Delaware and Lehigh
National Heritage Corridor
A Federal, State, and Local Partnership
Settlement patterns, from native americans to today's immigrants, continue to change the patterns in the tapestry known as the D&L National Heritage Corridor. It began because of the magnificent scenery and the discovery of the widest range of natural resources found anywhere in the world. Unmatched extraction of natural resources changed the landscape but nature prevailed in many places, erasing any sign of industry and in some cases even of the communities that once existed. Unsurpassed recreational opportunities lead one through bucolic countrysides, rugged mountains and lush valleys as well as through teeming communities filled with over 50 types of ethnic flavor. Visit sites offering a look into these stories, recreation of every type, breathtaking scenery and a trail system that links many of the attractions together. Enjoy ethnic and musical celebrations, walking tours through communities with rich and colorful histories, and museums describing the industries, people and wildlife that share this special place.
VISITATION:
While many of the smaller museums are open seasonally, there are always events
happening throughout the five county area. Most of the larger special events
happen during the warmer months but around Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays
there are many special events and musical celebrations. Recreational and special
events take place in season, with sports such as skiing, snowboarding, bicycle
races, skateboarding and canoeing.
LOCATION:
Eastern Pennsylvania: Luzerne, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks Counties
ADDRESS:
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
10 East Church Street
A-208
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania 18018
TELEPHONE:
(610) 861-9345
eMail: DELE3@fast.net
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
These vary from site to site
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
We have four seasons and the temperature varies 10 degrees from one end of
the Corridor to the other on any given day. The winters are harsher in the two
mountainous northern counties (Luzerne and Carbon) than in the southern-most
county (Bucks). Bring a variety of clothing as the cultural events are as varied
and exciting as the wide range of recreational opportunities.
DIRECTIONS:
One (ten in the future) Landing (VisitorCenter) is currently open, in Easton,
Pennsylvania. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00
p.m. Located on the Delaware River, Interstate 78 and 22 pass Easton and Interstate
80 passes through Carbon and Luzerne Counties, an hour to the north of Easton.
Interstate 81 intersects Interstate 78 an hour's drive to the west. Call for
specific directions. While visiting Two Rivers Landing in Easton, plan to visit
the Crayola Factory and the National Canal Museum in the same building.
TRANSPORTATION:
We are an hour north of the Philadelphia airport. You can land in a Corridor airport by booking a flight into the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport or the Lehigh Valley International Airport. Amtrak has two stations within the Corridor, one in Bristol and one in Doylestown. There is bus service from Philadelphia and New York City to various communities throughout the Corridor.
FEES, COST, RATES:
Each site, park, recreational activity and event has its own fee structure.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Two Rivers Landing, Easton, Pennsylvania houses the first of ten future Corridor
Visitor Centers. Within Two Rivers Landing are: Delaware and Lehigh National
Heritage Corridor exhibits, Crayola Factory and National Canal Museum. The later
two require a fee for entry. The structure is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00
a.m. through 5:00 p.m. throughout most of the year. A second visitor center
will be open May 1st in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, Old Mauch Chunk Landing. It
is open seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. all year round.
Trails, Roads:
Under development is a 160 mile long trail that will intersect with the Appalachian trail and over twenty others. Currently, you can hike between Catasauqua and Bristol, Pennsylvania on a restored towpath following the Lehigh Navigation System and the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal System. The trail follows beside the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, passing through bucolic countryside and teeming municipalities.
Programs/Activities:
The entire region celebrates their history and ethnic backgrounds with multitudes
of special events, carnivals and celebrations. You will want to check with
the local tourist promotion agencies for up-to-date information.
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
A wide range of lodging and camping opportunities are available within the Corridor, from a gilded age bed and breakfast to primitive camping opportunities.
Food/Supplies:
Typical metropolitan or rural stores and convenience marts are available, more sparse in lesser-settled parts of the Corridor.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Much of the Corridor continues to provide clothing to the rest of the country and even to other countries. Outlet stores attract a large audience. Some world-famous artists reside in the Corridor, and artist colonies dot the landscape, providing some of the best speciality shopping found in the country.
Accessibility:
Our heritage and parklands range from the tiny historical societies and old homes to sophisticated museums. It is best to check with each site for special needs.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Wonderful recreational opportunities abound. We have a world class velodrome, host to bicycle racing Olympic tryouts (and soon to host an international racing championship.) Hiking trails offer some of the finest scenery found anywhere. Skiing is popular in our region and many of the Pocono Mountain resorts offer special packages. Whitewater rafting and canoeing in still waters both draw attention to the spectacular scenery. We have two amusement parks within the Corridor: Sesame Place and the Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Each site has its own requirements.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recreational opportunities abound all year round. The climate differs from the north end to the south end. During the warmer months, advance reservations are recommended, especially during graduations and popular festival activities.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Festivals celebrating music and the arts draw thousands of visitors to the center of the Corridor: Mayfair in Allentown, Pennsylvania, offers three stages of music and dance, over 30 ethnic food booths and over 100 juried craftspeople during Memorial Day Weekend; Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offers nine stages of music, over 100 ethnic food booths and a stage dedicated to children's cultural events the second week in August. Other wonderful festivals celebrating the diversity of the region are offered as well. The local tourist promotion agencies offer up-to-date information on the variety and locations of these celebrations.
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Many of the riches within the Corridor are currently underutilized, the best kept secret of eastern Pennsylvania. While the region is within an hours drive of 10% of our nation's population, it continues to maintain a peaceful anonymity.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; Valley Forge National Historical Park; Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Philadelphia and NewYork City are both an hour away.
Last Updated:Tuesday, 07-Apr-98 07:59:05
http://www.nps.gov/dele/