 Perched on the banks of the Lehigh River, Allentown, Pennsylvania's third largest city, offers a mix of attractions, history, architecture, theatre, music, and cultural events (with the latter usually staged at the handsome Symphony Hall, left). Home to the country's oldest city concert band, Allentown is steeped in history. Originally named Northamptontown in 1762 by its founder, William Allen, "Allen's town" remained a small village until the mid-1800s. The iron and railroad industry transformed the hamlet when German and Irish workers flooded the area seeking a better wage and a better life. As the Industrial Revolution peaked in the early 20th century, so did Allentown's economy, springing up silk mills and manufacturing factories. Besides being home to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, these days Allentown is known for its amazingly fun Great Allentown Fair, held here over Labor Day Weekend for more than 150 years. Chickens, pigs, jellies, and all kinds of country-style entertainment (including games, raffles, and live music) can be found within the fairgrounds—so come see why the Fair still packs 'em in after a century and a half!  In the downtown area, stroll the historic district, take a self-guided walking tour and discover the Liberty Bell Museum, where the Liberty Bell was stored for safekeeping during the Revolutionary War.
In fact, the Liberty Bell Museum is only the first of many museums you can sample hereabouts. Another can't-miss attraction in this part of town, for instance, is the Allentown Art Museum (above left). Founded during the Depression and originally known for its strong collection of European paintings, the Museum now has equally impressive holdings in American art and textiles as well. As if all that wasn't reason enough to visit, special exhibitions change several times a year, and the Museum boasts a library designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Tour the Museum of Indian Culture to immerse yourself in the cultures of Native Americans throughout the Northeast Woodlands (open March through December; January and February, by appointment only). Visit Trout Hall, the oldest house in Allentown (and home to the city's founder, William Allen), or the oldest operating grist mill, now housed in the Haines Mill Museum. And for a truly unique museum experience, don't forget the Mack Truck Museum, housing memorabilia and some 80,000 photographs devoted to the original "big Mack."  If you'd like to find a museum that will appeal to kids in particular, look no further than the Da Vinci Science Center, located in a dramatic hilltop building (pictured, left) just a short drive west of downtown. Young people are likely to be hooked by the Center's state-of-the-art interactive exhibits covering basic chemistry and physics, weather, and sleep, among other topics—and adults might wonder why learning science was never this much fun when they were kids! For a change of pace, visitors should also be sure to spend time with the Center's aquarium exhibit, which allows for mesmerizing close-up views of starfish, hermit crabs, and more of Finding Nemo's real-life counterparts.
Finally, annual Allentown events include Lights in The Parkway in the holiday season, Sportsfest, and the Mayfair Festival of the Arts—the latter showcasing art, live music, crafts, and food, and held every Memorial Day Weekend at Cedar Beach Park, in the west end of town. (Be sure to check Escapemaker's event calendar for current event updates.) DORNEY PARK
 Warm weather means fun times at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom! Dorney Park originally began as a fish hatchery owned by one Solomon Dorney in 1860. Years later, he decided to market it as an attraction by adding games, rides, a zoo, concession stands, a hotel, and a restaurant. After Solomon added an unprecedented number of mechanical rides in 1884, the estate was renamed "Dorney's Trout Ponds and Summer Resort." In 1899, a double-track trolley was laid to connect Allentown to Kutztown, and in 1901 Jacob Plarr brought a Dentzel carousel to the park. It wasn't until 1923, however, that the first wooden roller coaster (now called the ThunderHawk, and 80-plus years old!) was added, as well as the Zephyr scenic train, which is also still working today. The park survived tough times, including World War II, and even managed to add new rides and attractions well into the 1970s. In 1985, Wildwater Kingdom was opened, offering water slides, activity pools, and the famous Wave Pool. Other notable additions include Hydra: The Revenge (pictured, above left), a floorless roller coaster, Steel Force, and the hair-raising Dominator! In addition to all the rides, games, and attractions, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom offers shows, live music, souvenir shops, and arcades. After 115 years, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom remains one of the most exciting amusement parks in the Northeast, and should please kids of all ages—especially those who love Snoopy and his "Peanuts" pals, as they're the official ambassadors of the park. Finally, with regard to eating, there are picnic areas outside Dorney Park; be aware, however, that no outside food is allowed in the park. Inside the gates, Game Day Grille and Coasters Drive-In offer visitors plenty of options to choose from, along with several concession stands selling hot dogs, pizza, french fries, hamburgers, etc. Note: The park is only reachable by public transportation on Saturdays through mid-October. See more info on these activities and businesses
| LODGING |  | The Hampton Inn & Suites and the Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center both offer seasonal packages.
