steel stacks tours bethlehem pa

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Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network

711 E. First Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 610-332-1300

The Bethlehem Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Housed in the beautifully restored 1863 Stock House, the oldest building on the site, the Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network offers a wealth of information on SteelStacks , Bethlehem, and the Lehigh Valley’s events and attractions. Helpful staff are also on hand to assist you in planning your visit to SteelStacks and the region.

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Bethlehem Visitor Center

Presented by st. luke’s university health network.

711 First St., Bethlehem, PA 18015

Located in the former Bethlehem Steel Stock House (circa 1863), the Bethlehem Visitor Center is the ideal place to begin your exploration of the city. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, it offers interactive displays highlighting the history, culture, recreation and attractions of Bethlehem and the surrounding Lehigh Valley. Our knowledgeable staff can advise you on how to plan your visit, where to stay and what to see. Plus, you may create your itinerary and email it to your cell phone.

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The arts and American history go hand-in-hand at the SteelStacks™ campus in SouthSide Bethlehem, PA at 101 Founders Way.

Concerts, comedy shows, cinema, culinary events, and festivals bring people from near and far to the awe-inspiring ruins of the former Bethlehem Steel plant. The site that made the steel used in the construction of the Chrysler Building, Madison Square Garden, the Golden Gate Bridge, and ally ships for World War II, finds renewed purpose as a place to come together and celebrate the arts. Not to be confused with neighboring Wind Creek® Bethlehem Casino , the SteelStacks™ campus, with its multiple venues and events, is operated by the nonprofit organization ArtsQuest ™.

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Upcoming Events at SteelStacks™

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Events at SteelStacks™

Greater lehigh valley filmmaker festival.

Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

The Ginvitational

Ice rink at steelstacks™, november 21, 2023–january 15, 2024.

Skate your way into the Holidays and through the winter! Presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital , the Ice Rink is back for its second year, and it's larger than last year. The rink features fresh ice maintained throughout the day to deliver an outdoor skating experience.

Located at the base of the blast furnaces on the SteelStacks™ campus, the authentic outdoor rink will be open daily, including holidays, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 through Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Guests can enjoy music-based theme nights, events, birthday parties, and sporting events. 

More information on hours of operation and skating sessions will be available soon. 

Musikfest Café

Located on the 3rd floor of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks ™, the Musikfest Café offers a stunning panoramic view of the Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The multi-purpose space can hold up to approximately 1,000 people, and hosts an eclectic mix of concerts, comedy shows, weddings, and special events. Food and drinks are served during events, including full dinner service during select shows.

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks™

Like an industrial version of Red Rocks, the towering Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces set the stage for the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks ™, as the backdrop for nationally touring artists, world-famous festivals, and special events throughout the year.

A partnership between ArtsQuest ™ and the national nonprofit Levitt Foundation, the venue offers 50 free concerts and a free children’s movie series  every spring and summer. Just bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy a night of togetherness under the stars!

Food and beverage can be purchased at the venue’s Mack Truck Stop.

The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas  are a two-screen independent, arthouse cinema located on the ArtsQuest Center’s first floor. Instead of the latest Hollywood blockbusters, you’ll find the newest award-winning films, cult favorites, concert movies, documentaries, and seasonal classics.

Put the “ale” in “Alehouse” by ordering a beer or cocktail from Palette & Pour, right outside the theaters’ doors, which also serves up delicious hot meals and snacks (including popcorn, of course).

Palette & Pour 

The recently remodeled first floor of the ArtsQuest Center includes the scrumptious and inviting Palette & Pour. The space hosts regular concerts from beloved local artists on its Williams Brew Stage. You can sit down for a full meal including burgers, flatbreads, salads, and shareables, or just grab a drink before heading up to see a show in the Musikfest Café.

Hoover Mason Trestle & Tours 

Take an historic stroll on the Hoover Mason Trestle , where you can get up close to the Bethlehem Steel facilities that helped build America. The elevated walkway is open to the public. Guided tours are available in warm weather months through Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites .

Festivals at SteelStacks™

Annual festivals and major events held inside the ArtsQuest Center and/or outdoors on the SteelStacks™ campus include:

• Musikfest® in August
• Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem during the Holiday Season
• Oktoberfest Bethlehem  
• Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert Series  every Summer
• PEEPSFEST  to ring in the New Year
• ¡Sabor! Latin Festival  
• Sláinte  celebrated in March
• Blast Furnace Blues 
• SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival  comes together in January
• Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival usually in April
• Patriotic Holidays 
• InVision Festival often November
• Cars & Coffee Lehigh Valley
• Soccerfest & Viewing Party

Each summer, Bethlehem comes alive as the tradition of Musikfest returns to the city. The festival…

Christkindlmarkt

Named one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure and one of the top holiday…

Oktoberfest

The oom-pahs and bratwurst are back! Now in its 13th year, Oktoberfest presented by Lehigh Valley…

Family fun is at the heart of PEEPSFEST®, the annual two-day New Year’s Eve festival…

Getting Here & Parking

Visitor information.

If you want additional information about the SteelStacks™ campus or the Lehigh Valley region, stop in the Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network, located at 711 E. First St, Bethlehem, Pa.

Parking for all events (except Musikfest) is free and open to the public in the three large lots along 1st Street. Most events held at SteelStacks™ have onsite parking that attendants can direct you to after dropping off passengers at the main entrance. Additional information is available on  ArtsQuest website .

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Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Reveals 2023 Free Concert Series Lineup

Free performances every thursday through saturday with select sunday shows, including ¡sabor latin festival, blast furnace blues and one earth reggaefest.

Bethlehem, PA, Monday, May 1, 2023 – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network , is proud to announce its 2023 free concert series line-up. Beginning on Friday May 19 through Saturday, September 9, every Thursday-Saturday and select Sunday nights, the Levitt Pavilion will feature free professional concerts at the SteelStacks campus. Included in Levitt’s 13 th season are annual festivals ¡Sabor! Latin Festival held June 23-25, the return of One Earth ReggaeFest on July 1 and  Blast Furnace Blues  July 21-23.

“We are so excited to share nearly 50 free concerts and 10 free family-friendly movies with our community this summer,” commented Shayna Super, Executive Director Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks and ArtsQuest Programming Manager. “With a lineup that represents a diverse number of ethnicities, genders and genres, we hope everyone feels welcome and finds something they can come out and enjoy on the lawn!”

To kick off the season on May 19, Vanessa Collier , a master musician and multi-instrumentalist, will weave funk, soul, rock and blues into a powerful performance. She’ll rock the stage with soulful vocals, searing saxophone and witty songwriting.  

Confirmed show schedule:

“I believe in the power of music to bring joy and our community together,” commented Erin Zebertavage, Levitt SteelStacks Board Chair and SouthSide Arts District Downtown Manager. “Every summer, the Levitt SteelStacks brings a diverse line up of fantastic performers to the stage from rock, salsa, reggae, folk, country, indie and more. It’s clear when you look across the lawn, the joy the music brings to our community. I am so proud to serve on the Levitt SteelStacks board that delivers free live music and happiness to so many, each and every year.”

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities through free, live music. Presenting a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues are inclusive destinations where families, friends, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Learn more:  www.levitt.org  

About ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest ; the Banana Factory Arts Center ; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

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2021 – Bethlehem Steel History Tour

Bethlehem Steel History Tour

Saturday, october 16 at 10:00 am, cost: $15.00.

*Regular ticket price is $20.00. AIA Registration reduces price by $5.00.

Admission, Hours, and Directions

Thank you for your interest in visiting the National Museum of Industrial History, a Smithsonian Affiliate . We aim to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. If you don’t find the information you are looking for on this page feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected] or calling us at 610.694.6644.

Hours: The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The museum will be closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Tickets: Tickets are available at the admission desk inside the museum or online here . Children (6 and younger): Free Youth (7 to 17): $10 Students: $10 Veterans/Educators/Seniors (65 and older): $12 Adults (18 to 64): $15

Combo tickets for NMIH & Unspun: Stories of Silk exhibit are available here . With this ticket you will be able to follow the stories of the silk through the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts (427 N New Street), the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem (66 W Church Street), and the  National Museum of Industrial History  (602 E 2nd Street).

Special Discount Days: Senior Days: Every first Wednesday of the month, half price tickets for all senior citizens age 65 and older. Student Days: first Thursday of each month will feature half price tickets for students Family Sundays: free admission to all children under 12 years old when accompanied by a paying adult. Adult admission is $15.

