The America On Wheels Museum is an over-the-road transportation museum that opened in Allentown,…read morePennsylvania in April 2008. It was founded by a group of local civic and automotive enthusiasts in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. Beginning in 1989, Allentown city officials announced plans to revitalize an old industrial area, which included the abandoned Arbogast & Bastian meat packing plant, along the Lehigh River. This redevelopment, which was to be known as "Lehigh Landing," was to include a museum, a brewery, walking trails, a footbridge across the river, and a promenade for festivals. After a number of delays, the museum finally opened in 2008. The museum's collection features over 75 bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles and trucks in exhibits telling the story of people and products on the move from the days of the carriage to the vehicles of tomorrow. My family and I recently visited the America On Wheels Museum while we were visiting our cousins in Pennsylvania. Initially we thought that it was a car museum, but it actually focuses on all sorts of road vehicles from 19th century horseless carriages right up to present day electric cars and everything in between. There were some really beautiful antique automobiles and bicycles on display throughout the entire museum. We especially loved how kind-friendly the museum was. There were a number of interactive exhibits where our sons were able to sit in miniature racing cars, load packages into a UPS truck, and dress up like automotive mechanics and "fix" a car. We also really liked seeing the huge miniature city crafted entirely of LEGOs. Overall, we had a fun time at the America On Wheels Museum and would recommend it to any automotive or vehicular enthusiasts who are visiting the Lehigh Valley area.

This place feels less like a traditional museum and more like a really cool collection of cars from…read moredifferent eras. There are plenty of photo opportunities, and the plaques give you a lot of interesting information about each vehicle. The old-time cars are fun to see, especially when you start calculating what they would cost today and realize cars ain't cheap no matter what era you at. You can comfortably see everything in about an hour. The staff is friendly, and there is plenty of parking along the side of the building. A fun stop for car fans or anyone who enjoys a quick trip through automotive history.

Wings of War (WoW) is just starting out as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. We have…read moreacquired a 1941 WWII Cessna T-50 Bobcat that was a Crane MK1 during WWII with the RCAF. The aircraft is currently portrayed as a U.S. UC-78 and will remain in U.S. colors. We believe this aircraft is the oldest, flying Bamboo Bomber in the world. We are actively pursuing nose art for this plane that will link it back to its Canadian lineage. Please go to our FB PAGE and add your ideas there. Call if you want to schedule an appointment to tour the aircraft.

From the owner: Wings of War (WoW) is just starting out as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. We have…read moreacquired a 1941 WWII Cessna T-50 Bobcat that was a Crane MK1 during WWII with the RCAF. The aircraft is currently portrayed as a U.S. UC-78 and will remain in U.S. colors. We believe this aircraft is the oldest, flying Bamboo Bomber in the world. We are actively pursuing nose art for this plane that will link it back to its Canadian lineage. Please go to our FB PAGE and add your ideas there. Call if you want to schedule an appointment to tour the aircraft.

This review is for the docent-led tour not the museum- which we thought was included in the $15 per…read moreperson fee. Our guide was a very sincere former employee of Bethlehem Steel who started our tour asking if we all were up for an hour and a half walk. We said yes. He started his presentation outside the door of the museum. An hour later we had walked maybe a block up a nondescript driveway as we listened to his stories of mismanagement, nepotism and greed within the company. He also showed pictures and told stories of some of the people who worked there over the years as well as some of the products produced. Some of the stories were interesting but an hours worth standing in the road? I finally asked if we were going to be able to go into some of the deserted fantastic looking buildings - he said no. We left the group and headed off by ourselves and found, across from the Arts Center, a stairway that headed up to the rusted gigantic steel stacks and accompanying infrastructure. Although it was fenced off, it was amazing walking along looking up, down, and around the place, almost close enough to touch. This is what we thought we were going to be learning about on the tour. Did we need to know what each gigantic piece did - not really - Did we waste $30 for the tour - sadly yes. Did we go back to see the museum - no. Will we, most likely not. Should you go? Take a look at the pictures and decide - you don't see this kind of scenery very often.

If you want to learn about industrial history, particularly that of the Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem…read moreSteel, this is the place. I love industry, building, construction, machinery, engineering, etc., so I loved this museum. It's a Smithsonian affiliate, which is great, and they are expanding to a second level. It's across from the old Bethlehem Steel mill, so if you are looking for milltown vibes, this is it. We started with a ~30 minute overview/history of industry in the U.S., which was helpful for context. The docent provides this overview for the lobby exhibits/pre-exhibits. Our docent was fantastic. After that, you are free to move into the main room, which is full of machinery. There was a section on silk-making, which was interesting, as well as about early hot air balloons. You can also go across the street to an elevator, to get great views of the mill and area, but we didn't have time for that. I really appreciated that the learning starts outside, with information plaques and exhibits before you enter. Also, there is a parking lot next to the museum, and the museum is (currently) one level, with a few ramps, so is very accessible, though more seating in the lobby might be helpful. I'm looking forward to returning when the addition is complete.

