Melissa Henry and Brendan Ahern
Explore Our Favorite Place
Historic Downtown Bethlehem
You can spend an entire day just wandering down Main Street, and many of the recommendations you'll find below include shops and restaurants on Main Street that we love. While Main Street really goes all out for for Musikfest - a gigantic, 10-day, you guessed it, music festival in August - wedding weekend you'll find downtown taken over by Celtic Fest. This 3-day festival brings nearly 300,000 people to Bethlehem. While we didn't plan our specifically to fall on Celtic Fest, we hope you'll be able to experience it this weekend (just don't drink too much mead before the wedding!)
SteelStacks
Established in 1899, the Bethlehem Steel was the world's second largest steel producing corporation in the country. Operations ceased in 2003, but Bethlehem honors its history with the SteelStacks, an arts and event center focused around the Bethlehem Steel's history. Here, you can visit the steel museum and walk the Hoover Mason Trestle, an elevated pedestrian walkway through the steel stacks. The SteelStacks complex also features a Bethlehem Steel store, a movie theater, outlets, and a casino, and hosts many concerts and events every year.
GreenHouse Enoteca
While not technically in Bethlehem, this nearby restaurant is special to us because Melissa's cousin Heidi runs it! We're biased, but we think the food is fantastic - they have a pizza oven imported from Italy, they grow their own greens in the attached greenhouse (hence the name) and source everything else locally from PA. They even make their own wine! The Greenhouse opens at 5pm, so it's a great option for dinner or a drink before Friday festivities begin (or if you're making an extra long weekend out of it!)
Moravian Book Shop
Founded in 1745, the Moravian Bookstore is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the United States and the second oldest in the world. More than books, you can also find Bethlehem souvenirs and local artist goods here. It is also home to the Moravian College bookstore. While inside, be sure to grab a beer from Lost Tavern Brewing. This is the brewery's second location, and both are owned and operated by a few of Melissa's high school classmates.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Affectionately referred to simply as "Hotel" or "Hotel B" by the locals, Historic Hotel Bethlehem is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Historic Hotel of America. Notable guests through history include Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, the 14th Dalai Lama, and Amelia Earhart. While you won't have the benefit of seeing Hotel dressed up for the holidays (it's one of Melissa and Brendan's favorite things to do at Christmasttime!), we highly recommend stopping in for a drink at the bar.
The Bookstore Speakeasy
Fun fact: when Melissa and Brendan's parents met for the first time, they had dinner at the Bookstore (and thankfully, both the food and the conversation was wonderful!). We love this little spot tucked away on the Southside, which has a totally different feel from Main Street. Go in to grab a Prohibition-era themed cocktail, enjoy some live jazz, or even order off of their "hidden" menus (you'll see what we mean if you try it out!). Just be wary - true to its name, this spot is a bit hard to find!
Johnny's Bagels & Deli
With its main location right on Main Street, Johnny's has been Melissa's favorite since high school, and she's spent many breakfasts with her high school friends here. Rumor also has it that Melissa has also been courted by more than one of the men behind the counter at Johnny's, so even though he loves a good bacon, egg, and cheese, the jury on this spot is still out for Brendan...
Billy's Downtown Diner
If you're looking for a heartier, sit down breakfast, Billy's is your place. Get there early, though - this spot is in demand and you'll often find people sitting on the sidewalk outside while they wait for a table. Melissa swears by Yanna's Omelet, while Brendan can't get enough of the Cannoli Tower (and don't be fooled by the name - this IS a breakfast dish!)
Lehigh University
Lehigh's campus is beautiful and worth exploring if you venture over to the south side. But take your sneakers - campus is full of hills and hikes! A fun fact: Melissa's parents live on the other side of the hill from the campus, and Melissa's father tried to bribe her into going to LU and living at home for college by promising a new car if she took him up on it. While Melissa would have been proud to be a Mountain Hawk, she wouldn't have traded Dickinson for the world.
Vegan Treats, Inc.
Non-vegans, don't be turned off by the name - everything here, from their cakes to their cookies to their ice cream, is ah-may-zing.
Lost Tavern Brewing
A local brewery started by some of Melissa's high school classmates, this is their second outpost and shares space with the Moravian Bookstore.