Group Discounts: For more information on visiting NMIH with your group, please see our Group Tours page .

Group Guided Tours Group guided tours are available for a $30 docent fee plus individual admission for a group of up to 20 people.  If the group is larger than 20 people, additional docents are $30 per additional 20 visitors. Group guided tours are available ​during or after business hours and must be reserved ahead of time by contacting the Guest Services Manager, Shannon Morris, at 610.694.6644 or  [email protected] . Please see our Group Tours page .

Steelworkers’ Archives Tours

Every Saturday and Sunday from April through December, former steelworkers will lead sidewalk and Hoover-Mason Trestle tours through the Bethlehem Steel plant site. The tours start at 11:30 AM, rain or shine, and leave from the plaza outside the National Museum of History (NMIH), 602 E. Second Street, Bethlehem.  Free parking is available in the lot across the street from the museum.

The steelworker guides will take guests on a multi-faceted journey – from the evolution of iron making in the Lehigh Valley to the history of the Bethlehem Plant from its opening to closing, including its importance in World Wars I and II.  Along the way, guests will learn about the remaining buildings on the plant site, life in the ethnic neighborhoods surrounding the plant, and what life was like working at the plant.  The 1+ hour tour concludes with a question and answer session.

Tickets are $15 per person and free for ages 12 and under. Scheduling is available online only at this time. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the NMIH admission desk.  For more information, contact the Steelworkers’ Archives  at 610-861-0600.

Also, contact the Steelworkers’ Archives if you are interested in a private group tour. All Sales Are Final – no refunds or exchanges.

Self Guided Mobile Tours Enhance your experience with one of our self-guided tours of the museum or SteelStacks campus using your own phone or device. Inquire at our admission desk for details.

• The Changing Landscape of Bethlehem Steel ($5 per person ) Travel back in time on this self-guided walking tour of the historic Bethlehem Steel Plant! Explore the different phases of the plant as Bethlehem Steel grew from a local iron company to become an international steel titan. This mobile tour provides you with a glimpse into the past with never-before-seen images from the museum’s archival collection.
• Express Museum Tour (included with admission)
• In-Depth Museum Tour (included with admission)
• Young Innovator’s Tour (included with admission)
• Foundry Park Tour (included with admission)

Address: 602 E 2nd St Bethlehem, PA 18015

Parking: Please refer to the map below for museum parking.

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Hoover-mason trestle @ steelstacks.

This Trestle was recently opened to provide an up-close guided or self guided walking tours of the history of iron-making at Bethlehem Steel’s former blast furnaces located at a facility that employed over 30,000 employees in the mid 20th Century.

101 Founders Way Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015 United States

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SteelStacks Bethlehem, PA: My Tips For Exploring The Abandoned Bethlehem Steel Stacks & Enjoying The Arts And Entertainment Venue At SteelStacks

Bridges , free stuff , museums and memorials , pennsylvania travel.

SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania stands as a tribute to the region’s industrial past and serves as the backdrop for a vibrant arts and culture scene today.

I was recently on a road trip through Pennsylvania when I stopped by this hulking landmark .

It’s the former home of Bethlehem Steel — one of the nation’s largest steel-manufacturing companies.

Bethlehem Steel Stacks History

Today, all is quiet at the old Bethlehem Steel mill, a now-defunct business whose roots dated back to the 1850s and was founded as a new company in 1904. But from 1873 through 1995, countless tons of steel were produced at this site for everything from great ships and tanks to bridges and skyscrapers.

Much of the steel made by Bethlehem wound up in some amazing landmarks you’ve probably heard about and maybe even visited — including:

• The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
• The George Washington Bridge in New York City
• The Empire State Building in New York City
• Madison Square Garden in New York City

Yes, Bethlehem Steel was one of the nation’s great bridge and ship builders!

History Comes Alive Here

It’s pretty fascinating, walking up along the massive blast furnaces that still stand on the site today, to think about how important this place once was to building the America we know today.

At one time, more than 31,000 people worked here. Today, the blast furnaces are cold and the steel mill is silent — but the story of the Bethlehem Steel company is amazing. If you’re quiet enough, you can almost see and hear the ghosts of thousands of men and women proudly operating the red-hot machinery.

