historic tours bethlehem pa

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Walk through history as we guide you to things to learn, places to discover, and events that help connect us to our rich heritage.

Museums & Sites

• Historic Bethlehem Tours
• Happening This Week
• Coming Soon – Schropp Shoppe
• Group Tours
• Signature Events
• Wedding & Celebration Venues
• Map: Historic Bethlehem
• Directions / Parking
• Professional Photography Permit
• Visit Us FAQs

Unspun: Stories of Silk

Event Series

Discover the stories behind where we came from, how we arrived here, and what we are doing now to serve our community.

• Exhibitions
• Collections
• Culture Connect

Design Your Own Marvelous Miniature Camp

Get to know more about HBMS — dedicated to telling the stories of Bethlehem's past and its lasting impact on our community.

Mission / Vision

• Board of Trustees
• Diversity / Inclusion
• Annual Report
• Press Releases
• Careers / Internships
• About Us FAQs

Find out why our city is The Christmas City while planning your scenic downtown visit and warming to our holiday traditions.

• Christmas Sweets & Treats
• Bethlehem By Night Motorcoach Tour
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
• Christmas City Stroll
• Holiday Wassail Party
• Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour
• Trees of Historic Bethlehem: The Finer Things
• Christmas Events

Live Advent Calendar

• Christmas FAQs

World Heritage

Review updates and progress on Historic Bethlehem’s initiative to grow closer to our World Heritage nomination.

World Heritage Update

• The Journey to World Heritage Site Status
• Video: One Step Closer
• Top 10 Things to Know
• Historic Moravian Bethlehem Story
• Resources & Links
• World Heritage FAQs

Join / Support

Work with us and share in our mission to keep our history alive while building our future together.

• Corporate Giving
• Taking the World Stage Capital Campaign
• Join / Support FAQs

Become a Member Today!

Membership Information

Visitor Center Hours

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Step into history: Visit our museums and sites

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites — a National Historic Landmark District in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania — proudly preserves 20 historic sites in the heart of the city .  We work to restore, educate, and learn all we can about these beautiful buildings and their storied pasts — including the first Moravian settlement from 1741.

The Moravian Museum , the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts , and the Visitor Center & Museum Store have regular open hours. Our other sites are primarily viewed on our tours. We are happy to arrange a c ustom tour for you at any time that includes any of our historic museums and sites.

Museums & Sites

Moravian museum of bethlehem, 66 west church street.

View incredible history and architecture at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, located in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, a National Historic Landmark….

• Monday: Custom Tours Available
• Tuesday: Custom Tours Available
• Wednesday: Custom Tours Available
• Thursday: Custom Tours Available
• Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Please use the “Book a Tour” button to schedule a Custom Tour.

Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts

427 north new street.

The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts is housed in three interconnected mid-1800s homes featuring changing exhibits, period rooms, and galleries highlighting furniture, paintings, china, clothing, and silver.

Please use the “Book a Tour” button to schedule a Custom Tour. The Marche Maison shop is open Monday and Wednesday - Sunday from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM and is closed on Tuesdays. NOTE: The rest of the museum is closed Monday-Thursday.

Visitor Center & Museum Store

505 main street.

The Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites’ Visitor Center & Museum Store is the place to start your visit to Bethlehem. Purchase museum…

• Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Coming soon! The Schropp Shoppe, will be unveiled later this spring. During renovations the store is still open, but you will enter through the Goundie House door.

1810 Goundie House

501 main street.

View the 1810 Goundie House that is believed to be the first brick residence in Bethlehem and the first private…

Nain-Schober House

429 heckewelder place.

The Nain-Schober House is the only extant 18th-century building that was built by and lived in by Indigenous Peoples in…

• Friday: Custom Tours Available
• Saturday: Custom Tours Available
• Sunday: Custom Tours Available

Please use the "Book a Tour" button to schedule a custom tour.

Single Sisters’ House

50 west church street.

Experience the daily life as a Single Sister in 1700s Bethlehem. The Single Sisters’ House, originally built for the Single…

Please use the "Book a Tour" button to schedule a Custom Tour.

1752 Apothecary

418 main street.

Up until its closing in the 1950s, the Apothecary was the oldest pharmacy in continuous operation in the United States….

Use the "Book a Tour" button to schedule a Custom Tour.

Colonial Industrial Quarter

145 ohio road.

