Check In. Chill out!
Sometimes the best getaway is the one you didn’t have to plan months in advance. Stay, dine, explore, and unwind, all within a few walkable blocks in Downtown Allentown.
- staycation
- walkable
- dinner & a show
Who's this for
A Downtown Allentown staycation is perfect for couples looking to reconnect, friends planning a weekend together, or locals ready to experience the city in a whole new way. Skip the airport, avoid the traffic, and trade long drives for an easy arrival and a walkable weekend filled with great food, live entertainment, local discoveries, and just enough spontaneity to make it feel like you’ve gone somewhere new.
Escape the routine without leaving Lehigh Valley.
The Weekend.
A great weekend doesn’t need a packed schedule—it just needs the right destination. Downtown Allentown brings together unique places to stay, memorable dining, live entertainment, and local discoveries, all within a few walkable blocks. Here’s one way to spend 48 hours in the city, but don’t be afraid to make it your own.
Friday!
Check in, settle in.
Your getaway begins the moment you arrive. Whether you’re drawn to the historic elegance of the Americus, the playful energy of the Moxy, or the modern comfort of the Renaissance, you’ll find a hotel that fits your style. Park the car, unpack once, and let the weekend unfold on foot.
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Renaissance Allentown Hotel
Modern comfort meets downtown convenience at Renaissance Allentown. Stylish rooms, thoughtful amenities, and an unbeatable location put restaurants, live entertainment, and local attractions just a short walk from your door.
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Moxie
A modern, boutique-style hotel offering a vibrant, social atmosphere with stylish rooms, lively common spaces, and a playful design inspired by the energy of the city.
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Americus Hotel
Steeped in history and beautifully restored, The Americus blends timeless elegance with modern luxury. Stay in the heart of Downtown Allentown and enjoy classic hospitality just steps from dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Saturday day!
Shop. Stroll. Discover.
Spend the afternoon exploring Downtown’s unique mix of local retailers, public art, and neighborhood favorites. Whether you’re searching for something special or simply enjoying the walk, every block offers another reason to slow down and see what’s around the corner.
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Assembly 88
A contemporary cocktail bar and lounge known for its craft drinks, elevated small plates, and intimate, stylish atmosphere perfect for nights out and social gatherings.
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Re:Find
A unique home furnishings and design shop featuring contemporary furniture, vintage treasures, antiques, artwork, and one-of-a-kind décor pieces curated from around the world.
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Art Haus Gallery
Gallery openings, artist talks, and rotating exhibits keep the space constantly evolving.
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Room & Ward Vintage
Vintage finds and curated pieces tucked directly into the ArtsWalk corridor.
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Saturday night!
Dinner and show.
Spend the day exploring before getting ready for the main event. Reserve a table at one of Downtown’s standout restaurants, then head to a concert, comedy show, hockey game, or live performance just minutes away. When the lights come up, the night doesn’t have to end. Grab a cocktail, enjoy live music, or simply take the long way back to your hotel.
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Rosa Blanca
Cuban dessert and pastries that go several rounds with the rest of the menu. Tres leches to split, espresso if you can still hang. The right way to wind it down.
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Okatshe
Sushi, ramen, and izakaya plates that hit. Order one of everything family-style, sit at the chef’s counter if there’s room. The main event most nights you’re downtown.
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Simpatico
Italian, candlelit, the kind of place you linger at long enough to order another bottle. Service paces the table well — you can stretch a meal into a whole evening.
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Miller Symphony Hall
The room you dress up a little for. Lehigh Valley’s symphony lives here, and the bookings stretch well beyond classical — pop-ups, screenings, intimate billings.
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Archer Music Hall
A live entertainment venue hosting concerts and events that bring national touring artists and vibrant performances to the heart of the city’s arts and music scene.
Sunday!
Take the scenic route.
There’s no reason to rush home. Grab a coffee, stretch your legs, and explore the art, architecture, and public spaces that give Downtown Allentown its unique personality. Sometimes the most memorable moments are the ones you didn’t plan.
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Arts Park
Coffee in-hand while the kids move around nearby is the entire assignment sometimes. Open space, seating, events, and room to breathe without leaving downtown.
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Allentown Art Museum
A surprisingly approachable stop for families. Creative programs, visual stimulation, and an easy indoor reset between higher-energy activities.
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Da Vinci Science Center
Interactive exhibits that actually hold attention. The kind of place where parents accidentally start playing too. Hands-on science, immersive displays, and enough movement that the kids won’t even realize they’re learning.
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The Liberty Bell Hiding Spot
At 620 Hamilton Street, a replica Liberty Bell marks the location where the original Liberty Bell was hidden for nine months during the Revolutionary War to keep it from falling into British hands.
Real. Good. Times.
Photogenic by design. Submitted by people who were actually here. Upload your photo below to land on the wall.
[ Local Secrets ]
The stuff people who live here actually tell each other.
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01
After-dinner affogatos at Gems & Joe
Espresso, gelato, and suddenly nobody wants to go home yet.
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02
Assembly88 is dangerous for shoppers
Barbour, Vuori, Patagonia, ON, Z Supply — good luck leaving empty handed.
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03
Do You Hear the Music?
Between ArtsWalk performances, PPL Center events, pop-up musicians, festivals, and community programming, there’s a good chance your family outing accidentally turns into live entertainment halfway through the day.
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04
Downtown Was Built to Be Walkable.
The compact layout and wide sidewalks make it easy for families to explore multiple stops without exhausting the kids.
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05
See the inside of Vault634
Catch a candlelight concert and prepare for a full jaw-drop moment.
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06
The Liberty Bell Was Hidden Here.
During the Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell was hidden beneath Zion’s Reformed Church in Downtown Allentown to keep it safe from the British.
Stash the car.
Park here, walk Hamilton, you're set. Plenty of decks, reasonable rates, and on-street meters fill in the gaps after 6pm and on Sundays.
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Right now.
- Tonight 69°
- Sat 78° 65°
- Sun 84° 62°
- Mon 84° 65°
Overcast and warm, perfect for a patio spot after sunset; just don’t forget your shades.
Updated 1:25 PM · Allentown, PA
