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.

Walking through the museum and and heading into the mine are two different experiences. The museum…read moreshows what equipment was used to obtain coal 120 years ago, but it does explain the process as well as our guide did. Once you are inside the mine and see how they created small tunnels to obtain coal which was moved through the larger ones, you begin to realize what a tough life it was. Six year old boys were put to work walking mules, with oil lamps on their head. The workers, mostly from Ireland were slaves to the mine, since they made $0.13 cents after food, rent and equipment were paid for. They were paid with company made money, not our currency. Bring a jacket if you get cold quickly, it's 53 F degrees once inside. The ride into the mine hits 90 decibels at points, silicone ear plugs or noise canceling earbuds may be of use. Water constantly dripped around us, the bottom of your shoes will be muddy afterwards.

Was very informative a lot to look at in their museum the tour had a lot of interesting information…read moreeveryone was pleasant and helpful definitely recommend it

The tour guides are people who've worked for the Mack company, and know its history and love the…read morehistorical vehicles they have on premises. It's so nice to hear someone who's absolutely passionate about a subject talk about it. The history bits were interesting, but not as fun as seeing the historical vehicles they had on premises. You go through, and get to see various Mack automobiles (fire trucks, dump trucks, buses etc) from 100+ years ago, that have been lovingly restored and looking beautiful. You can see the MASSIVE jumps to technology over a very short time, because the vehicles all have placards that tell you what year that it was made. There's also a ton of memorabilia all along the walls in display cases. This is a good solid 1.5 - 2 hour tour, so be prepared to walk around a fair bit, and look at a LOT of stuff. Like I said, the tour guides worked at Mack for years, and know their stuff. If you have questions, they probably know the answers, and love talking about the various ways that the vehicles are powered. They don't charge for admission, but have like a $5 suggested donation, which is for sure worth the money, in my opinion.

There's a lot of things you need to be aware of before planning a visit to the Mack Trucks…read moreHistorical Museum. You need to pre-book your tickets and a limited number of them are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is a free guided tour but they suggest a donation, which I will tell you is worth it. Some GPS's apparently give wrong directions to get here, and while I did not have problems, you need to come in from the Airport on Lehigh Street. The drive does take you through a busy industrial park with vehicles parked along the road. There is plenty of parking with the museum entrance being clearly marked on the building. Outside were two newer Mack models on display, which was cool to see. One day per year (in 2025 there was several more) however, the tour is different. On the Saturday before Father's Day, they offer an open-house in conjunction with the Antique Truck Club of America Annual National Meet that goes on in Macungie. That Saturday the tour is self-guided, but staff are around to answer questions. Layout of the museum is simple with four parts. You enter into the hallway gallery that has historical displays about Mack and their products, along with various historical items and models. The sound room gallery houses one of the most unique trucks in the collection, the screen used 2006 Mack that was Megatron in Transformers Dark of the Moon. Both the sound room and main gallery house numerous trucks, engines, transmissions, and model trucks. Several prototype trucks are also on display. In the main gallery is also the largest bulldog in the world that was previously mounted on the Mack Headquarters building. The final area is the dyno and its control room. Doing the self-guided tour took me about an hour. The museum is generally enjoyable but is geared towards Mack enthusiasts. There is a gift shop, but I cannot comment on its quality as it was not open during my visit until later in the day. Overall, if you are a Mack enthusiast, this is a must stop, but there is enough to keep general visitors interested.

The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is a museum decided to the Lehigh Valley's history, and is…read morelocated in the heart of Allentown. Parking is along the street, or in small lots on the backside of the building, and is free. Lobby during my visit felt a little messy, with it feeling like more of a research area instead of a museum. Admission was $8 and located behind the main desk is a small gift shop, mostly selling books. The museum tour is self-guided. Exhibits are primarily located on the second floor in two large rooms and a center court area. The larger of the rooms has exhibits focused on the history of the Lehigh Valley, the World Wars, Industrialization, and Harry Trexler among other topics. The exhibits are modern in presentation and well kept. It's worth noting that this is not a child focused museum and has no hands-on exhibits. This museum is more focused on people interested in history. One vintage item I enjoyed finding was an electric map that showed the location of thing in the valley with lights. The second room houses essentially a hall of presidents with information about them. Rotating exhibits seem to be placed in the center court area. The entire tour could take somewhere between a half hour to an hour depending on your interest. This day however, Trout Hall located on the property was open for a guided tour. Trout Hall is a carefully restored summer house from the 1700's, with the tour including visits to two floors. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Adding Trout Hall into the tour makes stopping here about an hour and a half visit. If you are interested in Lehigh Valley history, this is absolutely worth a stop.

Very interesting tour of this formidable fortress-like old jail. History of the place quite grim,…read moretreatment of people just horrible, especially the Irish back in the day. But history is important, and they gave a good history of the cruel overlords of the coal mining industry, and the resistance put forward by the Molly Maguires, who fought for fair wages, treatment and justice. Jail operational until 1975. Worth a visit. Correction: Jail operational until 1995.

I still cannot believe that this was an active jail until 1995 and they shut down the dungeon…read more(solitary confinement) in the 1970s. The conditions were truly not extremely modern to any standard of today and I guess this is what was expected when the jail was built over several decades earlier. The opening video which seems like a high school AV club production did explain about the Molly Maguires and the hangings at this jail. We then toured the cells, dungeon, and had free reign to check out the Warden's quarters and kitchen. Didn't take long and you could be in and out in less than an hour or so. Very interesting history. There is one bathroom for public use. The kitchen is supposedly the next major restoration project going to be started. A lot of the displays and signage needs some TLC, too. If you're in law enforcement or into this kind of history, I'd recommend it. They also have a gift shop. $13 each for us today, 8/7/2026.

The Allentown Art Museum is a fantastic place to spend and hour or two. The permanent collection is…read morevaried with lots of types of art to look at and enjoy, and the rotating exhibits keep your visits fresh and interesting if you're a repeat customer. I say "customer" but it's actually free to visit which is amazing and a great way to encourage the community to immerse themselves in art. There's a fun children's room too on the second floor to keep kids active if wandering the exhibit rooms isn't for them. The staff is friendly and welcoming and the giftshop has all kinds of unique items that you'd expect to find in a museum giftshop. I try to stop in anytime I'm in Allentown...it's an artistic oasis in the city.

Free thanks to a large donation and we appreciate that it is. The staff is super welcoming and…read moretells you what you need to know about the different exhibits. They have an entire Tiffany glass exhibit and every 30 minutes they change the lights to mirror the effects of the sun setting and rising. There are a few different exhibits, but the Tiffany glass was the one that stood out the most. A great little stop to check out when in the Lehigh Valley.

This art gallery was a pleasant surprise…read more Great contemporary art, all by local artists, and it's good. Great buildout. Friendly, nice staff. Lots of handouts and info on the burgeoning Lehigh Valley arts scene. A great place to pick up great original art for very modest prices.

The best of the Bethlehem Gallery District! The Bethlehem House Gallery invites more than a dozen…read moreof artists with an eclectic, diverse, and intuitive artistic focuses and hosts there work during there seasonal showing through each year. With an inviting entrance and window display, a gallery pet, vivacious and friendly gallery partners, the Bethlehem House Gallery is potentially our most prized Art Gallery in the thriving, cultural, historic Colonial Bethlehem Arts District. A must see to all locals and visitors!

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.