A visit to SteelStacks transports you through a serene, haunting, amazing journey into the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing past — a time and place in American history that so many still pine to see resurrected.

While SteelStacks is a popular tourist destination enjoyed by history buffs and photographers, it’s also the backdrop for concerts, weddings, art festivals, and many other fun community events and activities.

Here’s everything you want to know about visiting and enjoying SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA…

SteelStacks is a 10-acre campus dedicated to arts, culture, family events, community celebrations, education and fun. Once the home plant of Bethlehem Steel, the second largest steel manufacturer in the nation, the site has been reborn through music and art, offering more than 1,000 concerts and eight different festivals annually. — SteelStacks.org

My Tour Of Bethlehem Steel Stacks

Bethlehem Steel was once one of the largest employers in Eastern Pennsylvania. But after closing the steel plant there in 1995, the company went defunct in 2003. Aside from SteelStacks, the Bethlehem Steel legacy is quietly fading away into America’s past.

Even the company’s former headquarters building, the Martin Tower, was demolished in 2019 to make way for progress in the Pennsylvania city of Bethlehem. The Martin Tower was built in 1972 and at 21 stories and 332 feet in height was the tallest building in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Thankfully, the mountainous blast furnaces didn’t succumb to a similar fate as the Martin Tower. They still stand tall and proud along the Lehigh River.

My Photos Of The Old Bethlehem Steel Plant

Today, visitors to SteelStacks will find a few relics from Bethlehem Steel’s glorious past.

Yes, you’ve got the iconic abandoned factory standing tall above the 10-acre SteelStacks campus. But there are also a few other things you might not notice at first.

Such as the red, white, and black flag with the Bethlehem Steel logo on it:

Or the I-beam emblazoned with the words “Bethlehem Steel” near a back door at the visitor center:

Or the many vintage photos and memorabilia inside the visitor center honoring the glory days at Bethlehem Steel:

Keep walking past the Visitor Center from the main guest parking lot and you’ll get a closeup of the Bethlehem steel stacks:

Check out how tall these massive furnaces are:

Good golly, look at the size of those pipes:

They appear to have led across the Hoover-Mason Trestle pedestrian walkway and into this long building with several flywheel-driven machines. Think of all the steel products these old relics helped make:

And to operate all of this machinery, Bethlehem Steel needed lots of power. It looks like they used to run power into the steel mill by use of these old towers, which still have power line insulators hanging off them:

This large pipe once ran along several of the furnaces:

Now we’re looking down an old catwalk. I wonder what it led to:

Now we’re looking down into the bowels of the cathedral-like blast furnace structure. Crazy… I wonder what it was like working down there:

If only those walls could talk:

And check out this adjacent narrow-gauge railroad along the Hoover-Mason Trestle:

The Hoover-Mason Trestle provides a feast for the eyes of photographers who want to get up close to the abandoned Bethlehem Steel factory. And it’s also teeming with life throughout the year, as this informational placard explains:

Walk a little further along the Hoover-Mason Trestle and you reach the other end of SteelStacks. Now we’re looking back in the direction of where this journey began at the Visitor Center:

Goodbye, Bethlehem Steel

Did you know the song “God Bless America” was played when Bethlehem Steel snuffed out the last heat from the basic oxygen furnace?

This photo and accompanying captions from an information placard on the end of the Hoover-Mason Trestle put a human face on this massive abandoned steel plant:

The photo of those men at Furnace C was taken on November 18, 1995 — the last day of operations at Bethlehem Steel in Pennsylvania. And, it wasn’t just the end of the factory, it was the end of an era in the Lehigh Valley. But it probably didn’t come as a shock for many. By the late 1970s and early ’80s, the writing was on the wall… Steel plants and many of the other manufacturing jobs that people in eastern Pennsylvania had relied on for generations were on the way out.

Ever hear Billy Joel’s 1982 hit “Allentown”? So, the title is a shout-out to the neighboring Pennsylvania city of Allentown. But if you pay attention to the lyrics, you’ll hear plenty of allusions to Bethlehem Steel and the end to a way of life in the Lehigh Valley:

Things To See & Do At SteelStacks

It’s OK to shed a tear for yesteryear while you’re here, but turn that frown upside down. New life abounds at the abandoned Bethlehem Steel company site!

