USA Today 10Best readers are apparently in love with the Lehigh Valley.
The national publication has built a following in recent years through its popular 10Best series, which picks the best of just about everything related to U.S. tourism from coast-to-coast.
It honored another one of the region’s gems this week.
Bethlehem’s Main Street, according to the publication’s most recent installment of the series, has been crowned the most charming main street.
A panel of USA Today 10Best travel experts nominated 20 main streets across the nation as some of the most charming in the country before turning it over to the people. Readers could cast a vote once per day through April 7, when voting closed.
Christmastime visitors to Bethlehem shop in the Center City downtown on Nov. 30, 2014, along Main Street.
Bethlehem’s Main Street beat out runner-up Emporia, Kansas for the nation’s top spot. Ogden, Utah finished third.
Here’s what the publication said about the winner:
“Main Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is super walkable, and offers lots of dining options ranging from Spanish to Thai. There are also numerous watering holes and a chocolate trail that runs through this part of downtown. The centrally located Historic Hotel Bethlehem is an ideal base for a weekend getaway to the Lehigh Valley.”
Jack Garrity, 5, of Bethlehem, stands still as David Graham, left, and Tobin Renwick, right, juggle around him on Main Street in Bethlehem during a performance of The Red Trouser Show at Musikfest on Aug. 8, 2015.
So what else in and around the Lehigh Valley has been recognized recently in USA Today’s 10Best contests? Here’s a sampling of nine other hometown heroes that made 10Best lists in the past two years:
Historic Hotel Bethlehem topped the 10Best list of the nation’s best historic hotels for 2024. It’s also either won or placed in previous years.
Musikfest in 2023 placed 10th in the 10Best list of the nation’s best music festivals.
Easton Public Market, which has previously been named the nation’s best public market in the series, is currently in the running for 2025. Voting closed Monday, April 14, with the winner set to be announced at noon Wednesday, April 23.
Dorney Park’s Iron Menace roller coaster earlier this year nabbed the No. 4 spot on the 10Best for best new theme park attraction.
Easton Garlic Fest in 2023 took the No. 8 spot in the best specialty food festival.
Crayola Experience was No. 10 in 2023 on the 10Best list for children’s museums.
Christkindlmarkt was No. 5 in 2024 in the publication’s rankings for best holiday market.
Camelback Resort won the top spot on the 10Best list of best place for snow tubing in 2024.
New Year’s Eve PEEPS Chick Drop at SteelStacks came in sixth place in 2023 for best New Year’s Eve drop.
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