Amazing property, it is a hidden gem. Went with my family for the tour and everyone enjoyed it!read more

Wow. What a unique, random gem and historic property. What is Fonthill and why is there a castle in…read moreDoylestown, Pennsylvania? Fonthill Castle was the home of archeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer. (Also in Doylestown are two more Mercer buildings you can tour - the Mercer Museum and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works building, the business Mercer ran and where most of the tiles in the castle were produced.) Henry Mercer seems like he was an interesting guy, and you can see that in his home - 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces, 200 windows, who knows how many staircases...! And designed and decorated in a way I've never seen anywhere else. The castle is an early example of poured-in-place concrete building and is a mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles. And there are, of course, Moravia tiles (and some historic and international tiles that he collected during his life) throughout the house - almost more than you could imagine. We visited last Saturday to experience their "Fonthill Castle Holiday Lights Meander Experience," which allows you to visit the castle through a self-guided experience (there were staff in various rooms who were happy to answer questions) and enjoy a series of Christmas trees on display throughout the home. I definitely enjoyed the experience but am definitely planning a return visit to see the castle in better light (not at night in the dark - which was perfect for the Christmas tree experience) - they offer 60-minute guided tours though the house for most of the year! The castle is pretty wild, and I look forward to visiting it again and experiencing it in a new way. If you are interested in architecture, art, crafts, the Arts and Crafts design movement, or just quirky, unusual places, definitely add Fonthill to your list and check it out!

What a fantastic piece of history, go, stop and read the plaques and take pictures. What an amazing…read morepiece of history

Well maintained space without signs of overt modernization make this place a worthwhile…read moreexploration. Industrial relics exhibit excellent decay and are easily accessible. Short walking trail takes you through the greenspace pebbled with old structures, into small wooded areas, over a bisecting stream, and along forgotten rail tracks. Quiet, and surrounded by development though you wouldn't know it.

While the mansion is still undergoing renovations so we were not able to include that and so my…read morereview may change in the future. Don't expect to take even a full afternoon visiting but it is a lovely preserved estate around the city. There's some goats, and the grounds are enjoyable to take an hour or so to walk with nice historical signs for context. There is some parking but it likely gets packed in high traffic times. I can't put it in my top gardens available for Philadelphia, it's good to have treasures like these to keep the sense of history and love of horticulture the area has long held.

This is a really cute hidden local treasure - very charming and pretty. We had some wedding photos…read moretaken here, so it will always have a special place in our hearts! Lots of cool spots outside for photos, and the inside is really cute as well. I'm not sure they usually open the house, but the grounds are very nice to walk around. We stopped by again recently and had some time to reminisce before heading out because it was too cold.

This review addresses a public street safety concern in Nazareth, PA…read more At the Main and Mauch Chunk Streets intersection, at the very center of town, there is a 15-foot rut of exposed trolley track protruding through the road surface. This track, left since 1932, poses hazards for motorcycles, bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, and pedestrians. Many individuals, especially those with mobility challenges, struggle to navigate this area; they get stuck in the groove and find it hard to steer out. This intersection is busy due to corner establishments such as an ice cream shop and a daycare, which attract families and seniors. Additionally, the Nazareth Borough Municipal Building is only a block away, making it a common route for police and local officials. While nearly all of Pennsylvania's roads have issues, this specific area is particularly risky. This review aims to raise awareness rather than criticize the Nazareth Borough Municipality, urging caution when using this intersection.

First some history from the Internet about the site…read more "Coplay Cement Company Kilns, also known as the Saylor Park Industrial Museum, is an open-air historic site located at Coplay, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The nine kilns were built in 1892-1893, and used for the production of Portland cement. They are constructed of locally produced red brick, and are known as Schoefer vertical kilns. They were shut down in 1904. The Coplay Cement Company donated the kilns and surrounding land to Lehigh County in 1975, for a cement industry museum. It is operated as a partnership between the County of Lehigh, which owns and maintains the site, and the Lehigh County Historical Society, which provides educational services. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Saylor Cement Museum honors David Saylor (1827-1884), the father of the American Portland cement industry, and the people who built this industry into one of the most important in the Lehigh Valley and the nation. Lehigh County was a natural spot for cement production. Cement is made from rocks containing lime, silica, and alumina; Lehigh County limestone "cement rock" contains all three ingredients. In 1866 David O. Saylor helped found Coplay Cement Company. In 1871, he received the first American patent for Portland cement, which is much stronger than the natural cement that had previously been produced in this country. Saylor's Portland cement built bridges, docks, jetties, roads, aqueducts, subways, and skyscrapers. By 1900 the Lehigh Valley made 72% of Portland cement produced in this country. The first kiln at the Coplay Cement Company was a dome kiln. Dome kilns were inefficient; they had to shut down often. In 1893 Coplay Cement built Mill B, containing the Schoefer kilns standing today. Originally enclosed in a large building, Schoefer kilns could run continuously. Soon, however, the even more efficient rotary kilns came into use. Mill B's outdated Schoefer kilns shut down in 1904, and Coplay Cement later used Mill B's buildings for storage." The four main things at Saylor Park would the remnants of the kilns, the playground, the community pool and it's a spot where you can pick up the Ironton Rail Trail. The key to this site at this point in time is trying to save the kilns. Lehigh County is trying to obtain the money needed to save the old furnaces which appear to be the last Aalborg style kilns left in the world. The current work being done at the site is due to a $200,000 federal grant with Lehigh County kicking in an equal amount to finish the work on Kiln #1. While nice, a full restoration of all the kilns is estimated at somewhere around $5 million dollars which is money that right now does not exist. Hopefully over time some type of public-private partnership can be formed to get the rest of the work done but in the meantime the site can be enjoyed at a distance and the Rail Trail that cuts thru the park is a fantastic repurposing of an old rail line that would never have been used again. If you go: The outdoor historic site, playground and Rail Trail are open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset and the Coplay Community Pool is open seasonally. Plenty of free parking is on site.

