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The founder of Allentown, Chief Justice of Colonial Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, William Allen, originally named it Northamptontown. He drew up plans for the rural village in 1762. From the beginning, nearly everyone called it "Allen's town". Allen had hoped that Northamptontown would turn into a commercial center because of its location along the Lehigh River, but the low water level most of the year, made river trade impractical. By the time of the American Revolution, Allentown was still just a small village of Pennsylvania.
By 1838, the city officially adopted the name Allentown. From the 1830s and 1840s, Allentown opened up in a way that would have been beyond William Allen's wildest dreams. The America's industrial revolution, which was born in the Lehigh Valley, was entering its take-off stage, and the arrival of the Lehigh Canal and later the railroad brought prosperity to Allentown, but the collapse of the railroad boom in the Panic of 1873, brought a sudden end to this boom period. By the dawn of the 20th century, the community had fully recovered from the economic disasters of the 19th century. Since World War II and particularly since the 1960s, Allentown has undergone yet another transition.
Faced with the decline of manufacturing and the rise of the service economy, the city is once again dealing with change. City officials are currently trying to attract business to the downtown district, primarily as a way to find new uses for existing structures. The City's infrastructure offers state-the-art technology, including a fiber optic loop and uninterrupted electrical service, which plays a role in attracting businesses to the downtown district. |
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The Albertus Meyers Bridge - Corner of 8th and Union Streets, Allentown, PA. This large concrete span with its massive arches was built between 1912 and 1913 by the Lehigh Valley Transit Company to connect Allentown with the newly developing south Allentown neighborhoods and cross the frequently flooded Little Lehigh Creek. Commonly called the 8th Street Bridge, at the it was built, it was said to be the largest concrete bridge in the world. Its current name honors the one-time Allentown band director, Albertus "Bert" Meyers, who played in the band at the bridge's opening.
Allentown Art Museum - North 5th Street, Allentown, PA Tel (610) 432 4333. The Allentown Art Museum consists of two wings. The older wing is a neo-Roman temple with Corinthian columns, built as the First Presbyterian Church in 1902. The modern north wing was constructed from 1974 to 1975 and was designed by Edgar Tafel, Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous student. The museum houses many paintings of local interest along with national and international works. It also hold periodic exhibits. A library room from a Frank Lloyd Wright house is part of the permanent display. The Museum is open to the public six days a week year round. General admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for senior citizens, $2.00 for students, and free for Museum members and children under 12.
Trout Hall - 414 Walnut Street, Allentown, PA. Trout Hall was built as a summer home by James Allen, son of the community's founder, William Allen, in early 1770s. The property, given to him by his father, provided refuge to Allen and his family during the dark days of the Revolution. In the later part of the 19th century, the home was completely encased in the walls of Muhlenberg College. Trout Hall was restored in 1905 as the first home of the Lehigh County Historical Society. Today it is a house museum maintained by the society. Open April through November: Tuesday through Saturday noon to 3 pm Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm.
Old Court House County Museum - Corner of 5th and Hamilton Streets, Allentown, PA. The exhibits of local history, on the museum's 1st floor, provide a background history of Lehigh County from prehistoric times up to the present. The Scott Trexler II Library is a vast source of historical and genealogical information. In the rear is the Geology Garden, which explains the mineral history of the Lehigh Valley. Open on Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm. |
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Teddy's Market Street Cafe - 3400 Airport Road, Allentown, PA Tel (610) 266 1000. Visit Teddy's for an unbeatable breakfast buffet, lavish lunch buffets, Saturday night Prime Rib buffet and Sunday champagne brunch! Complimentary appetizer or dessert with purchase of another of equal or greater value. Valid Monday through Sunday for lunch or dinner. Open Monday to Sunday from 6.30 am to 10 pm.
Red Robin Restaurant - Tilghman Square, 4688-A Broadway St., Allentown, PA Tel (610) 366 1776. In addition to their popular menu offerings, Red Robin is well-known for its frequent "Food and Beverage Celebrations," where you'll find innovative and trendy new food items, and "out-of-this-world" beverages created by their very own "Mad Mixologist." These Celebrations, recognized as some of the most hip and cool in the industry, ensure an exciting restaurant visit that keeps guests coming back time and time again. Open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to midnight and Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm.
King George Inn - 3141 Hamilton Blvd at Cedar Crest Allentown, PA Tel (610) 435 1723. The King George Inn was built during the French and Indian War and general Indian uprising along the eastern frontier. Area directly to the rear was a drill staging field for regular and irregular citizen-soldiers of our American Revolution. This restaurant with a relaxed classic ambiance serves contemporary American cuisine. Open for lunch from Monday to Thursday 11.30 am to 4 pm, Friday to Saturday from 11.30 am to 4 pm. Dinner is served Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 11 pm. and Sunday from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Jack Creek Steakhouse & Cantina - 1900 Catasauqua Road, Allentown, PA Tel (610) 264 8888. For a casual dining experience featuring fresh cut steaks including choice and certified angus beef as well as seafood and sizzling fajitas. You will receive a complimentary entrée with entrée purchase of equal or greater value -OR- 20% off food only. Valid Sunday through Thursday for lunch or dinner. Open Monday to Thursday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Friday to Saturday from 11.30 am to 10.30 pm and Sunday noon to 9 pm.
