Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the
Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, U.S. As of the 2020
Census, Bethlehem had a total population of 75,781; of the total
population as of 2020, 55,639 were in Northampton Counties and
19,343 were in Lehigh Counties. It is the 8th most populous city
in the state. It is located on the Lehigh River, a tributary of
the Delaware River that is 109 miles (175 km) long. In the
Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem is bordered by Nazareth to the
northwest, Allentown to the east, Hellertown to the southeast,
and Easton to the east. It is 69.2 miles (111.4 km) north of
Philadelphia, the sixth largest city in the United States, and
82.8 miles (133.3 km) west of New York City, the largest city in
the United States.
In 1741, a small group of Moravians (a
persecuted Protestant religious group from what is now Germany
and the Czech Republic) led by Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf
settled in the city. Bethlehem was founded on Christmas Eve and
named after Bethlehem, Israel, the birthplace of Jesus. Probably
because the place was mentioned in a Christmas carol sung by
Moravians.
During the Industrial Revolution, Bethlehem
Steel became one of the largest steel companies in the world.
Its main rival at the time was Andrew Carnegie's U.S. Steel in
Pittsburgh. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was built by
Bethlehem Steel, as were many of the skyscrapers in New York
City. Joel sang, "I'm killing time in Bethlehem, filling out
forms and waiting in line," and the song became a popular song
associated with the nearby town of Allentown. In a pattern
typical of the U.S. Rust Belt, huge factories built during the
boom years in search of economies of scale were being pushed out
by more modern competitors with lower costs and more advanced
technology By 2001, the factories had closed and the bankrupt
company was dissolved in 2003.
The population in 2019 was
approximately 76,000 and thrives with a beautiful historic
district, many cultural events, two universities, an industrial
museum, and a large casino/entertainment complex.
The
official visitor's center is located at 505 Main Street in the
historic district and offers walking tours, literature, and
general tourist information services.
By Airplane.
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE IATA), 3311
Airport Rd. Allentown, ☏ +1-800 FLY LVIA (3595842). Located in the
center of the Lehigh Valley, 8.0 km northwest of Bethlehem, the airport
has nine gates, six aircraft holding spots, and two runways. Allegiant
Air, American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express from Atlanta,
Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach,
Orlando, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg in the Lehigh Valley
International Airport offer direct flights to the airport. Car rental
services, commercial buses, and public buses are available for ground
transportation from the airport.
Philadelphia International Airport
(PHL IATA), ☏ + 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), contactPHL@phl.org. Located
77 miles (124 km) south of Bethlehem, Philadelphia International Airport
is another second choice. Many domestic and international airlines offer
direct flights to Philadelphia International Airport from most U.S.
cities and many cities in Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin
America. Rental cars are available at the airport.
By bus.
Trans-Bridge Lines offers daily bus service to Bethlehem. Buses depart
from the Park and Ride on I-78 in North Bethlehem and can be reached by
local public transportation.
Trans Bridge Lines, ☏
+1-610-868-6001; Trans Bridge operates buses from several points in New
York City. New York City buses stop at the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in New York City and also serve three major international airports in
the New York area.
By Train
30th Street Station (2955 Market
St.: +1-800-872-7245.) 68 miles (109 km) south of Bethlehem, the third
busiest major Amtrak station on the East Coast of the United States.
Rental cars can be rented at the station.
By Car.
Bethlehem is
easily accessible by car from any direction:
From New York City
and New Jersey From New York City and New Jersey: Take I-78 East to Exit
67. Turn right onto PA-412 North; PA-412 ends at Bethlehem's South Side
in 4 miles.
From Philadelphia Take I-476 (toll) to "Lehigh Valley
Exit" to US-22 East to PA-378 South. The highway ends at the bridge
between downtown and Southside Bethlehem.
From Bucks County, take
PA-309 North to PA-378 North.
From Harrisburg, take I-78 West west to
exit 67. Turn right onto PA-412 North; PA-412 ends 4 miles later at the
South Side of Bethlehem.
From the Poconos, take PA-33 South to its
terminus at I-78 East to Exit 67. Turn right onto PA-412 North; PA-412
terminates 4 miles later on the South Side of Bethlehem.
