Bethlehem

Understand

In 1741, the town was settled by a small group of Moravians (a persecuted Protestant religious group from modern-day Germany and Czech Republic) led by Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf. Bethlehem was founded on Christmas Eve and named for Jesus' birthplace, Bethlehem, Palestine.

During the Industrial Revolution, Bethlehem Steel became one of the largest steel companies in the world; its principal rival at the time was Andrew Carnegie's U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh. San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was built from Bethlehem Steel, as were many of New York City's largest skyscrapers. Through two world wars, Bethlehem's Steel was strategically vital for shipbuilding. By the early 1980s, local coal and steel makers were struggling as prices were undercut by imports; in 1982, Billy Joel sang "Out in Bethlehem they're killing time, Filling out forms, Standing in line" in a popular tune named for nearby Allentown. In a pattern typical of the US rust belt, huge factories built for economies of scale when times were good were being out-manoeuvred by smaller, more modern competitors with lower costs and more advanced technology. By 2001, the factories had closed; the bankrupt company was disbanded in 2003.

In 2019, the city had a population of about 76,000, and is thriving with a beautiful historic district, many cultural events, two colleges, an industrial museum and a large casino/entertainment complex.

Tourist information

• Discover Lehigh Valley, 1250 Simon Blvd., Easton, +1 610-882-9200

Get in

By plane

• Lehigh Valley International Airport ABE in Allentownlies in the center of the Lehigh Valley and has direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and other domestic locations.
• Philadelphia International Airport PHL 77 mi south of Bethlehem has direct flights from most U.S. cities, Canada, and a number of Caribbean, European, and Latin American destinations.

By train

Despite being crisscrossed by several railroads, there aren't any passenger services to Bethlehem.

By bus

Trans-Bridge Lines offers daily coach service to Bethlehem. Buses depart from the Park and Ride at I-78 in North Bethlehem, which can be reached by local mass transit.

• Trans-Bridge operates buses from several points in New York City. The New York bus stops at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, and there are also services to the New York City area's three major international airports.

By car

Bethlehem is easily accessible by car from virtually any direction:

• From New York City and New Jersey: Take I-78 East to Exit 67. Turn right into PA-412 North. PA-412 terminates four miles later in Bethlehem's South Side.
• From Philadelphia: Take I-476 (toll) to "Lehigh Valley Exit" to US-22 East, to PA-378 South. Expressway ends at bridge between Downtown and South Side Bethlehem.
• From Bucks County: Take PA-309 North to PA-378 North.
• From Harrisburg to the West: Take I-78 West to Exit 67. Turn right into PA-412 North. PA-412 terminates four miles later in Bethlehem's South Side.
• From the Poconos: Take PA-33 South to its terminus to I-78 East to Exit 67. Turn right into PA-412 North. PA-412 terminates four miles later in Bethlehem's South Side.

Get around

By car

Driving is relatively easy in the Allentown/Bethlehem area, when compared to Philadelphia or New York City roads. The highways and expressways can be very congested at rush hour, and local drivers on US 22, I-78, PA 33, PA 309 and PA 378 can be reckless and exceed the speed limit at times. Local streets can be clogged at rush hour, mostly on the South Side. Some roads are not for an inexperienced driver. Rental car companies can be found at the Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Parking

Bethlehem has many lots and a few public garages to park in. The North Street and Walnut Street garages are located in Center City, and the Riverport garage is on the South Side. The rate is $1 per hour, or $6 maximum rate (all day). For details, including directions and a complete list of parking lots and garages, the Bethlehem Parking Authority's website is listed here. In addition to garages and lots, metered parking is available throughout the city. The rate is $0.50 per hour from 8AM-9PM.

By bus

• Lehigh and Northampton County Transportation Authority (LANTA) provides affordable bus transportation in and around Bethlehem and the surrounding cities of Allentown and Easton. LANTA provides a Metro Plus service for those who are unable to ride the regular Metro due to disability or requirement of special attention. Schedules are available online. The majority of LANTA buses serve mainly to link the three downtown areas of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, and if you're not staying/going in these areas, the bus service can be impractical. Service centers around the main depot at Broad & Guetter Streets, and fans out in every direction. The cost is $2 a ride, $3 for a day pass, with discounts if you buy in bulk.

By taxi

Several taxicab companies are in the Lehigh Valley. Taxis do not often drive around the streets, like in New York City. In the Lehigh Valley, you will often need to call ahead and arrange for the taxicab to pick you up.

On foot

The best way to see Bethlehem's Historic District is on foot. Just about all its notable landmarks are on Main St., or close to it. When referring to places along Main, "the top" of Main is at the intersection of Main and Broad, which is on top of a hill; "the bottom" is at the Brethren's House, and all points past there. If you want to walk to the South Side (not recommended; save your feet by forking over the two bucks for the bus), go over the bridge at the bottom of Main next to the Hotel Bethlehem. Make a left when you reach another bridge, the Hill-to-Hill Bridge. When you get to the end of the bridge, turn left on 3rd or 4th St. to reach the South Side. There are also several pathways which lead to the Monocacy Creek from Main St.

Learn

Bethlehem is home to two highly-regarded four year universities, Lehigh University at 27 Memorial Drive West and Moravian University and 1200 Main St.

Stay safe

Bethlehem by most accounts is relatively safe for a city of its size. Most visitors to the downtown areas or the Sands Casino won't encounter any sort of crime or danger. Some areas of the Southside off of 3rd St. can be sketchy at night, and Lehigh students have a notorious reputation for drinking, so be wary of visiting at night if you'd rather not deal with inebriated college kids. The same type of drunken misconduct can also break out late at night during Musikfest as patrons make more trips to the beer tent, and it occasionally results in scuffles on and around Main St. (which gets extremely crowded around at closing). If you use common sense and don't stray from the main attractions you should have no problems, and Bethlehem is far safer than neighboring Allentown or Easton.

Go next

Bethlehem's central location in the Lehigh Valley make it a good starting point for exploring the region and visiting other cities in the U.S. Northeast. It is also in the middle of the American Industry Tour from Boston to Chicago.

Other Lehigh Valley locations

• Allentown, 7 mi
• Bangor, 22 mi
• Easton, 12 mi
• Emmaus, 11 mi
• Fogelsville, 15 mi
• Hellertown, 5 mi
• Nazareth, 9 mi
• Phillipsburg, NJ, 14 mi
• Slatington, 21 mi
• Whitehall Township, 11 mi

Regional locations

• Atlantic City, 131.2 mi
• Harrisburg, 89 mi
• New York City, 82.8 mi
• Philadelphia, 69.2 mi
• Reading, 47.1 mi
• Scranton, 73.1 mi
• The Poconos, 60 mi