Allentown, PA Road Trips

In the Lehigh Valley, Allentown borders South Whitehall Township to its northwest, Emmaus to its southeast, Whitehall Township to its north, and Bethlehem to its east. The city lies in the center of the highly populated U.S. Northeast megalopolis region, 19 miles (31 km) west of the Skylands and the New Jersey state line, 63 miles (101 km) north of Philadelphia, and 93 miles (150 km) west of New York City. Allentown was founded in 1762 by William Allen as "Northampton Towne." It was renamed Allentown in 1838, and was incorporated as a city in 1867. Founded in 1762, Allentown has deep roots in American history. The city was among the first to support American independence, establishing a Committee of Observation as early as 1774. During the American Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell was hidden under the floor boards of an Allentown church for nine months from September 1777 to June 1778 to avoid its capture by British troops. In the 19th century, following the Confederate victory at Fort Sumter in April 1861, Allentown deployed the Allen Infantry to aid the Union Army and protect the nation's capital from Confederate attack. Allen Infantry and its associated regiment proved among the Union Army's most effective and bold fighting forces, leading some of the Union Army's most daring attacks against Confederate bases in the deep southern states of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina. In the early part of the 19th century, Allentown was among the first U.S.

1 Allentown Art Museum, 31 N 5th St, ☏ +1 610-432-4333. W-Sa 11AM-4PM, Su noon-4pm, third Thursday each month: Open until 8PM. World-class permanent art collection with changing exhibits. Adult $12; senior (60+), student $10 or child 6 and older $10, child 5 and under free; free admission Su noon–4PM and 3rd Th 4PM–8PM. (updated Dec 2018) 2 America On Wheels Museum, 5 N Front Street, ☏ +1 610-432-4200. Museum showing the history of wheeled transportation, largely inspired by the historical role Mack Trucks, based in Allentown from 1905 until its move to North Carolina in 2005, played in the city and region for a century. 3 Da Vinci Science Center, 3145 Hamilton Blvd Bypass, ☏ +1 484 664-1002. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Da Vinci is a hands-on children's science center featuring two stories of interactive activities to teach visitors about the world in which we liv. Highlights include a dark tunnel, shadow-room, seawater touch tank, and Keva building blocks. Ages 3+ $12.95, Toddlers free. (updated May 2021) 4 Lehigh County Historical Society, 432 W Walnut St, ☏ +1 610-435-1074. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Exhibit galleries, library and area archives. 5 Mack Experience Center, 2402 Lehigh Pkwy. S, ☏ +1 610-351-8800. The Mack Trucks Historical Museum is the repository of historical documents and artifacts from Mack’s long and storied history as the leading American truck manufacturer and world-renowned brand name. There are more than 80,000 photos in the collection, many dating back to Mack's 1905 founding in Allentown.

1 Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd, ☏ +1-610-437-7757. Swimming pool, two beach and two hard volleyball courts, four lighted basketball courts, 2.3 miles of multi-use trails, playground. 2 Allentown Municipal Golf Course, 3400 Tilghman St (West End), ☏ +1 610-395-5108. A public golf course. Great course at great value. (updated Jun 2022) 3 Allentown Symphony Orchestra, 23 N. Sixth St, ☏ +1 610-432-6715. Major regional symphony orchestra. (updated Jun 2022) 4 Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, 3830 Dorney Park Rd (on the west end of Hamilton Boulevard near Interstate 78), ☏ +1 610-395-3724. This popular amusement park and water park is home to at least six world-class roller coasters, including the 200-foot-tall Steel Force (the eighth longest steel roller coaster in the world), multi-looping coasters Talon and Hydra: The Revenge, and antique wooden roller coaster Thunderhawk. The park is open from early May to the end of October, and the waterpark is open from late May to early September. During the times that the waterpark is open, waterpark admission is included in the price of admission to the regular park, and guests can move freely back and forth between the two interconnected parks. (updated Jun 2022) 5 Haja Rose Bowl, 801 N. 15th St, ☏ +1 610-437-4606. 36 bowling lanes. Also hosts bowling leagues. Attached to the Mixx Nightclub & Lounge, a self-described "high-energy haunt," with live music, karaoke, and high resolution televisions for sporting events. 6 High school athletics.