By limo
J&J Transportation, ☏ +1 610-776-1516 or ☏ +1-800-726-5466
A&A Limousine Service, ☏ +1 610-261-3838 or ☏ +1-800-281-5911
Bella
Luxury Limo, ☏ +1 484-860-3838
Your Way Taxi & Limo, ☏ +1
610-435-8294
By Car
Driving in the Allentown/Bethlehem area is
relatively easy compared to the roads of Philadelphia or New York City.
Freeways and expressways are very busy during rush hour, and local
drivers on US 22, I-78, PA 33, PA 309, and PA 378 may drive recklessly
or exceed the speed limit. Local roads can be congested during rush
hour, primarily on the South Side. Some roads are not suitable for
inexperienced drivers. There is a car rental company at Lehigh Valley
International Airport.
Parking
Bethlehem has many parking lots
and several public parking garages. The North Street and Walnut Street
garages are located in Center City, and the Riverport garage is on the
South Side. Rates are $1 per hour, with a maximum rate of $6 (all day).
For more information, including directions and a complete list of
parking lots and garages, visit the Bethlehem Parking Authority website.
In addition to garages and parking lots, metered parking is available
throughout the city. Rates are $0.50 per hour from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
By Bus
The Lehigh and Northampton County Transportation Authority
(LANTA) provides affordable bus transportation in Bethlehem and
surrounding cities such as Allentown and Easton. LANTA provides bus
transportation for people with disabilities or special needs who Metro
Plus service is available for those who cannot ride the regular subway
due to disabilities or special needs. Timetables are available online;
the majority of LANTA's bus service is primarily between the three
downtowns of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, and bus service may not
be practical if you do not live/work in these areas. Service is centered
at the main depot at Broad & Getter Streets and extends in all
directions. The fare is $2 per trip and $3 for a day pass, with
discounts available if you buy in bulk.
By Taxi.
There are
several cab companies in the Lehigh Valley. Cabs do not often drive
around the streets as they do in New York City. In the Lehigh Valley,
you will often need to call ahead to arrange a cab.
Quick Service
Taxi Company provides service throughout Allentown and Bethlehem. The
phone number is ☏ +1 610-434-8132.
Lehigh Valley Taxicab Co. operates
in the Lehigh Valley, based in Bethlehem. Contact them at ☏ +1
610-867-5855.
By foot
Walking is the best way to explore
Bethlehem's Historic District. All of Bethlehem's historic sites are
located along or near Main Street. When referring to places along Main
Street, the "top" of Main Street is at the intersection of Main and
Broad Streets, at the top of the hill. If you want to walk to the South
Side (not recommended. Pay the $2 bus fare and save your legs), cross
the bridge at the bottom of Main Street, next to the Hotel Bethlehem.
When you reach another bridge, the Hill-to-Hill Bridge, turn left. When
you reach the end of the bridge, turn left onto 3rd St. or 4th St. to
exit onto the South Side. There are also several paths leading from Main
St. to Monocacy Creek.
1751 Old Chapel, Church St. & Heckewelder Pl, ☏ +1 610-691-6055. this
Moravian chapel was the second place of worship built in Bethlehem's
colonial period.
1758 Sun Inn, 564 Main St., ⋈ +1 610-866-1758. 1758
Sun Inn is a restored 18th century inn that once hosted George
Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. Now fully restored, it offers
guided tours that give visitors an insight into Bethlehem's rich history
in the 1700s. It also offers private catering. A summer concert series
is also held in the courtyard.
Banana Factory, 25 W. 3rd St., ☏+1
610-332-1300; gallery hours: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; open daily from 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Banana Factory is a community center for the arts
located on the south side of Bethlehem. The former banana warehouse has
been renovated to house two art galleries, classrooms, and artists'
studios. Guided tours and the Lehigh Valley's only glass blowing studio
are offered daily, and an art show is held on the first Friday of each
month. If you don't like art, this alone probably isn't worth a trip to
the Southside, but if you're already in the Southside, be sure to stop
by.
Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Rd, ☏+1 610-691-6055
This local plantation offers a look at rural life in the Lehigh Valley
beginning in the mid-18th century. The restored Moravian house shows
farm life and industrial development in the area up to the mid-19th
century. Not only does it bring the past to life, it also serves as a
showcase for the farming and craftsmanship of the time.