Explore America’s first industrial park As a part of Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District, the Colonial Industrial Quarter…

• Monday: Open Dawn to Dusk
• Tuesday: Open Dawn to Dusk
• Wednesday: Open Dawn to Dusk
• Thursday: Open Dawn to Dusk
• Friday: Open Dawn to Dusk
• Saturday: Open Dawn to Dusk
• Sunday: Open Dawn to Dusk

The grounds are open from dawn to dusk. For specific building hours, please refer to that building's hours.

1869 Luckenbach Mill

459 old york road.

Once the original site of the flour mill, the 1869 Luckenbach Mill was in continuous use well into the 20th…

• Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving

1762 Waterworks

The 1762 Waterworks, recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, and an American Water Landmark, was the…

1761 Tannery

The Tannery was constructed in 1761 in the Colonial Industrial Quarter to tan hides into leather. It was built next…

• Monday: Closed
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

The building is currently not accessible. Learn more about the Tannery on the Colonial Industrial Quarter walking tour. Please use the "Book a Tour" button to schedule a Custom Tour.

1750 Smithy

425 main street.

Discover the treasured art of metalworking at Bethlehem’s functioning 1750 Smithy; where blacksmiths used their skill to create tools for…

• Friday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Burnside Plantation

1461 schoenersville road.

This historic 6.5-acre farm-in-the-city, Burnside Plantation, opened doors to early American agricultural life. The property includes a restored 1748/1818 farmhouse,…

• Monday: Dawn – Dusk
• Tuesday: Dawn – Dusk
• Wednesday: Dawn – Dusk
• Thursday: Dawn – Dusk
• Friday: Dawn – Dusk
• Saturday: Dawn – Dusk
• Sunday: Dawn – Dusk

The grounds are open from Dawn-Dusk, the buildings are open during events. If you are interested in touring the buildings, please use the "Book a Tour" button to schedule a Custom Tour.

Museum Filters

• Audio Tours
• Custom Tour
• Guided Tours
• Handicap Access
• Historic Moravian Bethlehem
• Kid Friendly
• Self-guided Tours
• Virtual Tour
• Wedding & Celebration Venues

Book a Tour

Use this form to book a custom tour for any of our Historic Sites.

Our Partners

Visitor Center

505 Main Street Bethlehem, PA 18018

Today's Hours 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

610-691-6055 1-800-360-TOUR

Administrative Office

74 West Broad Street, Suite 310 Bethlehem, PA 18018

610-882-0450

Connect With Us

Translate the Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites website into your language of choice!

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites

Mailing Address:

Additional locations:.

• Moravian Museum of Bethlehem 66 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA
• 1752 Apothecary
• 1748-1848 Burnside Plantation 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA
• 1810 Goundie House
• Visitor Center & Museum Store 505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA
• Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts 427 North New Street, Bethlehem, PA
• 1869 Luckenbach Mill 459 Old York Road, Bethlehem, PA
• 1750 Smithy
• 1758-69 Nain-Schober House
• Single Sisters’ House
• 1761 Tannery 459 Old York Road, Bethlehem, PA
• 1762 Waterworks

ADA Accessible:

Public restroom:, categories:, description:.

Historic Moravian Bethlehem is one of only eight National Historic Landmark Districts in Pennsylvania and one of only about 200 in the entire United States!

It preserves two National Historic Landmarks, 1741 Gemeinhaus and 1762 Waterworks. Historic Moravian Bethlehem’s footprint is 14 acres of the original 18th-century Moravian settlement which served as the center of Moravian activities in America. The settlement played a key role in both the international and American Moravian communities.

Today, visitors can experience some of the finest 18th century colonial Germanic architecture in the nation and explore some of the artifacts that speak to the Moravian community.

Historic Moravian Bethlehem was nominated to the US Tentative List in 2016 for eventual nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This would denote Historic Moravian Bethlehem as having historical and cultural significance on a global level on par with only 1,000 other sites in the world such as the Great Wall of China and the pyramids of Egypt.

At Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites we strive to keep this very important history alive through educational programs and tours, active preservation of 20 historic sites, 60,000+ artifacts, and over 275 years of Bethlehem’s rich heritage. You can experience all these things for yourself by joining us with historic walking tours, family-friendly events, interactive exhibits and programs, museum and historic site tours, and much more.

The Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center & Museum Gift Shop is your gateway into history. Standing as an invaluable resource for information on the city, making the Visitor Center your first stop is an absolute must. Here you can purchase your tickets to tour our many amazing sites, get information on local events, and learn about the stories of the beautiful buildings of our historic downtown. You’ll also find unique gifts and items such as artwork, jewelry, beauty products, tasty treats, and crafts created by local artisans and businesses – even items made by our professional Blacksmiths right down the street at the 1750 Smithy!

We strive to make your visit unforgettable and can cater for groups big and small. You can even rent out 4 of our historic sites for your next event. Call us about arranging custom tours for your group or for information on historic site rentals.

Be sure to visit Historic Moravian Bethlehem during the holiday season to experience “Christmas City, USA” like never before. Be enchanted by our beautiful city with walking tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, bus tours, gorgeous Christmas Tree displays, Holiday Putz Trail, and the nation’s only Live Advent Calendar.

For more information on our sites, tours, programs, activities, and seasonal offerings call 1-800-360-TOUR or visit www.HistoricBethlehem.org.

• Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Walking Tours Friday, April 12, 2024 – 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Walking Tours Saturday, April 13, 2024 – 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Walking Tours Sunday, April 14, 2024 – 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Educational Programs:

• A Century at Burnside Plantation
• Rise & Fall of Bethlehem Steel

See other historic sites that are ADA Accessible

• 1758 Sun Inn
• Antoine Dutot Museum & Gallery
• Asbury Grist Mill / Musconetcong Watershed Association
• Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum
• Berks History Center
• Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
• Coopersburg Historical Society
• Daniel Boone Homestead / The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates
• Durham Historical Society
• Emmaus Historical Society
• Forks Township Historical Society
• Hellertown Historical Society
• Historic Easton Cemetery
• Horner’s Cemetery Historical Society
• Kutztown Area Historical Society
• Kutztown Folk Festival
• Leesport Area Historical Society
• Lehigh County Historical Society
• Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania
• Lower Macungie Township Historical Society
• Lower Saucon Township Historical Society: Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse
• National Canal Museum
• National Museum of Industrial History
• No.9 Coal Mine and Museum
• Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society
• Quakertown Historical Society
• Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
• Reading Railroad Heritage Museum
• Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
• Slate Belt Heritage Center
• Slate Belt Museum and Historical Society
• Upper Milford Historical Society
• Williams Township Historical Society

See other historic sites that are Free

• Alburtis Lock Ridge Historical Society
• Boyertown Area Historical Society
• Camel’s Hump Farm Environmental Education Center and Community Garden at Johnston’s Estate
• Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association
• Knauss Homestead
• Leesport Lock House Foundation
• Northampton Area Historical Society
• Roseberry Homestead / Phillipsburg Area Historical Society
• Ross Township Historical Society
• Saucon Valley Conservancy / Heller Homestead
• Stroudsburg Little Bethel Historical Association
• Tatamy Historical Society
• Washington Crossing Historic Park
• Weatherly Area Museum
• Weisenberg-Lowhill Township Historical Society
• Whitehall Historical Preservation Society

See other historic sites that are Historic Houses

• George Taylor House
• Governor Wolf Historical Society
• Historic Sugartown
• Historic Trappe
• Jacobsburg Historical Society
• John Updike Childhood Home / The John Updike Society
• Moravian Historical Society
• Parsons-Taylor House
• Pearl S. Buck House National Historic Landmark Museum & Historic Site
• Shelter House Society

See other historic sites that focus on Holidays

See other historic sites that focus on industrial history.

• Schubert-Graber Log-Post Shop / Hivel Und Dahl Preservation Society

See other historic sites that are Kid Friendly

• Monroe County Historical Association
• Three Church Hill Arts & Historical Society
• TileWorks of Bucks County

See other historic sites that are Museums

See other historic sites in the bethlehem area, see other historic sites in northampton county, lightbox title.

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Historic Bethlehem Tours

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Historic Bethlehem Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Bethlehem Historic District Association Presents: Holiday House Tour 2021

December 11, 2021 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, tour historic district homes & sites festively decorated for the holidays..

Pre-purchase price: $35 (via the link below)

Tickets are available here

The BHDA would like to thank our three primary sponsors for their continued support of this event:

• Presenting Sponsor: Historic Hotel Bethlehem
• Supporting Sponsor: Twisted Olive
• Contributing Sponsor: Bazzini Nuts

Other Information

**MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER ALL HOMES & SITES**

Indoor smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited. Pets are not allowed inside any house tour site. The use of cameras or videos is strictly prohibited.

