After the Battle of Brandywine in 1777 George Washington had no hope of saving Philadelphia from the British. The Liberty Bell and the bells of Christ Church were secretly removed to Allentown to be hidden in Zion's Church. The church now houses the Liberty Bell Museum.
Allentown has 2,000 acres of park grounds; recreational opportunities can be found on the city's bike paths, hiking trails and golf courses. Fishing is permitted in rivers and streams. The Malcolm Gross Rose Garden and the Rose Garden, Parkway Boulevard and 27th Street, contain more than 100 varieties of roses, water plants and many other flowers. Peak bloom seasons are spring and fall. West Park features a fountain and war memorials surrounded by more than 200 types of trees; concerts are held in the summer at the band shell.
The city has three historic districts: Old Allentown; Old Fairgrounds; and West Park, which is centered around the city's first park and features Colonial Revival and Queen Anne architecture.
The 1,200-seat Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th St., is a renovated late 19th-century theater that is home to Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Musicals, theatrical events and symphony performances are given; phone (610) 432-6715 for the box office. The Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., offers live theater as well as independent and foreign films; phone (610) 432-8943.
Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College are institutions of higher education.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Class AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, play at Coca-Cola Park; phone (610) 841-7447.
Lehigh Valley SportsFest draws approximately 150,000 spectators and 10,000 amateur athletes, who compete in more than three dozen sporting events in parks across the city each July. In late August through early September the Great Allentown Fair, which supports the achievements of farmers, gardeners and homemakers, is held at the Allentown Fairgrounds. This annual event has been occurring since 1852 and features rides, games, shows and concerts; phone (610) 433-7541. Lights in the Parkway is a nearly 1.5-mile drive-through light display set to music along Lehigh Parkway, one of the city's parks, late November through late December; phone (610) 437-7530.
Lehigh County Historical Society operates the following nearby sites: Haines Mill Museum, 3600 Haines Mill Rd. in Cetronia; 1756 Troxell-Steckel Farmer Museum, 4229 Reliance St. in Egypt; and Lock Ridge Furnace Museum, 525 Franklin St. in Alburtis. For schedules phone (610) 435-1074.
Visitor Centers
Lehigh Valley Visitor Center 840 Hamilton St. Suite 200 Allentown, PA 18101. Phone:(610)882-9200
Self-guiding Tours
Brochures for the self-guiding Lehigh Valley Covered Bridges Tour, which leads past seven historic and picturesque bridges, are available at the convention and visitors bureau. Information about a local log cabin trail, the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail and bicycle trails also is available. Information about the Old Allentown historic district can be found at Lehigh Valley Visitor Center as well as at Old Allentown Preservation Association at 147 N. 10th St. and at City Hall.
Shopping
The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market, 17th and Chew streets, features an Amish bakery, fresh produce, flowers, cheeses and specialty food items. It's open year-round Thursday through Saturday.Lehigh Valley Mall, N. MacArthur Road and US 22, includes Boscov's, JCPenney and Macy's.
About 6.5 miles southeast of Allentown in Center Valley is The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Center Valley Pkwy. and SR 309, which features more than 70 stores, including Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, J. Jill and L.L. Bean.