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Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA [Updated-2026]

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November 5, 2025

Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA [Updated-2026]

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The Secret Engine of Pennsylvania: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Things To Do in Allentown

Tucked in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Allentown carries a legacy of American grit and innovation. This was the city that secretly hid the Liberty Bell from the British during the Revolutionary War, the “Secret City” that powered America’s Industrial Revolution with its iron and cement, and the birthplace of the nation’s trucking industry. While the blast furnaces have cooled, the city they forged is experiencing a dynamic renaissance, blending its powerful past with a vibrant, creative present.

Today, Allentown is far more than its industrial resume. It’s a city where you can scream with delight on a world-class roller coaster, stand in awe of a world-renowned art collection, and stroll through a downtown where new life is buzzing in beautifully restored historic buildings. It’s a city that honors its hard-working roots while energetically building its future.

This guide will take you beyond the steel and cement to discover the very best things to do in Allentown, Pennsylvania. We’ll explore its world-class museums, its thrilling amusement park, its burgeoning arts scene, and the local flavors that make it a truly authentic and surprising destination.

A Legacy in Steel & Speed: Allentown’s Industrial & Cultural Heart

Allentown’s identity was shaped by its role as an industrial powerhouse. That legacy is preserved and celebrated in some of the most unique and engaging museums in the state.

1. Cruise Through History at the America On Wheels Museum

Located on the banks of the Lehigh River in a beautifully restored former Linderman coal trestle building, the America On Wheels Museum is a tribute to the vehicles that built the nation. This isn’t just a car museum; it’s a story of American mobility.

The Collection: The museum features a stunning and diverse collection of antique cars, classic trucks, vintage bicycles, and motorcycles. The exhibits tell the story of how transportation evolved from horse-drawn carriages to the powerful Mack trucks that were built right here in Allentown.
Mack Trucks Exhibit: As the former headquarters of Mack Trucks, Allentown’s connection is profound. The museum’s exhibit on these “Bulldogs” of the highway is a must-see for any vehicle enthusiast.
Hands-On Fun: Interactive displays and beautifully curated vignettes, like a recreated 1940s service station, make this museum engaging for all ages.

2. Be Dazzled by the Allentown Art Museum

Housed in a graceful, neoclassical building, the Allentown Art Museum is a jewel box of artistic treasures. Its collection is astonishingly rich for a city of its size, a testament to the cultural aspirations of its industrial-era patrons.

The Kress Collection: The museum’s crown jewel is its collection of Renaissance and Baroque art, gifted by Samuel H. Kress. Walking through these galleries, you’ll encounter works by Tintoretto, Veronese, and other European masters.
American and Contemporary Art: The museum also boasts a strong collection of American art, including works by Thomas Moran and Mary Cassatt, alongside contemporary pieces that keep the collection dynamic and relevant.
The Library: Don’t miss the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed library room, a serene and architecturally significant space.

3. Step into the Revolution at the Liberty Bell Museum

Housed in the basement of Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, this small but powerful museum commemorates Allentown’s most clandestine claim to fame.

The Story: During the Revolutionary War, when British forces were advancing on Philadelphia, eleven bells, including the State House Bell (now known as the Liberty Bell), were secretly smuggled north and hidden under the floorboards of this very church to prevent them from being melted down for cannon.
The Replica: While the original bell is in Philadelphia, the museum features a full-scale, 2,080-pound replica that you can actually ring—a uniquely hands-on historical experience.

Thrills, Parks & Family Fun

Allentown is a fantastic destination for families, offering a mix of high-energy amusement and peaceful outdoor escapes.

4. Scream with Delight at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

This is Allentown’s most famous attraction and one of the oldest amusement parks in the country. Dorney Park is a beloved summer tradition that offers fun for the entire family.

World-Class Coasters: Thrill-seekers will love rides like Hydra: The Revenge, a floorless coaster, and Talon, a towering inverted coaster.
Wildwater Kingdom: Attached to the park, this massive water park is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day with wave pools, water slides, and a lazy river.
Classic Charm: The park still retains much of its classic charm with vintage rides, beautiful landscaping, and a nostalgic atmosphere.

5. Find Peace at the Trexler Nature Preserve

Founded by local industrialist and zoo pioneer General Harry C. Trexler, this 1,100-acre preserve is a gift to the community. The Trexler Nature Preserve offers a stunning natural escape just minutes from the city.

Bison and Elk: The preserve is home to a small, protected herd of American bison and elk, a legacy of General Trexler’s conservation efforts.
Hiking and Views: An 8-mile loop trail winds through the preserve, offering challenging hills and breathtaking views of the Lehigh Valley. It’s a popular spot for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.

