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Located just east of the Pennsylvania Appalachians, Allentown residents have no shortage of skiing destinations to choose from. If you're looking to test your downhill skills this winter, make sure you visit one of the following slopes. Bear Creek Mountain Resort Just southwest of Allentown on State Street, Bear Creek Mountain Resort is an all-season hotel and spa destination that opens up a few slopes in winter for skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing. The slopes are mostly easy with a few intermediate and advanced trails mixed in, along with three parks filled with jumps, boxes, and rails for practicing tricks. Blue Mountain Resort Half an hour north of Allentown on Blue Mountain Drive is the Blue Mountain Resort. Blue Mountain offers visitors 39 slopes, including plenty of beginner and expert trails, several parks, 30 snowtube lanes, and the tallest skiing hill in Pennsylvania at over 1,000 feet. The high-difficulty trails, in particular, make the Blue Mountain a favorite of experienced skiers. Camelback Mountain Resort Up north along PA-33 and I-80, Camelback Mountain has an even mix of trail difficulties along with the largest snowtubing park in America. Visitors can also eat at one of ten restaurants, rent a room, and even enjoy an indoor waterpark in the middle of winter. The resort also has a pair of zip lines for visitors looking for a different kind of downhill experience. With so many great ski resorts within an hour's drive of Allentown, you don't have to be a kid to look forward to a snow day.

You can have plenty of fun outdoors during winter, even in Pennsylvania, but sometimes it's best to stay where it's warm and enjoy the indoor activities a city like Allentown has to offer. The Crayola Experience Located up in Easton, the Crayola Experience is a bit of a drive from Allentown, but it's a great destination for kids with a big creative streak. Attractions include the obvious crayon and construction paper projects, but children can really explore new possibilities by painting with melted wax, melting crayons into molds to create keepsakes, drawing in the dark, and bringing digital drawings to life. BounceU BounceU is an inflatable indoor playground that's a lot of fun for kids ages two and up. The chain has locations in both Allentown and Easton, and it's always available for special occasions like birthday parties and school field trips. It also hosts two kinds of open bounce sessions: preschool play and all ages, although you'll need to check the times and days they're open. America on Wheels If you prefer something that adults can enjoy just as much as kids, you should visit the America on Wheels museum along the Leigh River. This museum features all kinds of wheeled vehicles from every part of America's history, including some exotic enough to fascinate children 12 and under who get in free on Sundays. No matter how cold it gets outside, you can always find plenty of ways to have fun when you live in Allentown.

If you want to enjoy an evening of live music Allentown offers a variety of local spots for date night or a night out with friends. Grab a drink and some dinner, or just sit back and enjoy the music at some of our favorite live music venues: Strange Brew Tavern 1996 S 5 th St Come earlier in the evening for a relaxing and mellow experience or for dinner, or come in later with a date for live music and a more adventurous experience. Godfrey Daniels Coffee House 7 E 4 th St Godfrey Daniels is your typical old school coffee house featuring folk music. The sound is exceptional for a small venue, and you’ll find people of all ages enjoying the beverages and live music. ArtsQuest Center 101 Founders Way An upstairs music venue modeled after the World Café Live in Philly. ArtsQuest offers an outside deck, an area for VIP seating, and even meeting spaces that you can rent if needed. Allentown Symphony Association, Inc 23 N 6 th St This building has been beautifully restored, and despite the “symphony” name, you’ll find a large variety of musical acts playing at this venue. Drinks and food are also available. Grain 536 Hamilton St Stop in for drinks and stay for the music. The venue is long and narrow, but offers a comfortable place to sit and stay awhile. Sands Event Center 77 Sands Blvd A larger music venue offering well-known performers, free parking and good visibility from any seat in the house.

Coca-Cola Park in Allentown is available year-round for corporate events, wedding receptions, family reunions, and casual picnics or buffets with accommodations for groups of 50 to 3,000 people. Catering Coca Cola Park offers a variety of menus for your Lehigh Valley social events and corporate meetings and provides full service catering. Your event will be stress free as the expert event planners at Coca-Cola Park attend to all of the details for your event for you. Event Examples The park has hosted small and large events for socializing, business, and weddings. Examples include: Retirement parties Family reunions Award banquets Bar & Bat Mitzvah’s Sweet Sixteen parties Holiday parties Business training sessions Company picnics Job fairs Weddings Engagement parties Bridal parties Bachelor parties Rehearsal dinners Accommodations Meeting space and group areas are assigned based on the size of your party: NACCI Printing Meeting Room: Groups of 30-80 people Boar’d Room: Groups of 10-30 people PPL Picnic Patio: Large groups up to 500 people, outdoor location AT&T Plaza: ideal for trade shows, fundraiser walks, 5K’s, etc Coordinated Health Club Level: Groups of 50 up to 250 people IronPigs Game-Related Outings For birthday parties, company outings, and other events related to the IronPigs games, or for group tickets to the games, please call our group sales representatives at (610) 841-7447.

