BethlehemOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

The Moravian Founding of Bethlehem

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was established on Christmas Eve in 1741 by a small group of Moravians, a Protestant denomination with roots in 15th-century Bohemia and Moravia (present-day Czech Republic). Led by Count Nicolaus Zinzendorf, they named the settlement after the biblical birthplace of Jesus during a stable service. The land, 500 acres at the confluence of the Monocacy Creek and Lehigh River, was acquired from William Allen earlier that year. The Moravians initially lived under a communal system, where the church owned all property. By 1747, the community had 36 different trades and industries exporting goods throughout the colonies. In 1762, Bethlehem built the first public waterworks in America.

From Colonial Crossroads to Steel City

During the American Revolutionary War in the late 1770s, Bethlehem served as a hospital for wounded Continental Army soldiers by order of George Washington. Many patriots from Philadelphia also sought refuge in Bethlehem as the British advanced. The 1758 Sun Inn, a colonial establishment, hosted numerous American figures, including George and Martha Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.

The Industrial Revolution brought a new era to Bethlehem, transforming it into a center of heavy industry. The Saucona Iron Company, founded in 1857, evolved into Bethlehem Steel. By the mid-20th century, Bethlehem Steel became the second-largest steel producer in the United States, employing over 30,000 people at its peak. The company was instrumental in constructing American structures, including the Golden Gate Bridge and many New York City skyscrapers. Facing increased foreign competition and rising costs, Bethlehem Steel suspended most of its steelmaking operations in 1982 and dissolved in 2003. The former industrial site has since been redeveloped into the SteelStacks Arts & Cultural Campus.

• —Central Moravian Church — This church, completed in 1806, is part of the Historic Moravian Community, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its architecture reflects Moravian simplicity.
• —Gemeinhaus (Moravian Museum of Bethlehem) — Built in 1741, this was the original communal home for Moravian settlers. It houses the Moravian Museum, showing early community life and beliefs.
• —Single Brethren's House — Constructed in 1748, this large stone building housed the unmarried men of the Moravian community. It shows the communal living arrangements central to early Moravian life.
• —Moravian Cemetery (God's Acre) — This cemetery, established in the 18th century, features simple, uniform gravestones, reflecting the Moravian belief in equality in death. Converted Lenape Native Americans were also buried here alongside Moravians.
• —Sun Inn — Dating back to 1758, this inn served as a stop for travelers and dignitaries during the colonial era, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. It now operates as a museum, restaurant, and tavern.
• —Colonial Industrial Quarter (Waterwheel) — This area contains reconstructed workshops and original foundations of Bethlehem's early industries. It includes a working waterwheel, a grist miller's house, and the ruins of a butchery and pottery. This area was a hub of production in the 1700s.
• —SteelStacks Arts & Cultural Campus — This revitalized industrial site, formerly part of the Bethlehem Steel plant, is now an arts and entertainment venue. The towering blast furnaces are illuminated at night.
• —Hoover Mason Trestle — An elevated pedestrian walkway that offers views of the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces and the SteelStacks campus.

The period from mid-June to late September is suitable for warm-weather activities and outdoor tourism, with a peak in late August. During these months, temperatures are pleasant, averaging highs of 76°F (24°C) to 85°F (29°C) in July. September offers clear skies. The city is known as "Christmas City USA," and November and December are popular for holiday festivities like Christkindlmarkt.

Avoid January and February if cold weather is a concern, as these are the coldest months with average lows around 24°F (-4°C) and highs around 38°F (3°C). These months are also the cloudiest.

Bethlehem is served by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located about 10-15 minutes north of downtown. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are within a 75-90 minute drive.

The historic downtown areas are walkable. For longer distances or to visit neighboring towns, the Lehigh and Northampton County Transportation Authority (LANTA) provides bus services. A single ride costs $2, and a day pass is $4. LANTA also offers an EBS (Express Bus Service) with specific routes for Northside and Southside Bethlehem, and connections to Allentown and Whitehall. Parking is available in several public garages throughout Bethlehem.