This place is fantastic. Has a park and a bike trail that goes on for ever and a day. The old kilns…read moreor so fantastic. I felt like I was standing back in time. I recommend this place for anyone who want to get out and live. The history and modern meets here

I saw my first hummingbird moth at Bowman's, so it'll always have a special place in my heart!!…read more For real, though, it's very nice here. The staff are friendly, they have periodic walks led by naturalists, and there are lots of pretty things to see: butterflies, frogs, birds, and lots of flora. The gift shop leaves a lot to be desired, but I guess that's not really the point of coming here, huh?

A very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours walking easy trails and learning about the native…read morewildflowers and medicinal plants of the area. Also saw wildlife like frogs, snakes, birds, and turtles

Great views of the area from atop the mountain. Didn't go inside the pagoda because it was closed…read morewhen we arrived on our unplanned visit. The only thing I disliked (hated) about the visit was the amount of litter and trash in the woods and area surrounding the pagoda. Come on, folks! :( If in Reading or nearby, check it out!

On this cloudy day, the winding drive up to the pagoda was still enjoyable and worth the trip…read more It was disappointing that pagoda itself is closed to the public. You cannot walk on it or around it. Additionally the surrounding trails are closed and locked. While the area could use some restoration but it's still so worth visiting! Seems like a missed tourist opportunity for Reading. Regardless the view from it, even on a crummy weather day, is still spectacular. Take the drive up, you'll be glad you did!

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!

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

Very nice place to take a walk, bike ride, or run on a dirt path along the Delaware River. The…read morepath is kept clean & free of debris. Very easy to park as there are multiple parking lots along the trail. The trail offers glimpses of the river & has a lot of beautiful wildflowers & different kinds of tree's along the trail. Very few port-a-johns & the one's we encountered were not clean. Other than that, it's an enjoyable trail.

If it seems like you've read this one before it's because maybe you have. On Yelp my best guess is…read morethat there's three or maybe even four different listings for Delaware Canal State Park. Why so many you might ask? Well it's because of the park's sheer size. DCSP is a sixty mile long towpath that runs from Easton down to Bristol. That's obviously a hell of a distance and there are tons of access points along the way which is why there are so many listings. If you're using the towpath in New Hope that's one listing and if you're using it in Easton that's a different listing due to the large amount of mileage in between. What makes this park so special? DCSP is the only remaining towpath that is original in it's appearance, size and distance to when it was constructed in the 18th century. The towpath runs parallel (but not always visible) to the Delaware River. It's also one of the few parks if not the only park in the commonwealth's system that runs by or thru several other state parks. The ending terminus in Bristol is somewhat close to Neshaminy, it runs right thru Washington Crossing while being fairly close to Ralph Stover and Lake Nockamixon. This also says nothing about the two or three county parks which DCSP runs by. As if this weren't enough, right across the Delaware is the even longer D&R Canal Trail which parallels the river on the NJ side. There are a few bridges were you can cross from one side to the other but they're spread out. The main activities are hiking and biking but there are obviously endless amounts of possibilities for fishing, boating and canoeing. No hunting except for limited archery deer hunting. Too many houses either way to close to the towpath or literally on the towpath for anyone to be getting their Ted Nugent on. We usually hit the trail primarily at the Durham Aqueduct parking area as that's super easy where 611 meets up with 212 or every so often we go down to the Washington Crossing area to dork it up 18th century style by visiting some of the surroundings in that area. Kudos big time to PA's Department of Conservation as they do a great job keeping a whole lot of trail looking really good. No matter where you choose to join up with the towpath there's no bad place and you'll understand why especially on weekends this thing gets so damn crowded. #No-Brainer Visit