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O'Hara's Restaurant & Pub - 3712 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA Tel (610) 437 9100. O'Hara's has a casual atmosphere and is a great place to relax and unwind. They have 15% discount off food only, valid Monday through Sunday for dinner. Open Sunday to Thursday 4 pm to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 2 am.
TK’s Uptown Lounge - 15th St and Sumner Ave, Allentown PA Tel (610) 437 3970. This lively club offers entertainment galore! On Friday night you can join in the line dancing accompanied by a live band, Saturday and Sundays they offer live music and karaoke evenings. Open from 6 pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and from 6 pm to 2 am on Friday and Saturday. |
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Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve - 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA Tel (610) 799 4171. Since 1906, the Game Preserve has entertained and educated more than five million people inside and outside Pennsylvania. It was founded by General Harry C. Trexler, a local industrialist and the Game Preserve played a significant role in saving the North American Bison from extinction.
Open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 10 am to 4 pm; May, September, and October, weekends, from 10 am to 4 pm; January to May and September to December, weekdays, from 10 am to 2 pm (Weather Permitting). General Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children (2 - 12), $5 for seniors (65+) and children under 2yrs go in for free.
Cedar Creek Parkway - West on Linden Street from 19th Street. This park covers 127 acres. It is the perfect place for picnicking or active and passive recreation. Cedar Creek and Lake Muhlenberg are stocked for fishing and Muhlenberg is a refuge for water fowl. The old fashioned Rose Garden is filled with many outdoor sculptures. Outdoor ice skating is available in winter only, weather permitting.
Trout Creek Parkway - Southeastern area of Allentown along Mack Boulevard for more than two miles. This 100 acres park has a Olympic Pool, located at Dixon and Delaware Streets and have the following facilities: main pool with diving area (50m Pool), instruction pool, wading pool, bathhouse, scattered non-reserved picnic areas with tables and grills, playground areas and restrooms, basketball courts (eastern end) and basketball court (western end) not lighted, softball diamonds, pedestrian and bicycle pat, volleyball court and multi-purpose court and trout fishing. Everything one can ask for to enjoy a relaxing day with family and friends. |
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Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom - 3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, Pennsylvania Tel (610) 395 3724. Solomon Dorney probably never imagined that one of the longest, tallest and fastest roller coasters in the Northeast would be sweeping over his shady picnic groves and trout ponds. This resort has become one of the greatest family amusement parks in the country. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom cover 200 acres and offer more than 100 rides, games, restaurants and attractions for the whole family. Try to fit in one of the live shows when you take a break from the collection of scream machines. These wonderful productions provide hours of entertainment for guests of all ages. The resort offers more than 40 food locations, including three air-conditioned dine-in restaurants. Here you will find everything from healthy wraps and hearty burgers to traditional snacks and tasty desserts.
Dutch Wonderland - 2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA Tel 1-866-386-2839. This amusement park has tons of fun things to offer for both adults and children. The rides alone, like the Astroliner, the Pipeline Plunge and the Ripcord, to name but a few, will keep you entertained for at least two day. The rides for the little ones include the Choo Choo Charlie, the Ferry Windmill and the Wonder Whip. Live shows are performed in the Amphitheater and the Aqua Stadium. You can join Bubba Bear and the Badland Band for a hand clapping and feet stomping session or listen to the Princess of Dutch Wonderland tell some of her favorite stories during storytelling time. There are ample food service locations offering a wide selection of amusement park favorites, local dishes and some dishes kids of all ages love. Don't forget to visit the Castle Gift Shop for gifts, souvenirs, shirts and hats before you leave.
Jungle Fun - 3245 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA Tel (610) 770 0331. Jungle Fun is a brand new privately owned children's entertainment/recreation/party centre in the Lehigh Valley. It is designed to provide children with a fun and safe environment while doing all the things they love to do like jumping, sliding, climbing, and best of all just being kids. The main attraction of is the 3-level, completely safe, completely unique soft play system. This soft structure play unit has web crawls, rope bridges, obstacle courses, cushioned stairs and slides. Your child could spend hours winding his way through its maze design. For the hungry crowd there is a kitchen with a large variety of pizza, hot dogs, gourmet soft pretzels, chicken fingers, PB&J "Uncrustables", juices, and more!. Open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 8 pm. Monday to Friday the general admission is $6 and children age 1 and 2 pay $4. |
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