Lebanon: History, Parks, and Trails

Lebanon offers several highlights for your stay: the Union Canal Tunnel and the city’s history, trails for different uses, and parks with their own amenities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Lebanon, first consider whether you’d like to explore historic sites on foot, use a section of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, or plan a visit to a park. Trail lengths, surfaces, and activities can help you distinguish between these options.

Canal History and Historic Sites

The Union Canal Tunnel in Lebanon is the oldest surviving water transportation tunnel in the United States. Union Canal Tunnel Park preserves the only remaining section of the original canal through Lebanon. This section is five-eighths of a mile long; the recreation area covers about 110 acres. The tunnel, preserved canal, and park landscape give the history of water transportation a tangible setting.

Downtown Lebanon includes historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can explore the streets on foot, experience the history of the city center, and visit a variety of specialty shops. This lets you combine a walk through downtown with a look at its historic architecture.

Coleman Memorial Park also offers a way to connect with Lebanon’s local history. G. D. Coleman gave the 99-acre park to the city in 1937. Some surviving structures recall the Coleman family’s industrial heritage. In addition to hiking, exploring this local history is one of the activities available there.

Trails and Their Distinctive Features

The Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is officially designated a National Recreational Trail. A four-mile section within the city of Lebanon is paved and open to pedestrians, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The main section begins in the city at the Eighth Street Trailhead and runs 2.2 miles along US 422, past the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds. Both figures help with orientation: the four miles refer to the paved section within the city, while the 2.2 miles refer to the described main section starting at the trailhead.

At Union Canal Tunnel Park, trails run along both sides of the canal. Their surfaces are grass or wood chips; the park also has two connections to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. The trail surfaces along the canal are therefore different from those on the paved section of the Rail Trail. If you’re planning a trip, check current information about permitted uses and trail conditions, as these may change.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Stoever’s Dam Park covers 163 acres. It offers a dam for fishing, wildlife habitats, camping opportunities, and hiking and biking trails. Its offerings therefore differ from the historic buildings at Coleman Memorial Park and the canal history at Union Canal Tunnel Park. If you’re weighing different park and history themes for your stay, these specific differences can guide your choice.

ArtWalk and Seasonal Produce

The Lebanon Arts Council holds an ArtWalk in the city of Lebanon on the first Friday of every month. You can view works by local artists for free at numerous locations within walking distance. If the ArtWalk fits your travel plans, check the event date in advance.

The farmers market at Chestnut Street Community Center offers fresh seasonal produce from Landisdale Farm and is open to everyone. With the monthly ArtWalk and the market’s seasonal offerings, Lebanon gives you different ways to include art and local produce in your plans.

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