The PBS-39 Public Media center stands just across from the heart of the SteelStacks campus:

And SteelStacks hums with art and culture:

While paying homage to the past:

There are many indoor and outdoor venues at SteelStacks where all kinds of events are held throughout the year, including:

• Free and ticketed concerts
• Comedy shows and workshops
• Classes and workshops
• Movies and film classes
• Dance performances
• Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K
• Arts and crafts festivals
• Family programs

My Tips For Visiting SteelStacks

Planning a trip to SteelStacks?

Here are some good things to know before you go:

• Admission to SteelStacks is free, but some of the events are ticketed. Be sure to check out the SteelStacks schedule of events for information on ticket prices and any other fees.
• Except for during special events, crowds are normally pretty thin from the late fall through early spring — a good time for photographers to get some great shots of the scenery at the old Bethlehem Steel plant without having to dodge other tourists.
• A lot of folks stop by SteelStacks to take photos of the blast furnaces or to check out an event. But don’t forget to stop by the visitor center — not only are there great old photos of Bethlehem Steel there, but there’s also a short film profiling the history of the company and steel manufacturing in Bethlehem.
• Attention, photographers: the Bethlehem Steel blast furnace complex is generally situated in an east-west orientation, with most photo-taking opportunities along the south side of the landmark. For most folks like me who enjoy taking recreational shots, lighting and such aren’t really a big deal — but the shadows from some of the metal beams and pipes played some funky tricks on me in getting nice closeups of the abandoned plant in the late afternoon sun. Professional shutterbugs take note… and bring along all the right filters, lenses, and flash bulbs for the job!

What Else Is Nearby?

In addition to touring the Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces, there are many other fun things to do in and around the SteelStacks entertainment and arts campus:

• ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks  is a performing arts palace that hosts all kinds of programs virtually each and every day. Located adjacent to the PBS-39 Media Center, there’s a cinema, community stage, and art exhibits at ArtsQuest — along with a variety of shops and cafes.
• Just a few steps away from the main SteelStacks campus is the National Museum of Industrial History . This Smithsonian affiliate is where you can explore how America was built on the backs of companies like Bethlehem Steel. But it’s not just about steel mills — it’s about all forms of industry in America.
• If you and Lady Luck get along well enough, just a couple blocks away is the Sands Casino Resort . I didn’t try my hand at gambling away my meager fortunes, but it looks like a fun place to “steel” some winnings. Sorry for the rusty pun.

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I’m a Florida native, a roller coaster junkie, and a frequent traveler. (Long road trips are my favorite.) Born and raised in Tampa, I grew up visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. I authored the book Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Images of Modern America, which details the colorful history of the Busch Gardens theme park. As a local historian, I’ve also written about other popular landmarks and attractions for a variety of publications. Here, on this Travel Guide, I like sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about all the places I’ve been — so you will have a good idea of what those places are like and what you should know before you go. I especially enjoy helping others plan fun trips… on a budget!

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The Story Behind Steel Stacks

By Carole Gorney

The concept of one door closing and another opening is perfectly epitomized by the development of SteelStacks, a comprehensive arts and performance campus conceived and operated by ArtsQuest and located in the shadow of the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces.  It was the closing of Bethlehem Steel’s sprawling industrial complex in 1995 that provided the catalyst for SteelStacks, which features the ArtsQuest Center that opened this past April, and when fully operational will include a Festival Center, the Levitt Pavilion for free outdoor concerts, and the PNC Plaza, a 150,000 square foot open-air space for farmers, arts and antique markets.

Right from the time of Bethlehem Steel’s closing, ArtsQuest started exploring ways that it could be involved in the development of the vacant steel plant and grounds, according to President and COO Jeff Parks, the man who started it all with Musikfest back in the 1980s. The inspiration for SteelStacks was Germany’s Landschasts Park in the Ruhr Valley, which Parks and his staff visited in 2002. Not unlike the Lehigh Valley, Landschasts Park had been developed when major industries abandoned the Ruhr Valley for Southern Germany. The park featured beautiful residential buildings along the river, an educational facility, a lighted steel mill, and recreational and music venues. Parks says it was the concert venues that struck him the most.

