Welcome Guide

Downtown Easton

Welcome to Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

IMAGINE A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BREATHE IN FRESH AIR FROM THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AND BE BACK IN A THRIVING DOWNTOWN IN LESS TIME THAN IT TOOK YOU TO HIKE TO THE TOP.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 3

NEW YORK C I T Y 1.5 Hour Drive

PH I LA D E LPH I A 1 Hour Drive NEW JERSEY BEACHES 2 Hour Drive

B A LTI MOR E 2.5 Hour Drive

WASHINGTON D.C. 3 Hour Drive

D E L AWAR E BEACHES 3 Hour Drive

Consider the possibilities of added free time in your schedule when your doorto-door commute is cut in half and your spending power is multiplied thanks to an affordable cost of living.

Picture the opportunities for learning— ranging from numerous public, charter, and private K-12 offerings to nationallyranked colleges and universities—that will enable you and your family to thrive.

To top it off, you’ll be surrounded by world-class healthcare providers offering everything from general practice to specialized surgery, rehabilitation, and athletic performance training.

All that (and more) is Made Possible in Lehigh Valley. The region has been recognized as one of the fastestgrowing economies in the nation, and is just a short drive away from major mid-Atlantic cities including New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.

4 | #LehighValleyPA

3.6 MILLION

PEOPLE WITHIN AN HOUR’S DRIVE

Chmura Economics JobsEQ Lehigh Valley is conveniently located within a day’s drive of nearly one-third of the total U.S. population. We’re 90 miles from New York City, 60 miles from Philadelphia, and accessible by air to popular leisure and business destinations via the Lehigh Valley International Airport.

In Lehigh Valley, you’ll quickly find that the pace of life allows for less time commuting back and forth from the office and more time establishing a homebase within the community, plus some extra time (and money) to taste your way through the local food scene, immerse yourself in arts and culture, and explore the great outdoors with an impressive lineup of parks, trails, and waterways.

In the pages ahead, we offer a look at the region through the eyes of locals who call Lehigh Valley home. Explore

Downtown Allentown

opportunities for living, working, and learning in this land of makers and dreamers, fueled by heritage and tradition that build strong, thriving communities.

GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is a convenient, family-friendly airport offering daily nonstop flights to popular leisure and business destinations like Atlanta, Chicago, and several airports across Florida, served by Allegiant, American, Delta, and United Airlines.

photo by city center GROUP

Your neighborhood airport provides the perfect travel environment for you and your family, with a children’s play area, sensory room, and therapy dog program.

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)

Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) provides accessible daily bus and paratransit service throughout Lehigh Valley.

Bus service to the nearby metro areas is available via Trans-Bridge Lines, Inc. to various locations in New York City and Newark-Liberty International Airport. In addition to regional public transit, Uber & Lyft services are prevalent in Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 5

photo by paul s. bartholomew

1744-1772 Single Sisters’ House, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

pla n yo u r v isit

6 | #LehighValleyPA

EXPERIENCE LEHIGH VALLEY

Four seasons of adventure.

Discover a place with the vibrancy of your favorite Crayola® colors, the soundtrack of your favorite Martin® guitar riff, and the romance of historic covered bridges. Steeped in pre-Colonial, early American, and industrial history, Lehigh Valley is bursting with nationally-recognized events, exciting nightlife, adventurous outdoor activities, and modern and contemporary arts—not what you’d expect from a place that is also home to rolling hills and calming countrysides.

Explore all that Lehigh Valley has to offer. If there was ever a place to lift your spirits in the most unexpected ways, this is it.

Visitors to Lehigh Valley can take advantage of a wide variety of accommodations from nationally-recognized brands in easily accessible locations, full-service resorts, or quaint bed & breakfasts offering a relaxing escape.

>>>

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 7

Three Oak Steakhouse, Easton

SEE HOW LEHIGH VALLEY DOES FESTIVALS.