Allentown offers a variety of pubs, restaurants, and bars ideal for grabbing a quick drink after work or spending an evening out with friends for dinner and a few drinks. Here are some of our favorite local spots: Liberty Street Tavern 2245 W Liberty Street You can play pool and smoke inside the Liberty Street Tavern while you enjoy the diverse selection of beers. The tavern is well known for their pizza and wings. Copperhead Grille 1731 Airport Rd Copperhead Grille is a sports bar with a dedication to preparing high quality, handmade dishes and signature sauces. Make sure you try the award winning wings, baby back ribs with meat that just falls off the bone, and some of our 50 craft, imported, and domestic beers. You can catch the game on one of our state of the art TVs and quality sound system. Grain 536 Hamilton St Grain is located in an older building on Hamilton Street with two floors. The first floor is the bar and ideal for happy hour while the second floor dining room offering a large menu of American comfort food. Carmel Kitchen & Wine Bar 3750 Hamilton Blvd Mediterranean inspired dishes from the villages of Italy, France, Greece, Spain – and even some American comfort food. You can choose from over 60 different wines from around the world, or grab a handcrafted cocktail made with fresh ingredients.

Your addiction to coffee is perfectly supported in Lehigh Valley thanks to an abundance of coffee shops in close proximity. Coffee is a necessity all year round, but the fall and winter months are the favorite seasons for drinking the hot, tasty brews. De’ja Brew Head to Bethlehem for a cup of coffee or to enjoy lunch from their extensive deli menu featuring vegetarian dishes, burgers, and sandwiches. You’ll find Lehigh University students sitting around tables and locals stopping in for a quick meal or leisurely cup of coffee. It’s a fun environment, too. The walls feature a Calvin and Hobbes mural as well as indie movie posters. Cosmic Cup For something a little outside the norm, try Cosmic Cup in Easton. Their motto says it all – “Drink outside the box”. The entire coffee and bagel shop features an outer space theme for fun, while the coffee is organic and fair trade. You won’t get a boring cup of latte here – the staff create one-of-a-kind latte art on every cup. Hava Java See a movie at Allentown’s historic Civic Theater and then head across the street to Hava Java for a cup of espresso. Creative types love this coffee shop as the tables are painted by local artists, there is local artwork all over the walls and open mic nights.

A 1700 square foot train display is just minutes away on Gap Road in Strasburg. There are more than 22 trains operating around 150 hand-build animations and figures. The display began 60 years ago and was small enough to fit under a Christmas tree at it’s start! The Choo Choo Barn is family owned and operated by the same family that started the tradition six decades ago. Train Display Features You’ll love the fire truck that squirts real water on a miniature burning house, the zoo, and the Amish barn raising a three ring circus. Watch the multiple trains travel through the miniature village and bring your camera to capture the experience. Hours of Operation The Choo Choo Barn is open from mid-March through December from 10:00am until 5:00pm. The train display is closed for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission Admission prices for The Choo Choo barn are as follows: Adults - $7.50 Kids - $4.50 (ages 3-11) Children under three are admitted free of charge. The discounted group rate starts with 15 people paying together and reservations are preferred: email Kristi Largoza at Kristi@choochoobarn.com for more information. There is room for bus parking on site, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The facility is ADA-compliant.

During the holiday season, Lehigh Valley is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with magic and celebration. There are many holiday activities for you and your family to enjoy around the region. The Koziars Christmas Village From November 7 th through January 2 nd, visit 782 Christmas Village Road in Bernville and enjoy the Koziar’s Christmas Village. The village has been a tradition for 68 years. From Thanksgiving until the second of January, stop in Monday through Friday between 6:00pm and 9:00pm, Saturdays from 5:00pm to 9:30pm, or Sunday between 5:00 and 9:00pm. Experience the History of Gift Giving The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts on N. New Street in Bethlehem offers a look at the tradition of gift giving over the last 100 years.  Tours are available every day through January 10th– call for an appointment Monday through Wednesday, or visit Thursday through Sunday between 11:00am and 5:00pm. Learn how the gift giving traditions over the last 100 years reflect the social and economic conditions under which gifts are exchanged. Christmas City Stroll on Main Street in Bethlehem Walk through downtown Historic Bethlehem with a tour guide wearing period dress to experience the beginning of Bethlehem in 1741. Tours are held every day, Wednesday through Sunday between 11:00am and 4:00pm and by appointment on Monday and Tuesday through January 10 th. Highlights of the tour include two National Historic Landmarks: Bethlehem Waterworks and the 1741 Gemeinhaus, as well as colonial and Victorian architecture.