If you have questions, please contact a House Tour Representative at: [email protected].

Restaurant Reservations If you would like to eat lunch or dinner in Bethlehem on the day of the tour, we strongly recommend that you make a reservation as soon as you purchase your tickets.

Some of our favorite restaurant partners include: The Historic Hotel Bethlehem 437 Main St. 610-625-2219 1741 On the Terrace Menu Tap Room Menu

Twisted Olive 51 W. Broad St. (one block from the Walnut St. parking garage) 610-419-1200 Menu

Dress & Accessories Please wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Large handbags, backpacks, and shopping bags, other than the tote bag given to every house tour guest, must be left at the front door and collected as you exit each site.  Neither the BHDA nor its volunteers are responsible for theft or loss of any personal items.

Children & Strollers/Carriers All children must be accompanied by an adult. Baby strollers and hard-sided carriers must be left outside; babies may be carried in a front or back carrier.

It’s Time to Renew Your Membership for 2024!

BHDA Board Meetings are conducted on 4th Tuesdays at Bethlehem Area Public Library, Laros Room, 11 E. Church St. Contact the President at [email protected] for an invitation to the next meeting.

Volunteers Needed

Consider volunteering for one of our committees or projects including the Newsletter,  Grants Program, Membership, Sidewalk Sale, Welcome Committee, Holiday House Tour 2024, Website, Socials, or Musikfest Parking.

Download My Bethlehem App

My Bethlehem PA App provides access to information regarding COVID-19, Lehigh County and Northampton County Crisis Intervention, Parking, the Bethlehem Service Center to register or report a problem and information for those visiting our wonderful City. Download the app on your Apple or Android phone from the App Store, type in My Bethlehem PA, and download it. There is no fee to download the App.

Now accepting bookings for the 2024 season. Opening day is April 1st.

484-894-2973

• Kayak & Bike Excursions
• Gift Certificates
• Affiliate Program
• Join Our Team

-NEW- Teamwork on the Water $59

A rising trend in novel teambuilding - KAYAKING

Foster camaraderie, mutual respect, and collaboration among your employees.

Three ways to play in Historic Bethlehem

The steel stacks run our signature guided tour (may 15-sept 21) $89 / groups (10+) $69, the glendon dam run a self-guided kayak & bike tour (apr- nov) $59 / groups (10+) $49.

It's hard to beat a 1/2 day kayak and bike adventure. Come try our signature guided tour through the "Metro Wilderness". With a fascinating history, lush nature, and a kayaking/ biking combo, it is the complete package.

NEW kayak & bike adventure starting from the D&L's Nagy's Landing Trailhead. This kayak and bike adventure is 2 miles on the Lehigh River and 6 miles on the D&L Trail making an easy 8 mile loop in calm water and flat trails. Celebrate with photos at the Glendon Dam from the D&L Trail.

1/2 Day Bike Rental Explore on your own (May 15-Sept 21) $35 / Groups (10+) $25

Hit the D&L Trail for miles of great riding, or check out Historic Bethlehem, The Moravian Quarter, Bethlehem Steel or Moravian and Lehigh Universities. So much to see. 

Featured Tour - The Steel Stacks Run

A guided kayak & bike adventure (may 15 - september 21) $89.

Enjoy a 1/2 day guided recreational kayak & bike tour starting from Sand Island in Historic Bethlehem. 

Bonus: Get a complimentary photo of you and your group as you pass under the iconic Bethlehem Steel Stacks. A unique photo opportunity.

Season Pass and specialty event

All access season pass.

The ultimate anything, anytime pass. Try out all the tours and specialty events all season long.

River/Trail Clean up

River/Trail clean-up party

Saturday, May 4, 11 am.

Don't miss this feel-good event

Kayaking the Lehigh River in Historic Bethlehem, PA

The steel stacks run (may 15- october 15) $89.

Kayaking the first wave before the Steel Stacks.

Fun on the river

Making memories on the water.

Spring Kayaking - A Virtual Tour

Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors.

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Check the booking site or call for tour times.  See you on the River!

Historic Bethlehem River Tours, LLC

240 River Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

484-894-2973 [email protected]

Tours run April-October 

Monday- Staturday 

Closed Sunday

Copyright © 2024 Historic Bethlehem River Tours, LLC - All Rights Reserved.

