This review is for the docent-led tour not the museum- which we thought was included in the $15 per…read moreperson fee. Our guide was a very sincere former employee of Bethlehem Steel who started our tour asking if we all were up for an hour and a half walk. We said yes. He started his presentation outside the door of the museum. An hour later we had walked maybe a block up a nondescript driveway as we listened to his stories of mismanagement, nepotism and greed within the company. He also showed pictures and told stories of some of the people who worked there over the years as well as some of the products produced. Some of the stories were interesting but an hours worth standing in the road? I finally asked if we were going to be able to go into some of the deserted fantastic looking buildings - he said no. We left the group and headed off by ourselves and found, across from the Arts Center, a stairway that headed up to the rusted gigantic steel stacks and accompanying infrastructure. Although it was fenced off, it was amazing walking along looking up, down, and around the place, almost close enough to touch. This is what we thought we were going to be learning about on the tour. Did we need to know what each gigantic piece did - not really - Did we waste $30 for the tour - sadly yes. Did we go back to see the museum - no. Will we, most likely not. Should you go? Take a look at the pictures and decide - you don't see this kind of scenery very often.

If you want to learn about industrial history, particularly that of the Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem…read moreSteel, this is the place. I love industry, building, construction, machinery, engineering, etc., so I loved this museum. It's a Smithsonian affiliate, which is great, and they are expanding to a second level. It's across from the old Bethlehem Steel mill, so if you are looking for milltown vibes, this is it. We started with a ~30 minute overview/history of industry in the U.S., which was helpful for context. The docent provides this overview for the lobby exhibits/pre-exhibits. Our docent was fantastic. After that, you are free to move into the main room, which is full of machinery. There was a section on silk-making, which was interesting, as well as about early hot air balloons. You can also go across the street to an elevator, to get great views of the mill and area, but we didn't have time for that. I really appreciated that the learning starts outside, with information plaques and exhibits before you enter. Also, there is a parking lot next to the museum, and the museum is (currently) one level, with a few ramps, so is very accessible, though more seating in the lobby might be helpful. I'm looking forward to returning when the addition is complete.

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.

I take my 2 y. o. granddaughter nearly every week. There are so many wonderful things to explore…read moreand learn from. They have a walking path through the woods with a natural playground and sandbox, a bird house building to watch and interactive displays, a mini zoo inside a house with small animals and activities including a treehouse. They also have weekly activities and seasonal events for elementary school kids. My granddaughter calls Briar Bush "The Animal House" and loves to put a donation in the collection box before we leave.

I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars! A nature center/museum and I don't have to do the…read moredrive downtown/pay for parking...and admission is free for Abington residents/friends of Briar Bush? Amazing. (Admission otherwise is only $3 for adults and $2 for kids 2-17). There's animals/insects inside such as owls, huge cockroaches, giant turtle, snakes. And a cute reading corner full of nature books. There's also a discovery den AKA play area indoors for $1. There's animals/insects outdoors such as turkey vultures, turtles, a butterfly house and a bird observatory (cute on the inside with toys for the kiddos - be sure to read the story about the couple who opened the center). And a natural playscape outdoors. There's also a bunch of fairy houses throughout the property that girl scouts donated. And lots of trails through the forest. They also have Magic Mornings for ages 2-4 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays - but register ahead as they only have a certain amount of spots each day (it's seasonal - they have in fall and spring but not summer - see website). It's an hour class for $10 and includes a snack, craft, nature walk etc. They usually pull out an animal each class. It's great to get some time in nature with other kids. In summer, they have a full week of Magic Mornings in their Itty Bitty Briar Camp. Ms. Heidi teaches it and she is just great. They have a different theme every day such as sun, water, clouds etc and there's an activity each day (visit pond and catch tadpoles, water play, craft pertaining to theme). They have preschool pioneers for ages 4-5 and summer camp for older kids for a week in late June. *Just beware in June that parking is limited due to school field trips and you may not fit in either of the lots; you may have to park out front of the house to the left (which is fine - she just doesn't want buses idling there) They also have field trips to gardens and to the shore, classes for seniors, family nature nights, hot smores nights... Only negative (besides parking, which they can't really control), is the "snacks" for kids at Magic Mornings aren't the healthiest. One was cinnamon sugar graham crackers with whipped cream- regular would have been fine. 2 days were cheddar gold fish. Another day was blue jello with whipped cream. And some red licorice - the kind that whips. Fruit Loops were used for colors. So, if you don't like your child eating sugar, let them know you have a dietary restriction or bring your own snack (snack time is ~10 min and probably not needed but the kids always love snack time!). Some options that would be healthier and just as easy would be pretzel sticks, fruit, crackers, popcorn, veggies, string cheese...but I guess those all cost more besides pretzels/crackers/popcorn.