There isn’t much time left in 2015, but there are plenty of events to attend. Take some time out of your busy schedule to appreciate Allentown’s artistic side. We have many musical acts and events in the area for you to enjoy. Visit a year-end musical event in Allentown before 2015 disappears. Musica de Camera The concert will be held on November 22 nd at the Egner Memorial Chapel. The concert of chamber music is directed by Vincent Trovato. Allentown Area Swing Dance Society On November 24 th, check out the Allentown Area Swing Dance Society at 7 pm and on 10 pm. Every Tuesday it hosts a dancing night, and you don’t need to know how to swing. There are many people willing to show you. Beginner dance lessons begin at 7:00 pm, and the 8:00 pm lesson adds a few more complicated steps to improve your moves. Admission for dancers over 21 is $10 and $5 for anyone under 21. The price includes a dance and lesson. Visit any Tuesday through the end of the year. Celtic Women Celtic Women will be at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center on December 13 th at 8:00 pm. The price for tickets is between $79 to $350. As the event gets closer, expect the prices to rise. TKs Corral TKs Corral will host Angel Down on December 8 th at 8:00 pm, and Trick Stacy visits on December 12 th at 9:00 pm. TKs Corral is located at 801 N. 15 th St. in Allentown. There’s something for everyone in Allentown, you just have to get out and enjoy it.

The holidays are an exciting time. We get to spend time with our families, eat amazing food, and take a couple days off of work. The holidays are the sigh of relief after a long year, but for some they are lonely and not as special. Do you want to help bring the holidays spirit to those who are less fortunate in our community? Before you make your Thanksgiving meal, serve one to someone in need in Allentown, PA. Allentown Rescue Mission The Mission’s goal is to ensure no one goes hungry on Thanksgiving. You can either donate online to feed Allentown’s homeless, or you can sign up to volunteer through the website. You can gather a group together and help feed homeless men on Thanksgiving. Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, Inc. Visit the Meals on Wheels website to find out how you can sign up to volunteer to assist with feeding more than 400 elderly or disabled citizens in the community. You can donate your time whenever you are available, and it will make a difference to make people right next door. New Bethany Ministries Meal Center The Meal Center at the Mollard Hospitality Center in open Monday through Friday. The Center provides people in the community with two meals per day, laundry areas, clothing, address forwarding services, and referral services when needed. Always call before you arrive to volunteer. There are many more sites in the area where you can volunteer. Check with your local church and the food pantry for a Thanksgiving Day volunteer opportunity. You will be glad you did.

Anytime is a good time for a burger. The juicy patty, melting cheese, toasted bun and condiments galore are what make this American dish unforgettable and crave-worthy. Just the smell of a good burger can leave you yearning for a taste. A handful of burger joints in Allentown have nailed the perfect burger. Which is your favorite? Wert’s Café Everything about Wert’s is perfect. It is no wonder why the café has been satisfying our cravings for 45 years. Of course, you have to order the Wert’s Burger and add a slice of cheese. Why don’t you choose the Greg’s Burger with mushrooms and onions, or Phil’s Burger with provolone and a hard-boiled egg? If you prefer barbecue, Ashley’s Burger is loaded with the sauce and onion rings, and Nikki’s Burger adds a little bleu. The California Burger pleases the bacon lovers and the Veggie Burger satisfies the vegetarians among us. All burgers come with a pickle and chips, but you can add fries or pierogies. Elevation Burger If you want an eco-friendly burger that appeals to both meat-eaters and vegetarians, explore the burgers on the menu at Elevation Burger. All of the beef is organic and grass-fed, and the fries are cooked in olive oil. Your options include the original Elevation Burger, the veggie burger, the vegan burger, the Vertigo Burger, and the Half the Guilt Burger. Even the veggies between the bun are organic. Don’t forget to add the healthier fries and a fresh fruit shake to your order. You don’t have to feel bad about eating out.

Halloween will be here next week, and we want to make sure you and your little ones have a safe holiday. When your little princesses, ghosts, goblins, and sports stars hit the streets, keep a few pointers in mind. Halloween Safety Tips Consider these important tips to keep you safe this year: Go trick-or-treating when it is still lit up outside. Avoid trick-or-treating with little ones on dark roads or in dark neighborhoods. Do not allow kids to eat unwrapped candies or homemade treats from people who they don’t know. Use reflective tape and clothing, and load up on the glow sticks. Do not allow kids to go trick-or-treating alone. Stay on sidewalks and in walkways. Carry a flashlight. Don’t text while you are walking on the roads with your kids. You should be holding their hands or keeping your eyes on them at all times. Safe Trick-or-Treating in Allentown All over the city, parents can find safe Halloween events and trick-or-treating opportunities. Trunk or Treat on October 24 th at 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm. The event is hosted by the St. Stephen Outreach Center of Christ Lutheran Church at Franklin Park. Trick or Trunk on October 25 th at America on Wheels. The event runs from 1 pm to 3 pm. Children under 12 years old are free; kids between 13 and 14 years of age are $4; and admission for parents is $8. Trunk or Treat at Cedar Crest College, Blaney Circle from 11 am to 3 pm. The event is on October 25 th and it is free to all. The event will have both kid and pet costume contests. Annual mall-wide trick or treat at South Mall. The event starts at 3 pm on October 24 th and lasts until the candy is gone.