This experience checked off one of those long-standing "I did this thing!" moments for 2025--and…read moreI'm really glad I finally made it happen. I attended PEEPSFEST, held December 30-31 from 3-6 p.m. at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem. Tickets are required, with general admission priced at $5, making this a very affordable, family-friendly outing. According to the website, the event features indoor and outdoor fun, live music, PEEPS-themed games and crafts hosted by local nonprofits, interactive shows by the Wildlands Conservancy and the Da Vinci Science Center, and character meet-and-greets. The highlight comes at 5:35 p.m. with the iconic drop of a 400-pound, 4'9" PEEPS Chick, followed by a fireworks display. There were also several thoughtful additions that really stood out. I especially appreciated the PBS39 x PEEPSFEST Friendship Bracelet Creation Station, PEEPS IN THE KITCHEN with Chef Julie of Levy Restaurants, and the sensory-friendly space presented by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation--a wonderful option for guests with sensory sensitivities. Kids 12 and under received a special PEEPS tote bag to collect goodies throughout the event, which was clearly a big hit with families. The event takes place on the SteelStacks campus, and honestly, the setting alone is worth the visit. SteelStacks is the largest revitalized brownfield in the country, spanning 10 acres on the former Bethlehem Steel site. Some quick pre-trip research taught me that for nearly a century, Bethlehem Steel was the economic backbone of the Lehigh Valley and helped build some of the most iconic structures in the U.S., including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Chrysler Building, and parts of the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Alcatraz, and the Hoover Dam. When the plant closed in 1995, it left behind both a massive industrial footprint and a void in the local economy. Rather than demolishing the site, the community chose preservation and reinvention. Through a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district established in 1999, the area was transformed into what is now a thriving hub for arts, culture, education, and community events. Today, the towering blast furnaces--some over 230 feet tall--stand as a powerful reminder of the city's industrial past. From Furnace "A" (dating back to 1915) to Furnace "E," the site stretches nearly a quarter of a mile and once produced thousands of tons of iron daily. The furnaces were last operational on November 18, 1995, but their presence is anything but forgotten. Visually, the SteelStacks campus is absolutely stunning in a raw, industrial way. Standing in the outdoor space beneath the blast furnaces--especially at night--was nearly overwhelming in the best possible sense. The festive, multicolored uplighting against the massive steel structures added a sense of magic and mysticism that photos don't fully capture. Parking is another bonus: free on-site parking is available in multiple lots along First Street year-round (except during Musikfest). Speaking of which, SteelStacks is also home to Musikfest, the nation's largest free music festival--and I'm already scheming a return visit. While PEEPSFEST itself is definitely geared more toward children, it was still a fun and unique way to mark the transition into a new year. It's not something I need to do every year, but I'm genuinely happy to have experienced it. I'd highly recommend it for families with young children, as there's plenty to do, lots of room to roam, and a safe, well-organized environment. SteelStacks is a powerful example of how a community can honor its past while building something vibrant and meaningful for the future--and PEEPSFEST is just one of many reasons to visit.

This is such a unique concert venue. The steel plant is a very cool backdrop, and I like how it was…read moreall lit up at night for the concert. The venue has plenty of space to roam around, and you can get lots of good views of the stage from all sides. If you don't want to hang in the crowded pit area there are lots of tables further out by the food and drink vendors. The main concert area is a lawn. It seems like for less crowded shows you can bring blankets and chairs, and then for more popular acts it's standing only which made sense. Logistics - Parking is free and easy. The security line moved fast. There were plenty of bathrooms. Bars could be more plentiful (like more small bars vs fewer big bars) since lines seemed crazy. Overall it's a very fun and different place to see a show, and if you live in North Jersey don't overlook the fact that your travel time here is similar to going into the city. It's worth keeping an eye on the calendar for sure!

The staff members went beyond duty to just be so kind and so helpful and so welcoming!…read more I purchased a Moravian town tour . Absolutely wonderful tour guide. She really showed a love for her town and such hospitality. They also showed me to where the Putz event was !!

Small museum with cool collection of art pieces. I like the lady who took us on the tour. When I…read morevisited, they had silk exhibits. They had a collection of items from silk, including parachutes, wedding gowns, maps, etc. This is the smallest museum that I have been but I like the cozy and intimate vibe because it is not overwhelming like giant museums.

This reminds me of a NyC attraction called the Highline, except with different views. I can't…read morebelieve that this used to be a working steel factory in the past. There were small signs on the walk which were all numbered which speaks about the various parts of the trestle and history behind it all. It wasn't a great sight to see, but it sure was interesting. It was very clean the pathway so I was very impressed with all of that. Apparently, there are volunteers helping out to make sure the areas clean.

I didn't know what to expect when we drove here but after doing some research I learned that if you…read morego to hoovermason.com you can access a free audio tour. (The person at the visitor center didn't mention this at all perhaps because they want you to pay for the guided tour) There are markers that you click on each stop along the trestle that explain the steel business, the making of steel, audio clips from the steel workers and the buildings that you see around you. It was a bit sad to see nature starting to take over the steel plant, trees and vines growing where such a thriving business once took place. Steel for such remarkable structures as the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge was made here! But it's wonderful that this trestle was built (and it's handicapped accessible too!) so that you can really get up close to the incredible stacks and this behemoth man made wonder. Take about 2 hours of your day to explore this and learn a bit about the industry that made Bethlehem great in the early 20th century.

