Best of the Lehigh Valley: Leisure & Recreation

A record 16,400 votes poured in for the fifth annual Best Of competition. Some businesses took home their fifth consecutive win, while others were honored for the very first time. Click through to find out what makes each of these winners so vote-worthy!

Glasbern Inn

Best Romantic Overnight Stay

Glasbern Inn

Glasbern Inn

During your stay, dine at the elegant restaurant and pub, stroll the walking trails, indulge in the on-site spa and take advantage of the seasonal outdoor heated pool.

2141 Packhouse Rd, Fogelsville | 610.285.4723

glasbern.com

Photo courtesy of Glasbern Inn

Grim's Orchard & Family Farms

Best Pick-Your-Own Orchard

Grim's Orchard & Family Farms

Grim's Orchard & Family Farms

A total of 26 acres and 18,400 dwarf apple trees: there is a literal wall of apples ready for picking! But don’t forget about the 2,500 cherry trees and 30,000 strawberries available as well.

9941 Schantz Rd, Breinigsville | 610.395.5655

grimsorchard.com

Photo by Adam Wyborski

Seiple Farms

Best Pumpkin Patch For Fall Festivities

Seiple Farms

Seiple Farms

September through October, visitors can delight in some can’t-miss fall activities, including a straw maze, hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a famous corn maze and some delicious food!

5761 Nor Bath Blvd, Bath | 610.837.0847

seiplefarms.com

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Easton Farmers' Market

Best Seasonal Farmer's Market

Easton Farmers' Market

Easton Farmers' Market

Located in Historic Centre Square of Downtown Easton, EFM is the oldest, continuous open-air market in the country—it was established in 1752. Locals can count on Easton Farmers’ Market for locally and organically grown products.

30 Centre Square, Easton | 610.330.9942

eastonfarmersmarket.com

Photo by Elizabeth Judge Wyant

Becks' Christmas Tree Farm

Best Christmas Tree Farm

Becks' Christmas Tree Farm

Becks' Christmas Tree Farm

With thousands of trees on the rolling hillsides to choose from, every family is sure to find their slice of Christmas treasure. All you need is a saw and cart, which Becks’ will happily provide, along with wrapping free of charge!

4675 Park Avenue, Slatington | 610.767.0719

beckschristmastreefarm.com

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Scholl Orchards

Best Roadside Farm Stand

Scholl Orchards

Scholl Orchards

Famous for their apple cider donut holes (a collaboration with Back Door Bakeshop), Scholl’s wants to satisfy all of your peach and plum needs.

3057 Center St, Bethlehem

facebook.com/schollorchardsPA

Photo by Donovan Roberts-Witmer

Saucon Valley Country Club

Best Country Club You Wish You Belonged To

Saucon Valley Country Club

Saucon Valley Country Club

Described as an exceptional recreation and social experience with an emphasis on golf, Saucon Valley Country Club ensures all of its members have plenty of amenities to choose from throughout the year.

2050 Saucon Valley Rd, Bethlehem | 610.758.7150

sauconvalleycc.org

Photo courtesy of Saucon Valley Country Club

Mark Csencsits, Bethlehem Golf Club

Best Golf Pro To Help You Work On Your Game

Mark Csencsits, Bethlehem Golf Club

Mark Csencsits, Bethlehem Golf Club

This year, Mark celebrates his fifth consecutive win as the best golf pro in the Valley! Since 1992, he’s helped thousands of golfers improve their games.

400 Illick's Mill Rd, Bethlehem | 610.691.9393

bethlehemgc.com

Photo by Colin Coleman

Bethlehem Golf Club

Best Public Golf Course To Work On Your Swing

Bethlehem Golf Club

Bethlehem Golf Club

An 18-hole championship golf course that was designed to be both challenging and demanding, Monocacy is said to have its players reaching for every club in their bag.

400 Illick's Mill Rd, Bethlehem | 610.691.9393

bethlehemgc.com

Photo by Colin Coleman

Ironton Rail-Trail

Best Bike Trail

Ironton Rail-Trail

Ironton Rail-Trail

Miles of terrain and 23 historical sites along the way, the Ironton Rail Trail provides a link between Whitehall Township, the Borough of Coplay and North Whitehall Township.

Whitehall | 610.437.5524

irontonrailtrail.org

Photo courtesy of Pexels

South Mountain Cycle & Cafe

Best Bike Shop

South Mountain Cycle & Cafe

South Mountain Cycle & Cafe

Whether you’re a seasoned BMX racer who relishes tearing up the countryside at top speeds or a Sunday-jaunt-around-the-park kind of cyclist, South Mountain Cycle and Café in Emmaus can help you gear up and get road (or off-road) ready. Owners Heather and Chad Balliet are eager to lend a listening ear and a helping hand to cyclists of all ages and abilities. “We want everyone to feel welcome in our home,” Chad says. The couple’s young son, Melvin, and dog, Diesel, are also fixtures at the shop. Another draw: the coffee bar and café that greets customers at the front of the store. That means you can relax and sip an iced coffee or a green-tea latte after wheeling in your bike for a quick cleaning or an Ultra Tune. Chad says, “Our customers can fuel up before a ride or come sit in the picture window with their family and enjoy watching the world go by.” And no stop at the shop would be complete without browsing the latest accessories for yourself (jerseys, tech tees, chamois cream) and for your two-wheeled chariot (seat saddles, rims, handlebar tape).

