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.

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!

The America On Wheels Museum is an over-the-road transportation museum that opened in Allentown,…read morePennsylvania in April 2008. It was founded by a group of local civic and automotive enthusiasts in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. Beginning in 1989, Allentown city officials announced plans to revitalize an old industrial area, which included the abandoned Arbogast & Bastian meat packing plant, along the Lehigh River. This redevelopment, which was to be known as "Lehigh Landing," was to include a museum, a brewery, walking trails, a footbridge across the river, and a promenade for festivals. After a number of delays, the museum finally opened in 2008. The museum's collection features over 75 bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles and trucks in exhibits telling the story of people and products on the move from the days of the carriage to the vehicles of tomorrow. My family and I recently visited the America On Wheels Museum while we were visiting our cousins in Pennsylvania. Initially we thought that it was a car museum, but it actually focuses on all sorts of road vehicles from 19th century horseless carriages right up to present day electric cars and everything in between. There were some really beautiful antique automobiles and bicycles on display throughout the entire museum. We especially loved how kind-friendly the museum was. There were a number of interactive exhibits where our sons were able to sit in miniature racing cars, load packages into a UPS truck, and dress up like automotive mechanics and "fix" a car. We also really liked seeing the huge miniature city crafted entirely of LEGOs. Overall, we had a fun time at the America On Wheels Museum and would recommend it to any automotive or vehicular enthusiasts who are visiting the Lehigh Valley area.

This place feels less like a traditional museum and more like a really cool collection of cars from…read moredifferent eras. There are plenty of photo opportunities, and the plaques give you a lot of interesting information about each vehicle. The old-time cars are fun to see, especially when you start calculating what they would cost today and realize cars ain't cheap no matter what era you at. You can comfortably see everything in about an hour. The staff is friendly, and there is plenty of parking along the side of the building. A fun stop for car fans or anyone who enjoys a quick trip through automotive history.

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

An absolute amazing place to see real art by real local artists. The staff including Brandon are…read morethe nicest and most supportive people you could meet. They not only want to spread the word of art but they also want to build a community. Do yourself a favor and stop by.

Went to hear my son play a set here. The artists spaces and halls are filled with great art! The…read morespace is great for I imagine much more than musical type events. I wish they had more information readily available about what else goes on there.

A surprising quality gallery with a limited space but very good artist represented. Check it out if…read moreyou are in the market for quality art!

If you're looking to purchase local art, the Morgan Gallery is definitely the place to find it. The…read moregallery represents many local artists and various styles and forms of artwork. From paintings to sculptures, even items of jewelry and furniture this gallery seems to have it all. Custom framing is also done right on the premises at incredibly reasonable pricing.

Wow - never knew of him before finding this on yelp! I am glad I did. While I don't prefer the…read morethemes of darkness, he does have amazing talent in painting. I hope to see an exhibition soon.

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.