Discover Allentown: Parks, Museums and Culture

Allentown combines parks with museums, theater, science programs, motorsports and a farmers market. If you’re looking for a hotel in Allentown, these varied attractions can serve as a starting point for planning your trip. First consider whether you’d like to combine your stay with time outdoors, a museum visit, a performance or other leisure interests.

Parks: from the city’s oldest park to Lehigh Parkway

West Park is Allentown’s oldest park. Its features include green spaces and walking paths, as well as a historic fountain and a bandstand. It offers both paths through the park and individual historic features designed for concert events. The bandstand is part of the park’s description; this does not imply a specific event date.

Lehigh Parkway offers a different focus: the public park along Little Lehigh Creek covers 629 acres. The activities described there include scenic trails, bridle trails and fishing spots. Compared with the features clustered at West Park, Lehigh Parkway’s size and variety of trails and activities make it another park option. Your specific interests—walking, horseback riding or fishing—can help guide your outing plans.

Museums and visiting hours

America On Wheels is open year-round. The museum welcomes visitors Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Plan your visit around these days and time slots, and check the opening hours again before setting out.

The offerings also include a guided tour of the Restoration Center. There is an exhibit space for classic vehicles, and visitors can also watch restorers repair and restore classic vehicles. Tour times and admission conditions may change, so check these details before your visit.

The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Its visiting hours therefore differ from those at America On Wheels, especially on Sunday: if you plan to visit both museums, take their respective opening days into account separately. It’s also a good idea to check the Heritage Museum’s hours again before your trip.

Theater, science and motorsports

Civic Theatre of Allentown has produced live theater continuously since its founding in 1927. Its historic 19th Street Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater’s history and historic designation give a visit a different focus from the museums’ exhibits.

The Da Vinci Science Center is located in downtown Allentown and offers award-winning STEAM programs and events. Lehigh Valley Grand Prix provides another activity with a distinctly different character: the indoor track is 1/4 mile long and features gas-powered karts that reach speeds of up to 45 mph. Allentown’s options thus range from live theater and STEAM offerings to a kart track. Operating details may change, so check current visitor information in advance.

Food and local offerings

The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market has more than 65 vendors. Their offerings include meat, poultry, produce, deli items, baked goods and seafood, as well as local wines and spirits. Amish vendors bake pies and other pastries on site. The market adds a dedicated focus on food and drink to the parks and cultural offerings. Vendors and selections may change, so the range may differ on a later visit.

Discover more destinations: Coopersburg, Laurys Station, Upper Saucon Township, Breinigsville, Whitehall.

For the broader travel overview: Lehigh.