If you’re craving art, history, and some good old-fashioned family fun in Eastern Pennsylvania, I’ve got to say—head to Allentown. I’ve spent a few weekends here, and each time I’ve found something new to love. Whether you’re exploring a museum, catching a hockey game, or grabbing lunch at the farmers market, you’ll feel the city’s creative spirit and welcoming energy right away.
Allentown, PA Highlights:
- For Families: Visit the Da Vinci Science Center – I brought my niece and nephew here and honestly, I had just as much fun as they did. You’ll love the interactive STEM exhibits—they make learning genuinely exciting for kids and adults alike.
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Relax or bike at Lehigh Parkway – I always make time for a walk or bike ride here. It’s a beautiful, peaceful stretch of trails, creeks, and green space right in the city. Bring a picnic—you’ll want to stay awhile.
- For Kids: Ride and play at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom – I’ve gone with friends on a summer weekend and it was a blast. The roller coasters are thrilling, and you’ll love cooling off in the water park when the heat kicks in.
- For an Adventure: Hike the Appalachian Trail (nearby) – If you’re up for some rugged hiking, you can hop on the trail just outside of town. I’ve tackled a few sections and the views are totally worth the effort—you’ll feel like you’ve escaped into the wild.
- For Shoppers: Browse the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market – Every time I stop by, I end up with way more than I planned—fresh bread, local cheese, handmade crafts. You’ll love how lively and local it feels, year-round.
Best Time to Visit Allentown, PA
I’ve found the best time to visit Allentown is between May and October. That’s when the city really comes alive with festivals, outdoor concerts, and the perfect weather for exploring parks or hitting the amusement park. But don’t count winter out—if you enjoy festive lights, ice skating, or cozying up in historic cafés, you’ll still find plenty to do.
How to Get to Allentown, PA
- By Car: I’ve driven in from both Philly and NYC—it’s a smooth ride, just about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. You’ll hop on I-78 or the Turnpike and be downtown in no time.
- By Air: I flew into Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) once, and it was incredibly convenient. Just a short drive from downtown, it makes for a stress-free arrival if you're flying in.
- By Bus: I’ve taken Trans-Bridge from NYC before—it’s a comfortable option, and you’ll be dropped off close to the action. Greyhound also runs regular routes from major cities.
Where to Stay in Allentown, PA
- Renaissance Allentown Hotel – I stayed here for a weekend concert at the PPL Center—it’s connected to the arena and right in the heart of downtown. You’ll love the sleek design and walkability.
- Holiday Inn Allentown Center City – This is my go-to when I want something reliable and central. You’ll be close to restaurants, bars, and shops—everything you need for a comfortable stay.
- Americus Hotel – I booked this for a more classic experience. It’s a beautifully restored historic hotel with a modern twist. If you enjoy vintage charm with updated comforts, you’ll love staying here.
Best Things to Do in Allentown, PA
Admire at European paintings the Allentown Art Museum
Head to the Allentown Art Museum of Lehigh Valley which was established in 1934 by well-loved impressionist painter Walter Emerson Baum, who was born in nearby Bucks county.
Baum and a group he organized founded both the museum as well as the Baum School of Art. The museum originally consisted of 70 impressionist paintings by local Pennsylvania artists and was held in the Hunsicker School. Later, the city gave the museum a permanent Federal-style house to display the collection.
Today the collection mostly consists of European paintings, a collection of textiles, works on paper, and a few other significant pieces.
Address: 31 N. 5th Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Phone: 610-432-4333
See the bicycle collection at America On Wheels
Visit America On Wheels, a transportation museum that celebrates America’s love of all things on wheels. The museum features several galleries related to virtually every form of transportation you can imagine.
You will be able to experience unique, self-propelled forms of transportation in their bicycle collection, innovative personal transportation vehicles like Segways, and huge tractor-trailers that transport goods and food across the country. The museum is very focused on education, in particular on teaching the general public about the transportation industry in an enjoyable way.
There is a kid-friendly area called the Restoration Learning Center, which is designed for children up to the age of 16 to learn about the steps involved in restoring a vehicle.
