Easton (Pennsylvania)

Easton is one of three cities, along with Allentown and Bethlehem, that are the urban population centers of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. In the Lehigh Valley, Easton borders the Delaware River and Phillipsburg, New Jersey to its east and Bethlehem to its southwest. The city lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the Skylands and New Jersey state line, 72 miles (116 km) west of New York City and 77 miles (124 km) north of Philadelphia. == Understand == In 1736, Thomas Penn (William Penn's son) surveyed the area and Easton was founded in 1752. Prior to that, Easton had been known as "Lechawitauk", meaning "The Place at the Forks." On July 8, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read in Easton's Centre Square, one of three public readings of the document. Every year, Easton celebrates this historic event with its Heritage Day celebration, held in July. Easton became a primary commercial location during the canals and railroads era of the 1800s. The Delaware, Morris and Lehigh Canals were vital for transportation of goods. The railroads replaced the canals for transportation and five railroads served Easton. The city had a strong German heritage. During Prohibition, it was known for nightlife and had plenty of liquor and a large number of brothels. The population in Easton continues to diversify. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the Hispanic and Black populations increased significantly. However, the primary ethnicity in the city remains White/non-Hispanic. === Geography === Easton sits at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Native Americans called Easton Lechawitau, "the place at the Forks". === Climate === Easton has a highly variable four-season temperate climate. Summertime highs average in the low 80s F, but with occasional short heat waves with temps over 95 °F (35 °C), with considerable humidity and occasionally intense thunderstorms. Winters are somewhat cold with average highs in the mid to upper 30s F (around 1-3 °C), but with occasional short thaws when temperatures can suddenly rise over 65 F for a few days. Severe cold snaps are common, with highs dropping into the twenties. Heavy snowfalls rarely occur more than once or twice each winter, but a wintry mix of ice, sleet, and light snow is possible from mid-November through early April. The combination of above freezing daytime temps and below freezing nights makes black ice a constant wintertime driving hazard even when there has not been precipitation recently. Late spring and early summer (from mid-April to late June), and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year, with very mild temperatures and generally low humidity. Autumn leaf season usually arrives in the last two weeks of October. === Tourist Information === Lehigh Valley Visitor Center - Easton, 30 Centre Square, ☏ +1 484-546-0594. Hours: Tu-Sa 9AM - 5PM, Su 9:30AM - 2:30PM, closed Monday. Discover Lehigh Valley (formerly Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau). == Get in == === By plane === Lehigh Valley International Airport ABE IATA in Allentownlies in the center of the Lehigh Valley and has direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and other domestic locations. Philadelphia International Airport PHL IATA 77 miles (124 km) south of Bethlehem has direct flights from most U.S. cities, Canada, and a number of Caribbean, European, and Latin American destinations. === By train === 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is 76 miles (122 km) south of Bangor. === By bus === Trans-Bridge bus line offers daily service to and from New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Uptown Vans offers daily service on a route to and from Newark, Union City, and New York City. === By car === U.S. Route 22 is a main thoroughfare, being a 4-lane limited-access highway with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour through all of Lehigh Valley except in Easton. Drivers coming from points east will want to note that all of the major bridges across the Delaware River (from New Jersey) are free eastbound, but require tolls westbound. Locating the free bridge in Phillipsburg is possible but not recommended to those unfamiliar with the area. It is called Northampton Street for the adventurous and adds only about half a mile to the trip (unless you easily get lost). From the southeast and northwest, PA Route 309 provides fairly quick access and is a good road to travel. Interstate 78 and Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike; tolled) intersect very close to the city of Easton, going in all directions