Bethlehem & the Lehigh Valley
Located in the heart of the beautiful Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem is a vibrant city, rich in history and known for its small-town friendliness and feel.
Lehigh University’s Location
Our campus is in the Lehigh Valley, which is comprised of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, and the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. More adventures are also within driving distance, including the 1½-hour trip to New York City and both the 1-hour trips to Philadelphia or the Pocono Mountains. Maps & Directions >
Things to do in the Lehigh Valley
Arts & Entertainment
The arts are alive in Bethlehem, where you won’t have to look far to find exciting seasonal events, nationally recognized musical acts, comedy, art and more. The city boasts three performing arts centers on the SouthSide alone, and the Banana Factory, a dynamic cultural arts center, is located just steps from Lehigh’s campus. Known as the “City of Festivals,” Bethlehem hosts more than 20 major festivals and over 150 mini-festivals each year.
Things to Do >
SouthSide Arts District >
SteelStacks Concert & Films >
Shopping in Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem is home to numerous unique shops and national chains, offering visitors and locals alike a great shopping experience. Within walking distance from campus on the SouthSide are stores for trendy women’s apparel and new and vintage music finds. On the historic north side, shoppers can stroll down cobblestone-paved Main Street and peruse the Moravian Book Shop, Aardvark Sports Shop and Season’s Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom.
Restaurants in Bethlehem
Nearly every world cuisine imaginable is available in Bethlehem. The city boasts a wealth of restaurants serving up Japanese, Indian, Malaysian, Italian, Thai, Mexican and more. With more than 80 restaurants in downtown alone, local foodies can find everything from high-end dining to pizza shops. In celebration of its local food scene, Bethlehem celebrates Restaurant Week each year, allowing patrons to enjoy prix fixe meals at hugely discounted prices.
GoldPLUS Card >
Places to Eat in Bethlehem>
Places to Eat in the Greater Lehigh Valley >
Fun things to do in the Lehigh Valley
Beyond the city of Bethlehem itself, the Lehigh Valley is home to several top-notch entertainment centers, shopping malls and award-winning restaurants. Simple day or weekend trips can be taken to New York City, Philadelphia, the Pocono Mountains and the New Jersey and Delaware beaches. Sports fans, meanwhile, can follow the region’s local minor league teams—the Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball team, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team and Bethlehem Steel FC, which plays its matches at Lehigh’s Goodman Stadium.
By the Numbers
founded by the Moravian Church
festivals per year
colleges within 10 miles
parks (encompassing 568 acres)
light bulbs in the Star of Bethlehem atop South Mountain
Students Involved in the Community
Lehigh students play a vital role in helping reinvigorate the neighborhoods of South Bethlehem. Their volunteerism and community work reflects Lehigh's longstanding commitment to making a positive impact here in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley.
