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5 Things To Do in Bethlehem This Summer
July 16th, 2021 |
Bethlehem may be known as the Christmas City, but there are still many fun things to do during the summer! Spend a nice, sunny day outdoors with a walking tour of Bethlehem or get away from the heat and view a museum exhibit. Keep reading to see what Bethlehem has in store for you this summer!
Walking Tours
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites offers walking tours which are the perfect way to spend a couple of hours outside while learning about the rich history and heritage of Bethlehem. All of our tours are led by a certified guide, and depending on the tour, some of them will even be wearing period dress!
One of our favorite tours is the Old Bethlehem Walking Tour. This tour is a great overview of Bethlehem’s history if you’re new to the city. Your tour guide will tell you the 275-year history of Bethlehem’s unique beginnings as you visit places important to Bethlehem’s past 1741 Gemeinhaus, 1762 Waterworks, 1758 Nain-Schober House, and the 1752 Apothecary. The Old Bethlehem Walking Tour runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3PM. Tickets are $15 for Non-Members and $10 for Historic Bethlehem Members.
Another great tour to check out is the John Adams Bethlehem Walking Tour! This tour is only offered in the summer, so make sure to take advantage of it while it’s here. During this tour, you’ll learn about the role Bethlehem played during the American Revolution. You’ll also find out why John Adams called Bethlehem “curious and remarkable town”. The John Adams Bethlehem Walking Tour runs Saturdays and Sundays at 1PM. Tickets are $15 for Non-Members and $10 for Historic Bethlehem Members.
The Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel tour is an additional interesting tour you can take this summer! You’ll learn all about what was once the second largest steel producer in the country and get up close views of the giant steel plant. During your one-hour tour, you’ll also learn about the steel making process and the roles the workers played in our country’s history. Tours run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children. Want to add admission to the National Museum of Industrial History? Then purchase our value package for the tour and museum admission! Tickets are $27 for adults and $20 for children.
For more information about our tours and to purchase tickets, please visit the Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites website https://www.historicbethlehem.org/visit/historic-bethlehem-tours/. We hope to see you on a tour this summer!
Museum Exhibits
Need something to do on a hot day? Then stop by one of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ museum exhibits this summer for a break from the hot weather! We have two exciting exhibits that are currently open to visit, Art At Home and The Moravian Legacy. Art At Home is housed in the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, and it features artwork and collections from our local community. The Moravian Legacy is our newest exhibit located in the Moravian Museum, which happens to be the oldest building in Bethlehem! This exhibit explores the impact of the Moravian community in Bethlehem. Both museums are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4PM and you can purchase admission on our website https://www.historicbethlehem.org/collections/exhibits/.
Saturdays at Burnside
Join HBMS at Burnside Plantation every Saturday during the summer for some family fun! There is something for everyone in your family to enjoy, including your dog! Visitors will be able to learn more about the barns, buildings, and gardens that have been a part of the Moravian community since 1748. Weekly activities include meeting the gardeners, peeking inside the Burnside House, experiencing the Summer Kitchen, completing the Burnside leg of the Heritage Trail, touring the Burnside Barn, and more! Each month there is a new kids’ craft for your young ones to enjoy. For more information about Saturdays at Burnside, check out our website https://www.historicbethlehem.org/saturdays-at-burnside/.
Free Sundays at the Kemerer Museum
On Sundays, join HBMS for Free Sundays at the Kemerer Museum. There’s something to do for everyone, which makes it a perfect activity for your family. Go on a tour of the museum, participate in a scavenger hunt, get crafty with the Young Artists’ Workshop, and more! Each week, we have different activities going on, so check out our website to see what’s happening the week you’re visiting https://www.historicbethlehem.org/programs/free-sundays/. Ticket reservations for Free Sundays are strongly encouraged.
Design After Dark
Looking for a way to be more connected with art in the local community? Then come to a Design After Dark event! Design After Dark is an adult programming series hosted by HBMS at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. It focuses on sharing art and design with the community through events that bring unique experiences to you by creatives in the Lehigh Valley. Check out our website to see what events are coming up soon! https://www.historicbethlehem.org/design-after-dark/ We hope you’ll join us at one, or more, of these great activities this summer!
Madeline Thomas is a summer 2021 marketing intern for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. She is a senior at Ithaca College majoring in Communication Management and Design.
