Easton, PA Road Trips

In 1736, Thomas Penn (William Penn's son) surveyed the area and Easton was founded in 1752. Prior to that, Easton had been known as "Lechawitauk", meaning "The Place at the Forks." On July 8, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read in Easton's Centre Square, one of three public readings of the document. Every year, Easton celebrates this historic event with its Heritage Day celebration, held in July. Easton became a primary commercial location during the canals and railroads era of the 1800s. The Delaware, Morris and Lehigh Canals were vital for transportation of goods. The railroads replaced the canals for transportation and five railroads served Easton. The city had a strong German heritage. During Prohibition, it was known for nightlife and had plenty of liquor and a large number of brothels. The population in Easton continues to diversify. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the Hispanic and Black populations increased significantly. However, the primary ethnicity in the city remains White/non-Hispanic. Easton sits at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Native Americans called Easton Lechawitau, "the place at the Forks". Easton has a highly variable four-season temperate climate. Summertime highs average in the low 80s F, but with occasional short heat waves with temps over 95 °F (35 °C), with considerable humidity and occasionally intense thunderstorms. Winters are somewhat cold with average highs in the mid to upper 30s F (around 1-3 °C), but with occasional short thaws when temperatures can suddenly rise over 65 F for a few days.

1 Crayola Factory (Crayola Experience), 30 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610-515-8000. M-F 9:30 AM - 4PM; Sa Su 10AM - 6PM. Fun, indoor theme park type place, where kids can enjoy lots of activities and learn how real crayola crayons, markers, and colored pencils are made. It's not the actual Crayola factory, but you can see how they make Crayola crayons and other Crayola products. Very kid friendly. Has its dedicated store. There is a municipal parking garage, behind the facility between Pine St. and Ferry St. for a fee of around $2 per hour. There is also on street meter parking for $1 per hour, with a 2 hour limit. Adults & children $16.99, seniors, military and infants charges less. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd, ☏ +1 610-923-3548. Outdoor activities, hiking areas, arts events, historical sites all along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. 3 Easton High School sports, 2601 William Penn Hghwy, ☏ +1 610-250-2481. Easton is home to one of the oldest rivalries in American high school football history, the border war, also known as the Easton vs. Phillipsburg High School football game, which is held each Thanksgiving Day and routinely draws in excess of 15,000 spectators. Easton High School is also known for their often nationally-ranked wrestling team, which competes in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, a division of the largest 18 high schools from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos that is considered one of the best in the nation and has launched the careers of many professional and Olympic athletes.

Riverview Country Club, ☏ +1 610-559-9700. Player-friendly layout, panoramic views. Two miles north of PA-22 on PA-611. The Club at Morgan Hill, ☏ +1 610-923-8480. 18-hole public golf course. Named 2009's "Best Places to Play in North America" by Golf Digest. Full-service clubhouse. Skiing is a popular activity in nearby mountains. Most skiing areas are closed seasonally, since snow can usually only be manufactured from about November to April. Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Resort are a short drive away in Macungie and Palmerton, respectively. Larger, world-famous ski resorts, including Jack Frost & Big Boulder, are in the Poconos, about an hour drive north on Interstate 476.

Angelo's Restaurant, 14 N 4th St, ☏ +1 610-252-6956. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti, 136 Spring Garden St, ☏ +1 610-252-3033. Josie's New York Deli, 14 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610-252-5081. Marblehead Grille & Chowder House, 4101 William Penn Highway, ☏ +1 610-258-4301. River Grille, 243 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-923-5110. Sette Luna, 219 Ferry St, ☏ +1 610-253-8888. Delicious upscale Italian food in a warm atmosphere. Amazing pizza. Sogo Fusion, 237 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-250-0198. Steve's Pizzeria, 1005 S Greenwood Ave, ☏ +1 610-252-7756. 3rd & Ferry Restaurant and Bar, 56 S 3rd St. Tic Toc Family Restaurant, 2510 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-252-6466. A diner that attracts mostly local regulars. There are also many chain restaurants around the area.

