OT allentown PA

[rockundergirl]

Anyone from or knowledgeable about the area? My boy friend and I are going to spend Valentines day doing a tour of berks county wine trail. ( outside of Allentown) Here are my questions.
-We are thinking about staying the night on the 13th and making it a 2 day event, any budget friendly inns or b&b's?
-We are going to have Valentines dinner in the area, any restaurant suggestions?
-We will have time before and after the wine trail to do some sight seeing.. any suggestions?

 

[gasperdam]

Hmmm... We live in Allentown, and I really want to be of help, but I'm not sure how much I can be.

I don't know of any B&B's in the area, per se. I do remember a friend of mine saying something about going with her dh to a place called the Glassburn Inn(sp?). If you want a budget-friendly hotel , though, there is a Comfort Inn & Suites on Hamilton Blvd. in Allentown.

As far as places to eat, we like Melt, which is located in the Promenade shops off of nearby Rte. 78. There's also the King George Inn, which is located on Hamilton Blvd. in Allentown. And if you like Italian there's Carraba's on Cedar Crest Blvd.

Sorry, I am drawing a blank on the sightseeing one. HTH http://www.lehighvalleypa.org/

Have a fun trip!

 

[sharonmickey]

DD is running a half marathon in Allentown the end of April so I am interested in any information on where to stay also.

 

[labdogs42]

I know there is a Lehigh Valley Wine trail, too. That one is more centered around Allentown. I'd think the Berks county one would take you closer to the Reading area. But, as for places to stay in the Allentown area, I'm not much use. I live here, so I don't have much need for a hotel! There are a lot of the chain places, but I don't know of many B&Bs (at least not reasonably priced ones). The only one I know is the Glasbern and I know it is pricey http://www.glasbern.com/. They have a restaurant there, too.

 

[kmk160]

Allentown resident here too! Bethlehem has a pretty B and B, Sayre Mansion Inn. Not sure how pricey it is though.
I second the nod for Melt but it may be quite pricey over Valentines as I am sure they up the prices. If you like Thai, might want to try White Orchid....delicious!

 

[marcyinPA]

Bethlehem girl here! Glasbern is lovely, but VERY pricey. Sayre Mansion Inn is also lovely, but again, it will set you back a few $$. The Lehigh Valley in general has MANY chain hotels...it just depends on which area you want to be in. One word of advice to steer clear of center city Allentown. It's pretty much a pit.

If you are looking for quaint and historic, Bethlehem would be just right for you. Check out the Hotel Bethlehem. I'm not sure about their rates, but it's a classic, and popular for weddings. Restaurants in downtown Bethlehem are plentiful and WONDERFUL. My absolute favorite is the Apollo Grill, followed by The Melting Pot, Thai Thai II, and Mama Nina's. Starfish and Edge are supposed to be good too. I've never eaten there. I almost forgot about the Bethlehem Brew Works...a great casual place with microbrews and good pub style food. The Hotel Bethlehem has a fantastic Sunday brunch. You need reservations for all of these I've mentioned, especially for Valentine's Day weekend. My Dh and I are thinking about trying out a new Bethlehem restaurant called Tres Scalini...it's a BYOB and supposedly fantastic!

Downtown Bethlehem is also a very nice place to shop, with little shops and historic areas. It's a lovely town!! (I am very lucky to live within walking distance of downtown!)

 

[TaraPA]

Another Lehigh Valley girl here! If you're staying in Berks County, are you aware that you're not very close to Allentown? Depending on where in Berks you're going (I'm not familiar with the Wine Trail thing) you could be 45 min. away. I'd stick to the Reading/Kutztown area myself. Another option would be the Lancaster area.

I also second Glasbern in Fogelsville - more on the west end of Lehigh County towards Berks County. There is also a nice Holiday Inn off I78 at the Fogelsville exit. That's about 10 min. east of Berks County.

 

[puffkin]

Yes, if you are doing a wine trail in Berks county you really aren't very close to Allentown unless it is in the eastern part of the county. There are a lot of B&B's in the historic Oley Valley if you google that. My friends used to own one called The Little House but not sure if they still run it, it is on the list below though. It was really neat, I think you would enjoy it there. I grew up in Oley and it is a beautiful and pituresque area. Lots of New Yorkers come there.

http://www.berksweb.com/bb/

 

[Malibelle]

I live right below Allentown (Quakertown) and another option thats not too far is Hershey. The Hershey hotel, may be an hour or so from there. Not sure exact distance. There is Bear Creek Mountain Resort, I don't know too much about it but its close. I have heard of the Glassburn inn, our client at my job would come and stay there from NYC. They really liked it.

As for dinner, Melt is great, there is Emeril's Chop House at the Sands Casino In Bethlehem is another option.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Here are a few B&b's for you! Right on the Berks Lehigh county line and only 5 minutes to Rte 222, Rte 100 and Rte 78. I live a few minutes from each place and they are all a great place to stay!

http://www.stonehouseinnandspa.com/ in Macungie
http://www.longswamp.com/ In Mertztown/Alburtis
http://www.landhavenbandb.com/home2.html in Huff's Church (this one is about 15 minutes from the highways!)
Near the longswamp b&b is a fab place to eat called Blue Orhcid Inn http://www.blueorchidinn.com/

 

[mommy2twingles]

Another from Allentown chiming in. I agree that you may want to look more in the Reading area. Everyone has given great suggests so I really don't have any more to add.