337 Chestnut St, Emmaus | 610.967.4490

southmountaincycle.com

Photo by Andrew Tomasino

Trexler Memorial Park

Best Park To Have A Picnic

Trexler Memorial Park

Trexler Memorial Park

It’s been dubbed the “father” of the Allentown Park System.

Springhouse Rd, Allentown | 610.437.7757

allentownpa.gov

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Upper Macungie Off Leash Dog Park

Best Dog Park

Upper Macungie Off Leash Dog Park

Upper Macungie Off Leash Dog Park

Choose from two fenced-in areas at Upper Macungie’s Dog Park, equipped with a pet water fountain.

8330 Schantz Road, Breinigsville | 610.395.4892

uppermac.org

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Lehigh Parkway

Best Park For Walking/Jogging

Lehigh Parkway

Lehigh Parkway

Home to many of the area’s 5K walks and runs, Lehigh Parkway has more than six miles of trails to explore.

Lehigh Parkway E, Allentown | 610.437.7757

allentownpa.gov

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

29 Cooks Catering + Culinary Center

Best Cooking Class To Learn New Tricks

29 Cooks Catering + Culinary Center

29 Cooks Catering + Culinary Center

Invite 15 to 25 of your closest pals for an adult cooking party at 29 Cooks. Opt for a low-key happy hour with apps or turn up the heat and make it a friendly cooking competition!

4030 Chestnut St, Emmaus | 484.951.0442

29cooks.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

Bethlehem House Contemporary Art Gallery

Best Place To Buy Art

Bethlehem House Contemporary Art Gallery

Bethlehem House Contemporary Art Gallery

You will be forgiven if you make the mistake of thinking you’ve accidentally wandered into someone’s living room when you first enter 459 Main Street in Bethlehem. After all, that’s exactly the point. “Our exhibit designs are comforting and welcoming, much like a home,” says Kate Hughes, co-director of Bethlehem House Contemporary Art Gallery. “The artwork is displayed in a fully furnished interior design, which enables us to demonstrate practical use of art in the home.” There’s no trace of the stark, sterile white walls and non-existent décor that have become the hallmark of traditional art galleries. Instead, Bethlehem House Gallery strives to erase the intimidation factor of viewing and buying art. “We would like people to walk away with the knowledge that anybody can be an art collector and that everybody’s life can be enriched by original art,” Hughes says. And if you’re still unsure whether you’re a Picasso or a Pollock, Hughes has this advice: “Buy the art that moves you. If you find that you can’t stop thinking about a certain piece, give us a call!”

459 Main St, Bethlehem | 610.419.6262

bethlehemhousegallery.com

Photo by Matt Bishop

Musikfest

Best Festival For People Watching
+
Best Beer And Food Festival

Musikfest

Musikfest

It’s the happiest time of the year—at least in Bethlehem! This year’s lineup includes Kesha, performing hits from her latest album, Rainbow.

101 Founders Way, Bethlehem | 610.332.1300

musikfest.org

Photo by Adrianne Zimmerman

PA Bacon Fest

Best Culinary Event

PA Bacon Fest

PA Bacon Fest

The smell of bacon sizzles through the streets of Easton every November, and we’ve yet to hear a complaint. With more than 150 vendors serving up sweet and savory dishes, it’s a weekend to indulge.

Easton

pabaconfest.com

Photo by Katja Kruppe

Cigars International

Best Place To Stock Up On Stogies

Cigars International

Cigars International

The authority on all things cigars, Cigars International promises the best price, variety, quality and service.

1911 Spillman Dr, Bethlehem | 484.285.0400

cigarsinternational.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

Miller-Keystone Blood Center Cruise Aboard the Lifeline

Best Annual Charity Or Social Event

Miller-Keystone Blood Center Cruise Aboard the Lifeline

Miller-Keystone Blood Center Cruise Aboard the Lifeline

Miller-Keystone Blood Center Cruise Aboard the Lifeline Boarding at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, passengers set sail for an evening to remember, with food, entertainment, a silent auction and casino deck! Miller-Keystone Blood Center reinforces the importance of blood donation and rewards individuals for supporting a life-saving mission.

1465 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem | 800.223.6667

giveapint.org

Photo by Neusse Photography

Downtown Bethlehem

Best Place To Take Out Of Town Guests

Downtown Bethlehem

Downtown Bethlehem

A picturesque setting filled with some of the Valley’s best restaurants, stores, festivities and people, Downtown Bethlehem never disappoints.

Main Street, Bethlehem

getdowntownbethlehem.com

Photo by Donovan Roberts-Witmer