Travel Information
THINGS TO DO LOCALLY
As its name implies, Bethlehem was founded as a religious settlement by a group of German immigrants (the Moravians), who intended it to be a town dedicated to religious pursuits, education, and the evangelization of the Native Americans. Due to its proximity to Philadelphia, Bethlehem was a prominent location in colonial times and was visited at one time or another by most of the notables associated with the American Revolution. It became a center of musical culture in the colonies and supported a level of musical performance and composition that was unique in America at that period. Among other things, Bethlehem was the site of the first American performance of the Bach B-minor Mass, a work that is performed annually at the Bethlehem Bach Festival by the world-famous Bach Choir. Bethlehem also hosts Musikfest, a large, 10-day music festival, each August. This event draws visitors from all over the country and features large number of free outdoor performances at multiple venues in the downtown area.
Bethlehem has also figured large in the industrial history of the nation. Most of this is linked to the history of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, which at one time was the country’s second-largest steel producer before its demise in 2001. Among other things, Bethlehem Steel made the steel for the Golden Gate Bridge and fabricated armor plates and battleship guns for the US Navy during World War II. This technological ability has not disappeared from Bethlehem. It still boasts one of the few facilities at which large-scale forgings such as propeller shafts for nuclear aircraft carriers are made. Lehigh University, in South Bethlehem, is a nationally-ranked university with a highly reputed engineering college.
Bethlehem is well worth a visit at any time of year, but especially so during the Christmas season when the historic district on Main Street becomes a crowded and festive scene, with horse-drawn carriages, street music, and an abundant number of cafés and restaurants. Participants in the Club Championships should try to spend at least a few hours here to gain the full flavor of the locality.
Another Bethlehem attraction that draws large number of visitors is SteelStacks, a café and entertainment complex located in the shadow of four huge Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces on Bethlehem’s South Side. This is also the site of a seasonal, German-style Christmas market, Kristkindelmarkt. Further to the east in the SteelStacks complex is the Wind Creek Casino and Resort, with a full array of gambling opportunities as well as bars, restaurants and live entertainment.
Click here for a complete description of seasonal and year-round attractions in the Bethlehem, as well as an extensive list of places to eat. Beyond Bethlehem, the larger Lehigh Valley, including the cities of Allentown and Easton, offers an extensive list of activities, as well as additional possibilities for lodging and dining.