Crayola Experience™

From the magic of the holiday season to food-centric celebrations, Lehigh Valley has a festival to fit all tastes. Mark your calendars for annual favorites including Blues Brews & Barbecue, Musikfest™, Lehigh Valley Pride, the Wheels of Time Hot Rod Jamboree, Great Allentown Fair, PA Bacon Fest, Christkindlmarkt, and more. On top of these large-scale festivals, you’ll find upwards of 50 events happening each weekend throughout the region, ensuring that there’s always fun to be had!

CHEER FOR THE HOME TEAM. Lehigh Valley marks the path for athletes looking to hit the major leagues. Catch the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, in action at CocaCola Park (and be sure to enjoy some bacon-centric treats). During the winter months, head indoors to the PPL Center for a Lehigh Valley Phantoms game, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Watch Olympic hopefuls speed 8 | #LehighValleyPA

around the banked track at the Valley Experience™. Uncover the science of Preferred Cycling Center, one of the top how things work at the Da Vinci Science destinations in the world for track cycling. Center and see animals from all over the world at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

WOW YOUR FAMILY.

Kids of all ages will find things to see and do in Lehigh Valley, and parents won’t have to worry about breaking the bank!

Race down rollercoasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. Create your next piece of artwork at the Crayola

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN CULTURE & HISTORY. Lehigh Valley’s historic Moravian Bethlehem, a National Historic Landmark District and a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves a historically rich, and

Americus Hotel, Allentown

culturally significant way of life for over 300 years. For a dose of culture, tour facilities including the Allentown Art Museum (which is FREE!), the National Museum of Industrial History (a Smithsonian affiliate), and the C.F. Martin Guitar Museum.

Musikfest™

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA

by USA Today/10Best readers’ poll

STAY THE NIGHT. The area boasts award-winning accommodations including the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, named the top historic hotel in the nation. Plan a weekend of fun at Bear Creek Mountain Resort or Wind Creek Bethlehem where you can enjoy fun, food, and comfortable accommodations under one roof. You’ll find everything from quaint, countryside bed & breakfasts to top-of-the-line downtown hotels, like the Renaissance® Allentown Hotel and unique boutique inns, like Sayre Mansion and Glasbern—all sure to provide a good night’s rest.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 9

Malcolm Gross Rose Garden

BREATHE IN FRESH AIR. Whether you’re looking to explore on foot, by bike, or via the water, Lehigh Valley offers an unparalleled outdoor recreation scene. Don’t miss the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor which spans 165 miles of rail trails, 48 of them passing through Lehigh Valley. Find more trails via THE LINK, an interconnected, multi-use trail network, online at thelinktrails.com.

TASTE THE LOCAL FLAVORS. From fresh produce at area farmers markets to James Beard-nominated restaurants, the food scene in Lehigh Valley is flourishing.

Look beyond traditional sit-down restaurants for dining opportunities at food halls in downtown Allentown and Easton, both featuring vendors cooking up everything from ramen to tacos, barbecue, Korean cuisine, and more. Or, scope out food trucks that can often be found popping up at breweries and special events. Perhaps you’re looking to put your own cooking skills to the test. With multiple farmers markets

10 | #LehighValleyPA

National Canal Museum, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

throughout Lehigh Valley, including a number of year-round offerings, you’ll always have fresh, local produce within reach. These local flavors extend beyond foodie-favorite restaurants with a booming craft beverage scene of nearly 50 makers of wine, beer,

and distilled spirits. Lehigh Valley is recognized as an American Viticultural Area and features internationallyacclaimed winemakers who are revitalizing Old World styles in the hillsides of the region.

