Allentown, Pennsylvania is a city in Lehigh County in eastern Pennsylvania. Located along the beautiful Lehigh River, the city was originally laid out as a community called Northampton Towne in 1762. This new city was founded by William Allen, who was the former mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a shipping merchant. Many of the streets in the original town were named after Allen's children. The town was officially incorporated as the borough of Northampton Towne on March 18, 1811. However, the community's name was changed to Allentown on April 16, 1838, and Allentown was formally incorporated as a city on March 12, 1867.
These days, Allentown is the fastest-growing major city in Pennsylvania. As of 2022, the population is approximately 121,000, and the city is regularly ranked as one of the state's nicest places to live. While visiting the city, you might start by checking out a few of the many unique museums. For example, you could browse the amazing classic cars at America On Wheels or enjoy the many interactive exhibits at the Da Vinci Science Center. Other educational attractions worth seeing are the Allentown Art Museum, the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, the Liberty Bell Museum, and the Mack Trucks Historical Museum.
If you're in Allentown with the kids, consider taking the whole family for a thrilling day at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, an awesome combination amusement park and water park. Or, if you're in the mood for sports, you could attend a minor league baseball game at Allentown’s Coca-Cola Park or catch a Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey game. There are also some lovely parks and other outdoor spaces around the city. When the sun is shining, you could spend the afternoon fishing at Little Lehigh Park. You could also go biking or boating in the Wildlands Conservancy or enjoy a peaceful walk through the William F. Curtis Arboretum.
If you're a connoisseur of spirits, you'll be in heaven while visiting Allentown. While you're there, you could visit great spots like the Kilimanjaro Distillery, Gallows Hill Spirits, and the Colony Meadery. Alternatively, if you're in the mood for some tasty dessert, you could head over to Josh Early Candies.
Campgrounds Near Allentown, Pennsylvania
One of the nicest campgrounds in the area is the Allentown KOA, which is located only a short distance from downtown Allentown. The park has 92 full-hookup RV campsites available and offers a variety of amenities, including bike rentals, mini-golf, propane, firewood, a pool, a hot tub, and a camp store.
You could also stay at the family-owned Pine Hill RV Park, a large campground offering 125 full-hookup RV campsites for $48-$50 per night. The park provides all sorts of amenities, such as a playground, a large rec hall, free Wi-Fi, and a camp store with snacks and gifts. Plus, if you're in the mood for some delicious ice cream, you can simply stop by the on-site ice cream parlor.
Another quality camping option around Allentown is the Don Laine Campground, which has a whopping 180 RV campsites available with full hookups. You can rent a site for $35-$43 per night or $216-$260 per week. The large campground is family-owned and regularly hosts live music performances. During your stay, you'll have access to amenities like a snack bar, a recreation hall, a camp store, laundry facilities, and more.
State Parks Near Allentown, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the foothills of Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, Hickory Run State Park covers 15,990 acres and has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts. Perhaps the most notable feature of the park is Boulder Field, a unique area covered in impressive boulders. The park also features 40 miles of excellent hiking trails, streams that are perfect for trout fishing, and a variety of cool wildlife species. Visitors can go for a swim in Sand Spring Lake or make use of the 19-hole disc golf course. And during the winter, the park becomes a great destination for activities like ice skating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
You'll find the tranquil French Creek State Park within the Hopewell Big Woods in southeastern Pennsylvania. The 7,526-acre park is home to two lakes, which provide some great opportunities for boating and swimming. During your visit, you could also explore the many hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. You should take time to check out the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which contains a restored 1830s blast furnace. Make sure to keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, and other wildlife while exploring the park.
Spruce Run Recreation Area encompasses 1,290 acres and features 15 miles of lovely shoreline, beautiful rolling hills, and the gorgeous Spruce Run reservoir. Visitors can soak in the breathtaking moonlight views of Spruce Run, observe the area's wildlife, and partake in water-based recreation like swimming, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing. When you cast your fishing line, you'll have a good chance to reel in a few bass, trout, or northern pike. The park also boasts a serene beach that has lifeguards on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
National Sites Near Allentown, Pennsylvania
The aforementioned Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is located within French Creek State Park and is home to an amazing restored 1830s furnace. While visiting the unique park, you can learn about furnace communities during the Industrial Revolution and all the hardworking people who inhabited them. You can take a tour of the site, explore the museum, and even feed the area's farm animals. If you're there at the right time, you may get the chance to attend one of the site's special events or demonstrations.
At Valley Forge National Historical Park, you can check out the fascinating preserved history of the Continental Army in the late 18th century. The site offers the chance to learn about the amazing history of Valley Forge. You'll have the option of walking around the park or taking a trolley tour, and there's a visitor center to check out as well. Around the wonderful historical park, you'll find restored or recreated bridges, buildings, and log huts, including the headquarters of George Washington.
The Deshler-Morris House is a historic home built by David Deshler back in 1752 in Philadelphia. It was originally a four-bedroom house, but in 1772, Deshler added several stories and rooms to the home. The house has an incredible history, including two periods in which George Washington himself stayed there to avoid a smallpox epidemic and, later, a heat wave. The fascinating house is a historic landmark and a museum, and it's available to the public for guided tours.
National Forests Near Allentown, Pennsylvania
Finger Lakes National Forest is a scenic nature area boasting magnificent waterfalls, impressive gorges, and colorful fields of wildflowers. Although it's one of the smallest national forests in the United States, Finger Lakes National Forest offers many great recreational opportunities. A few of the most popular activities for visitors are hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, and skiing. If you're in the right place at the right time, you might catch a glimpse of the breathtaking Northern Lights. A couple of the hiking routes that are worth checking out are the Excelsior Glen Falls Trail and the Interloken Trail.
Green Mountain National Forest is another fantastic nature area with plenty of natural beauty and many opportunities for outdoor fun. For one, the forest is home to more than 2,000 archaeological and historic sites that are worth taking the time to explore. There are also numerous hiking trails, including excellent ones like the Stratton Mountain Loop via Long Trail. Other activities available in the area include cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, biking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests cover a whopping 1.8 million acres of land across parts of Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The vast, beautiful natural area boasts over 40 species of trees, 2,000 species of plants, and 200 species of birds. Additionally, there are some superb opportunities for trout fishing at places like the Bark Camp Recreation Area and the Cascades Day Use Area. If you want to explore the park's many scenic trails, routes like the Rushing Waters Circuit Trail and the Hurricane Knob Nature Trail are a couple of the best ones to visit.