It is truly a gem to stumble upon a tomb of an unknown solider. My husband found this location on…read moreroadsideamerica.com, nestled in a residential area in the town of Bethlehem, Pa, found between 1st Ave & Market St. It is believed that the soldiers buried here fought during the Revolutionary War. The American Revolution took place between 1775-1783. It occurred between the 13 North American colonies and colonial government (who supported the British Crown) and the fight for independence from Britain. A lot of history worthy things occurred from this timeline which included the congress vote to adopt the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Battle of Saratoga (in NY) and the Treaty of Paris. Obviously there was a whole lot more going on during this time period and highly recommend that you do your research and do this war justice in learning the history. After the Declaration of Independence was established, General George Washington (yes that Washington) and his army were driven out of New York by the British, and across New Jersey, into Pennsylvania. Because of that, numerous of hospitals were established in New Jersey and Philadelphia. General Washington moved north to the Lehigh Valley, and so other hospitals had to be established, including a hospital in Bethlehem, which became the main hospital in this area (which now is part of the Moravian College). Bethlehem was the perfect place to set up camp and a hospital as it was far enough from the front lines that was beyond the reach of the British. Unfortunately as wounded soldiers were kept in such close quarters, illness spread. Unfortunately there were many soldiers that did not make it back to Philadelphia and were eventually buried here in Bethlehem. In 1932, a single set of remains was placed here at this site. And then in 1996, three more unknown soldiers were added, as you can imagine that over time, homeowners may discover unknown soldiers when they accidentally dig up remains. On the tomb, a plaque reads "Within this crypt rest the bones of an unknown soldier in the War for Independence. He was one of more than five hundred men who died in the Continental Hospital here at Bethlehem and were buried on this hillside." May the remains of four Revolutionary War soldiers lie in peace.

This reminded me of the stories my grandpa used to tell of when he fought in the civil war. When I…read moreentered the tomb I couldn't help, but start to cry. I felt the dark spirit of the unknown soldier enter my body and take over my soul and mind. I can still feel him with me today, he guides me. Highly Recommended, great for the kids

I cannot recommend this site, enough. It is adjacent to the historic Bethlehem Hotel and could…read moreeasily be missed. In here, you will view the building, grounds, equipment, and hear the history of this area. You will see everything from blacksmith tools to the weapons during that era. The staff member, Ed, was so knowledgeable and showed us so many items and processes that were used. When you're in Bethlehem, please stop by the Colonial Industrial Quarter and Historyworks. It will be memorable and educational.

Had a great time here, learning about what they do and its history. Very useful and educational…read moreinformation provided. One of the folks there let the kids have a go at the air puffer thing. The kids had a ball and we were all happy.

Lost River Caverns is a natural limestone cavern and tourist attraction located in Hellertown,…read morePennsylvania that has been forming for 250,000 years. Consisting of five chambers, the caverns were formed by the karstification or dissolving of the limestone by water. In the past, the cavern was also referred to as "Rentzheimer's Cave" or the "Lost Cave". The "Lost River", so named because the source and mouth of the river have not yet been discovered, flows through it. The temperature in the cave is consistently close to 52 °F (11 °C). The area on the surface of the cavern was a limestone quarry in the 19th century. In 1883, quarry workers ignited a black powder blast to remove limestone from the cliff face. In doing so, they discovered the entrance to the cavern. The first systematic exploration of the cavern didn't take place until three years later. In the years following the cavern's discovery, local residents found the underground spaces ideal for a variety of uses. During the late 1800s, a wooden dance floor was constructed in what is now called the "Crystal Chapel". Regular dances were held in the natural air conditioning of the cave. Irwin Gilman purchased the cave in 1929 and opened it to the public the following year. It is still owned and operated for tours by the Gilman family today. A small museum and gift shop stand above the surface of the cave entrance. From 1949 - 2009, the "Crystal Chapel" was available for weddings and other private ceremonies. Approximately 35,000 tourists explore the caverns annually. My family and I visited the Lost River Caverns this past summer while we were visiting relatives in the area. My wife and I had previously visited some natural caverns in upstate New York years ago. This was the first time that we explored caverns since we became parents. Both of our young sons loved exploring all of the various chambers. The tour was fun for the whole family. Our sons also enjoying learning about the different geological features such as stalactites, stalagmites, and fluorescent rocks. We even bought a toy miners helmet in the gift shop for our older son. If you're looking for a fun family activity to do in the Lehigh Valley, then we recommend visiting the Lost River Caverns.

The gift shop was fairly large with the usual collection of stuff but in addition had a large…read morecollection of various rocks and gem stones for sale. Our cave guide was enthusiastic and knew her stuff, handling questions as the tour progressed. If you've never been in a cave before you might be impressed but if you have , well I think you'll be disappointed. There aren't all that many types of formations to look at and those that are there are not all that impressive. We picked here because in our local area we have only been to Crystal Cave and thought we'd give it a shot. Glad we did but would recommend Crystal Cave over here. That said, if you've been to say Luray Caverns in Virginia then you won't be blown away by either of them!

Nice little museum that shows a few rooms of what the Sun Inn would've looked like when George and…read moreMartha Washington stayed there. There were two museum workers there who offered some information and gave us a small brochure that described each room. Also here is the Christmas City Spirits tasting room where we were able to sample and purchase some spirits which were very tasty and the pourer was very knowledgeable about the making of each type of spirit. Worth a visit, probably would only take about 30 minutes of your time.

Trails through an old forest with some very large trees. Also features a creek and frisbee golf…read morecourse. Main trail is paved