County Seat Spirits

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 11

LV PRIDE

Vibrant & caring communities From the downtowns of its three cities to the main streets of smaller communities, Lehigh Valley has the right neighborhood for you to call home. You will find world-class health care, outstanding educational opportunities, affordable housing options in urban, suburban, and rural settings, and more than enough things to do and places to eat. Lehigh Valley is the very definition of neighborhood living. Get to know the various regions of Lehigh Valley:

ALLENTOWN

BETHLEHEM

EASTON

The city has seen a resurgence with massive development in the walkable downtown area, bringing new employees into new Class-A office space, welcoming residents to newly-constructed apartments, and ushering in new businesses to fill the needs of new clientele. The city stays true to its roots with the Allentown Fair & Fairgrounds Farmers Market, the expansive grounds of Lehigh Parkway, Da Vinci Science Center, Archer Music Hall, and more.

Segmented by the Lehigh River, the city of Bethlehem blends pre-Colonial history with modern arts, dining, and more. Explore the North Side, which is home to Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, the luxurious Historic Hotel Bethlehem, and picturesque Main Street, voted the Best Main Street in the U.S. Cross the river to the South Side Arts District to dive into the arts and cultural scene with ArtsQuest™ and the SteelStacks™ campus at its core.

Discover a city that is continually redefining itself as a hub for creatives, food-lovers, and more. Easton’s sense of community is palpable at its events including Easton Out Loud, where downtown restaurants and merchants open their doors and host Fourth Friday celebrations. Stroll along the Bushkill Creek to the newly established Simon Silk Mill property where you’ll find a variety of new businesses popping up in renovated industrial spaces.

12 | #LehighValleyPA

Townley House Hotel

N o rth ern L e h igh Valley:

SLATE BELT REGION & NAZARETH A region of small towns and big experiences, in the Slate Belt you can sip locally made wines, enjoy canoeing or tubing on the Delaware River, explore the outdoors for a peaceful walk or brisk hike, or tour the home of world-famous Martin Guitar.

N o rth weste rn Le high Valley:

SCHNECKSVILLE & SLATINGTON A short distance from the region’s cities is a countryside of rolling hills with farms, parks and trails. Find picturesque covered bridges, America’s oldest drivein movie theatre, and access to hike the famed Appalachian Trail.

Western Lehigh Valley:

MACUNGIE, EMMAUS, & TREXLERTOWN Known to be a prime location for raising a family, the communities of Emmaus, Macungie, and Trexlertown keep their roots and true hometown feel with main streets full of small businesses.

Southern Lehigh Valley:

CENTER VALLEY & HELLERTOWN Explore the convergence of history and convenient lifestyle centers featuring shopping, dining, nightlife, and more.

These communities bridge the gap between open spaces and urban vibrancy.

CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY Community engagement and interaction are as strong as ever.

Residents give back through organizations ranging from Main Street development initiatives, local ambassador programs, and volunteer opportunities through diverse places of worship, arts communities, and nonprofits.

Find connections with like-minded groups through networking and affinity programming sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce with various business and diversity councils including Young Professionals, Hispanic, Women’s, African American Business Leaders, LGBTQ, Veterans & Military, and more.

Organizations like the BradburySullivan LGBT Center take initiatives a step further offering communitydriven programming at their brick and mortar location ranging from art gallery openings, performances, movie nights, and more. The organization also hosts the annual Pride festival each summer.

When you’re ready to dive in and get involved, consider connecting with some of these groups to establish a network through the region. Additionally,

LEHIGH VALLEY ZIP CODES RANKED AMONG AMERICA’S HOTTEST FIVE YEARS IN A ROW Realtor.com

Lehigh Valley Demographics by age group

65 and up 19.6%

Under 18 20.3%

18–34 22.3%

50 to 64 18.8% 35 to 49 19%

U.S. Census Bureau

the Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley can help connect you with organizations that fit your interests.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 13

Outstanding schools for all levels of learning LEHIGH VALLEY SCHOOLS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS. Lehigh Valley has been a center for education since the mid-1700s. The region boasts outstanding pre-K, primary, secondary, technical, and postsecondary schools that prepare their students for future success.

Moravian University

Lehigh Valley has 17 public school districts under Pennsylvania’s community-based public education system, as well as private, parochial, and charter schools that offer parents multiple educational choices for their children.

