Bethlehem, PA street decorated for the holidays. Photo courtesy of www.HistoricBethlehem.org

Holiday Cheer In Bethlehem, PA

Bethlehem, PA, calls itself Christmas City, USA and posts decorated trees on nearly every street during the holiday season. At the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, housed in a 1741 log structure, we’ll learn about the early days in the settlement—and have to climb a flight of stairs because there is no elevator. Next we will make quick stops inside the 1744 Single Sisters’ House, Apothecary and Nain-Schober House (a Native American structure)—all featuring individually decorated trees.

After lunch, we will visit a decorative arts museum that has a collection of doll houses with Victorian era examples from the U.S., Britain and France. Our tour will end at the Christkindlmarkt, said to be the largest holiday market in the U.S. Even if you don’t want to shop, you can enjoy ice carvings and browse the stalls to see handcrafted items and imported goods and ornaments. Or you can relax with Pennsylvania Dutch snacks and listen to music provided by various vocal and instrumental groups.