Evoking the carefree magic and excitement of childhood, summer Saturdays are a time to explore all that the Valley has to offer, unhurried and possibly with an ice cream cone in hand. Make the most of the long, warm days with this compilation of Saturday suggestions.
1. Unplug
In hiking, we take ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of civilization, leave our phones on silent and partake in undiluted natural wonder. While spots like the Wildlands Conservancy in Emmaus and Schnecksville’s Trexler Nature Preserve are nearby for a casual jaunt, we’re also surrounded by trails like Ringing Rocks, Jacobsburg and, of course, the mountainous Appalachians to the north, so you can go as hard or light as you like.
wildlandspa.org | lehighcounty.org | dcnr.pa.gov
2. Take to the water
The summer sky is breathtaking, reflected in the surface of a lake. It’s also the season when a dip in the river spells refreshment and fun. The adventurous can take to the water with Pocono Whitewater Rafting or kayaking through the rapids, while those looking for a leisurely way to cool down have the option to drift down the Lehigh on plump inner tubes. Lake Nockamixon, south of the Valley, is a vast, beautiful spot to take a boat out and stage a picnic.
poconowhitewater.com | nockamixonboatrental.com
3. Join the festivities
The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival kicks off in May at DeSales University, the Kutztown Folk Festival is in July, Musikfest takes over Bethlehem in August and The Great Allentown Fair cavorts into September, with countless events in between. Festivals are thick on the ground all through the temperate months around here, so whether you’re into antique cars, blues and barbecue, reggae or sangria, there’s an occasion for you.
pashakespeare.org | kutztownfestival.com musikfest.org | allentownfair.com
4. Visit a museum
Take inspiration from arts, sciences and history by whisking the family away on an outing to one of the Valley’s museums, always a stone’s throw from great lunch spots. In the shadow of Bethlehem Steel, you’ll find the National Museum of Industrial History, brimming with artifacts and machines, while Easton’s Nurture Nature Center and Allentown’s Da Vinci Science Center offer organic education. Not to be overlooked is the Allentown Art Museum, hosting an exhibition on experimental 1960s fashion from May through September.
nmih.org | nurturenaturecenter.orgdavincisciencecenter.org | allentownartmuseum.org
Photo by Alison Conklin
5. Explore downtown
Across the Valley, revitalized downtowns allure with the glitter of shop windows shining from historic architecture, the appetizing aromas of al fresco eating and the melodious strains of live music. Without any specific destination in mind, a wander in Easton for example could take you from a cute browse of Book & Puppet Co., scarfing shrimp and grits at The Bayou and discovering a new favorite sundress at Belle Âme Eco-Boutique.
Take your time and explore!
bookandpuppet.com | datbayoulv.com
6. Get wet
The Valley is dotted with municipal pools to allow the populace to cool down in more curated bodies of water, but also boasts a magnificent water park—Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom provides swirling slides, lazy tube floats, wave pools and shallow splashing grounds for all ages of fun. Meanwhile, the spring-fed 40-acre quarry lake once loved as Dutch Springs has retained its role as a venue to learn scuba diving. Now known as Lake Hydra, it’s deep with clarity for underwater sightseeing.
Take your time and explore!
dorneypark.com | lakehydra.com
7. Visit a farm
From plucking sun-warmed berries and tender peaches to grubbing up potatoes and clipping cucumbers, farms in the area don’t just provide fruits and veg for sale, some also give you the opportunity to part it from the parent plant. George Schmidt Berry Farm in New Tripoli offers a verdant variety, while Grim’s Orchard in Breinigsville is a great place to start your apple picking as soon as August.
schmidtberryfarm.com | grimsorchard.com
8. Peruse the Poconos
The Poconos are a signature spot for summer fun, with the area of Jim Thorpe one of the first attractions on the southern edge. Our own little Hogwarts-esque historical hamlet to the north, Jim Thorpe is nestled in the mountains with scenic train rides, tours of Lehigh University founder Asa Packer’s magnificent mansion, a darling downtown and loads of outdoor adventures. Stop into Quiet Hills Lavender Farm nearby for the soothing sights and smell of Provence right at home.
poconomountains.com | lgsry.com asapackermansion.com | quiethillslavenderfarm.com
Photo by Marco Calderon
9. Shop and cook local
Socials are going to be riotous with recipes for summer salads and so forth, bursting with the colorful produce of the season. Bring your A game to the next Saturday BBQ or home cooked dinner with fare from a farmers’ market—it doesn’t get much fresher than that! From Easton’s eventful market in Scott Park (est. 1752) to Emmaus’s bustling vendors in the Triangle, spend a quaint morning gathering ingredients and a leisurely summer night enjoying your finds.
eastonfarmersmarket.com | emmausmarket.com
10. Tour bygone bridges
Journey back in time to an era when buggies used to quaintly clop across these pretty covered bridges as you make your way along the hills and forests of the region from one precious artifact to the next. You may want to pack a picnic or plan a restaurant pit stop to fuel up along the 50-mile tour. Some of the seven extant bridges are located in peaceful parks or deep woodlands, so you might discover a spot for future hiking, fall foliage and family pictures!
