pudding quickly garnered a following like no other (23k on Instagram to be exact).

Geakers Tacos’ gator tacos— that’s right, alligator meat straight from a farm in Louisiana—are an adventurous eater’s dream come true. The Valley clearly loves them, as these have been known to outsell Geakers’ more traditional offerings.

Served by the skillet, The Bayou’s mac and cheese comes in a variety of different flavors including classic, Nashville (with fried chicken and hot sauce) and brisket.

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Established in 1752, the Easton Farmers’ Market is the oldest, continuous open-air market in the country.

YO U M U S T

Little Miss Korea Downtown Allentown Market

SHOP THE MARKETS

Mister Lee's Noodles Easton Public Market

EASTON FARMERS’ MARKET

THE ALLENTOWN FAIRGROUNDS FARMERS MARKET

EMMAUS FARMERS’ MARKET

BETHLEHEM FARMERS’ MARKET

ESTABLISHED: 1752

ESTABLISHED: 1953

ESTABLISHED: 2003

ESTABLISHED: 2007

OFFERINGS: Everything at

OFFERINGS: Its got 60-plus

OFFERINGS: There’s a wide

OFFERINGS: Shop produce, lunch

this producer-only market is locally-grown and made. Don’t miss Breakaway Farms, Scholl Orchards, Primordia Mushroom Farm, Tomblers Home Bakery and so many more.

vendors serving up plenty to replenish your pantry or to eat on the go as well as many nonfood-related offerings. Mainstays include Mr. Bill’s Poultry Market, Dan’s Bar-B-Qued Chicken, Wittman’s World Cheeses and Gannon’s Gourmet Foods.

variety of seasonal, local produce, meats and cheeses, baked goods, prepared foods, flowers and so much more. Be sure to check out The Big Red Barn, Lehigh Valley Kombucha and Easton Salsa Company.

There’s live music as well as events and activities for all to enjoy.

items, baked goods, natural products and more. It’s a proud member of Buy Fresh Buy Local Lehigh Valley and strives to make fresh, local produce and food more readily available to the community.

WHEN & WHERE: Open Saturdays from May through December, the market recently relocated to the riverfront at Scott Park in order to accommodate more vendors and visitors. The winter season runs January through April behind the Easton Public Market.

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WHEN & WHERE: Located at the Allentown Fairgrounds, the market is open Thursday through Saturday 50 weeks out of the year; it’s closed for two weeks for The Great Allentown Fair.

WHEN & WHERE: Rain or shine, locals can frequent the market at Triangle Park. It is open every Sunday from May through November and the second and fourth Sunday from December through April.

WHEN & WHERE: Part of Lehigh University’s Office of Sustainability, the market is located at Farrington Square.

It’s open Thursdays between May and November.

Bedway's Fresh Fruits The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market

CATCH A DRIVE-IN MOVIE EASTON PUBLIC MARKET

DOWNTOWN ALLENTOWN MARKET

RIVERPORT PUBLIC MARKET

ESTABLISHED: 2016; an extension

ESTABLISHED: 2019

ESTABLISHED: Coming Soon

OFFERINGS: Dine in or order to

OFFERINGS: The 24,000-square-

go. This modern food hall is home to Batch Microcreamery, Little Miss Korea, Bar 1838, Zahra and others. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a drink during happy hour or a casual dinner.

foot modern marketplace will soon be home to 24 vendors, including Jealous Star Brewing Co., Soaked Winery and Tacos y Tequila Lite. There will also be a demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and private parties.

of the Easton Farmers’ Market

OFFERINGS: It’s the place to let your inner foodie run wild, with vendors including Mister Lee’s Noodles, Silvershell Counter + Kitchen, Taylor Taco Shop, More Than Q Barbecue, Chocodiem and many, many more. There’s also a demonstration kitchen for culinary events and classes.

WHEN & WHERE: Located right off of Easton’s circle, the Easton Public Market is open Wednesday through Sunday year-round.

WHEN & WHERE: Located on the vibrant Allentown ArtsWalk, shoppers can appreciate the surrounding artwork by internationally renowned muralists or sip on a beer and listen to the sounds of local musicians. The market is open year-round Tuesday through Saturday.

