The Lehigh Valley is a scenic region of eastern Pennsylvania. The region's official census area includes Lehigh and Northampton counties. The traditional boundaries of the region are the Pocono Mountains to the north, the Delaware River and New Jersey to the east, the boundaries of Berks and Montgomery counties to the southwest, and the boundary with Bucks County to the south.

More recently, however, parts of upper Bucks County near Quakertown, eastern portions of Berks County, southern sections of Carbon County, and the area surrounding Phillipsburg, N.J., are also considered an extended part of the Lehigh Valley. Haga clic aquí para español.

Your best life is made possible in the Lehigh Valley.

Where is the Lehigh Valley?

The Lehigh Valley's principal cities are Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, comprising the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area. The Lehigh Valley is located approximately 60 miles (96 km) north of Philadelphia, the country's fifth largest city, 80 miles (129 km) east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital, and 80 miles (144 km) west of New York City, the country's largest city. The two-county area is home to 687,500 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census and among the state's fastest growing regions, due in part to its continued popularity as a bedroom community for the highly-populated neighboring regions of Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City as well as its favorable business climate and much lower cost of living in comparison to surrounding areas.

The Lehigh Valley is geologically and geographically part of the Great Appalachian Valley, a region largely made up of limestone that stretches along the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains. The Lehigh Valley is so named because it is composed of an actual valley that lies between two mountain ranges, Blue Mountain to the north and South Mountain to the south. Lehigh Valley also is considered part of the historic Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Allentown, Pennsylvania’s third-largest city, is making quite the comeback. Come see for yourself. You just might stay, and we’d love to have you.

Industry

The area is historically important for its production of steel, anthracite coal and other natural resources. It once served as a major center of industrial manufacturing, though this role has diminished in the 21st century. Major international companies currently based in the Lehigh Valley include Air Products & Chemicals Inc., Buckeye Partners L.P., Mack Trucks, Olympus Corp., Victaulic and PPL Corp., among others. Lehigh Valley Health Network, one of Pennsylvania's largest hospital systems, is the region's top employer, employing nearly 20,000 people.

Education

Colleges and universities

The Lehigh Valley is a hub of post-secondary education activity, with several reputable four-year colleges and universities, including: Cedar Crest College (Allentown), DeSales University (Center Valley), Lafayette College (Easton), Lehigh University (Bethlehem), Moravian University (Bethlehem), Muhlenberg College (Allentown), and Penn State University's Lehigh Valley campus (Center Valley).

The area is also home to Lehigh Carbon Community College (with campuses in Allentown, Carbon County and Schnecksville) and Northampton Community College (with campuses in Bethlehem and Monroe County).

Primary education

Numerous public school districts and many private schools can be found in the region. Lehigh Valley-based high schools include:

  • Allentown Central Catholic High School (Allentown)
  • Bangor Area High School (Bangor)
  • Bethlehem Catholic High School (Bethlehem)
  • Catasauqua High School (Catasauqua)
  • Easton Area High School (Easton)
  • Emmaus High School (Emmaus)
  • Freedom High School (Bethlehem)
  • Lehigh Valley Christian High School (Allentown)
  • Liberty High School (Bethlehem)
  • Louis E. Dieruff High School (Allentown)
  • Moravian Academy (Bethlehem)
  • Nazareth Area High School (Nazareth)
  • Northampton Area High School (Northampton)
  • Northern Lehigh High School (Slatington)
  • Notre Dame Area High School (Easton)
  • Parkland High School (Allentown)
  • Pen Argyl Area High School (Pen Argyl)
  • Phillipsburg High School (Phillipsburg, New Jersey)
  • Pius X High School (Bangor)
  • Salisbury High School (Salisbury Township)
  • Saucon Valley Area High School (Hellertown)
  • Southern Lehigh High School (Center Valley)
  • Whitehall High School (Whitehall)
  • William Allen High School (Allentown)
  • Wilson Area High School (Easton)

Athletics and entertainment

Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball

Coca-Cola Park, an 8,100-seat Minor League baseball stadium in east-side Allentown, is the home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies' AAA-level International League franchise. The team’s name is a reference to pig iron, a key ingredient in the steel-making process for which the Lehigh Valley area is known worldwide. LVHN is a founding partner of IronPigs baseball.

Phantoms ice hockey

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). They are the minor league affiliate for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. The Phantoms play at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown. LVHN is a founding partner of Phantoms ice hockey.

PPL Center

There's always something big happening at PPL Center, an arena located in downtown Allentown. Concerts, ice skating shows, auto racing, professional hockey and more fun activities are regularly on the calendar of events.

Stabler Arena

Lehigh University's Stabler Arena, an indoor arena, is in Bethlehem, in the Lehigh Valley. Stabler hosts regular sporting and concert events. The arena is also home to Lehigh University men's and women's college basketball teams.

Cycling

Valley Preferred Cycling Center leads the nation in quality competition, championship racer development and community programs that offer the opportunity for racers and non-racers to enjoy the thrill of bicycle track racing in the nation’s most-loved and most-successful velodromes in modern American cycling. LVHN is the official medical provider of the cycling center.

Recreation

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

The region is home to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom near Allentown. The park is one of the most popular amusement and water parks in the country, featuring some of the nation's most elaborate roller coasters and water rides.

ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest is a nonprofit organization providing access to art, culture and educational programs for the diverse residents of the Lehigh Valley and others who seek access to our community.

Wind Creek Bethlehem

Wind Creek Bethlehem is a premier choice among Pennsylvania's hotels, resorts and casinos. Enjoy delicious food from a wide variety of restaurants, win big in the casino, get pampered in the spa and visit stores from the hottest names in outlet shopping.  

The great outdoors

Just a short 30-minute drive away is the Pocono Mountains region, which features some great skiing and several large lakes for boating and fishing. The shoreline of New Jersey and its beach attractions are not far from the Lehigh Valley region. 

Transportation

The Lehigh Valley is served by air transportation through Lehigh Valley International Airport (IATA: ABE), located three miles northeast of Allentown. Private bus companies provide multiple daily roundtrip transportation to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and other regional locations. Public bus service is provided by LANTA, which serves Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and neighboring suburbs with various routes. 

Lehigh Valley Links

Lehigh Valley informational resources

Airports (commercial and recreational)

Arts and culture

Festivals and fairs

Skiing

Amusement parks and attractions

Outdoor recreation

State parks

Golf

Shopping