For the next two years after visiting Germany, ArtsQuest reached out to local businessmen and residents to determine what programs would best benefit the community. In the planning of SteelStacks, Parks says content drove the nature of the buildings. “We have been able to incorporate almost everything we wanted.” “Everything” includes a broad spectrum of indoor and outdoor facilities providing 365-day-a-year events and performances.

The ArtsQuest Center is the heart of SteelStacks. After seven years of planning and 14 months of construction, the Center provides contemporary facilities for enjoying music, films, art, dining, and socializing. It hosts the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, the Musikfest Café, meeting and small banquet rooms, and art exhibit space. Besides a plethora of musical offerings, the Center holds comedy improvisations on Sunday nights and weekly shows on Wednesday nights showcasing the talents of comedians who have appeared in New York comedy clubs and on national television. “Comedy was definitely something people wanted,” Parks explained, adding that ArtsQuest began incorporating it into Musikfest two years ago.

The PNC Plaza will also host a variety of arts and music events throughout the year in the form of five new festivals, a farmers’ market, and an arts and antique market. Besides those already held this summer, the SteelJam Festival is scheduled for Sept. 2-5, the Blast Furnace Blues Festival is on Sept. 16-18, and Oktoberfest will be held for two weekends on Sept. 29-Oct. 2 and Oct. 6-9.  Later this year, visitors can round out their holiday activities by visiting Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem and the PEEPS Fest family festival, which will relocate from the North side of Bethlehem to South side’s PNC Plaza.

The Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on First Street in front of the blast furnaces will offer 33 free concerts this year and 50 next year from May through August on a 47-foot wide stage covered by a 36-foot high metal canopy. The pavilion, which is only the sixth of its kind in the U.S., is made possible by the Mortimer Levitt Foundation and the national Levitt Pavilions organization. The pavilion has space for 2,500 concert-goers, who will be able to relax on the lawn on blankets or chairs while listening to an eclectic mixture of music presented by local, regional, and national performers.

As if all this weren’t enough, there is still SteelStacks Phase 2, which is expected to be completed sometime next year. This $5-million project focuses on transforming the former Bethlehem Steel Turn and Grind Shop into the Festival Center, with 20,000 square feet of open space for exhibitions, performances, concerts, and family and youth programs.

To pull all this off, Parks and ArtsQuest had to raise an impressive amount of donations and grants. The Phase One ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks garnered $26.6 million from foundations, businesses and individual residents. Among those was a $900,000 matching grant from the Kresge Foundation. The $5-million Phase 2 Capital Campaign now underway to restore the Festival Center recently was awarded a $2 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Programs (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Beyond the obvious economic and entertainment impacts SteelStacks is expected to have, how is the endeavor expected to benefit the Lehigh Valley?  One answer can be found in the ArtsQuest newsletter: “Programming is designed to appeal to all tastes, bringing people from all ages and backgrounds together to share an evening of great music and a true feeling of community.”

Parks says it is also about the way the community feels about itself. “Within five years, the image that people have of the Lehigh Valley will change drastically. The perception that there is nothing to do here won’t exist anymore.” If Parks has his way, though, it won’t be just about having something to do. It will be about making the Lehigh Valley a preeminent cultural center.

There are signs that may not be too far-fetched. Parks says that what is already beginning to happen is that ideas for programming and requests to participate are coming from influential people and organizations outside of ArtsQuest. “We are becoming a magnet for creativity, which is what we are about. Creativity and innovation are what will drive the economy of the 21st Century and beyond, and we want to be a part of what drives innovative and creative people to the Lehigh Valley.”

Arts Quest 25 W. Third Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 610-332-1300 artsquest.org

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Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Walking Tour

Bethlehem Steel, once the 2nd largest steel producer in the country, helped build some of America's greatest landmarks.

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Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Walking Tour Overview

On the Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Walking Tour learn about Bethlehem Steel which was once the second largest steel producer in the country, helped build some of America’s greatest landmarks — including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Chrysler Building. Discover the humble beginnings, monumental growth, and humbling decline of this 20th-century giant.

The 90-minute walking tour features up-close views of the former steel plant and an in-depth look at the steel-making process and the roles the workers played in our country’s history.

Note: The Hoover Mason Trestle is closed due to snow/ice until further notice.

