Life in the Lehigh Valley
Discover the experiences, entertainment, and opportunities that await in Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing region.
Muhlenberg College is located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley — less than 90 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Philadelphia. With more than 700,000 residents, the Valley is Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing region and a hub for arts, culture, business, and recreation.
Why Students and Alumni Love It Here
City Energy and Small-Town Charm: Explore Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton — three distinct downtowns with theaters, restaurants, festivals, and historic districts.
Easy Access: Be in NYC or Philly in under two hours, or spend the weekend hiking, skiing, or tubing in the Pocono Mountains.
Career Connections: Ranked among the top regions in the U.S. for economic development, the Valley is home to thriving businesses in healthcare, tech, logistics, and design. Students benefit from internships, networking, and career opportunities.
Community and Belonging: Alumni describe the Valley as welcoming, connected, and diverse — a place where it’s easy to build lasting friendships and professional networks.
Katherine Jackson ’08
As a student, I fell in love with the area, and it began to feel like home, even more so than my hometown.
Lehigh Valley By The Numbers
Culture and Festivals
Musikfest (Bethlehem) – the largest free music festival in the nation
Celtic Classic (Bethlehem) – celebrating Celtic heritage and culture
Mayfair Festival of the Arts (Allentown) – fine arts, crafts, and live performances
SteelStacks (Bethlehem) – year-round concerts, movies, and community events on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant
Outdoor Recreation
• Extensive parks and greenways, including the D&L Trail and Trexler Nature Preserve
• Nearby state parks for hiking, camping, and kayaking
• Local venues for skiing, biking (including the world-renowned Trexlertown Velodrome), and marathons/half-marathons
Corey Mullins ’19
You can go to a downtown [area] at night and find tons of restaurants — I love the Bayou in Bethlehem — or you can go 15 to 20 minutes up the road and Jacobsburg State Park is right there.
Explore the Lehigh Valley
Where To Eat
From food trucks to fine dining, the Lehigh Valley’s restaurant scene offers flavors from around the world. Discover cozy cafés, farm-to-table favorites, and late-night bites just minutes from campus.
Where To Stay
Visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay? The Valley has plenty of welcoming options — from boutique hotels downtown to charming inns and convenient national chains.
What To Do
Uncover the region’s mix of recreation and culture: hike or bike scenic trails, catch a show at a local theater, visit museums and galleries, or enjoy live music at the Archer Music Hall. There’s always something new to experience.
What’s Happening
From nationally known festivals like Musikfest and Celtic Classic to farmers markets, concerts, and community celebrations, the Lehigh Valley is alive with events in every season.
Josh Carter ’02
What I like is the variety of options. No matter what it is, you’re in close proximity…There are just so many different things that you can do in the Valley that make it a wonderful place to live.
Careers Start Here
The Lehigh Valley is home to thriving industries in healthcare, technology, logistics, and design. Ranked among the top regions in the nation for economic development, the Valley offers abundant opportunities for internships, networking, and careers.