The region’s three career and technical schools are aligned with Lehigh Valley school districts and provide quality, skills-based education that prepares students for a wide range of in-demand jobs in manufacturing, industrial trades, and technical fields.

14% of community college degrees in Pennsylvania are from Lehigh Valley.

National Center for Education Statistics

Lehigh Valley is home to 11 colleges and universities that award more than 10,000 degrees in a wide range of subjects from science and engineering, to business, to education and the liberal arts each year.

Two community colleges in Lehigh Valley award 14% of the associate degrees granted in Pennsylvania. They also provide a variety of certificate and specialized programs, and dual enrollment opportunities for qualifying high school students.

Higher education options in addition to our community colleges include six private colleges and universities and

14 | #LehighValleyPA

11

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

in lehigh valley Cedar Crest College DeSales University East Stroudsburg University Kutztown University Lafayette College Lehigh Carbon Community College Lehigh University Moravian university Muhlenberg College Northampton Community College Penn State Lehigh Valley

three public, state-affiliated universities.

We’re also home to the nation’s oldest, continuously operated nursing school and a medical school option offered by St. Luke’s University Health Network and the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

Lehigh University is an R1 research school, and the Lehigh Valley is within easy driving distance of other top-rated U.S. research universities.

the FREDDY® Awards

Freddie Awards, State Theatre Center For The Arts

EXTRACURRICULARS The arts thrive in Lehigh Valley. Performing arts at our colleges and universities include the renowned Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival hosted each summer by DeSales University.

High school performers have the opportunity to shine in Lehigh Valley’s unique FREDDY® Awards program, which recognizes outstanding achievement in musical theater. The program was created by Lehigh Valley’s State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton. Each year

it involves nearly 3,000 students in theater performance and production.

Younger performers have a range of opportunities to develop their talents with organizations such as the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, Civic Theatre School, and the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley.

Classes, workshops, and programs in art and design for adults and children – painting, glassblowing, ceramics, metal and woodworking, and more –

are offered by creative outlets including The Baum School of Art, ArtsQuest, JuxtaHub, and the Fabrication Lab at Northampton Community College.

For the sports fans, Lehigh Valley colleges and universities participate in various levels of NCAA competition.

College sports traditions run deep in Lehigh Valley: the annual football game between Lehigh University and Lafayette College is the longest uninterrupted rivalry game in the country, and has been played each year since 1884.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 15

16 | #LehighValleyPA

There’s a reason why Lehigh Valley is different A PET-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY THAT’S A MAJOR CENTER FOR PET FOOD MANUFACTURING

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 17

Make no bones about it – Lehigh Valley is a pet paradise.

TOP 10 FOR BUSINESS GROWTH The Lehigh Valley ranked No. 3 in the nation for business

From the region’s many hiking trails and community dog parks, to pet days at the IronPigs minor league baseball games, Lehigh Valley is a place where our furry friends can have a ball.

growth among mid-sized markets (with a population 200K-1M)

They can even eat local.

mallow Peeps, and Martin Guitar. Manufacturing is the largest segment of the region’s economy. While manufacturing has been in decline in many parts of the United States, it continues to grow and thrive in Lehigh Valley.

A third of Pennsylvania’s jobs in dog and cat food production are in Lehigh Valley.

We’re home to Nestle Purina, Spot & Tango, and Freshpet.

Freshpet CEO Billy Cyr grew up here. He said Lehigh Valley’s secret is sourcing local for pet food ingredients.

“There’s a ton of chicken between here, the Delmarva Peninsula and eastern Pennsylvania,” he said. “The chicken we buy has to be fresh. So, we need to be very close to the place where the chicken is harvested.”