The Holiday Inn Conference Center Lehigh Valley features a full breakfast buffet, an outdoor pool, and discounted tickets to local attractions available from the Front Desk. Wingate by Wyndham is just 1/8 of a mile from Dorney Park and within 30 minutes of Blue Mountain Ski Area. In fact, the Inn's convenient location off I-78 at Exit 54 puts it just minutes away from most local industrial parks and area attractions!Amenities include a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, a heated indoor pool, a whirlpool and fitness center, a free 24-hour business center, and free high-speed Internet access. Days Inn & Conference Center: This property offers an olympic size outdoor pool, sand volleyball court, and video game room. A nearby fitness center with raquetball and tennis is also available to guests, as is an abundance of free parking. Four Points Sheraton Hotel: The Four Points Sheraton Lehigh Valley (in Allentown) boasts the largest indoor pool anywhere in the Lehigh Valley and a year-round array of golf, ski, and couples packages. Emphatically pet-friendly, the Four Points Sheraton will throw in a special "travel kit" for your dog, complete with food and water bowls and a plastic chew toy! See more info on lodgings in Allentown 
| | | | DINING | | If you find yourself in downtown Allentown during the day, Spooners Cafe, on Hamilton Street, is a dependable choice. Good-quality wraps and salads, as well as piquant soups like the excellent "Jailhouse Chili," put this head and shoulders above most anything else you'll find in the neighborhood. The checkerboard tables (with playing pieces thoughtfully provided inside a cigar box on each table) make a nice complement to the food, too. Another source for casual fare is the King George Inn, an Allentown tradition since 1756. Enjoy one of their themed dinners or holiday feasts to rediscover what the expression "all the trimmings" really means. See more info on dining in Allentown
| NIGHTLIFE | | Late-night owls will enjoy local and national bands and Karaoke nights at Banana Joe's or the Crocodile Rock Cafe. Catch a play at the Theatre Outlet. Afterwards, head to the Federal Grill & Cigar Bar. And music lovers, take heed: Allentown is home to an impressive number of performing groups, like the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, and the Allentown Symphony Association. Check the local listings to see if there's a concert or recital going on while you're in the area. See more info on nightlife in Allentown
 | | | | TRANSPORTATION | | BUS:
To Allentown/Dorney on Saturdays:
Port Authority to Allentown on Transbridge Bus. Travel time is 2-1/2 hours. Arrive at Allentown Depot. Walk 5 blocks to the LANTA terminal on Hamilton and 8th St. Connect with the LANTA shuttle bus to Route H / Dorney Park. Saturdays Only through October. Call and confirm schedule with Transbridge Bus at 800-962-9135 and LANTA shuttle bus at 610-776-RIDE. Carl Bieber Tourways also runs buses from NYC to Wescosville, which is only 1/2-mile from Dorney Park. Total travel time: 2-1/2 to 3 hours. --- TAXI:
If you get stuck, take Quick Service Taxi (610-434-8132). --- CAR:
From the George Washington Bridge, take Route 80 West to Route 287 South to I-78 West (or from the Verrazano Bridge, take NJ Turnpike South to Exit 10, then Route 287 North to I-78 West). In New Jersey take I-78 West to PA Exit 16B, Hamilton Blvd.
--- SHUTTLE:
As mentioned above, the Wingate Inn provides a free complimentary shuttle service to Dorney Park.
See more info on transportation in Allentown 
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| TRAVEL TIPS | | Packing extras: Bathing suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, towel. |
| WEATHER | |
All photos courtesy of the Lehigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, except: DaVinci Science Center, courtesy of Timothy Miller Photography. |
