Time Out! Why Your Next Date Night or Girls Weekend Should Be in Lehigh Valley, PA

You’re due for some time off.

Photo courtesy of New Jersey Family staff

While Lehigh Valley, PA has plenty for your crew to do as a family, it can also be your go-to romantic getaway, girls’ weekend spot or me time day trip destination. Call the sitter and plan a grown-ups only trek to this nearby history-rich region:

Photo courtesy of Colin Coleman Photography

Easton Farmer’s Market

Centre Square, Easton Public Market
325 Northampton St., Easton

This is the longest continuously-running open-air market in the country, and it’s definitely endured the test of time. It’s back in full force, hosting a number of annual food festivals and weekly out-of-state visitors. You’ll find cheese, bread, raw milk, pickles, pastries, tea, trail mix and more, much of which is from local farms. Grab a bite while listening to live music and explore the Easton Public market, an indoor market just down the street. Noteworthy places to check out at the public market include Dondore and Heister (a craft butcher that serves up a crazy-tender braised beef sandwich), Chocodiem (don’t miss the macarons!) and Mister Lee’s Noodles, where you can get epic ramen bowls, hot or cold.

Photo courtesy of New Jersey Family staff

Moravian Museum of Bethlehem

66 W. Church St., Bethlehem
610-691-6055

History buffs of all ages will learn about the Moravians in the 1741 Geimenhaus, Bethlehem’s oldest building. The log structure has tons of clothes, artifacts and even a church. Learn all about these fascinating pacifists who founded Bethlehem, healed injured Revolutionary War soldiers (from both sides) and made history with their infamous trombone choruses (they even inadvertently deterred a Native American attack off with their trombone playing!). Go on your own or as a part of a walking tour led by a representative of Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites. You’ll not only get to visit the museum, but also the live blacksmith, Moravian College and more.

Photo courtesy of Discover Lehigh Valley

Allentown Art Museum

31 N. 5th St., Allentown
610-432-4333

Galleries and exhibits await you. See exhibitions such as American Vistas: Landscapes from the Collection, The Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes and Designing for the Loom: Drawings by William Geskes. Head to the museum there at select times for adult tours, or check the calendar for special presentations, lectures and shows. Bring the kids if you want the kids to get a taste for activities like treasure hunts to crafting on Free Sundays. Activities can include anything from treasure hunts to crafting in the Crayola Classroom.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW JERSEY FAMILY STAFF

The Dime

12 North 7th St., Allentown
484-273-4010

Located on the third floor of the Renaissance Allentown Hotel, The Dime can be your spot for family breakfast, dinner or a last-minute cocktail and dessert. On weekends you’ll get to sip your strawberry smash (gin, lime juice, strawberry, basil) or Moscow mule while listening to a live DJ. Entrees that’ll satisfy include the Farmstead PA Grilled Cheese made with smoked mozzarella and cave-aged cheese from Calkins Creamery, braised short rib or crab cakes with seared polenta, veggies and lemon aioli. If you already had dinner, grab a late bar bite instead like short rib tacos, duck wings or oxtail empanadas with chipotle jicama slaw, or just the sweet stuff: think blackberry pie with orange ginger gelato or hazelnut creme brulee with a brown sugar crostini and Nutella creme.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DISCOVER LEHIGH VALLEY

Galen Glen Winery

255 Winter Mountain Dr., Andreas
570-386-3682

This vineyard is a local favorite and a can’t-miss. Specializing in white wines, Galen Glen grows nearly all its grapes on site. Visit the tasting room for six wine samples and a featured pairing (such as the cellar red with firehouse chili). Don’t leave before sampling the Riesling Fossil Vineyard, a dry riesling made with grapes grown in a fossil-filled “graveyard,” a result of the sea that once stood where the vineyard is 360 million years ago. We also recommend trying the bold and intense Crooked Stick Red or the raspberry-infused dessert wine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW JERSEY FAMILY STAFF

Folino Estate

340 Old Rte. 22, Kutztown
484-452-3633

Whether you come for wine tasting, shopping or dinner, Folino serves up exquisite food, drink and ambiance. Taste the crisp pinot grigio, nutty chardonnay, sweet rosso dolce or dry and figgy chambourcin. You might even get to meet the winemaker if you’re on-premise during harvesting. Sip at the wine bar or outside on the patio. If you decide to stay for a meal, start off with the calamari (flash fried and served with lemon and red wine dijonnaise), bruschetta sampler or a smoky wood-fired personal pizza for the table. As for the entrees, drinks and dessert, check out the specials menu that’s chock-full of fall-inspired seasonal items. Sip a sparkling apple cider or pumpkin pie sangria (complete with a graham cracker-coated rim), and try the sweet potato gnocchi in a funghi creme sauce and pumpkin cheesecake.

For more information about Lehigh Valley, visit discoverlehighvalley.com.

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