One of the most popular sights in Allentown is the Liberty Bell Shrine Museum in the Zion Reformed Church, which contains a replica of the bell. Trout Hall, built in 1770 by the son of the founder of Allentown, is the city's oldest building; Lehigh County Historical Society sponsors tours of it. Tours are available at the Frank Buchman House, founder of the Moral Rearmament movement, and the Haines Mill Museum, an operating grist mill, adjacent to a county park. Two railroads offer nostalgic rides through the area's scenic wonders, and the Covered Bridge (driving) Tour culminates at the Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve, where native and exotic fauna roam 1,500 acres of rolling countryside. Several historic structures in nearby Bethlehem, which was a center for the religious group known as Moravians, are open to tourists. Easton also preserves historic buildings and homes.
Allentown has long been supportive of artistic and cultural activities. Symphony Hall is home to the Allentown Band, which has been providing musical entertainment since 1829. Concerts are presented by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall; the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra is the only year-round orchestra in the Valley. The Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra performs great music from the traditional to the contemporary. A Community Concert series brings nationally-known artists to the city, and musical and theatrical performances are sponsored by area colleges. The Theatre Outlet is the Lehigh Valley's award winning "Off Broadway" company, performing at its own arts center. Rounding out the musical, theatrical, and dance offerings are the Civic Theatre of Allentown, and the Cedar Crest College Stage Company, the State Theatre, and Muhlenberg College's Center for the Arts.
The Allentown Art Museum houses the Samuel H. Kress collection of Renaissance paintings. Lehigh County Historical Museum displays artifacts pertaining to local history and traditions and maintains a Geology Garden. The Open Space Gallery offers juried exhibitions of contemporary regional arts and crafts. The Lenni Lenape Historical Society of Pennsylvania has restored an eighteenth-century stone farmhouse to display Indian artifacts. It is called the Museum of Indian Culture and features a traditional village and garden.
The Lehigh Valley offers an array of annual festivals, primarily during the summer months, that appeal to a broad range of interests. Allentown's Mayfair, a three-day celebration of the arts, is held over the Memorial Day weekend at various city parks. All activities, which range from dancing to crafts to musical performances and fiddling competitions, are free. July brings the traditional Independence Day fireworks celebration, as well as SportsFest. This action-packed sporting event featuring more than 25 competitive events attracts athletes from all over the world. Lehigh County Council on the Arts sponsors an Arts Festival each summer. August is an event-filled month as Allentown presents the Great Allentown Fair, and Das Awkscht Fescht (The August Festival), featuring an antique car show, and Bethlehem celebrates its nine-day Musikfest. From the Wednesday before Thanksgiving until January 1, more than a half-million visitors enjoy holiday displays at Lights In the Parkway. Bethlehem is a popular destination during the Christmas season, which is celebrated there in the serene, noncommercial style traditional to the Moravians, a group of religious, middle-European missionaries.
At the Lehigh Valley Velodrome, national and international bicycle racing meets are held annually on its Olympic standard cycling track. Adjacent to the Velodrome is the Bob Rodale Cycling & Fitness Park. Live horse racing via satellite is offered year round at the Downs at Lehigh Valley. The Allentown Ambassadors minor league baseball team is also located in Allentown.
Allentown's park system, which at 13 percent of the city's acreage is said to consist of more acres per capita than any other city its size, and a network of area tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses, ski slopes, and campgrounds offer year-round recreational opportunities for the sports enthusiast. Cedar Creek Parkway's 127 acres include Lake Muhlenberg, where pedal boating, fishing, and picnicking go on; also located there is the Rose Garden, with its old-fashioned gardens and lagoons. The proximity of the Poconos and other ski resorts make the Lehigh Valley a popular winter destination. Among the more than 100 rides at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom is one of the world's tallest wooden roller coasters; at Wildwater, families enjoy giant slides, river rides, and an enormous wave pool. Gymnastic and exercise programs are offered at Parkettes National Training Center. The Lehigh Valley's streams, forests, and winding roads offer sites for fishing, swimming, hunting, hiking, ice skating, water skiing, and cycling. Allentown is home to SportsFest, an annual event featuring local, national, and international competitors who participate in team and individual sporting events.
Essential and luxury items are available in the Lehigh Valley's many malls and shopping centers. Dozens of national brand factory outlets operate within a short drive of the area, as do several farmers' markets, featuring a wide variety of local produce. Bethlehem and its environs offer many unusual shops specializing in Christmas items, candles, and silk flowers; one is housed in an 1803 mansion.
Restaurants in Allentown offer varied cuisines and entertainment.
Visitor Information: Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, PO Box 20785, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-0785; telephone (610)882-9200; toll-free (800)633-8437