Overview
Emmaus is a borough in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Emmaus borders Allentown, the state's third-largest city, to its north. The borough lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 22 mi southwest of the Skylands and the New Jersey state line, 53 mi north of Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest city, and 91 mi west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
6 sights · 8 things to do · 13 places to eat · 9 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Emmaus
1803 House
Built in 1803 by Jacob Ehrenhardt, Jr., who fought in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Tours by appointment.
Knauss Homestead
Historic home built between 1840 and 1850 with Georgian-style influences. Added to National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Shelter House
Constructed in 1734, Shelter House is believed to be the oldest continuously occupied building structure in both Lehigh County and the Lehigh Valley and among the oldest still-standing building structures in the all of P…
Bear Creek Mountain Resort
A 23-trail 330-acre ski and snowboarding resort. Hiking, biking, and other activities off-season.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
One of the premiere amusement and water parks in the nation, known especially for its elaborate rollercoasters (including the world's eighth longest steel roller coaster), over 60 rides, and a large waterpark.
Emmaus High School athletics
Emmaus High School is one of several large high schools from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos that compete athletically in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, widely considered one of the most competitive athletic division…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Allentown)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ABE Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown/Bethlehem — 8 mi away. Directions
- TTN Trenton Mercer Airport, Ewing Township — 40 mi away. Directions
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia — 48 mi away (major hub). Directions
Emmaus is easily accessible by car via two major highways:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $99–$176 a night (typical $175), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$250, comfortable ~$340.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning 1803 House, Emmaus Moravian Church, Emmaus Historical Society Museum
- Lunch Restaurante Boca Chica
- Afternoon Emmaus Theatre, Shelter House
- Dinner Superior Restaurant
- Evening Yergey's
Day 2
- Morning Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Lunch Mamma Mia Pizzeria
- Afternoon Knauss Homestead
- Dinner Yocco's West
- Evening Commix Hotel
Day 3
- Morning Bear Creek Mountain Resort
- Lunch Buckeye Tavern on Brookside
- Dinner Trivet
- Evening Big Woody's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are many restaurants in Emmaus, including:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
- Lehigh Valley International Airport ABE in Allentown lies 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 has direct flights from most U.S. cities, Canada, and a number of Caribbean, European, and Latin American destinations.
By train
- 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is 53 mi southeast of Emmaus.
By bus
- Allentown Bus Terminal in Allentown is the primary bus terminal for Emmaus.
By car
Emmaus is easily accessible by car via two major highways:
The first is the Cedar Crest Boulevard exit of PA Route 29, a north-south highway that runs from Malvern in southeastern Pennsylvania to the New York state border in the north. The second is Interstate 78, a major east-west highway that runs from central Pennsylvania near Harrisburg in the west to the Holland Tunnel and Manhattan in the east, at exits 55, 57 or 58:
- Exit 55 is PA 29 (Cedar Crest Boulevard). Southbound will take you just west of downtown Emmaus.
- Exit 57 is Lehigh Street. Southbound will take you to Chestnut Street and into downtown Emmaus. It also provides access to Center City Allentown to the north.
- Exit 58 is Emaus Avenue (spelled slightly differently than Emmaus, based on the original Pennsylvania Dutch spelling). You are forced to go southbound anyway. This is just an easier parallel of Lehigh Street but is only available to westbound I-78 travelers.
Get around
By limo
- A&A Limousine Service, +1 610-261-3838 or +1-800-281-5911
- J&J Transportation, +1 610-776-1516 or +1-800-726-5466
- Your Way Taxi & Limo, +1 610-435-8294
By bus
Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) offers public bus service that can take you from Emmaus to Allentown and other locations in the Lehigh Valley. Renting a car is also an option. Emmaus has an Avis and Budget, both located at 126 State Ave. A considerable number of car rental options also exist in neighboring Allentown.
See
See Emmaus Moravian Church
Founded in 1746 when Emmaus was a closed Moravian village, this church co-educated Native American and European children and served as the primary Moravian church for the community from its very beginning--and continues to be the town's primary Moravian church and pre-school.
See Shangy's
A famous beer distributor and one of the largest beer distributors on in the nation with over 4,000 different brands of beer from the U.S. and abroad. It advertises itself as having the largest number of beer brands from all over the world of any distributor in the nation and has been an Emmaus fixture since its founding in 1980. It's also become a tourist designation, attracting beer enthusiasts from around the nation, especially those looking for hard to find domestic or international beers.
Events
- Every February, Snowblast Winter Festival
- Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Faschnacht & Forsythia Festival. Celebrating faschnachts (Pennsylvania Dutch donuts) and Emmaus' flower, the Forsythia by crowning the King Faschnact and Queen Forsythia and knighting the Defender of the Faschnact (great fun!)
- Every April, Patriot's Day Dinner
- Last Monday in May, the Memorial Day Parade
- June to September, Summer Entertainment Series, live concerts and movie nights all summer long at Emmaus Community Park's arts pavilion
- Every June, Art in the Garden
- Every July, Annual Clay Shoot
- Every September, Wildlife Art Festival and Community Heroes Day
- Saturday after Labor Day, Emmaus Heritage Day with crafters, food and beverage, live entertainment, activities, historic site tours, and free trolley rides
- Weekend after Labor Day, Memory Day Craft Show
- Every October, Student Horror Film Contest & Festival
- Third Saturday in October, the Emmaus Halloween Parade takes place in Emmaus. It is one of the largest parades in the Lehigh Valley, typically drawing thousands from around the Valley. The Emmaus Lions Club is a primary parade sponsor. For more information on the Emmaus Lions Club. This year's Emmaus Halloween Parade, held on October 15, 2022, will also be the 100th anniversary of the long-standing parade. The Halloween in Emmaus 5K Race proceeds the parade annually each October.