Pet food is one of many products made here in Lehigh Valley, which has a rich tradition of innovation and remains a manufacturing hub for iconic brands such as Crayola, Mack Trucks, Marsh-

Site Selection Magazine, March 2025

Freshpet, for example, moved its manufacturing facility to Lehigh Valley in 2013 and has since expanded twice. Its operations here include manufacturing, distribution, and a testing center for innovative new products to keep pets happy and healthy. Freshpet employs 600 in Lehigh Valley.

Cyr said there’s room for growth as more pet owners prioritize their pets’ health and the quality of the food they feed them.

That makes pet food manufacturing in Lehigh Valley a recipe for success.

RESOURCES FOR ENTREPRENEURS start your business here Lehigh Valley, Pa., is home to makers and dreamers. We have resources that help turn great ideas into growing businesses.

Entrepreneurs, launch your dreams here.

Small Business Support Small Business Development Center at Lehigh University Business Incubators Ben Franklin Tech Ventures Bridgeworks Enterprise Center Pi: Partnership for Innovation University Entrepreneurship Programs Lehigh University Baker Institute Lafayette College Dyer Center Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Prototype Lab Northampton Community College Fab Lab

18 | #LehighValleyPA

Lehigh Valley’s Major Employers ADP • AIR PRODUCTS • AMAZON • B BRAUN MEDICAL • CRAYOLA • GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE LEHIGH UNIVERSITY • LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK PART OF JEFFERSON HEALTH • LUTRON ELECTRONICS • MACK TRUCKS • OLYMPUS CORPORATION OF THE AMERICAS • PPL CORPORATION ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK • VICTAULIC • WIND CREEK HOSPITALITY Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 19

Sam Masotto, Owner of Bonn Place Brewing Co.

20 | #LehighValleyPA

From Broadway to Bethlehem COUPLE FINDS A COMMUNITY THEY LOVE, THAT LOVES THEM BACK

When traveling actors Gina and Sam Masotto first arrived in Bethlehem, they had spent years crisscrossing the country as ‘Tony’ and ‘Tina’ in the popular theater comedy production ‘Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding’. Searching for a community to put down roots, they fell in love with the city’s historical charm and culture.

After spending time in New York City and New Jersey, the couple decided to take a break from the stage and pursue a different passion: brewing beer. When he wasn’t acting, Sam bartended at the famous Pony Bar and landed brewing gigs at places like Newburgh Brewing.

In Bethlehem he and his wife saw an opportunity to bring something unique to the city’s SouthSide and opened their own brewery, Bonn Place Brewing Company, in 2016.

Quickly becoming a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, the brewery’s wares have won several awards

including two prestigious Great American Beer Festival medals. Not just a source of delicious ales and lagers, the space serves as a community gathering place where neighbors can come together to enjoy good drinks, pick up an order from a local farm CSA, and take in live reggae. With local artists adorning the walls and Pennsylvania-grown malt in the brews, Bonn Place is truly a place that keeps it local.

After moving to Bethlehem, the couple started a family and are ecstatic to raise their son in a city they love and loves them back. The brewery has grown from a fledgling startup to a staple of Bethlehem’s SouthSide Arts District. The Masottos’ success is a testament to the powerful combination of passion and place that can not only bring love, but success and a true sense of belonging.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 21

RESOURCES Discover Lehigh Valley® Find inspiring trip ideas, attractions, festivals, and places to stay.

DiscoverLehighValley.com Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation Find resources for entrepreneurs, employment opportunities, cost of living calculator, and more.

LehighValley.org Cost of Living Calculator See just how affordable we are.

LehighValley.org/Cost Job Searches Seek new opportunities.

CareerLinkLehighValley.org Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Member Directory Find the businesses you need.

LehighValleyChamber.org Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors Search for a home GLVR.org

photo by jeremiah reardon

LINC Supporting successful transitions to the Lehigh Valley linc-lv.org

22 | #LehighValleyPA

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | 23

@erinmurphydesigns

@nilohodgephoto

@theroccosays

@okletseat_

@ssigafoos

@citycenterallentown

@mattatroyer

a p u b l icat ion p r od u ce d by