Things to Do in the Lehigh Valley
Arts & Entertainment
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.
Things to Do >
SouthSide Arts District >
SteelStacks Concert & Films >
Zoellner Arts Center >
Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) >
Shopping in Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem is home to numerous unique shops and national chains, offering visitors and locals alike a great shopping experience. Within walking distance from campus on the SouthSide are stores for trendy women’s apparel and new and vintage music finds. 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.
Restaurants in Bethlehem
Nearly every world cuisine imaginable is available in Bethlehem. The city boasts a wealth of restaurants serving up Japanese, 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.
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Places to Eat in Bethlehem>
Places to Eat in the Greater Lehigh Valley >
Fun 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. Simple day or weekend trips can be taken to New York City, Philadelphia, the Pocono Mountains and the New Jersey and Delaware beaches. Sports fans, meanwhile, can follow the region’s local minor league teams—the Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball team, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team and Bethlehem Steel FC, which plays its matches at Lehigh’s Goodman Stadium.
Bethlehem was founded by the Moravian Church
festivals per year
colleges within 10 miles
parks (encompassing 568 acres)
Musikfest attracts one million people to Bethlehem each August
light bulbs in the Star of Bethlehem atop South Mountain
Students Involved in the Community
Lehigh students play a vital role in helping reinvigorate the neighborhoods of South Bethlehem. Their volunteerism and community work reflects Lehigh's longstanding commitment to making a positive impact here in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Volunteering
Homework Help
Since 2009, Lehigh’s Community Service Office has been providing a safe, educational environment for South Bethlehem schoolchildren to receive academic support through after-school homework clubs.
Academics
Better Attendance by Umbrellas
Neiad Ammary and Scott Cole, doctoral students in Lehigh’s College of Education, worked with Lehigh’s C.O.A.C.H. program to deliver umbrellas to local community school partners in hopes of deterring missed school days, which have impacted student performance.
Entrepreneurship
Creative Bike Racks for the SouthSide
Three winning creations of the Lehigh University Design Collective are among seven new functional yet highly artistic bike racks installed over the summer in SouthSide Bethlehem. The installation was part of the Artist Designed Bike Rack Project—a partnership between the City of Bethlehem and ArtsQuest—that aims to encourage foot and bike traffic and bring public art to the area.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICE
Our mission is to provide students, faculty and staff of Lehigh University a readily accessible doorway through which they can explore the rewards and benefits of providing service to the community. Visit the Community Service Office >
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Lehigh University Center for Community Engagement assists Lehigh’s faculty, staff and students who are involved with service-learning classes or community-based research projects and helps cultivate engaged citizens. Visit the Center for Community Engagement >
COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
Lehigh's Community and Regional Affairs effort is dedicated to the utilization of the University's resources—both human and capital—for the advancement of the larger community consistent with the University's interests and goals. Learn about Community & Regional Affairs >
Fresh Finds Right on Campus
If you’re looking for fresh produce, lunch items, baked goods, natural soaps and delicious offerings from food trucks, just head down to the Bethlehem Farmers' Market every Thursday from May-October.
Festival of Music
Musikfest is Bethlehem’s premier music festival. In fact, it is one of the nation’s largest music festivals, with nearly one million attendees, 500-plus performances, local retailers, food vendors and lots of fun.
Community Engagement
Students work to build bridges and create change by participating in tutoring services at local elementary and middle schools. Students make valuable contributions and make lasting impacts by helping local students succeed in math and reading.
A Fixture for Fajitas
Located just a short walk from campus, La Lupita offers delicious, traditional Mexican fare. It’s a favorite amongst the community for its cozy atmosphere and fast servings.
A Path Runs through It
The South Bethlehem Greenway is a quaint paved trail that connects neighborhoods with the city’s business district. It’s the perfect path for a run, bike ride or stroll.
Play Ball!
Coca-Cola Park is home to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies’ AAA team, and is the perfect outing for a fun getaway with plenty of great food options and an exciting atmosphere.
Spring on the SouthSide
The SouthSide celebrates the arts and food with the annual Chili Cook-Off. Local food vendors and merchants get involved with an exciting day filled with delicious chili, live music and an arts festival.
A Giant Yard Sale
The Great SouthSide Sale started when a professor noticed how much was in dumpsters when students moved out. This massive yard sale is a community staple where you can find great hidden treasures, clothing and household items.