- First Saturday in December, Old Fashioned Christmas with horse and buggy rides, contests, strolling carolers, a tree lighting ceremony, and Santa comes to town.
Do
Do Emmaus Community Park
Large community park with large and with large swimming pool and diving boards, basketball and volleyball courts, and baseball, softball, and soccer fields. There is also a walking trail. During the summer months, there are concerts in the park. The summer concert schedule is viewable at: Emmaus Recreation and Entertainment Commission.
Do Emmaus High School athletics
Emmaus High School is one of several large high schools from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos that compete athletically in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, widely considered one of the most competitive athletic divisions in the United States. Emmaus High School athletic events typically draw large crowds, especially in football, boys and girls basketball, girls field hockey and wrestling. The school is widely known for its exceptional girls field hockey and boys and girls swimming and diving teams, both among the nation's best.
Buy
- There are other specialty stores on Main St. in Emmaus, including: Emmaus Run Inn, Kim's Kountry Kreations. You'll also find a bunch of consignment shops, including Now and Then Books, Let's Play Books Bookstore, FD Market, and others.
Eat
There are many restaurants in Emmaus, including:
Eat Armetta's
Regionally famous Italian restaurant and pizzeria, highly-popular with locals. Italian food, pizza, Philadelphia cheesesteaks. Offers inside and patio dining, pick-up and local delivery, and a separate bar area. Outdoor patio service in warm weather months.
Eat Buckeye Tavern on Brookside
Restaurant and tavern constructed in 1735 during the British colonialism era to cater to visiting guests from out of the area. It is now been a family-owned establishment since 1987 with two of Lehigh Valley's leading chefs. American cuisine. Upstairs party room. Indoor and outdoor bar. Also offers take-out service and delivery.
Eat East Penn Diner
One of three Emmaus diners, but this one advertises itself as "the Lehigh Valley's favorite diner".
Eat House and Barn
Once an actual barn, then part of a golf course, but now a great burger restaurant and bar with trivia nights and live music.
Eat Lingnan Chinese Restaurant
Chinese.
Eat Mamma Mia Pizzeria
Pizza. Free delivery.
Eat Restaurante Boca Chica
Large menu with Caribbean/Dominican specialties and some standard American entrees
Eat Rossi's Pizza & Italian
Italian, pizza and other entrees.
Eat Superior Restaurant
Diner with separate bar.
Eat Yocco's West
Widely considered among the best hot dogs in the nation, there are four locations and each is in proximity to Emmaus (two in Allentown, one in Trexlertown, and one in Fogelsville. Dine-in, take-out or drive-through service. Yocco's also does mail delivery to customers outside of the Lehigh Valley area, both in the United States and globally.
Drink
Drink Armetta's
Separate bar with a friendly drinking atmosphere. Beer specials. Outside patio bar open during summer.
Drink Big Woody's
Sports bar with sports bar menu.
Drink Commix Hotel
Historical but informal bar and restaurant on first floor of Revolutionary War-era hotel.
Drink Funk
Large craft beer taproom. Drafts and cans to go. Big screen TVs. Indoor and outdoor seating. Food trucks.
Drink Mercantile Club
Historic private club (opened in 1908) with restaurant and smoking permitted separate bar.
Drink Triple Sun Spirits
Online or pick-up order of ultra-premium spirits. Tours also available of their distillery.
Drink Vera Cruz Tavern
Bar, pool table, fun drinking establishment
Drink Volpe's Sports Bar
Excellent sports bar complex with two separate bars (one smoke free and the other a cigar bar dating back to the 1920s), 20 large screen plasma televisions, including all out of town games. Pool table. 12 beers on tap at all times and over 50 bottled beers.
Drink Yergey's
Craft beer bar and outside patio. Live music. Food trucks.
Sleep
There are no hotels in Emmaus, but there are many nearby. Check out these five, plus the more extensive list on the Allentown page:
Stay Bear Creek Mountain Resort
Macungie. Guests can plan an event in the spacious banquet and meeting facilities, dine at The Grille at Bear Creek or the Trail’s End Cafe, relax at The Spa at Bear Creek, enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, participate in beer and wine festivals, and enjoy free outdoor concerts. Great dining, plenty of activities year round, including snowboarding, skiing, snowtubing in the winter and hiking, biking, kayaking, and paddle boarding in warmer weather.
Go next
Lehigh Valley cities
- Allentown, 5 mi
- Bangor, 34.1 mi
- Bethlehem, 9.8 mi
- Easton, 23.4 mi
- Hellertown, 12.3 mi
- Fogelsville, 9.8 mi
- Nazareth, 24.2 mi
- Phillipsburg, NJ, 22.4 mi
- Slatington, 19.3 mi
- Whitehall Township, 10.4 mi
Regional cities and locations
- Atlantic City, 115.4 mi
- Harrisburg, 82.4 mi
- New York City, 91.6 mi
- Philadelphia, 53.4 mi
- The Poconos, 54.4 mi
Nearby
Allentown
City / town · 82 listings · 5 mi away
Fogelsville
City / town · 16 listings · 8 mi away
Bethlehem
City / town · 92 listings · 9 mi away
Hellertown
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Whitehall Township
City / town · 8 listings · 9 mi away
Pennsburg
City / town · 50 listings · 10 mi away
Quakertown
City / town · 3 listings · 10 mi away
Kutztown
City / town · 21 listings · 15 mi away
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