Remnants of what enabled the American Dream!…read more The ruins of the Bethlehem Steel blast furnace is nearly 10 acres with the highest point over 230 feet! It has morphed into a venue for events. During my mid-September, 26 mid-week visit, it was largely empty. There was a setup happening for a brew event but I was able to drive and walk around. There is an elevated 1650 feet long public walkway along some of the blast furnace. I had a limited time so it was a quick 1/2 hour visit. Although the structures have deteriorated and become ruins, I'm glad this BS blast furnace(s) is repurposed. It's an Americana of the second industrial revolution that provided the American Dreams for so many for over a century. This plant closed in 1995 and the steel from here built the Golden Gate Bridge, the Chrysler Building, Madison Square Garden and the Hoover Dam. It's difficult to capture how massive, historic and magnificent this place is without physically being present! Enjoy!

What a unique opportunity to visit a factory from times past being used in the present! I had some…read moretime to spare passing thru Bethlehem, and google recommended for me to stop-by at this one-of-kind spot. It was a bit of a maze to find the parking lot (thankfully, FREE), but after that I had a quiet afternoon enjoying the SteelStacks. One of the suggestions I got was to enjoy the walkway --- which is an elevated path along the side of the ol' steel factory. It's odd to walk by a factory that in its glory days had 100's of workers, to now being visited by tourist in a solace stroll. In any case, it's always great to see the birthing place of the steel that has given us so many iconic US landmarks, i.e., like the Chrysler Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. See - bet you didn't know that! If you're ever around this area, take in this one-of-a-kind location, it needs to experienced to be believed.

Scottie!!! He makes the bar fun! Love the attitude! He makes a good drink and@ the evening fun. You…read morewalk by and assume it is closed. No!!!! I is the best kept secret! Love the atmosphere. Ignore the receptionist when they state the bar upstairs is full..... patrons make room so you can enjoy the fun.

All time favorite spot in the thriving, historic, colonial Bethlehem Arts District. Sitting at the…read moreintersection of Main & Broad Street, this historic gem offers one of America's most prized, historic Inn's, with a self-guided tour option for tourists & locals alike. The Sun Inn offers a tavern with delicious, gourmet food, and impeccable drinks. Outside during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, you may potentially find yourself enjoying a delicious beverage and a variety of games and entertainment by the Sun Inn Courtyard & vibrant gardens.

If you've never been, put it on your schedule for next year. 10 days, 30 stages. Each stage has a…read moresorta vibe. Looking forward for Anthem: Rush tribute band at 830 pm.

Always a great time to walk around and get some staples- island noodles, aw shucks, etc. Great vibe!read more

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.

Valerie Morrison is a lovely person who needs to retire. I had a very painfully awkward phone…read morereading with her. I had to continually prompt her since she could not focus. It seems like she could not understand my direct questions at all. She only seemed to agree with me and not give predictions. Her answers seemed rather opinionated. It seems as if her best days are gone and age is catching up. Just remember the good times.

A family member went to Valerie. She was spot on with information and a beautiful soul.read more

I reserved tickets for the Christmas City Stroll on the https://www.historicbethlehem.org website…read more Adult tickets were $17.00 each. It was easy to reserve the tickets. The tour is rain or shine unless there is inclement weather. The tickets are non-refundable. My family and I did the Christmas City Stroll on December 23, 2023 at 6:00pm. The tour leaves from the Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center (505 Main Street, Bethlehem) at the selected time. We arrived at the Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center around 15 minutes prior to our tour starting and looked around the store. There are a lot of great souvenirs. We then saw groups of people leaving the store so we figured they were instructed where to go for the start of the tour. The tour started at 1810 Goundie House right next to the Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center. Our tour had about 20 ppl. The tour lasted about an hour and 1/2. We learned a lot of history on cherished traditions: a candle-in-every-window, the renowned Star of Bethlehem and Moravian Star, the community Putz, and Bethlehem's exquisite Victorian and colonial architecture and two National Historic Landmarks: the 1741 Gemeinhaus and the Bethlehem Waterworks. We ended the tour at Bethlehem City Hall. It was beautiful to see the mayor's Christmas tree with more than 285 ornaments created by students at the school with different colored lights and another tree with white lights. The tour guide was dressed in period attire and was very informative. I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in the history of Bethlehem, PA.

The Bethlehem by Night Tour was horrible. We went on Saturday evening. The bus had no ventilation…read moreand it felt like it was 100 degrees. You could not see anything out the windows due to them being foggy. We had to use our sleeves to keep wiping them. The tour guide who was telling us about the town we could not enjoy because we could not see anything. It was the worst tour we have been on. Do not waste your money on this tour. It is not worth it!!