 

[kghickey]

My DH is from Allentown. There are a bunch of chain hotels off Rt. 100 on the west side of town. If you are looking for a quick lunch make sure you hit Yocco's for the best hot dogs.

I agree that Bethlehem is really great and recommend Hotel Bethlehem - recently attended a fabulous reception there. Shops at Saucon Valley are nice too, not sure how many bargains you would find though.

http://www.thepromenadeshopsatsauconvalley.com/

 

[rockundergirl]

Thank you! Very helpful info.. and no i didn't know Allentown was 45 min away lol. I'm looking more into reading now..

 

[TaraPA]

OT - but do all you PA posters know there is a thread for PA people on the Community Board? It's mostly Lehigh Valley & Reading people. Believe it or not I have met the most wonderful group of ladies from that thread - and we all went to WDW in November! We've been meeting as a group (in Pa and on past WDW trips) since 2007. We're planning our next trip in November! I will go bump it up now, and again tonight to try & keep it on page 1 of the Community Board. Please come on over & introduce yourself! Malibelle - I know we've shatted before!

For the OP - if you do stop at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley please come down to Yankee Candle & say hi - I work there!

 

[rockundergirl]

OT - but do all you PA posters know there is a thread for PA people on the Community Board? It's mostly Lehigh Valley & Reading people. Believe it or not I have met the most wonderful group of ladies from that thread - and we all went to WDW in November! We've been meeting as a group (in Pa and on past WDW trips) since 2007. We're planning our next trip in November! I will go bump it up now, and again tonight to try & keep it on page 1 of the Community Board. Please come on over & introduce yourself! Malibelle - I know we've shatted before!

For the OP - if you do stop at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley please come down to Yankee Candle & say hi - I work there!

Ha! that's so fun, if I'm anywhere near i will stop in. I love yankee candle.

 

[marcyinPA]

OT - but do all you PA posters know there is a thread for PA people on the Community Board? It's mostly Lehigh Valley & Reading people. Believe it or not I have met the most wonderful group of ladies from that thread - and we all went to WDW in November! We've been meeting as a group (in Pa and on past WDW trips) since 2007. We're planning our next trip in November! I will go bump it up now, and again tonight to try & keep it on page 1 of the Community Board. Please come on over & introduce yourself! Malibelle - I know we've shatted before!

For the OP - if you do stop at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley please come down to Yankee Candle & say hi - I work there!

Tara, I'll have to jump in on your thread! And I'll have to give you a visit at Yankee Candle...I go up the Promenades fairly often!

 

[pamjb]

I know the Pinnacle Ridge winery is near Kutztown, but you are not going to find any hotels there. I agree with the PP about looking towards Reading. I know there is a small motel off of 78 on the way to Kutztown that I pass when I take my son back to Kutztown Univ. Can't think of the name of it though. Bashore & Stoudt has great fruit wines.

The winetrail website lists the Sheraton in Reading, but there are other nice hotels in Reading. You might even be able to add in some shopping at the Reading Outlets http://www.vfoutletcenter.com/

http://www.berkscountywinetrail.com/transportation.htm

There is a map on the winetrail website that may help narrow down the search. It looks like one of the wineries is near Mertztown which would include the B&B's that loveysbydesign listed
Biddingfortravel.com lists a few hotels in the Reading area:

3 Star
Sheraton Reading
Wyndham Abraham Lincoln

2.5 Star
Inn at Reading

2 Star
Days Inn Reading Wyomissing (formerly Wellesley Inn and Suites) LINK TO HOTEL REVIEW
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Comfort Inn Reading

You may want to consider Naming Your own Price on Priceline to get a good deal on a room in the Reading area. There is a posting on the biddingfortravel.com list that someone just got the Wyndham for $49 a night.

 

[labdogs42]

OT - but do all you PA posters know there is a thread for PA people on the Community Board? It's mostly Lehigh Valley & Reading people. Believe it or not I have met the most wonderful group of ladies from that thread - and we all went to WDW in November! We've been meeting as a group (in Pa and on past WDW trips) since 2007. We're planning our next trip in November! I will go bump it up now, and again tonight to try & keep it on page 1 of the Community Board. Please come on over & introduce yourself! Malibelle - I know we've shatted before!

For the OP - if you do stop at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley please come down to Yankee Candle & say hi - I work there!

I'll have to look for that thread. And, Tara, sorry I never made it to Yankee Candle during the holidays! Are you still lugging around those Rescue Heroes? i got so busy, I totally forgot about them. I am SO sorry!

 

[TaraPA]

LOL Jessica I actually have to check if they're still there at the store - my manager said if they weren't gone she was throwing them out - I haven't seen them recently but the place is a disaster after the holidays, just digging out now. I work tonight, I will double check!

 

[labdogs42]

LOL Jessica I actually have to check if they're still there at the store - my manager said if they weren't gone she was throwing them out - I haven't seen them recently but the place is a disaster after the holidays, just digging out now. I work tonight, I will double check!

LOL. I work over in Bethlehem now, if they are still there, maybe I can pick them up some day! I didn't know you left them at the store, that's funny!