Central
Moravian Church (73 W. Church St, ☏ +1 610-866-5661). The oldest
Moravian church in the country.
Colonial Industrial District, 459 Old
York Rd, ☏ +1 610-691-6055. the area includes a 1761 tannery, a 1762
waterworks facility (National Historic Landmark), the 1869 Luckenbach
Mill, and Miller's House Garden (1870 Victorian garden), Several of
Bethlehem's earliest buildings are located in the area. The area is
located along Monocacy Creek and is a great place to take a walk or go
fishing downtown (with a license). Free.
Goundy House, 501 Main St.,
☎ +1 610-691-6055. if you're going down Main St., you're probably going
through here. It's a nice place for a quick stop with a few rotating
exhibits, but it's not the destination itself. Gaundy used to be the
town brewery.
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, 427 New St, ☏ +1
610-691-6055. 10 am to 5 pm Thursday through Saturday, noon to 5 pm
Wednesday. An interior designer's dream come true, the Kemmerer Museum
is dedicated to the history of decoration. There are various rooms
dedicated to each period in history, including textiles, ceramics, and
paintings. The Victorian garden on the grounds is a delightful spot for
relaxation.
The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem (66 W. Church St.,
Bethlehem, PA) is a museum dedicated to the history of Bethlehem, the
Moravian people, and their beliefs. For those interested in learning
about Bethlehem's history, the Moravians, and their faith, visit this
museum, located in the Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem
built in 1741. The museum is open only on weekends.
National Museum
of Industrial History, 602 E. Second St., ☏ +1 610-694-6644. 10:00 am to
5:00 pm, Wednesday through Saturday. A Smithsonian-affiliated museum
dedicated to preserving America's rich industrial heritage. Exhibits on
steelmaking and manufacturing. $12.
SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, ☏
+1 610-332-1300. a performing arts and film facility on the former
Bethlehem Steel site. Attractions include ArtsQuest Center, a performing
arts center; Air Products Town Square, where more than 400 free music
performances are held annually; PNC Plaza, which hosts festivals and
farmers' markets and serves as a stage for Musikfest; Levitt Levitt
Pavilion, where free concerts are held.
The Star of Bethlehem The
Star of Bethlehem atop South Mountain is lit year-round. It is visible
from most areas of Bethlehem.
Self-guided tour books are available at the Visitor's Center, 505
Main St.
Bethlehem By Night Bus Tour (505 Main St, ☏ +1
610-691-6055). This seasonal tour runs on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays,
and Sundays at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. throughout December. Includes a
Christmas City exhibit by bus.
First Friday Southside Tour, Banana
Factory, May-Oct: First Friday of the month at 6:00 pm. Tour begins at
the Banana Factory and focuses on the churches, architecture, and
multiculturalism of the South Side.
Old Bethlehem Walking Tour☏ +1
610-691-6055. tours Nov. 26-Dec. 30. visits 18th century buildings and
other historic sites.
Historic Bethlehem Walking Tours, 505 Main St.
Tours begin at the Visitor's Center and feature important historic
sites.
Segway Tours; April-October: Saturdays at 9 am.
Old
Fashioned Carriage Ride. Carriages take about 15 minutes and run Nov.
27-Dec. 30.
Bethlehem has a long relationship with Christmas, which is celebrated
with great fanfare in the city each year. Bethlehem was named Bethlehem
by Moravian bishop Nikolaus Zinzendorf on Christmas Eve 1741; in 1747,
Bethlehem became the first American city to feature a decorated
Christmas tree.
On December 7, 1937, during the Great Depression,
Bethlehem adopted the nickname "Christmas City USA" at a grand ceremony
attended by Marion Brown Grace, daughter of former South Bethlehem Mayor
Charles F. Brown and wife of Bethlehem Steel President Eugene Grace.
adopted. Hundreds of citizens attended the ceremony, and thousands
listened to speeches and performances over the radio.
The Hotel
Bethlehem was chosen for the ceremony because it was built on the site
of Bethlehem's first building, a two-room log cabin. Their benefactor,
Count Zinzendorf, proclaimed the settlement's name Bethlehem as he
observed the livestock that shared the site and heard the settlers sing
the hymn "Not Jerusalem, but Lowly Bethlehem. "Those gathered for the
1937 ceremony heard the Bach Choir sing the old Adam Drase The same
words were heard as the Bach Choir sang the German hymn "Jesu, Rufe Mich
(Jesus, Call Thou Me)" by Adam Dreze.
