Lehigh Valley
Allentown, Pennsylvania
City and Lehigh County seat
The Lehigh Valley's largest city
Allentown is the largest of the three Lehigh Valley cities and the seat of Lehigh County, spread across hills above the Lehigh River about 60 miles north of Philadelphia. Its downtown has been rebuilt around the PPL Center arena and a growing arts and restaurant district, while the surrounding West End, South Side and East Side neighborhoods hold much of the city's housing.
History & Local Character
Founded in 1762 and incorporated as a borough in 1811, Allentown became a manufacturing center for silk, cigars, trucks and Mack Trucks. The Liberty Bell was hidden in Allentown in 1777, and the city's industrial corridors later attracted Puerto Rican and Syrian immigration that still shape its culture.
Housing & Real Estate
Allentown offers rowhouses, twins and singles across a wide price range, from affordable stock in Center City and the East Side to higher-priced homes in the West End and nearby suburbs.
Restaurants & Shopping
Hamilton Street and the downtown arts district have added breweries, cafes and restaurants, while Allentown's Puerto Rican community supports a strong Latin American food scene along Seventh Street.
Schools & Education
Allentown School District serves the city. Muhlenberg College, Cedar Crest College and Lehigh Carbon Community College operate nearby.
Parks & Recreation
The Lehigh Parkway, Trexler Memorial Park and Cedar Creek Park provide trails and green space, and Dorney Park sits at the city's edge.
Transportation & Accessibility
I-78, Route 22 and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike serve Allentown, and Lehigh Valley International Airport is minutes north. LANTA provides bus service throughout the valley.
Local Businesses
Independent restaurants, markets and professional offices line Hamilton Street, Seventh Street and Tilghman Street, with industrial parks along the Lehigh River.
Nearby Attractions
- PPL Center
- Lehigh Parkway
- Dorney Park
- America on Wheels Museum
- Muhlenberg College
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Most affordable of the Lehigh Valley's three cities
- Downtown arena and arts revival
- Highway and airport access
- Strong immigrant business community
Considerations
- School district faces funding and performance challenges
- Some neighborhoods have vacant properties
- Highway traffic through the city
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown the largest city in the Lehigh Valley?
Yes. Allentown is the largest of the Lehigh Valley's three cities, ahead of Bethlehem and Easton.
What is there to do in downtown Allentown?
The PPL Center arena, the Allentown Art Museum, Miller Symphony Hall and the surrounding restaurant and brewery district anchor downtown.