Allentown offers numerous family-run eateries featuring various authentic ethnic cuisine, including Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, Mexican, Jamaican, Dominican, and Puerto Rican restaurants. A variety of casual dining and fast food restaurants are available around the Whitehall Township and Cedar Crest Boulevard business districts, as well as in Center City. You can even catch a hot dog on the street from a vendor on Hamilton Street or 7th Street. A good number of national chain restaurants also exist in the city. 1 Cali Burrito, 3104 Hamilton Blvd, ☏ +1 610-351-1791. California-style Mexican cuisine. Organic, vegetarian, vegan. Laid-back vibe. 2 Sopranos Pizzeria, 2102 Union Blvd. # 5, ☏ +1 610-435-9990. 10AM-9:15PM daily. Pizza. 3 China Moon, 2102 Union Blvd, ☏ +1 610-439-8883. Chinese cuisine. 4 La Dolce Vita Italian Bakery, 5531 Hamilton Blvd, ☏ +1 610-395-8875. Reasonably priced Italian. 5 Wally's Deli, 711 N. 17th St, ☏ +1 610-435-7177. M-W 7AM-6PM, Th F 7AM-7PM, Sa 7AM-6PM. A popular, locally owned place with several Lehigh Valley locations. In Allentown, it is on 17th street. 6 Willy Joe's, 446 N 16th St, ☏ +1 610-435-3260. A local favorite for hot dogs, steak sandwiches, fries. Only the original location remains. 7 Yocco's West, 2128 Hamilton St. This small hot dog chain is considered to be a local favorite, and is a must-try for first-time visitors to Allentown. There are six Yocco's locations in Allentown and its surrounding suburbs. 8 Zandy's Steak Shop, 813 St. John St, ☏ +1 610-434-7874. 10AM-10PM daily.

Allentown is well known for its nightlife, and many Allentown clubs feature major New York City, Philadelphia, and Allentown DJs and live bands. They include: 1 Allentown Brew Works, 812-816 Hamilton St, ☏ +1 610-433-7777. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-2AM. This restaurant is a second location modeled after the Bethlehem Brew Works also owned by the Fegley Family. A micro brewery, the four-level restaurant serves upscale bar fare, with bars on three levels, including the Silk Lounge on the lower level. 2 Chicken Lounge, 3245 Hamilton Blvd, ☏ +1 610-439-1707. 11AM to 2AM daily. Since the early 1989s, a reliable lounge and bar. Grill open until 1:30AM. 3 Greg's West End Saloon, 1839 W. Tilghman St, ☏ +1 610-351-7127. 11AM-2AM daily. Bar and Mexican bar food. 4 Maingate Nightclub, 448 N. 17th St, ☏ +1 610-776-7711. F 5-10PM, Sa 9PM-midnight, Su 5-11PM, closed M-Th. Large and festive nightclub with modern dance and hip hop music, large dance floor, outside bars open in summer. Dance and hip hop music spun by top New York City, Philadelphia and Allentown DJs. Also has periodic under 21 nights. 5 MIXX Nightclub and Sports, 801 N. 15th St, ☏ +1 610-437-3970. 6PM-midnight daily. High energy sports bar with multiple televisions attached to a bowling alley. Jam-packed for most Philadelphia Eagles games. DJs, periodic live bands. 6 Platinum Plus, 1251 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 610-433-3311. M-Sa 11AM to 2AM, Su 4PM to 2AM. A gentleman's club. 7 Ringers Roost, 1801 W. Liberty St, ☏ +1 610-437-4941, [email protected]. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-midnight.

Red Carpet Inn, 731 Hausman Rd, ☏ +1 610-395-3377. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Red Roof Inn, 1846 Catasaqua Rd., ☏ +1 610-264-5404. Sleep Inn, 327 Star Rd, ☏ +1 610-395-6603. From $125 a night. Allentown Park Hotel, 7471 Keebler Way, ☏ +1 610-391-1500. Part of the Ascend Collection by Choice Hotels. From $129 a night. Comfort Inn - Lehigh Valley West, 7625 Imperial Way, ☏ +1 610-391-0344. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Has lounge/bar and 24/7 fitness center. Four Points by Sheraton Allentown Lehigh Valley, 3712 Hamilton Blvd., ☏ +1 610-437-9100. Hilton Garden Inn Allentown Airport, 1787 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 610-443-1400. Hilton Garden Inn Allentown West, 230 Sycamore Rd, ☏ +1 610-398-6686. Holiday Inn Express, 3620 Hamilton Blvd, ☏ +1 610-437-9255. Super 8 Allentown West/Kutztown, 2160 Golden Key Rd, Kutztown (on I-78 exit 45). Amenities include an in-room micro-fridge, hi-speed internet, hair dryer, free breakfast. Holiday Inn Allentown-Bethlehem, 4325 Hamilton Blvd., ☏ +1 610-366-1600. 1 Glasbern, 2141 Pack House Rd., Fogelsville, ☏ +1 610-285-4723, fax: +1-610-285-2862, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. From $239 a night. Hawthorne Suites, 7720 Main St, Fogelsville, ☏ +1 610-366-9422. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. From $139 a night. Holiday Inn Express, 1715 Plaza Ln. (15th St Exit Off Rt 22), ☏ +1 610-435-7880. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Indoor swimming pool. From $129 a night. Homewood Suites by Hilton, 7686 Industrial Blvd, ☏ +1 610-336-4860.

