If you’re looking for some fun destinations to visit during your lazy summer days, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley probably isn’t the first locale that comes to mind. For those of you who don’t know the area, the Lehigh Valley is comprised of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding towns. It borders the Pocono Mountains, which are a popular vacation spot.
It’s not near the shore. It certainly isn’t a big city. It doesn’t exactly scream, “Soak up the sun.” But there are plenty of fun and inexpensive things to do if you know where to look. The days keep getting warmer, so if you live in the area or plan to stop by for a visit, here are a few ways to get outside and spend your summer in the Lehigh Valley – without breaking the bank.
Bushkill Falls
Route 209
Bushkill, PA
570-588-6682
Located in the Pocono Mountains and called the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” it’s a place where you can come and hike on trails that twist around, over, under, and across (by way of swinging bridges, of course) eight gorgeous waterfalls. While the scenery, hiking, and relaxing atmosphere are the main attractions, Bushkill Falls also boasts wildlife and Native American exhibits, mini-golf, and fishing. The trails are marked by length and difficulty, so you can select the track that fits your needs. With admission costing only nine dollars for adults and four dollars for children four to ten years old (kids three and younger are free), this is an affordable and cool (literally – there’s plenty of shade) place to spend a steamy summer day.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
3830 Dorney Park Road
Allentown, PA
610-395-3724
Actually two parks in one – an amusement park and a water park – Dorney Park is tons of fun, and a personal favorite summer activity. The park features five roller coasters, including Hydra, the only floorless coaster in Pennsylvania, and the legendary Steel Force, once the tallest coaster in the East at more than 200 feet. For more thrills, the Dominator carries you 170 feet up, hangs for a moment, and drops you in a freefall; or else it blasts you straight up from the ground in a rocket launch, depending on the tower you choose to ride. For smaller kids, Camp Snoopy is a park-within-a-park of slightly more gentle rides. And if the summer heat gets to be too much, head over to Wildwater Kingdom and splash in the wave pool, shoot down the waterslides, or float gently on the Wildwater River (which is anything but wild). The prices vary by season, date, and time, but single-day tickets are never more than forty dollars, and that includes both parks. And if you go at night, admission is under twenty bucks. After you add in parking costs, it may not the cheapest of options, but if you like theme parks, it’s well worth the fairly reasonable price.
Lehigh Valley Zoo
5150 Game Preserve Road
Schnecksville, PA
610-799-4171
The Lehigh Valley Zoo isn’t a big as the ones in Philadelphia or the Bronx, but it’s still got plenty to keep you interested. It’s geared toward children, but I’ve been there several times over the years and it’s still fun. It used to be called the Trexlertown Game Preserve, and it mostly houses animals that are indigenous to the area (with a few exceptions). There’s everything from bison to monkeys to poisonous reptiles, and a child-size Native American exhibit. You can drive your car through a small fjord (which is the coolest thing ever for kids), and once it’s time to leave, you get to drive past all of the animals on a long, scenic exit tour. There’s one specific spot along this drive that you absolutely must stop and check out. From the higher ground you’ll be parked on, you’ll have a birds-eye vantage point of the entire preserve, and it’s a view that’ll take your breath away. Summer ticket prices are only $7.25 for adults and $5.25 for children. And you can plan this one around other activities, as you can comfortably see the whole zoo in a few hours’ time.
Lost River Caverns
726 Durham Street
Hellertown, PA
610-838-8767
If you’ve spent too much time in the sun but still want to be “outside” for the summer, you may want to try going underground – as in, caverns. Talk about cool trips – the temperature in the cavern is always fifty-two degrees, so carry a jacket! There are five separate chambers within the Lost River Caverns, and it’s made entirely of natural limestone. And yes, there is a reason it’s called “Lost River,” – that’s because it houses a river that comes up from an unidentified spring, runs through the cavern, then retreats back underground and “disappears” once again. You can take a guided tour of all the chambers, including one that’s been designated a chapel and was the location of more than eighty weddings. The cost? It’s only $8.50 for adults and even less for the kids.
Jacobsburg Park
441 Henry Road
Nazareth, PA
610-746-2809
This is a wonderfully scenic walking park with a wide creek meandering through it. There are almost nineteen miles of trails, some more challenging than others. They’re clearly marked, so you can take the paths that meet your ability level. For those of you who like a challenge, the more difficult trails have a payoff of views that are definitely worth the effort. The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week. And talk about affordable – it’s free! It’s a great place for dogs, too – I know mine had a blast. If you’re looking for lots of thrills then don’t bother, but it’s a great way to get outside and just relax. If you like to hike, bicycle, picnic, fish, do some wildlife photography, or just be out in nature, this is a great place to check out.