WHEN & WHERE: Located on Bethlehem’s Southside, Riverport sits near the Banana Factory, the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks and Wind Creek casino. It takes over the space of the former Starters Sports Bar, and will be open year-round.

We have access to our fair share of drive-in theaters around here, making it a favorite pastime for many. ►Becky’s opened its present-day location in Walnutport in1946 and has received local and national praise for its establishment. ►Shankweiler’s is America’s oldest drive-in, having opened in Orefield in 1934. ►Lehighton’s Mahoning Drive-In was built in 1948.

It’s home to the largest CinemaScope screen in the state and offers an exclusively retro 35mm film program, presented reel-to-reel via original 1940’s Simplex projectors.

Bring your own lawn chairs or sleeping bags, and make yourself comfortable! Be sure to scope out the snack bar at each.

YO U M U S T

HIKE & BIKE

Don’t miss the D&L Trail, which runs 140 miles, with 40 miles located within Lehigh and Northampton counties. The trail follows the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers and offers a look at our local history and scenic surroundings.

THE LINK Trail Network is an organization that connects 125 miles of pathways by providing handy maps and online tools to pinpoint the perfect spot for you. Their growing list includes the Saucon Rail Trail, Lehigh Parkway Path, Ironton Rail-Trail, Karl Stirner Arts Trail and other easy to moderate paths.

K ar

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l Stirner Arts Trail

I ro n t

on Rail-Trail

YOU MUST

MAKE MEMORIES

The Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville is home to 131 species and 240-plus animals. It spans 29 acres across the Trexler Nature Preserve, and there’s always an event or festival taking place on site!

DORNEY PARK & WILDWATER KINGDOM

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown has all the roller coasters, water rides and amusement park staples one could dream of.

M

LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS V in eL

The iconic Crayola crayon factory is headquartered right here in Easton, with the Crayola Experience offering little ones the chance to interact with the brand and see how crayons (and markers!) are made.

In the fall and winter months, head to the PPL Center in Downtown Allentown to watch as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms take the ice.

Members of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Phantoms are affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.

No matter your age, a trip to Coca-Cola Park to watch the IronPigs play should be on your summer to-do list. Cheer on this Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies while enjoying some iconic eats, including the legendary roasted corn from Aw Shucks. On Thursday night games, enjoy happy hour specials from 5–7 p.m.

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Mary Tuomanen as Puck and Lindsay Smiling as Oberon | Photo by Lee A. Butz

Fair PA Bacon Fest Photo courtesy of the Greater Easton Development Partnership

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

MARK YOUR CALENDAR THE FREDDY AWARDS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A bank until 1910, Easton’s State Theatre brings a Broadway feel to the Valley.

The annual Freddy Awards celebrates local high school musical theater and they’re broadcast live each May.

Civic Theatre of Allentown was established in the late 1920s.

Its annual presentation of A Christmas Carol is a timehonored tradition in December!

THE GREAT ALLENTOWN FAIR One of the oldest fairs in the country, The Great Allentown Fair kicked off in 1852. What began as a community celebration of agricultural achievements is now a nationally renowned exposition each September.

The fun includes rides, games, grandstand entertainment and so much more.

GARLIC FEST & PA BACON FEST Downtown Easton’s Garlic Fest in October and PA Bacon Fest in November are as delicious as they sound. We love a themed food fest around here!

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THE PENNSYLVANIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival returns to Center Valley’s DeSales University every summer to present a few of Shakespeare’s masterpieces.

MUSIKFEST

Perhaps the biggest festival of them all, Bethlehem’s Musikfest is a 10-day celebration in August consisting of free and ticketed musical performances, non-stop eating and the opportunity to continuously fill your Musikfest mug.

CELTIC CLASSIC

Bethlehem’s annual Celtic Classic is held in September and, since 1988, has been dedicated to preserving and promoting Celtic heritage through education, musical presentations and traditional competitions in athletics, piping and dance.

BLUES, BREWS & BARBECUE Heading into its 14th year this July, the event draws barbecue and blues music enthusiasts from all over. It’s can’t-miss, free fun for the entire family.