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Local News | Bethlehem State of the City Address| PHOTOS

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Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds speaks Thursday, April 11, 2024, during the State of the City address at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

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Web site information may not be... - SteelStacks

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I went to the ArtsQuest Cafe to see Mr. Phzzz/The Melvins/Boris. Everything about the experience... read more

Imagine an old steel plant transformed into a destination place. The size of the steel stacks and... read more

Web site information may not be reliable. We traveled 2 hours to find "No "Tours Available."

We had great expectations regarding seeing the Steel Stacks, and the website indicated that tours were available for the day we wanted to go (1/20/24). We made the 2 hour drive to go there only to find out that the tours were not being conducted due to snow covering part of the tour route. We were further told that it was closed "indefinitely"--and perhaps as late as April--until the snow covered areas would be safe for foot traffic. If you are planning a trip, you cannot rely on the website. Pehaps a call would provide better information and results.

Imagine an old steel plant transformed into a destination place. The size of the steel stacks and the size of the old machinery is breathtaking. They have signs about the equipment and owners and laborers as you walk around the huge site. An amazing place to spend a few hours

I went to the ArtsQuest Cafe to see Mr. Phzzz/The Melvins/Boris. Everything about the experience was good, from the 1/2 pound hamburger (really) to the seating, the acoustics, even the cleanliness of the bathrooms. As soon as the venue has another act/tour I want to see, I'll be back.

Ever since we heard about "MusikFest" (held every year in August) we've been making it an annual fun thing-to-do with friends. Over a span of 10 days, many different bands showcase their talent. Most are local & some are national acts. It has grown in popularity, over the years. It's not to be missed.

SteelStacks is a captivating destination that truly brings the city of Bethlehem to life. This beautiful area offers so much more than just a picturesque backdrop; it serves as a thriving cultural hub that never fails to impress. One of the standout features of SteelStacks is its commitment to providing free concerts during the summer. The live music performances are an absolute treat, attracting talented artists from various genres and captivating audiences of all ages. The opportunity to enjoy high-quality music without any admission fee is truly commendable and adds to the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere of SteelStacks. In addition to the captivating concerts, SteelStacks hosts a plethora of events throughout the year, ensuring there is always something exciting happening. From art exhibitions and film screenings to festivals and community gatherings, the calendar is packed with diverse and engaging activities for everyone to enjoy. This dedication to creating a vibrant cultural scene is truly admirable, showcasing the commitment to enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike. The various festivals are all truly well done and there's something for everyone. Beyond the events, SteelStacks itself is a historic sight to behold. The backdrop of towering steel structures provides a unique and industrial aesthetic, creating an atmosphere that is both gritty and artistic. Whether strolling through the area during the day or admiring the illuminated stacks at night, there is a certain charm and character that makes SteelStacks an unforgettable place.

Friends recommended I stop by the SteelStacks on the way out of town. I am so glad I did. This is an amazing monument to Bethlehem Steel, consisting of the actual towers of the former plant, on site. Massive and amazing, and highly photogenic!

The Black Crowes tour in Pa. next month: Here’s where to buy tickets

• Updated: Apr. 12, 2024, 1:09 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 12, 2024, 1:09 p.m.

The Black Crowes will perform in Pennsylvania on May 3, 2024, in Bethlehem and May 7 in Philadelphia as part of its "Happiness Bastards" tour. Amy Harris/Invision/AP

• Deb Kiner | [email protected]

The Black Crowes’ “Happiness Bastards” tour is underway and moving closer to Pa.

The band will perform on Friday, May 3, at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem and Tuesday, May 7, at The Met in Philadelphia as well as Saturday, May 4 at Oceans Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The band also will tour with Aerosmith starting in September on that band’s “Peace Out” farewell tour that has two stops in Pa. - Sept. 20 in Pittsburgh and Sept. 23 in Philadelphia.

“Happiness Bastards” is the band’s 10th studio album and the first in 15 years. The record by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson was released on March 15, 2024.

Fans can buy tickets to The Black Crowes shows here (prices are as of the time of this post):

Friday, May 3, Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem

• Stubhub, prices start at $49
• Vivid Seats, prices start at $49
• SeatGeek, prices start at $45

Tuesday, May 7, The Met, Philadelphia

• Stubhub, prices start at $53
• SeatGeek, prices start at $46

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