11. Watch a drive-in movie
North of Allentown is drive-in movie territory, with Becky’s near Walnutport, The Mahoning Drive-in Theater a bit further near Lehighton and Shankweiler’s Drive-in relatively close by in Schnecksville. Part of summer is being able to laze outside on a blanket (or in the comfort of your car) after the sun sets with some snacks and a big screen in the open air. Blockbusters can be found at Becky’s and Shankweiler’s, while Mahoning saves their screen for vintage and cult classic films.
beckysdi.com | mahoningdit.com | shankweilers.com
12. Give disc golf a go
Since the 1960s, disc golf has been a chill way to enjoy friends, the outdoors, and the fun of throwing a Frisbee that doesn’t require a ton of time or equipment to get into. There are courses dotted across the Lehigh Valley, including one in Covered Bridge Park which could tie into a Saturday tour. Visit Lehigh Valley Disc Club’s website for a rundown of courses and events—maybe even join the league!
13. Find your fishing spot
Lakes, creeks and rivers throughout the area are flush with fishing opportunities, like Little Lehigh Creek’s spring-fed stretch. Relax on the bank one summer Saturday and you’ll be dipping your hook into the stream with a healthy trout population, thanks to a massive mayfly hatch this time of year. Or hop on a boat and glide onto Leaser Lake in New Tripoli, well stocked with catfish, bass and walleye. As they say, a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work.
14. Start a fermentation project
Lakes, creeks and rivers throughout the area are flush with fishing opportunities, like Little Lehigh Creek’s spring-fed stretch. Relax on the bank one summer Saturday and you’ll be dipping your hook into the stream with a healthy trout population, thanks to a massive mayfly hatch this time of year. Or hop on a boat and glide onto Leaser Lake in New Tripoli, well stocked with catfish, bass and walleye. As they say, a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work.
15. Go treasure hunting
Scavenging is a hallowed Saturday tradition for those garage sale mavens with a sharp eye for a good deal. If you like your used stuff a little more ancient, trek to Weil Antique Center in Allentown or Easton’s Antique Emporium. There’s also Jake’s Flea Market in Barto for the truly intrepid, which also hosts handcrafts and a chaotic jumble of you never know what. Reduce, reuse and revel in picking over interesting objects!
weilantiquecenter.com | jakesfleamarket.com
16. Go to a game
True, we’re not so far that swinging down to the city for a Phillies game is an ordeal, but spectator sports in the Valley have all the bright lights and scrumptious concessions you could ask for. It’s time to hit Coca-Cola Park for an IronPigs game or head over to the Velodrome for Ocean Spray Saturdays at T-Town to watch racing supercyclists push the limits of speed. With events like Breakaway Bierfest May 20 through a Fall Fondo ride September 17 (still technically summer!), Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a happening track.
milb.com/lehigh-valley | thevelodrome.com
17. Try a new tipple
May opens during Lehigh Valley Beer Week, a celebration of the area’s 20-plus breweries, but you have all summer to taste the taps, from Free Will’s sours to Weyerbacher’s stouts. There are also ciders to sample (along with mouthwatering wood-fired pizza) at Switchback in Emmaus and Five Maidens Cider Company in Bethlehem. But wait, there are distilleries as well, like the spooky-spirited Gallows Hill in Allentown and County Seat in Easton. Pick your poison for a Saturday with smooth edges.
freewillbrewing.com | weyerbacher.com | switchbackpizza.com | 5mcider.com | gallowshillspirits.com | countyseatspirits.square.site
18. Be a Bethlehem tourist
Being nominated this year for UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Historic Moravian Bethlehem is emerging as a site of worldwide significance—maybe it’s time to revisit the heart of the Valley with fresh eyes. Historic Bethlehem hosts guided tours covering centuries of heritage, while Saturdays at Burnside Plantation give glimpses of colonial farm life, crafts and activities. Don’t miss July’s Blueberry Festival—maybe even enter the pie-eating contest!
19. Venture into a vineyard
The Valley is well placed for the exploration of local wines, with its own Wine Trail and Summer Wine Festival at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in July. Sit back with a flight and take in the rolling vineyards on a summer Saturday, when spots like Tolino and Vynecrest host live music, food trucks and pairings. You may not make it to all five wineries on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail in one Saturday, but it could be on your summer bucket list!
bcmountainresort.com | tolinovineyards.com vynecrest.com | lehighvalleywinetrail.com
Published as “Summer Saturdays” in the May 2023 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