Black and Blue, 683 Walnut St., ☏ +1 610 438-3604, [email protected]. Black and Blue offers a dimly-lit, eccentric atmosphere with a fantastic craft beer selection and a unique menu with vegan and vegetarian choices. (updated Feb 2018) College Hill Tavern, 420 Cattell St, ☏ +1 610-829-5470. 4PM-2AM daily. The preferred hangout of Lafayette students, it can change dramatically depending on the night. When college is not in session, this becomes a chilled out spot, but when it is, it can be loud music and a noisy college atmosphere. Non-smoking. Lafayette Bar, 15 N 4th St/, ☏ +1 610 252-0711. Original home of Jazz in Easton. Leaf Cigar Bar and Restaurant, 90 Mort Drive, ☏ +1 610 559-1336, [email protected]. 5-star cuisine, prepared from scratch. The finest spirits, wine, and craft beers. Over 2,000 square feet of cigars. Smoke-friendly indoor and outdoor seating. State-of-the-art ventilation. Milo's Place, 217 Cattell St., ☏ +1 610 258-4390. Average bar, smoking permitted inside. Mothers Bar & Grill, 3 Lehns Ct (Centre Square), ☏ +1 610 559-1700. Typical bar scene, with quoits in the back. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610 253-9499. 10:30AM-2AM daily. Good selection of beers on tap, with a more sophisticated atmosphere. Excellent food. Porters Pub, 700 Northampton Street, ☏ +1 610 250-6561. 11AM-2AM daily. Friendly pub atmosphere, with a great beer selection, menu that includes pub fare and even vegan and vegetarian options, and frequent live music.

1 The Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel, 140 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-258-6350. (updated Sep 2016) 2 Hampton Inn, 3723 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., ☏ +1 610 250-6500. $75-150. (updated Sep 2016) 3 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 90 Kunkle Dr., ☏ +1 610 923-9495. Located right off of 22, the Holiday Inn Express features continental breakfast and free internet. $75-150. (updated Sep 2016) 4 The Lafayette Inn, 525 W Monroe St, ☏ +1 610 253-4500, toll-free: +1-800-509-6990. The Lafayette Inn, near Lafayette College, is a beautiful bed and breakfast. On the pricier side, it provides its guests with a spa, balconies and other special amenities. All of the eighteen custom decorated rooms feature antique furnishings and private baths. A variety of bed sizes is available. All of the rooms have a desk, armoire or closet, TV with DVD, alarm clock, hair dryer, and telephone with data port. (updated Sep 2016) 5 TownPlace Suites Bethlehem Easton, 3800 Easton Nazareth Highway, ☏ +1 610-829-2000. (updated Sep 2016)

1 Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE IATA), 3311 Airport Rd. Allentown, ☏ +1-800-FLY-LVIA (359-5842). This airport lies in the center of the Lehigh Valley, 13 miles (21 km) southwest of Easton, and has nine gates, six aircraft holding spots, and two runways. Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express offer direct flights to Lehigh Valley International from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and elsewhere. Car rental services and commercial and public bus services are available for ground transportation from the airport. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA), ☏ + 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), [email protected]. A second option is Philadelphia International Airport, which is 84 miles (135 km) south of Easton. An extensive number of domestic and international carriers offer direct flight service to PHL from most U.S. cities, Canada, and a number of Caribbean, European, and Latin American destinations. Cars are available for rent at the airport. (updated Sep 2018) 30th Street Station, 2955 Market St., Philadelphia, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. This major East Coast United States train station, the third-busiest Amtrak station in the United States, is 76 miles (122 km) south of Bangor. Cars are available for rent inside the station. Trans-Bridge bus line offers daily service to and from New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Uptown Vans offers daily service on a route to and from Newark, Union City, and New York City. U.S.

Extensive bus services are provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority: [http://lantabus.com LANTA). Several cab companies also operate throughout Easton and Lehigh Valley, including: A&A Limousine Service, ☏ +1 610-261-3838 or ☏ +1-800-281-5911 Champagne Limousine, +1 610-863-5994 J&J Transportation, ☏ +1 610-776-1516 or ☏ +1-800-726-5466 Your Way Taxi & Limo, ☏ +1 610-435-8294