Take the Family to Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, for Historic Experiences

The Historic Moravian Bethlehem District’s recent inauguration to the UNESCO World Heritage list gives family travelers even more reasons to visit Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Part of the first-ever transnational World Heritage site, which includes unique settlements in Germany, Northern Ireland and Denmark, this site spans 10 acres and multiple historic buildings.

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The district tells the story of the Moravian missionaries who settled in Bethlehem in 1741. This economic and social experiment laid the groundwork, showcasing German Colonial architecture and reflecting Moravian town planning. The site was also the place where African Americans, American Indians and Europeans lived, worked, worshipped and learned together, speaking 15 different languages across 35 trades and crafts.

Take the kids to the district and they’ll feel as if they’re walking the streets of 1700s Bethlehem. Book a stay at Historic Hotel Bethlehem before venturing to National Canal Museum in nearby Easton. This museum honors America’s golden age of canals. Kids will love strolling through the oldest continuously operating, open-air farmers market (established in 1752).

Musikfest © Donna Fisher Photography

The area is also home to the former Bethlehem Steel site, now a vibrant space for music and the arts, with more than 1,000 concerts and eight festivals held annually. Signature events include The Great Allentown Fair, Musikfest and PA Shakespeare Festival.