SteelStacks Arts & Cultural Campus
We couldn't think of a better opener for this story than the realization of a dream on Bethlehem's South Side. What was once a hugely depressing brownfield site where the legendary Bethlehem Steel was born and flourished is now the amazing SteelStacks Arts & Cultural Campus. What an impressive venue this is. Not only was it developed expertly and expediently, it was developed with forethought and thoughtful consideration to the future of the Lehigh Valley.
Highlights of this great venue include The ArtsQuest Center—home to 200 live musical and comedic performances a year, great independent film viewing at the Banko Alehouse Cinemas and The Musikfest Café. The Levitt Pavilion, which opens this month, is an outdoor amphitheater that will showcase free live entertainment from national touring acts. PNC Plaza will provide great spaces for our annual fests, a seasonal farmers' market and an arts and antiques market. There's so much more to come out and explore here, including the PBS 39 Public Media and Education Center. So stay tuned for more developments!
101 Founders Way, Bethlehem | 610.332.3378 | artsquest.org
Coca-Cola Park
We just love cheering on the home team at Coca-Cola Park, our minor league baseball venue that has attracted nearly 2 million fellow fans since opening in 2008. The family-friendly atmosphere and comfortable seating (there really isn't a bad seat in the house) makes seeing an IronPigs game a favorite summertime outing. Mascots FeRROUS and FeFe get the crowds pumped every game and always make sure the kids are having a good time. And when the IronPigs score a homerun there really isn't anything better than watching that giant Coca-Cola bottle atop the scoreboard tip over shoot out a celebratory firework. Batter up!
1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown | 610.841.PIGS | ironpigsbaseball.com
The Crayola FACTORY at Two Rivers Landing
Kids can let their creativity and imagination run wild at The Crayola FACTORY in downtown Easton, coloring, painting and drawing their way through the brand's latest products. The spacious and colorful building is inviting and exciting for kids to create. They can see how Crayola crayons and markers are made, learn the history of the Crayola brand and grab art supplies at the gift shop. The FACTORY is also the perfect spot to book a private party for your kids where they can create projects and memories with their friends without the hassle of clean up. This year marks the FACTORY's 15th anniversary and they have been marking the occasion with special events throughout the year.
30 Centre Square, Easton | 610.515.8000 | crayola.com/factory
Lehigh Valley International Airport
The ABE airport, as it's known by locals, doesn't just stand for our Valley's cities–Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton–but what they like to refer to as “Always a Better Experience.” That “better experience” comes from the convenience they provide to local travelers looking to get away without the hassle. No longer is flying out of Philadelphia or Newark a must to get the shortest or cheapest flight. Phase I (and the soon-to-be-completed Phase II) of their Airport Terminal Renovations Project launched in 2009, has allowed the airport to keep up with travel demand by expanding and revamping the interior of the airport, as well as providing more nonstop and international flights. They offer some of the best airfare rates we've seen lately (check out the featured airfares on their website), not to mention short ticket and security lines, easy to navigate terminals and comfortable seating at the gate.
3311 Airport Rd. Allentown | 1.800.FLY.LVIA | lvia.org
Lehigh Valley Zoo
The Lehigh Valley Zoo is known for offering families a fun day trip experience with animal species from all over the world. Open to the public year-round, the Zoo is home to more than 250 animals representing 70 species that live on the scenic 1,100-acre property. The Zoo, which was formerly known as Trexler Game Preserve, hosts more than 100,000 guests each year who are drawn to their family-friendly events, hundreds of wildlife educational programs and camps for kids of all ages. The seasonal camps run by their friendly staff help children to understand the wildlife around them and develop an appreciation for nature. Kids can observe alpacas, bobcats, kangaroos and zebras roaming their beautiful habitat areas, and watch smaller exotic critters like geckos, tarantulas and hedgehogs in their environments.
5150 Game Preserve Rd., P.O. Box 519, Schnecksville | 610.799.4171 | lvzoo.org