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Visit Historic Bethlehem

Arts and entertainment, hospitality, professional services, visitor services.

• Top 10 Main Street
• Visitor Map

Billy’s Downtown Diner

The christmas city.

• Christmas Trellis Ornaments
• Live Advent Calendar

Storytime with Santa

• Historic Downtown Bethlehem Window Decorating Competition

Event Series

Events in Historic Bethlehem

• Winter Restaurant Week
• Chocolate Trail
• Bethlum Go Bragh!

Historic District Clean Up Day

Sunday, April 21st at 9:00 am

• Authentic Colonial History
• World Heritage Nominated Properties
• Contributing Properties
• Museums and Cultural Attractions

One Dozen Firsts

• Walking Tours & More
• Heritage Map

Getting Here

Historic hotel bethlehem.

• Press Release

Bethlehem named one of the most magical Christmas towns by ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’

Visit Historic Bethlehem 74 W. Broad Street, Suite 240 Bethlehem, PA 18018

610-739-3385

Connect With Us

Hidden Gems. Historic Landmarks. Popular Food Scene. Thriving Arts Hub. Unique Holiday Traditions. Vibrant Festivals. Extraordinary Shops.

Bethlehem has a great vibe for music and art. There is an abundance of culture and fun awaiting locals and guests alike at galleries, street art shows, national music act venues, theater productions and festivals.

Featured Arts and Entertainment Merchants

Captured lv escape room, historic bethlehem river tours.

Delight in Downtown Bethlehem’s culinary choices, which range from great pizza to unforgettable steaks and everything in between. Be sure to experience Downtown Bethlehem Association’s Historic Bethlehem Restaurant Weeks, held each summer and winter and offering delicious fixed menu deals.

Featured Restaurants

Casa del mofongo.

The Lehigh Valley offers quality higher education through its 10 colleges and universities. Higher education is an important part of Bethlehem’s history and the evolution of its Northside and Southside downtowns as destinations for food, fun and shopping.

Featured Education

East stroudsburg university – lehigh valley center, lehigh university, featured heritage, god’s acre.

Experiencing Downtown Bethlehem will make you want to stick around a bit longer than planned, so book a room at one of the welcoming hotels close to the action.

Featured Hospitality

Hyatt place bethlehem, featured museums, historic bethlehem museums & sites.

The Downtown Bethlehem Association is proud to support several amazing nonprofit organizations that live among our historic district. From schools, to a ballet guild, we are proud that these organizations have become a part of our association. They are the heart of our group and while working on their own individual goals, they continue to offer support to our membership in many ways. There are also many great volunteer opportunities with our organizations.

Featured Nonprofits

Central moravian church, friends of the bethlehem mounted police, featured professional services, horwath insurance agency, girl on the hill framing, featured salons, clementine salon.

In Downtown Bethlehem, you will find shops offering gourmet foods, artwork, distinctive gifts, unique clothing, antiques, crafted beverages and holiday decorations. The Moravian Book Shop, the oldest bookstore in America, is a must-see.

Featured Shopping

Grandpa joe’s candy shop, knobs ‘n knockers, featured visitor services, univest bank and trust co., premier partners.

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Subscribe to our newsletter, begin the adventure, read our insider's guide, take a candlelit ghost tour through historic bethlehem.

Explore the spooky side of the Christmas City with Historic Haunts of Downtown Bethlehem. On the tour, you'll experience true-life ghost stories that can sometimes be scarier than fiction. 

A costumed guide will take you on a tour of Bethlehem’s historic streets with only a candle to light your way. Groups will hear stories of the city’s 275 years of history, as well as collected tales of haunts and spirits. 

Stops on the tour include what was once Bethlehem’s busiest night club, as well as the Sun Inn, Historic Hotel Bethlehem, and Old Chapel. You’ll hear about the curse of the Hope Diamond and learn about the Moravian community. Tour groups will walk the same steps that were traversed by soldiers in the Revolutionary War - you may even stumble across ghosts that haunt God’s Acre Cemetery. 

Tours run Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 4 with additional tours on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31. Returning for Halloween weekend are special midnight tours, available on Oct. 27 & 28. 

All tours depart from the Moravian Book Shop , located at 428 Main St. Tickets for Historic Haunts of Downtown Bethlehem Ghost Tours can be purchased in person at the store or by calling 610-866-5481. Reservations are highly recommended as tour groups will sell out. 

For the most up-to-date information, click here . 

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