north, south, east, and west. PA Route 33 is the best approach for travelers from I-80 in the Poconos and points east. == Get around == === By bus === Extensive bus services are provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority: [http://lantabus.com LANTA). === By cab === Several cab companies also operate throughout Easton and Lehigh Valley, including: === By limo === A&A Limousine Service, ☏ +1 610-261-3838 or ☏ +1-800-281-5911 Champagne Limousine, +1 610-863-5994 J&J Transportation, ☏ +1 610-776-1516 or ☏ +1-800-726-5466 Your Way Taxi & Limo, ☏ +1 610-435-8294 == See == 1 Crayola Factory (Crayola Experience), 30 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610-515-8000. M-F 9:30 AM - 4PM; Sa Su 10AM - 6PM. Fun, indoor theme park type place, where kids can enjoy lots of activities and learn how real crayola crayons, markers, and colored pencils are made. It's not the actual Crayola factory, but you can see how they make Crayola crayons and other Crayola products. Very kid friendly. Has its dedicated store. There is a municipal parking garage, behind the facility between Pine St. and Ferry St. for a fee of around $2 per hour. There is also on street meter parking for $1 per hour, with a 2 hour limit. Adults & children $16.99, seniors, military and infants charges less. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd, ☏ +1 610-923-3548. Outdoor activities, hiking areas, arts events, historical sites all along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers. 3 Easton High School sports, 2601 William Penn Hghwy, ☏ +1 610-250-2481. Easton is home to one of the oldest rivalries in American high school football history, the border war, also known as the Easton vs. Phillipsburg High School football game, which is held each Thanksgiving Day and routinely draws in excess of 15,000 spectators. Easton High School is also known for their often nationally-ranked wrestling team, which competes in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, a division of the largest 18 high schools from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos that is considered one of the best in the nation and has launched the careers of many professional and Olympic athletes. 4 Moyer Aviation, Braden Airpark, 3800 Sullivan Trail, ☏ +1 610-258-0473. Private plane tours. 5 National Canal Museum, 30 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610-559-6613. The only museum in the country dedicated to telling the story of America’s historic towpath canals. Features four galleries filled with hands-on exhibits that educate and entertain parents and children alike. Mule-drawn canal boat rides available. 6 Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society (Sigal Museum), 101-107 S 4th St (342 Northampton St), ☏ +1 610-253-1222. 7 The State Theatre Center for the Arts, 453 Northampton St., ☏ +1 610-252-3132. Located in the downtown Easton, it is home to many traveling artists, ballet groups, broadway shows, national music and comedy acts, and more. Most famous for the Freddy Awards, an Emmy award-winning awards show put on by local high schools for drama productions during the school year; named for the famous ghost who resides in the State Theater, Freddy, the first owner of the theater. 8 Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton Street, ☏ +1 610-253-1222. W-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Museum of local history, including pre-colonial artifacts and colonial furniture. (updated Apr 2017) For more things to do in the area, check out the Allentown or Bethlehem pages. == Do == Riverview Country Club, ☏ +1 610-559-9700. Player-friendly layout, panoramic views. Two miles north of PA-22 on PA-611. The Club at Morgan Hill, ☏ +1 610-923-8480. 18-hole public golf course. Named 2009's "Best Places to Play in North America" by Golf Digest. Full-service clubhouse. Skiing is a popular activity in nearby mountains. Most skiing areas are closed seasonally, since snow can usually only be manufactured from about November to April. Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Resort are a short drive away in Macungie and Palmerton, respectively. Larger, world-famous ski resorts, including Jack Frost & Big Boulder, are in the Poconos, about an hour drive north on Interstate 476. == Learn == Easton is home to Lafayette College, which was founded in 1826. == Buy == 1 Easton Farmers' Market, Centre Square, ☏ +1 610-330-9942. May–Nov: Saturday 9AM-1PM. The oldest continuous open-air farmers' market in the country occupies all of Easton's Centre Square, and has over 30 vendors, offering fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, wine, crafts, sweets, and even pet food. 2 Palmer Park Mall, 123 Palmer Park Mall, ☏ +1 610-258-6017. It is the premier shopping site for the Easton, Glendon, Palmer, Forks Township and Wilson communities. It features over 50 unique stores and weekly events dedicated to arts and crafts, collectibles, and different artists. Easton Outdoor Company, 230 Northampton St. sporting goods/outer wear. == Eat == Angelo's Restaurant, 14 N 4th St, ☏ +1 610-252-6956. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti, 136 Spring Garden St, ☏ +1 610-252-3033. Josie's New York Deli, 14 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610-252-5081. Marblehead Grille & Chowder House, 4101 William Penn Highway, ☏ +1 610-258-4301. River Grille, 243 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-923-5110. Sette Luna, 219 Ferry St, ☏ +1 610-253-8888. Delicious upscale Italian food in a warm atmosphere. Amazing pizza. Sogo Fusion, 237 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-250-0198. Steve's Pizzeria, 1005 S Greenwood Ave, ☏ +1 610-252-7756. 3rd & Ferry Restaurant and Bar, 56 S 3rd St. Tic Toc Family Restaurant, 2510 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-252-6466. A diner that attracts mostly local regulars. There are also many chain restaurants around the area. == Drink == Black and Blue, 683 Walnut St., ☏ +1 610 438-3604, craft@blackandblueeaston.com. Black and Blue offers a dimly-lit, eccentric atmosphere with a fantastic craft beer selection and a unique menu with vegan and vegetarian choices. (updated Feb 2018) College Hill Tavern, 420 Cattell St, ☏ +1 610-829-5470. 4PM-2AM daily. The preferred hangout of Lafayette students, it can change dramatically depending on the night. When college is not in session, this becomes a chilled out spot, but when it is, it can be loud music and a noisy college atmosphere. Non-smoking. Lafayette Bar, 15 N 4th St/, ☏ +1 610 252-0711. Original home of Jazz in Easton. Leaf Cigar Bar and Restaurant, 90 Mort Drive, ☏ +1 610 559-1336, info@leafcigarbar.com. 5-star cuisine, prepared from scratch. The finest spirits, wine, and craft beers. Over 2,000 square feet of cigars. Smoke-friendly indoor and outdoor seating. State-of-the-art ventilation. Milo's Place, 217 Cattell St., ☏ +1 610 258-4390. Average bar, smoking permitted inside. Mothers Bar & Grill, 3 Lehns Ct (Centre Square), ☏ +1 610 559-1700. Typical bar scene, with quoits in the back. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square, ☏ +1 610 253-9499. 10:30AM-2AM daily. Good selection of beers on tap, with a more sophisticated atmosphere. Excellent food. Porters Pub, 700 Northampton Street, ☏ +1 610 250-6561. 11AM-2AM daily. Friendly pub atmosphere, with a great beer selection, menu that includes pub fare and even vegan and vegetarian options, and frequent live music. == Sleep == 1 The Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel, 140 Northampton St, ☏ +1 610-258-6350. (updated Sep 2016) 2 Hampton Inn, 3723 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., ☏ +1 610 250-6500. $75-150. (updated Sep 2016) 3 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 90 Kunkle Dr., ☏ +1 610 923-9495. Located right off of 22, the Holiday Inn Express features continental breakfast and free internet. $75-150. (updated Sep 2016) 4 The Lafayette Inn, 525 W Monroe St, ☏ +1 610 253-4500, toll-free: +1-800-509-6990. The Lafayette Inn, near Lafayette College, is a beautiful bed and breakfast. On the pricier side, it provides its guests with a spa, balconies and other special amenities. All of the eighteen custom decorated rooms feature antique furnishings and private baths. A variety of bed sizes is available. All of the rooms have a desk, armoire or closet, TV with DVD, alarm clock, hair dryer, and telephone with data port. (updated Sep 2016) 5 TownPlace Suites Bethlehem Easton, 3800 Easton Nazareth Highway, ☏ +1 610-829-2000. (updated Sep 2016) == Connect == === Tourist information === Discover Lehigh Valley, 1250 Simon Blvd., Easton, ☏ +1-610 882-9200 === Phones === In Easton, like all Lehigh Valley locations, you must dial an area code when you place a call. Area codes in the Lehigh Valley are 610 and 484. == Go next == === Other Lehigh Valley locations === Allentown, 172 miles (277 km) Bangor, 15 miles (24 km) Bethlehem, 9 miles (14 km) Emmaus, 22 miles (35 km) Fogelsville, 25 miles (40 km) Hellertown, 12 miles (19 km) Nazareth, 7 miles (11 km) Phillipsburg, NJ, 2 miles (3.2 km) Slatington, 23 miles (37 km) Whitehall Township, 16 miles (26 km) === Regional locations === Atlantic City, 139 miles (224 km) Harrisburg, 96.8 miles (155.8 km) New York City, 72 miles (116 km) Philadelphia, 77 miles (124 km) The Poconos, 40.1 miles (64.5 km)