The Bethlehem Globe-Times
paid $460 for a large wooden star erected atop South Mountain. The
original star consisted of four wooden planks stacked on top of each
other to form an eight-point star 60 feet tall and 51 feet wide, mounted
on two wooden poles, and illuminated by 150 50-watt bulbs. The star was
installed by PPL and the Bethlehem Water Authority. The star was erected
atop South Mountain, owned by the Water Authority, in Lower Saucon
Township.
In 1939, the wooden star was replaced with a $5,000
Bethlehem steel star with eight rays, the main horizontal ray being 81
feet wide and the main vertical ray 53 feet high In 1967, the current
star, 91 feet high, was installed on the old steel frame, 25 feet wide,
5 ft. deep, mounted on a concrete base; plexiglass was installed to
protect 250 50-watt bulbs; in the summer of 2006, the city repaired the
base. A crew of city electricians replaced the bulbs every two years;
since the mid-1990s, the star has been lit daily from 4:30 p.m. to
midnight.
Bethlehem is relatively safe for a city of its size. Most visitors to downtown and the Sands Casino are unlikely to encounter crime or danger. The area around 3rd St. on the South Side can be seedy at night, and Lehigh students are notorious for drinking. In addition, late at night during Musikfest, as more patrons visit the beer tents, the same drunken illegal activity can occur, leading to brawls on and around Main Street (which can be very crowded at closing time). Bethlehem is much safer than nearby Allentown and Easton.
Bethlehem was named on Christmas Eve 1741 by Nikolaus Ludwig von
Zinzendorf. The place was founded as the main town of the Moravian
Church in North America. The brother bishop David Nitschmann is regarded
as the founder of the town, his uncle of the same name also played an
important role. Until the 1860s, the residents of Bethlehem ran a common
household to support the "messengers" or missionaries among the German
immigrants and Indians. The place was a closed settlement of the
Moravian people until 1848 and was managed by the church leadership.
Only members of the Moravian Church were allowed to live there. After
the American Civil War (1861-1865), the steel industry was built up in
the neighboring town of South Bethlehem, and it gained a worldwide
reputation under the name Bethlehem Steel.
In April 2017, the
core of the Moravian Bethlehem settlement of the Moravian Church was put
on the tentative list by the United States Department of the Interior as
a proposal for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Twenty-three structures and sites in the metropolitan area are listed on
the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as of September 30,
2020, with the Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District, the
Bethlehem Waterworks and the Gemeinhaus-Lewis David de Schweinitz
Residence having National Historic status have landmarks.
As early as 1742, a forerunner of the Moravian College was created by the founder Benigna von Zinzendorf. It is the sixth oldest college in the United States. Bethlehem is also home to Lehigh University, founded in 1865 by railroad entrepreneur Asa Packer. In 2020, 7067 students were enrolled, 1864 of them for postgraduate studies.
Born in Bethlehem
Lewis David von Schweinitz (1780–1834), botanist
H.D. (1886-1961), writer
Stephen Vincent Benét (1898–1943), writer
Chuck Bednarik (1925–2015), American football player
Fred B Rooney
(1925–2019), politician
Otto Helmut Kegel (born 1934), German
mathematician and university teacher
James Rumbaugh (born 1947),
computer scientist
Gelsey Kirkland (born 1952), ballet dancer
Carol Guzy (born 1956), press photographer
Michael Andretti (born
1962), racing team owner and racing driver
John Andretti (1963–2020),
automobile racer
Jeff Andretti (born 1964), automobile racer
Donald Johnson (born 1968), tennis player
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
(born 1981), actor
Lauren Tamayo (born 1983), cyclist
Gina
Lewandowski (born 1985), soccer player
Bailey Noble (born 1990),
actress
Sage Karam (born 1995), automobile racer
Sabrina Carpenter
(born 1999), actress and singer
Associated with Bethlehem
Johann Gustav Grunewald (1805–1878), German-American painter
Clayton
P. Alderfer (1940–2015), psychologist
Jonathan Frakes (born 1952),
actor