Weekend Getaway Lehigh Valley: Your Perfect PA Escape Guide
Looking for a weekend getaway in Pennsylvania that combines history, culture, exceptional dining, and outdoor beauty without the crowds and expense of major cities? The Lehigh Valley delivers all of it — just 90 minutes from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City, yet it feels a world away.
We've put together your complete guide to a perfect Lehigh Valley weekend, from where to eat and what to see to the hidden gems that make this region special. Whether you're planning a romantic escape, family adventure, or just need to recharge away from city life, the Lehigh Valley has exactly what you're looking for.
Why Choose Lehigh Valley for a Weekend Getaway?
Quick Answer: The Lehigh Valley offers the perfect combination of nationally acclaimed dining, rich Revolutionary War and industrial history, award-winning wineries, world-class museums, beautiful parks and trails, and charming historic downtowns — all within a compact, easily navigable region. You get big-city cultural amenities and culinary excellence with small-town charm, better prices, and zero traffic stress.
TL;DR: Weekend Getaway Highlights
- Dining: Farm-to-table fine dining at Bolete, award-winning restaurants like Apollo Grill, diverse cuisines from Italian to Thai
- Historic Districts: Cobblestone streets of downtown Bethlehem, Colonial Easton, industrial heritage at SteelStacks
- Wine Country: Multiple wineries with tastings, vineyard tours, and scenic views
- Outdoor Activities: Championship golf at Bethlehem Golf Club, hiking trails, parks and recreation
- Cultural Attractions: Crayola Experience, Allentown Art Museum, National Museum of Industrial History, Liberty Bell Museum
- Festivals: Musikfest (August), Christkindlmarkt (December), year-round events
Weekend Planning Tip: The Lehigh Valley's three main cities — Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton — are all within 15 minutes of each other. You can easily explore all three in one weekend without feeling rushed. Stay in downtown Bethlehem for walkability and central location.
Where Should You Eat During Your Lehigh Valley Weekend?
The Lehigh Valley restaurant scene punches well above its weight class. You'll find James Beard-recognized chefs, farm-to-table pioneers, and authentic international cuisines that rival anything in Philadelphia — but with friendlier prices, easier parking, and reservations you can actually get.
Fine Dining Worth the Splurge
Bolete Restaurant in Bethlehem is the crown jewel. Chef Lee Chizmar's farm-to-table tasting menus in a 200-year-old stagecoach inn have earned national acclaim. This is where you go for a special celebration dinner that you'll remember for years. The seasonal menu changes based on what's fresh from local farms, and the wine pairings are impeccable. Reservations are essential — book ahead.
Apollo Grill consistently ranks as Bethlehem's #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor. The New American menu, creative cocktails, and sophisticated-but-lively atmosphere make this perfect for Saturday night dinner. The bar stays open late if you want to extend the evening with craft cocktails.
Top Cut Steak House serves USDA Prime Black Angus beef exclusively with floor-to-ceiling windows offering rooftop views. Wine Spectator recognized their wine program, and the steaks are consistently perfect. If you're craving a proper steakhouse experience, this is it.
Upscale Casual & Neighborhood Favorites
Union & Finch in Allentown is the neighborhood bistro done right. Creative comfort food, excellent cocktails, and a warm atmosphere that feels like your favorite local spot (because for many Allentown residents, it is). The weekend brunch is legendary — chicken and waffles are a must-order.
Pennsylvania Rye takes farm-to-table seriously, sourcing most ingredients within 100 miles. The seasonal menu keeps things fresh, and the whiskey flight showcasing Pennsylvania distilleries makes for an excellent post-dinner experience. Cozy, creative, and distinctly Lehigh Valley.
Sette Luna in Easton is the restaurant that put the city's dining scene on the map. Chef Anthony Iannone's wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta in an intimate 42-seat BYOB setting creates magic. Monday half-price wine nights are legendary among locals. Reservations absolutely essential.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Start your weekend mornings right. Joe's Diner in Bethlehem serves classic American breakfast with pancakes the size of frisbees, crispy bacon, and bottomless coffee at old-school prices. It's cash only and always packed — which tells you everything you need to know.
Union & Finch does weekend brunch right with creative dishes and excellent cocktails if you're feeling fancy. Perfect for a leisurely Saturday or Sunday morning when you're not in a hurry.
Explore our complete guides: Best Restaurants in Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem Restaurants, Allentown Restaurants, or Easton Restaurants.
What Are the Must-See Attractions?
The Lehigh Valley's attractions tell the story of American history — from the Revolutionary War to the industrial age to modern arts and innovation. You'll find world-class museums, family-friendly experiences, and cultural venues that rival major metropolitan areas.
Historic & Cultural Sites
Downtown Bethlehem is an attraction in itself. The cobblestone streets, 18th-century Moravian architecture, and charming boutiques create the perfect setting for afternoon strolls. Main Street offers independent shops, galleries, and cafés. Don't miss the Historic Moravian Bethlehem district — one of the nation's most intact pre-Revolutionary War settlements.
SteelStacks transforms the towering blast furnaces of Bethlehem Steel into a vibrant arts campus. The illuminated steel stacks create a dramatic backdrop for concerts, festivals, and cultural events year-round. The outdoor lawn concerts during summer are particularly popular — bring a blanket and enjoy live music under the historic steel structures.
Crayola Experience in Easton is the ultimate family attraction. Create your own crayon, star in a coloring page, paint with melted wax, and explore 28 hands-on activities across four floors. Kids love it, and honestly, adults enjoy it more than they expect.
