Bethlehem was named one of America's most underrated cities by Reader's Digest. (Photo credit: Bekah Rusnock https://www.instagram.com/igbethlehem/)Bethlehem can take another bow for winning a spot on yet another “best of” list, this time for being one of the most underrated cities in America.
The Christmas City ranked second on Reader’s Digest’s “15 Most Underrated American Cities Worth a Visit.”
The magazine suggested vacationers “skip the throngs of tourists this summer and head to a lesser-known destination to experience incredible food, one-of-a-kind hotels, eclectic festivals, and more.”
For those considering a visit to Pennsylvania, the article suggested that “instead of Philadelphia, try Bethlehem.”
Here’s what Reader’s Digest said about the city:
“Seventy miles north of the City of Brotherly Love is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, home to 75,000 and the nation’s largest free music festival. Celebrating its [40th] anniversary this year, Musikfest will feature more than 450 performances from artists including Dierks Bentley, Daughtry, Kesha, and Jason Mraz over ten days in August. Music isn’t the only attraction here, though: History buffs can explore the area’s deep industrial heritage at the National Museum of Industrial History, which opened in 2016, and walk the elevated Hoover-Mason Trestle. Favorite dining spots in town include the solarium-like 1741 on the Terrace, Fegley’s Brew Works, and Apollo Grill.”
A strong quality of life draws talent – professionals and skilled workers that companies need to succeed. Access to talent is a key factor in company decisions on where to move or expand, prompting Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) to partner with other community organizations, Discover Lehigh Valley and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, in the “Made Possible in Lehigh Valley” campaign.
“National audiences are learning what we have known for a long time – Bethlehem is a special place," said Mayor J. William Reynolds. "Our revitalization is a product of the public and private sectors coming together to build a 21st century city where people want to live, work, and play. Thank you, Reader’s Digest, for the recognition!”
Reader’s Digest is just the latest to recognize the region's high quality of life.
Bethlehem previously has been named one of the top 25 places to retire (by Forbes in 2018) and one of the best 100 places to live in the U.S. (by livability.com in 2022 and 2021).
Bethlehem zip codes twice were ranked among the hottest in the nation by Realtor.com, the 18017 zip code in 2022 and the 18018 zip code in 2021.
USA Today recognized Hotel Bethlehem in 2022 and 2021 as the nation’s best historic hotel. And USA Today has highlighted Musikfest as one of the top 10 music festivals in the country.