A Sense of Place
Frank
Lomax
27
Mechanical Engineering | Phoenix, AZ
Most importantly for me, [Lehigh] was a place I could experience the beauty of nature, the busyness of a city, and a strong community centered in between all of it.
Best Places to Live
Top 100
best places to live via livability.com
best places to live via livability.com
Rich history, a vibrant downtown scene and a low cost of living; it’s why livability voted Bethlehem one of the top 100 places to live.
Best Main Street in America
#1
best main street in America by USA Today
best main street in America by USA Today
Historic brick meets modern hype. Hit Bethlehem’s main street for top-tier dining, cozy coffee shops, indie shopping, and perfect photo ops.
Things to Do in the Lehigh Valley
Beyond the city of Bethlehem itself, the Lehigh Valley is home to several top-notch entertainment centers, shopping malls and award-winning restaurants. From road trips short or long to sports and recreation, you’ll find plenty to do in the Valley.
Nearly every world cuisine imaginable is available in Bethlehem. The city boasts a wealth of restaurants serving up Japanese, African, Indian, Malaysian, Italian, Thai, Mexican and more. With more than 80 restaurants in downtown alone, local foodies can find everything from high-end dining to pizza shops. In celebration of its local food scene, Bethlehem celebrates Restaurant Week each year, allowing patrons to enjoy prix fixe meals at hugely discounted prices.
Bethlehem is home to numerous unique shops and national chains, offering visitors and locals alike a great shopping experience. Within walking distance from campus, you’ll find shops for apparel, music, vintage wares, books and more. On the historic north side, shoppers can stroll down cobblestone-paved Main Street and peruse the Moravian Book Shop, Aardvark Sports Shop and Season’s Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom. Beyond shopping, you can enjoy a Phantoms ice hockey or Iron Pigs baseball game at the PPL Center or Coca-Cola Stadium - both a short distance away. If you’re looking for something more down to earth, try the great outdoors. The Valley is home to stellar hiking, biking, fishing and more.
The arts are alive in Bethlehem, where you won’t have to look far to find exciting seasonal events, nationally recognized musical acts, comedy, art and more. The city boasts three performing arts centers on the SouthSide alone, and the Banana Factory, a dynamic cultural arts center, is located just steps from Lehigh’s campus. Known as the “City of Festivals,” Bethlehem hosts more than 20 major festivals and over 150 mini-festivals each year. Most notably, Musikfest, taking place right here in Bethlehem, brings over 1 million visitors to town each year.
Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG)
History runs deep in Bethlehem, weaving its 1741 origins as a Moravian settlement with its iconic legacy as a powerhouse of the American Industrial Revolution. The city’s beautifully preserved downtown stands proudly as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a captivating look at colonial architecture just across the river from campus. From touring the nation’s oldest continuously operating bookstore on the historic north side to exploring repurposed industrial landmarks on the SouthSide, there is an endless wealth of heritage waiting to be discovered.
Discover Lehigh Valley History
Whether you are planning a campus visit, attending a university event, or relocating to the area, Bethlehem offers a wonderful variety of accommodations to suit your needs. Visitors can choose from historic downtown inns full of local character, modern boutique stays, or trusted national hotel brands just minutes from Lehigh's campus.
Community Ties
Community Service at Lehigh
Lehigh students do more than learn at Lehigh, they offer their service to the community while they’re here. Our mission is to provide students, faculty and staff the opportunities to make a difference locally and beyond.
Lehigh and the Community
Through strategic initiatives, job creation and collaboration with local organizations, the university remains a key force in shaping a stronger, more vibrant region.
Community Partnerships
Partnering with Lehigh creates a competitive edge. We work in tandem with local businesses in diverse fields to accelerate innovation, access research, build talent and drive success.
Academic Experiences & Career Opportunities
Bethlehem’s growing economy provides numerous opportunities for internships, networking, and career advancement. The Lehigh Valley is home to major employers in engineering, healthcare, business and more, making it a great place to gain experience beyond the classroom and connect with potential employers during your time at Lehigh.
Where Lehigh & Bethlehem Intersect
Lehigh partners with the SouthSide Arts District to revitalize Bethlehem, integrating students into the local economy through community service, urban art projects, and local business partnerships.
Lehigh’s Forest Park initiative opens 760 acres of South Mountain greenery to the Bethlehem community, uniting campus and locals through scenic public hiking trails.
Hosted in Farrington Square, Lehigh’s weekly farmers market bridges campus and the Bethlehem community, offering fresh, local goods, live music and other fun for everyone to enjoy.
Lehigh students and staff deeply engage with South Bethlehem and beyond, dedicating thousands of hours to tutoring, volunteering and collaborative projects that uplift our neighbors.
Lehigh often has a presence at major events in the Lehigh Valley, like Musikfest, the nation’s largest outdoor music festival. (Look for us at Lehigh Lounge!)