Hotels in Bethlehem

Bethlehem: Steel Heritage on the Lehigh River

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania sits along the Lehigh River about 50 miles north of Philadelphia and 90 miles west of New York City. Founded by Moravian settlers in 1741, the city built one of North America's most storied industrial complexes — Bethlehem Steel, once the second-largest steel producer in the United States. The former blast furnaces, preserved as SteelStacks, now anchor a 10-acre arts campus hosting over 1,000 events annually, including Musikfest, a free 10-day festival each August drawing roughly 1 million visitors.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster in two zones: Downtown Bethlehem near Main Street's 18th-century Moravian streetscape and independent restaurants, and the Route 378 corridor closer to SteelStacks and the Sands Bethlehem casino complex. The Historic Hotel Bethlehem, operating since 1922, sits at the center of the South Side heritage district. Visitors attending Musikfest or Christkindlmarkt — a German Christmas market running since 1991 — typically book three to six months ahead.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is 6 miles east; Philadelphia International is roughly 60 miles south.
• Getting around: A car is practical for reaching SteelStacks and Route 378 hotels; Downtown is walkable within a half-mile radius.
• Timing: August and December see peak demand — book early for those windows.