There is a place where the holiday season is more than hustle and bustle and
baking and shopping; a place where families and friends can experience the joy
of the season, without the frantic modem realities that usually come with it; a
place where history and tradition meet fun and hospitality. There is a place
called the Lehigh Valley, which is home to a place called Bethlehem - Christmas
City U.S.A. -, where the perfect holiday awaits.
Lehigh Valley's famous holiday attractions include:
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem - the newest addition to the Christmas City's
holiday scene, Christkindlmarkt is a European-style holiday market held under
two large heated tents. Crafts, baked goods, ethnic food, holiday music and
gifts are found at the market, including the only U.S. appearance of Germany's
famous ornament crafter Kathe Wolfahrt.
Old Bethlehem Historic Walk - a walk through time with a Moravian
guide in traditional dress will be sure to please those who crave history. Two
tours are offered each day, one guided by a lantern, through Bethlehem's
historic district.
Lights in the Parkway - a majestic driving tour through Allentown's
Lehigh Parkway awaits! Visitors can tune their radio to holiday carols, stop
and get a hot chocolate at the gift barn and enjoy the 1.3 mile seasonal trek.
Moravian Museum of Bethlehem - the site where the entire Moravian
community lived in the 1740's is now one of the city's most revered museums. It
is also the site where the first documented Christmas tree in America stood! It
was more of a pyramid than a tree, but it was the precursor to the omnipresent
modem tradition.
Bethlehem by Night Tour - this riding tour shows visitors the Christmas City in
all of its splendor from near and far. It even takes riders up close to the
Giant Star of Bethlehem, which shines from the city's South Mountain
year-round.
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts - this Victorian-era museum will
feature the special exhibit "Once upon a Christmas Tree," featuring classic
literature from Colonial Times to the early 20th Century.
1810 Goundie House - this 193-year-old home of Bethlehem's town brewer and
mayor tells the story of the early American experience.
Koziar's Christmas Village - a dazzling display that features over
1/2 million lights adoming buildings, landscape, Santa's Toy Shop and more!
Allentown Art Museum - a holiday treasure makes its way to the Allentown
Art Museum this year, when an exhibition of Currier & Ives is featured.
Holiday revellers will be happy to know that the afore mentioned featured
events are only the tip of the iceberg. There's so much to look forward to
during a Lehigh Valley holiday! There are ten performances by the famous von
Trapp Children, a unique Gingerbread Festival at The Crayola FACTORY@, great
shopping on Main Street Bethlehem, carriage rides through the Christmas City,
the inimitable and unforgettable Moravian Putz, a live Christmas Pageant and
more.
For Hotel and Resort Listings go to Pennsylvania Hotels and
Resorts