6. Get Wild at the Lehigh Valley Zoo

Also located within the Trexler Nature Preserve, the Lehigh Valley Zoo is a charming, intimate zoo focused on education and conservation. It’s a perfect, less-overwhelming alternative to larger zoos, with opportunities to get up close with animals like kangaroos, giraffes, and river otters.

Arts, Downtown & The City’s Resurgence

A new energy is pulsing through Allentown’s urban core, driven by the PPL Center arena and a renewed focus on arts and culture.

7. Explore the Allentown ArtsWalk

Connecting the Allentown Art Museum to the PPL Center, the ArtsWalk is a pedestrian pathway that has been transformed into an open-air gallery. Lined with sculptures and murals, it’s a physical representation of the city’s commitment to integrating art into everyday life.

8. Catch a Game or Concert at the PPL Center

This state-of-the-art arena is the catalyst for Allentown’s downtown revival. The PPL Center is home to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers) and hosts major concert tours, family shows, and sporting events, bringing a big-league energy to the city.

9. Stroll Through the West Park Historic District

For a glimpse into Allentown’s prosperous past, take a walk through the West Park Historic District. This neighborhood features stunning examples of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival architecture, with beautiful, tree-lined streets surrounding a central park. It’s a peaceful and picturesque stroll.

A Taste of Allentown: The Local Food Scene

Allentown’s culinary landscape is a hearty reflection of its Pennsylvania Dutch and immigrant roots.

The Allentown Fair: A beloved end-of-summer tradition since 1852, the Great Allentown Fair is a celebration of agriculture, carnival rides, and incredible fair food.
Pennsylvania Dutch Classics: Don’t leave without trying local specialties like shoofly pie, pot pie (which is actually a soupy stew with noodles), and authentic pretzels.
A Growing Craft Beer Scene: The Lehigh Valley is a hub for craft beer, and Allentown has its own excellent breweries and taprooms that are becoming community gathering spots.
The Hamilton Street Dining Scene: Downtown’s main artery is seeing a boom in new restaurants, from upscale gastropubs to international eateries.

Day Trip Gateway: Allentown’s Perfect Location

Allentown’s location in the Lehigh Valley makes it an ideal base for exploring Eastern Pennsylvania.

Bethlehem: The “Christmas City,” with its historic Moravian settlement and massive SteelStacks arts campus, is just 10 minutes away.
Easton: Home to the fantastic National Canal Museum and a vibrant downtown, is a 20-minute drive.
The Pocono Mountains: For outdoor adventure, the Poconos are less than an hour north.
Philadelphia: Is about a 90-minute drive south.

Planning Your Allentown Getaway: Practical Tips

Best Time to Visit:
- Summer (June-August) is perfect for Dorney Park and outdoor activities.
- Fall (September-October) offers brilliant foliage and crisp air, ideal for hiking in the Trexler Preserve.
- Winter has its own charm, with holiday events and ice skating at the PPL Center.
- Spring is a quieter time of renewal.
Getting Around: Having a car is the most convenient way to explore Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley attractions.
Where to Stay: You’ll find a range of national hotel chains. For a more unique stay, look for historic inns in the surrounding Lehigh Valley.

Your Allentown Adventure Awaits

Allentown, Pennsylvania, is a city that proudly embodies the spirit of American resilience. It’s the roar of a roller coaster and the quiet dignity of a Renaissance painting. It’s the hidden history of a revolutionary bell and the bold, modern energy of a downtown arena. It’s a city built on hard work, now enjoying the fruits of its labor.

So, come for the history and the thrills, but stay for the surprising art and the warm, authentic community. Discover for yourself why Allentown isn’t just a secret city of the past, but a rising star of the present.

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Explore More USA City

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Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA [Updated-2026]

The Secret Engine of Pennsylvania: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Things To Do in Allentown

A Legacy in Steel & Speed: Allentown’s Industrial & Cultural Heart

1. Cruise Through History at the America On Wheels Museum

2. Be Dazzled by the Allentown Art Museum

3. Step into the Revolution at the Liberty Bell Museum

Thrills, Parks & Family Fun

4. Scream with Delight at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

5. Find Peace at the Trexler Nature Preserve

6. Get Wild at the Lehigh Valley Zoo

Arts, Downtown & The City’s Resurgence

7. Explore the Allentown ArtsWalk

8. Catch a Game or Concert at the PPL Center

9. Stroll Through the West Park Historic District

A Taste of Allentown: The Local Food Scene

Day Trip Gateway: Allentown’s Perfect Location

Planning Your Allentown Getaway: Practical Tips

Your Allentown Adventure Awaits

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