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Lehigh Valley Live: 14 best spots to take a selfie in the Lehigh Valley
October 12th, 2016 | In The News
Written by Sue Beyer for Lehigh Valley Live
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
In search of the premier selfie spots
Tired of looking for Pokémon? Looking for some neat spots to take a selfie to update your profile picture? Follow along as I show you some of the best spots I’ve found across the Lehigh Valley.
While I did manage to find a few people out along the way, I didn’t want to inflict multiple photos of myself on you. But I did want to provide an idea of what you will get when you take a selfie. All but one shot was taken with a smartphone, except one. I think you’ll figure out which one. That shot was pulled off with a GoPro, controlled by the cell phone while I was taking selfie.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Big Chair
North of Roseto there are two places worth a look. On Route 191, just before you actually leave the Lehigh Valley near the top of the first ridge of the Pocono Mountains, is the Big Chair. I’m not really sure of the origins of the Big Chair but it sits on an overlook that will give you a view of part of Warren County and a good deal of the Lehigh Valley.
Christian and Ashley Petersen, of East Greenville, Pa., take a moment to take their photo at Columcille Megalith Park.
Columcille Megalith Park
A little ways north of the Big Chair on Route 191, take a right turn onto Fox Gap Road and head south for about a mile. At at 2155 Fox Gap Road in Upper Mount Bethel Township is Columcille Megalith Park. Take a peaceful stroll among the giant stones and structures on the property.
Columcille is a privately owned park that is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
A stop in Portland will give you a scenic view north to the Delaware Water Gap from the Portland-Columbia pedestrian bridge over the Delaware River. The walking bridge is at the site of the last of the covered bridges that once spanned the river. The covered bridge was destroyed by the flood in 1955.
Sophia Walters and Jillian Hemmerly, of Bethlehem, found time to take their selfie in the Colonial Industrial Quarter.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Colonial Industrial Quarter
Part of historic Bethlehem, the Colonial Industrial Quarter is located along the Monocacy Creek at the end of Old York Road. There is a parking lot if you want to drive. There are also several other ways to walk to the site. Next to the Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street there is a walkway, and from Conestoga Street there is a walking bridge over the Monocacy Creek.
The Colonial Industrial Quarter is open to the public. But if you want a tour of the interiors of the buildings on the site they are available by appointment. Call Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites at 610-882-0450.
Michael Malaga, visiting from California, takes his selfie outside the Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Hotel Bethlehem
Stroll along Main Street in Bethlehem and stop in front of the Hotel Bethlehem to take a seat with the Nittany Lion, mascot of Pennsylvania State University. You can also find a Nittany Lion statue at Steelstacks on South Side Bethlehem.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Hoover-Mason Trestle
Head over to South Side Bethlehem to check out the Hoover-Mason Trestle. Located at 711 First St., it’s a half-mile pedestrian walkway that sits on the former internal Bethlehem Steel rail line. It will give you a nice look at the SteelStacks arts campus, plus a glimpse into the past life of the old steel plant.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Funky bus stop
Also on Bethlehem’s South Side is one of the most unusual bus stops you will ever see. Located next to the Banana Factory Arts Center at 25 W. Third St., the bus stop was created by BananaWorks in the summer of 2002. BananaWorks was a program that teamed the Banana Factory with Pennsylvania CareerLink of the Lehigh Valley, Private Industry Council Inc.
Chelsea and Nick Donchez, of Allentown, take selfies inside Bogert’s Covered Bridge.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Bogert’s Covered Bridge
A bit of a challenge to find, Bogert’s Covered Bridge is a historic wooden bridge in Allentown. Located in Little Lehigh Park, you can find it from South 24th Street (Oxford Drive) at Fish Hatchery Road by turning at the traffic light onto the Lehigh Parkway. Built in 1841, the 145-foot bridge spans the Little Lehigh Creek. There are massive beams and window to peek out. Take your fishing pole and try your luck fishing near the bridge, too.
Under the free bridge
The Easton-Phillipsburg free bridge over the Delaware River is the last of the bridges on my list. Instead of walking on the bridge or simply having it in the background, try heading under the bridge for dramatic light and patterns. You can get there either on the Pennsylvania side along the bike path from Scott Park to Riverside Park. Better yet, head over to the New Jersey side to the Phillipsburg boat ramp and take the short walk through the weeds.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Scott Park
If you are chasing Pokémon, Scott Park in Easton at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers is the place to go. Yes, you can also get photos with the rivers, bridges, the dam, a cannon, amphitheater etc.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Larry’s left jab
But the best of all at Scott Park is to get punched by Larry Holmes. The Scott Park monument to the former heavyweight boxing champion is located at 128 Larry Homes Drive, just south of the free bridge. There is also a playground and a boat launch at the park.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Crayola Experience
We are going to finish up our tour with a little walk in Easton, from Pine Street along Bank Street to Church Street. Park in the Pine Street parking garage, which is one block south of Centre Square on South Third Street.
The first stop is the back side of the Crayola Experience; get your photo with the dancing crayons.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Bank Street
Bank Street has been turned into a cozy pedestrian walkway that’s more of an alley then a street. Over the years it’s has been transformed into street art gallery with European cafe-style lighting hanging above and bike racks that are more like sculptures than utilitarian.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Bank Street II
Mosaics and paintings line the walls of Bank Street, which extends in both directions from Northampton Street. There is colorful trim on some buildings and art deco style trim on another. Don’t forget to stop for ice cream at the Bank Street Creamery or shop in the stores along the alley.
Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com
Tips to a better selfie
Here are some hints for taking a better selfie. Watch out for what is in the background to avoid unfortunate results, like a pole growing out of your head — or worse. Or the dreaded hand in the way.
Be confident and have fun. It’ll show in the photo and you’ll have tons of fun taking the pictures when you’re just being yourself and letting loose.
Try a different angle, too. Don’t be bashful about trying something different. Take a deep breath, let it partly out and try to relax. That will help you hold your pose.
The rule of thumb for taking most photos is to have the sun at your back. This works for selfies, too, but in reverse. Keep the sun behind your head and make sure it blocks the sun, and it will give you a glowing aura.
Most of all have fun out there, be safe, and please don’t trespass. If you have any other cool or unusual spots for selfies, please leave a comment and let me know.
