Baseball, covered bridges, outdoor dining and biking adventures are among top recommendations for fun this spring in the Lehigh Valley.
Discover Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit promoting tourism in Lehigh and Northampton Counties recently released its insider tips for discovering and enjoying historic sites, arts attractions, outdoor restaurants, trails, breweries and more. Its top sites are listed in categories.
To get outside: The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor spans 165 miles along historic railroad, canals and rivers, and is open to hikers, bikers, runners and walkers, as is the LINK, a 125-mile, interconnected network of multi-use trails.
For art enthusiasts, the Karl Stirner Art Trail in Easton offers 16 sculptures along a 1.75-mile paved trail, while Historic Bethlehem boasts a self-guided tour of its 19 historic buildings, 20 acres of land and two National Historic Landmarks.
For families: The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs start their season in May at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, and the Li’l Le-Hi Trout Hatchery welcomes families for self-guided tours and fish feeding. You can learn about the Lehigh Valley’s native inhabitants at the Museum of Indian Culture, or visit Dorney Park, which reopens May 22 with CDC guidelines in place.
In the car: The Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour, featuring seven 18th century covered bridges, and stretches about 50 miles. Then hop onto Route 611 and enjoy dozens of small towns in the Slate Belt, including Bangor and Nazareth.
When you’re thirsty: The Lehigh Valley is designated as a federal American Viticultural Area, joining California’s Napa Valley. There are more than 30 wineries in Lehigh’s wine grape-growing region producing award-winning vintages. Bethlehem Brew Works offers its award-winning Steelworkers’ Oatmeal Stout, while Two Rivers Brewing serves up its beers on a historic balcony overlooking Easton. Or, have a cocktail at Eight Oaks Farms Distillery in New Tripoli, where grains are grown and distilled on site.
For outdoor dining: There are plenty of fine dining options in the Lehigh Valley, but if you’re looking for outdoor seating, try Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine in Easton. It’s only a short walk from the Townley House, a new 16-room boutique hotel. In Bethlehem, consider ZEST bar + grill or the Tavern at the Sun Inn for outdoor dining, and consider spending the night at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, named one of the “Best Historic Hotels” by USA Today.
Alicia Quinn, vice president of marketing and strategic alliances for Discover Lehigh Valley, noted the Valley is ready for visitors who can enjoy a variety of activities in safe settings.
“Lehigh Valley has many outdoor hidden gems that families and friends can discover to reconnect safely this spring,” Quinn said. “A short drive from Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. means metro residents can escape close quarters for wide open outdoor spaces and experience Lehigh Valley’s beauty and charm.”
More about all these attractions can be found on Discover Lehigh Valley’s website at discoverlehighvalley.com.
