Easton, PA

Named for the local Easton sculptor Karl Stirner, who spent a good part of 25 years encouraging an assortment of artists to bring their talents to Easton, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail is a wonderful destination for art and nature lovers to explore. As you make your way along the scenic outdoor trail you will come across more than 15 individual pieces of art across a variety of genres. Examples include sculpture, horticultural exhibits, poetry and even neon lights. Each exhibit has been designed to form a link between art and nature and to encourage beholders to think outside the box. You can do a virtual tour of the trail before you visit to learn about the individual artists. Map

In 1873, the Northampton National Bank was constructed. When the bank was demolished, the theatre that is now known as the State Theatre Center for the Arts was built. Though it has changed to include updated features, modern technologies, and new halls, the European-style architecture of the theatre is still recognizable. In 2003, the State Theatre held the first FREDDY Awards, which recognizes high school theater productions. Today’s visitors can catch live concerts and comedy shows. Those who plan far enough in advance can purchase tickets for one of the traveling Broadway shows. DVDs of many shows and the FREDDY Awards are available for purchase.

State Theatre Center for the Arts, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042, Phone: 800-999-7828

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

One of America’s first transportation methods were canal ways. These manmade waterways allowed people and heavy products to move from one city to another much further away. Today, visitors to the National Canal Museum can take the 45-minute canal ride to experience canal travel firsthand. Rain or shine, two mules pull the ferry down the canal as was done centuries ago. Before or after the boat ride, guests can check out the technology center and museum, which houses canal archives and exhibits. Both permeant and special exhibits give looks into the life of those who lived and worked the canals.

National Canal Museum, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, PA 18042, Phone: 610-923-3548, Facebook

The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, called the D&L by locals, is a 165-mile trail that spans over five counties. This attraction is a one-of-a-kind, all-encompassing treat for guests. While hiking the whole 165 miles is most likely out of reach for visitors, those who want to experience local life throughout the Easton and local areas can find fun activities along the trail. Towns dot the 165-mile trail, and each town has its own unique culture and heritage to explore. For Easton visitors, a trip to local restaurants, the National Canal Museum, and a boat ride on the only mule-drawn canal boat is a must.

The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, PA 18042, Phone: 610-923-3548

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

If you’re visiting Easton, you may want to consider adding the Nurture Nature Center (NNC) to your itinerary. The NNC probes environmental risks and seeks programs for solutions. The NNC educates the community while showcasing current and future technologies to watch for floods and other natural hazards. Along with science and art exhibits, NNC offers classes and workshops to get visitors and the community involved in protecting the earth. Visitors should be sure to check out the urban recycle garden located in the parking lot, which shows gardening techniques in an urban setting, both vertically and horizontally, using recycled materials.

Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton Street, Easton PA 18042, Phone: 610-253-4432

Bushkill Park opened in 1902 and remains a minor amusement park for Easton guests. This park harkens to an older time when amusement parks were simple, clean fun for the whole family. The Bar’l of Fun, opened in 1935, is one of America’s oldest standing funhouses. Though the park has been devastated several times by floods and heavy snowfalls, the owners continue to revive the park. The skating rink and other smaller rides are still open for guests. The Bushkill Park has been featured twice on television, once on the Discovery Channel for the Bar’l of Fun, and once on American Pickers for all the original folk-art banners still standing.

Bushkill Park, 2100 Bushkill Park Drive, Easton, PA 18040, Phone: 610-258-6941

Both kids and adults can have fun at the Crayola Experience in Easton. Kids are expected to get their hands on all 25 interactive exhibits. Families can watch production of actual crayons, learning how they are made. On top of that, kids can create their own crayon wrappings to take home. Along with personalized crayons, guests can paint with melted crayons, make melted crayon spin art, and melt down old crayons to make new items, like crayon rings or animals. The Crayola experience wouldn’t be complete without a stop in the store, where kids can find stuffed animals of their favorite crayons, Crayola products and apparel, and even choose their own crayons for a pack – every kid’s dream!

Crayola Experience, 30 Centre Square, Easton PA 18042, Phone: 610-515-8000, Facebook

Where to Eat:

For those looking for a place to eat, the Marblehead Chowder House is that place to go for authentic New England seafood. Serving lunch and dinner, patrons can enjoy classic New England recipes, like clam chowder, a raw oyster bar, and lobster rolls. Because all the food is made with the freshest seafood, daily blackboard specials offer the best options, like soft shell Po Boys and New Orleans Catfish. For those looking for something other than seafood, the menu does offer chicken and beef, though the seafood dishes really shine. Marblehead has a full bar, and there are happy hour specials throughout the work week.

Marblehead Chowder House, 4101 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA 18045, Phone: 610-258-4301