The primary and most convenient point of airline entry to Allentown and other Lehigh Valley locations is Lehigh Valley International Airport, but three primary options exist: 1 Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE IATA), 3311 Airport Road, ☏ +1 610-266-6000, toll-free: +1-800 FLY LVIA (3595842). Lehigh Valley International Airport ABE IATA, which is a mere 6 miles (9.7 km) northeast of Allentown, is the closest airport. This airport has nine gates, six aircraft holding spots, and two runways with the following serving Allentown: Allegiant (Melbourne/Cocoa Beach, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Orlando MCO, Sanford, Punta Gorda, FL; Sarasota Bradenton) American Eagle (Chicago O'Hare, Charlotte NC, Philadelphia) (AA "flights" to Philadelphia are operated by Landline Motorcoach from airside). Delta (Atlanta) United (Chicago O'Hare)Car rental services and commercial and public bus services are available for ground transportation from the airport. See 'By bus' in the below as some of the same bus companies listed offer service to/from the airport. (updated Jun 2022) Philadelphia International Airport PHL IATA, the busiest airport in Pennsylvania, is not nearly as close as ABE but offers an even greater selection of international and domestic flights to the area. PHL is 71 miles (114 km) south of Allentown. Cars are available for rent at PHL, and roughly a dozen buses a day depart for Allentown from the airport or from Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal at 1001 Filbert St. in Center City Philadelphia. Phone: 1-800-PHL-GATE Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA) in Newark.

Once in the city, Allentown is relatively easy to navigate and most of it is even walkable or bikeable. The main east-west streets are listed from north to south: Sumner, Whitehall, Greenleaf, Cedar, Washington, Green, Tilghman, Allen, Liberty, Gordon, Chew, Turner, Linden, Hamilton, Walnut, and Union. Numbered streets run from north to south. They begin towards the west at 1 and continue to 42. Extensive public bus service in Allentown and South Whitehall Township is provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA). Multiple cab and limousine companies operate throughout Allentown and Lehigh Valley. Most visitors to Lehigh Valley will want to either rent a car or drive their own. Because 7th street in Allentown is one-way, if you aim to go north to Whitehall Township, you will want to be on 6th street. Route 145 turns off 6th Street at Greenleaf Street for one block, and then joins 7th Street (beginning as two ways). Continuing on 6th will bring you to the same place, but will not carry the PA-145 designation. Hamilton Street is a continuation of US 222/Hamilton Boulevard and provides easy access for travelers from Reading and Lancaster. Hamilton Street continues into nearby Bethlehem as Hanover Avenue, providing direct access to its downtown as well. Tilghman Street is also a useful east-west urban thoroughfare that also provides access to Bethlehem and Easton as Union Boulevard. US Route 22 is a four-lane limited-access freeway across the north side of the city, and is often the best route of approach.

Allentown has a crime rate almost twice the national average in every category, including rape, robbery, theft, auto theft, murder, assault, and burglary. Rougher areas include parts of East Allentown and some neighborhoods of Center City north of Linden St. and south of Tilghman St. and the area between the American Parkway and Lehigh River, just east of Center City. Random acts of violence and crime against visitors are rare; most of the crime in the city and region involves drugs, gang rivalries, and other illicit activities. It would be unwise to try to buy drugs or other contraband in the city. It is fairly easy to stay safe by following common sense. Car and other forms of theft are issues, so be sure to lock cars and stay out of poorer areas at night. Prostitution and street racing are also very prevalent in Allentown. Don't walk alone late at night or on dimly lit streets. The most likely victim of a mugging on an Allentown street is someone who is alone and intoxicated, so keep your wits about you. If homeless approach you for change, just keep walking if you don't want to give anything. Pickpocketing is not a large problem, but don't flash around your money. There is a large police presence in the neighborhoods most frequented by visitors, especially Hamilton Street, and many officers in Center City Allentown patrol by bicycle.