Allentown Art Museum houses an impressive permanent collection spanning five centuries, plus rotating exhibitions. The quieter atmosphere compared to major city museums means you can actually linger over pieces that catch your eye without fighting crowds.
Outdoor Adventures
The Lehigh Valley's gentle hills and beautiful countryside offer outdoor recreation without extreme difficulty. Parks throughout the Valley provide hiking trails, scenic views, and peaceful escapes.
Bethlehem Golf Club features the championship Monocacy Course, an 18-hole layout with rolling terrain and country club conditions. Golf Digest gave it 4 stars, and Lehigh Valley Magazine voted it Best in the Valley.
Morgan Hill Golf Course in Easton boasts extraordinary mountain views and a challenging yet player-friendly layout. Since opening in 2004, it's received accolades on both state and national levels.
Check out all our golf courses for more championship courses and public options throughout the region.
Wine Country Experiences
The Lehigh Valley wine trail includes several beautiful wineries perfect for afternoon tastings. Most offer outdoor seating with vineyard views, food pairings, and live music on weekends. Many wineries are clustered together, making it easy to visit two or three in an afternoon without extensive driving.
Wine tastings provide a relaxed, scenic experience — perfect for couples or friends looking to unwind with conversation and beautiful countryside views.
Wine Country Tip: Visit wineries in the afternoon, then head to downtown Bethlehem for dinner. You'll hit multiple weekend elements — scenic vineyard setting, wine tasting, downtown stroll, and excellent dinner — in one cohesive day.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Lehigh Valley?
The Lehigh Valley offers distinct seasonal experiences, each with its own appeal. The "best" time depends on what kind of getaway you're seeking.
Summer: Festivals & Outdoor Dining
Musikfest in August is the nation's largest free music festival, transforming downtown Bethlehem into 10 days of live music across multiple stages. Over one million visitors attend annually — it's crowded but electric, with hundreds of performers ranging from national headliners to local bands.
Summer also means patio season. Many Lehigh Valley restaurants offer outdoor dining with everything from sidewalk café vibes to garden patios with string lights and landscaping.
Fall: Foliage & Harvest Events
October through early November brings spectacular fall foliage to the Lehigh Valley. The rolling hills explode with color, making scenic drives genuinely scenic. Wineries host harvest festivals and release seasonal wines. The cooler weather makes outdoor activities comfortable, and the scenery photographs beautifully without effort.
Winter: Holiday Markets & Cozy Charm
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem transforms downtown into a traditional German Christmas market every weekend from late November through December. Artisan vendors, authentic German food, glühwein (mulled wine), and the festive atmosphere create one of the region's most beloved holiday traditions.
Winter is also prime time for cozy restaurant meals, wine tastings by the fireplace, and museum visits when the weather keeps you indoors. The historic downtowns look particularly charming dusted with snow.
Spring: Mild Weather & Fewer Crowds
April and May offer the best balance of pleasant weather and smaller crowds. Outdoor dining patios reopen, hiking trails are lush and green, and you can snag weekend restaurant reservations more easily than during peak summer season.
Where Should You Stay?
Downtown Bethlehem offers the most walkable, centrally located accommodations with easy access to restaurants, shops, and attractions. The Hotel Bethlehem sits in the heart of the historic district with elegant rooms and proximity to everything worth seeing.
The Renaissance Allentown provides contemporary luxury in downtown Allentown, perfect if you're catching a concert at PPL Center or want modern hotel amenities.
For something more intimate, several bed and breakfasts throughout the Valley offer historic charm and personalized service in converted Victorian homes and Colonial-era buildings.
How Do You Make the Most of a Lehigh Valley Weekend?
Here's our recommended weekend itinerary that hits the highlights without feeling rushed:
Saturday
- Morning: Breakfast at Joe's Diner or brunch at Union & Finch
- Midday: Explore downtown Bethlehem — shops, galleries, cafés, historic sites
- Afternoon: Wine tasting at Lehigh Valley wineries or golf at Bethlehem Golf Club
- Evening: Dinner at Bolete or Apollo Grill
- After Dinner: Drinks and live music in downtown Bethlehem or Easton
Sunday
- Morning: Leisurely breakfast, check out Allentown Art Museum or SteelStacks if there's an event
- Afternoon: Visit Crayola Experience (families) or hike a local trail
- Lunch: Casual meal at Sette Luna or River Grille in Easton
- Departure: Head home refreshed with great memories and restaurant recommendations to share
Local Insider Tip: Don't overschedule. Part of the Lehigh Valley's appeal is the relaxed pace. Leave time for spontaneous discoveries — that boutique that catches your eye, the craft brewery you stumble upon, the conversation over coffee that stretches into the afternoon.
Why Visit Lehigh Valley Instead of Larger Cities?
We love Philadelphia, New York, and DC — but the Lehigh Valley offers something different. You get cultural amenities and culinary excellence without the expense, crowds, or stress. Parking is easy and often free. Restaurant reservations are gettable. The pace is relaxed. And the combination of history, natural beauty, and modern attractions creates a weekend experience that's genuinely refreshing rather than exhausting.
The Lehigh Valley is close enough for a spontaneous weekend escape but feels far enough away to truly disconnect. That's the sweet spot.
Ready to plan your weekend getaway? Start by exploring our guides to the best restaurants in Lehigh Valley, local wineries, championship golf courses, and parks and outdoor recreation. Your perfect Pennsylvania weekend awaits.
Discover the best of the Lehigh Valley. Browse our curated directory of local businesses — from fine dining to outdoor adventures, all vetted by locals who know the region best.
