The British almost captured the Liberty Bell during the Revolutionary War. Fortunately, American patriots hid it in Allentown under the Zion's Reformed Church in 1777. Today, the Liberty Bell Museum tells the bell's story and has rotating exhibits about American history.
The Museum of Indian Culture honors the Lenape (of Delaware) and other Northeastern Woodland Indian cultures. You'll learn what daily life was like for the Native American. Art lovers will enjoy the artistry exhibits.
The Da Vinci Science Center isn't the type of museum where you just quietly read about exhibits. Visitors actually do tasks. Exhibits include learning about motor vehicle safety, the causes of weather and identifying different kinds of insects. You'll have a chance to experience tunnel vision in a dark tunnel and ride a device similar to one that NASA uses to train astronauts.
America on Wheels bills itself as a Museum of Over the Road Transportation. It delivers with exhibits and information ranging from hot rods to emergency vehicles. Interactive opportunities include driving a Mack truck and designing your own car.
Truck fans will want to visit the Mack Trucks Historical Museum for additional antique vehicles and artifacts about the company, which first manufactured a bus in 1900. The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except holidays).
The Allentown Art Museum offers a permanent collection of Asian, Indian and Tibetan art, Italian Renaissance paintings, Mediterranean Textiles, plus an exhibit relating to Frank Lloyd Wright and the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century. Check with the museum to see what touring exhibits are currently on display.
Each Memorial Day weekend, the Mayfair Festival of the Arts takes place at Cedar Beach Park in town. Aside from the arts and crafts vendors and exhibits, there is a range of concerts available from Christian music to hip hop.
The Great Allentown Fair is an outdoor festival that goes back to 1852. You'll find something to do between the music tent and the agricultural and livestock exhibits. It runs the week of Labor Day.
Get your marching boots on for the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in early October at J. Birney Crum Stadium. College teams from the East Coast perform.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom provides a double treat with both land and water rides. Choose from more than 100 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters and a 596,000-gallon wave pool. Snoopy and other "Peanuts" characters are featured on rides for kids.
Allentown owns more acres of parks per resident than any other city of its size in the country, according to the city's website. The 2,000 acres include Allentown's West Park, which has more than 200 species of trees. It's ideal for a nice walk.