Address: 5 N. Front Street, Allentown, PA 18102, Phone: 610-432-4200
Recommended Activities for Families
Take small kids to Da Vinci Science Center
Take the kids to Da Vinci Science Center, a museum of science and an educational institution with a large number of hands-on and interactive exhibits related to science, technology, math, and engineering. The exhibits are designed to be fun and engaging for children younger than 12 years old.
Some highlights include a preschool area called Engineers On a Roll, which is a playground combined with a learning laboratory for young visitors, a water play table, and the KEVA Build It Up! exhibit, where visitors can practice their building and design skills.
Special events and programs are often on offer and include career exploration days, museum sleepovers, an inventors lab, and much more.
Address: 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103, Phone: 484-664-1002
Have fun on a thrill rides at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Have fun at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, a combination amusement park and water park that sit in between the cities of Emmaus and Allentown. The park has a number of exciting attractions for visitors of all ages, including eight roller coasters, a variety of other thrill rides for adults, and family-friendly rides for visitors of all ages.
While many of their roller coasters are modern, steel coasters, the roller coaster named Thunderhawk is a wooden roller coaster that was built in 1923.
It is one of the oldest roller coasters in the world that is still in operation. The water park has several wet and wild rides, which are great for cooling off after several hours in the park.
Address: 3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA 18104, Phone: 610-395-3724
Attractions for Couples
Stroll through the Allentown Farmers Market
The Allentown Farmers Market has long been a tradition in the Lehigh Valley area. The market has more than 60 local vendors each week who offer a wide range of goods for sale.
Compared to other area markets, this particular farmers market has one of the better selections around. Items include meats and poultry from local farms, locally made deli items, homemade baked goods, seafood, and farm-fresh vegetables. There is a grocery store as well as gourmet specialty shops and an Italian market for all of your gourmet grocery needs.
If you get hungry while strolling through the market, don’t worry, you won’t have to wait until you can get home and cook up your goodies. There are plenty of restaurant options, ranging from a homestyle Amish eatery to a Vietnamese bistro and everything in between.
Address: 1825 W. Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104, Phone: 610-432-8425
Visit six galleries at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum
The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is one of the largest historical society-run museums in the country. The museum has six galleries spread across approximately 13,000 square feet of exhibits in their 30,000-square-foot museum.
The museum also has a very nice collection of resources in their historical research library, which can be used by visitors and professionals who are performing research. The heritage museum has both permanent and temporary exhibits that display artifacts, photos, documents, and other items related to the region’s history. The exhibits cover the time before Europeans settled the area all the way up to the present.
Address: 432 Walnut Street, Allentown, PA 18102, Phone: 610-435-1074
Take a tour of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Minor League Baseball
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs Minor League Baseball team that plays baseball in the International League.
The team plays at Allentown’s Coca-Cola Park, and sports fans who visit the city may want to catch a game at the park. The full game schedule is available on the team’s website. The stadium also offers tours of the park, whereby visitors get to see the action behind the scenes. The walking tours take about 60 minutes and stop at the IronPigs and visitor’s clubhouses, dugouts, suites, club level, press box, and more.
Tour reservations are required in advance, and personalized tours are available for groups of 10 or more.
Address: 1050 Ironpigs Way, Allentown, PA 18109, Phone: 610-841-7447
Watch a Lehigh Valley Phantoms Minor League Hockey game
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms Minor League Hockey is affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and plays in the American Hockey League.
Since 2014, the team has played their games out of the PPL Center, which is a modern, multi-purpose arena. They consistently sell out of tickets to their games, so if you are hoping to catch a hockey game during your visit, you should plan ahead.
The arena has quality concessions, including Tim Hortons, Chickie & Pete’s, and other concession stands throughout, so you will be well fed throughout the games.
Address: 701 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Phone: 610-224-4625
Jump to a Spot...
- • Admire at European paintings the Allentown Art Museum
- • See the bicycle collection at America On Wheels
- • Take small kids to Da Vinci Science Center
- • Have fun on a thrill rides at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
- • Stroll through the Allentown Farmers Market
- • Visit six galleries at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum
- • Take a tour of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Minor League Baseball
- • Watch a Lehigh Valley Phantoms Minor League Hockey game