Named Best US Main Street - Bethlehem, PA

A visit to walkable Main Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a blend of small-town charm, rich history, and vibrant local culture. The street exudes a timeless feel, especially in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, where Bethlehem’s Moravian roots are most evident. It’s a place that invites you to slow down and take it all in.

Founded in 1741 by Moravian missionaries, Bethlehem is a historic city in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania. Its deep colonial roots are on display in the Historic Moravian District, a National Historic Landmark and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring original 18th-century buildings. Bethlehem is also home to one of the oldest colleges in the United States.

The city’s industrial legacy is equally significant. Bethlehem Steel, once a titan of American manufacturing and wartime production, shaped the 20th century. Though the plant closed in the early 2000s, its spirit lives on at SteelStacks—a dynamic arts and cultural campus built on the former site.

Bethlehem’s creative energy continues through events and institutions. It hosts Christkindlmarkt, a beloved German-style holiday market, and Musikfest, one of the largest free music festivals in the country. The Banana Factory Arts Center, ArtsQuest Center, and Wind Creek Bethlehem all contribute to a thriving arts and entertainment scene.

I visited in the spring, but Bethlehem is known as “The Christmas City.” I heard that in December, Main Street transforms with festive markets, horse-drawn carriage rides, and live holiday music, bringing the town’s heritage and holiday spirit to life. And throughout the year shines its most prominent decoration up on South Mountain, a giant star mimicking the Star of Bethlehem.

This is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

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Bethlehem offers a mix of urban, suburban, and historic charm. Its downtown areas are walkable with boutique shops, restaurants, and historic sites.

The Bethlehem Star

An old Woolworth Store Bullding on Main Street.

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Bethlehem Steel: Rusting Relic (America Through Time)

By Landis, Steven

Community of the Cross: Moravian Piety in Colonial Bethlehem (Max Kade Research Institute: Germans Beyond Europe)

By Atwood, Craig D.

Bethlehem of Pennsylvania: The First One Hundred Years, 1741-1841

By Yates, W. Ross (Chair, Editorial Committee), and Others

The George Myers Building built in 1892 and designed by Willis G Hale.

The Charles A Brown Ice House, a historic building located along the Lehigh River, is now an arts venue.

A sculpture of many hats

Public mural displaying Bethlehem’s present and past.

One of the old converted train stations.

A century-old train station, repurposed as a restaurant.

Life-sized Penn State mascot, the Nittany Lion, dot the benches around the city.

Along the Sand Island Trail D & L Corridor.

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The Hotel Bethlehem is located on the site of the Moravian First House, built 1741. The present hotel building was built in 1922 by Charles Schwabb, president of Bethlehem Steel, to house his clients.

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Cocktailing in the Tap Room of the Hotel Bethlehem.

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A victorian-style home on Church Street.

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Windows & Shutters in the Moravian Church Settlement district.

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Bethlehem has a rich architectural tapestry influenced by the industrial hub, and later, a revitalized city.

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Some of the houses that were originally occupied by Bethlehem Steel workers still stand today on a hill overlooking the former workplace.

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church was built between 1914 and 1917 primarily by Slovenian immigrants who came to work in the area.

St. Michael’s Cemetery, which overlooks the former campus, is the final resting place for some former Bethlehem Steel employees.

The Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Infacy was built in 1886 by Irish immigrants.

Part of Lehigh University, a prestigious private research university, high up on a hill overlooking the city.

Buildings here range from colonial and industrial to modern additions, creating a unique blend of styles.

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One of the homes displaying the Bethlehem Star as porch light.

The clocktower of the Central Moravian Church which was founded in 1742.

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The Sun Inn was built in 1758 by the Moravians to provide accommodation for non-Moravians who had business with the community. The Inn opened its doors in 1760 with comfortable lodging, and excellent cuisine. 

This Unknown Soldier memorial marks the site where more than 500 men who died in the Continental Hospital.

The Landmark Commons building on Main Street was a former 19th-century bank.

The old Moravian Blacksmith Shop.

The Brethren House, built in 1748 for young Moravian single men in the community.

Martin Hall, built in 1854.

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Bell House was built in 1746 by Moravian settlers.

Once the home of Bethlehem Steel, the site has been reborn as a vibrant cultural destination, offering live performances and public events. Visitors can also walk the Hoover-Mason Trestle, a public walkway built along the former narrow-gauge railroad that once served the steel plant.

National Museum of Industry is housed on the former campus of Bethlehem Steel and interprets industry past, present and future.

The Nain-Schober House, built in 1758, is the only remaining 18th-century structure built and inhabited by Native Americans in eastern Pennsylvania.

Luckenback Mill built in 1869 is a historic grist mill and was part of the first industrial park in the United States.

The Gemeinhaus (1741), one of the oldest buildings in Bethlehem

What you should know:

• You could spend a day to a couple of days exploring here.

• The town is walkable, and its a great way to get around.

• Bethlehem is known as “Christmas City, USA”

• Most of the parking in town is metered street parking with a two hour limit which can be a pain. There are also a few garage / lot options for longer stays.

• Parking can be difficult in season and during the Christmas holiday.

• There are a few restaurant and hotel options.

• The people are friendly and helpful.

• There are public restrooms available.

• Walking trails can be found at Monocacy Way Trail, Sand Island D & L Corridor, South Bethlehem Greenway, and South Mountain Park.

For more information: Historic Bethlehem

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