I take my 2 y. o. granddaughter nearly every week. There are so many wonderful things to explore…read moreand learn from. They have a walking path through the woods with a natural playground and sandbox, a bird house building to watch and interactive displays, a mini zoo inside a house with small animals and activities including a treehouse. They also have weekly activities and seasonal events for elementary school kids. My granddaughter calls Briar Bush "The Animal House" and loves to put a donation in the collection box before we leave.

I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars! A nature center/museum and I don't have to do the…read moredrive downtown/pay for parking...and admission is free for Abington residents/friends of Briar Bush? Amazing. (Admission otherwise is only $3 for adults and $2 for kids 2-17). There's animals/insects inside such as owls, huge cockroaches, giant turtle, snakes. And a cute reading corner full of nature books. There's also a discovery den AKA play area indoors for $1. There's animals/insects outdoors such as turkey vultures, turtles, a butterfly house and a bird observatory (cute on the inside with toys for the kiddos - be sure to read the story about the couple who opened the center). And a natural playscape outdoors. There's also a bunch of fairy houses throughout the property that girl scouts donated. And lots of trails through the forest. They also have Magic Mornings for ages 2-4 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays - but register ahead as they only have a certain amount of spots each day (it's seasonal - they have in fall and spring but not summer - see website). It's an hour class for $10 and includes a snack, craft, nature walk etc. They usually pull out an animal each class. It's great to get some time in nature with other kids. In summer, they have a full week of Magic Mornings in their Itty Bitty Briar Camp. Ms. Heidi teaches it and she is just great. They have a different theme every day such as sun, water, clouds etc and there's an activity each day (visit pond and catch tadpoles, water play, craft pertaining to theme). They have preschool pioneers for ages 4-5 and summer camp for older kids for a week in late June. *Just beware in June that parking is limited due to school field trips and you may not fit in either of the lots; you may have to park out front of the house to the left (which is fine - she just doesn't want buses idling there) They also have field trips to gardens and to the shore, classes for seniors, family nature nights, hot smores nights... Only negative (besides parking, which they can't really control), is the "snacks" for kids at Magic Mornings aren't the healthiest. One was cinnamon sugar graham crackers with whipped cream- regular would have been fine. 2 days were cheddar gold fish. Another day was blue jello with whipped cream. And some red licorice - the kind that whips. Fruit Loops were used for colors. So, if you don't like your child eating sugar, let them know you have a dietary restriction or bring your own snack (snack time is ~10 min and probably not needed but the kids always love snack time!). Some options that would be healthier and just as easy would be pretzel sticks, fruit, crackers, popcorn, veggies, string cheese...but I guess those all cost more besides pretzels/crackers/popcorn.

What a fantastic piece of history, go, stop and read the plaques and take pictures. What an amazing…read morepiece of history

Well maintained space without signs of overt modernization make this place a worthwhile…read moreexploration. Industrial relics exhibit excellent decay and are easily accessible. Short walking trail takes you through the greenspace pebbled with old structures, into small wooded areas, over a bisecting stream, and along forgotten rail tracks. Quiet, and surrounded by development though you wouldn't know it.

This place has been on my radar for a while, and I'm genuinely kicking myself for not coming…read moresooner. We visited on a Friday afternoon during the school year and it was the perfect day for it, not crowded at all, staff was warm and attentive everywhere you turned, and there was just so much to explore across two floors. As a homeschool mom, I am always on the lookout for places where kids are learning without even realizing it and this delivered completely. My little ones were engaged the entire time, bouncing between exhibits and coming back to do things on repeat. The water table on the second floor was a huge hit (dam building = instant obsession), the crawl-through body exhibit had them giggling the whole way through, and the immersive hall with the giant projector and the orchestra activity where they put their faces into the performers? They talked about that the whole ride home. We timed our visit to catch the 3 o'clock otter feeding and training, definitely worth planning around. Maybe 30 people gathered and it was totally manageable and really sweet to watch. What surprised me most was how engaged I was as an adult. I was genuinely learning things alongside my kids, which is not always the case at these types of places. It felt appropriate and interesting for every age in our group. A few things to know before you go: follow the directions on their website for the specific parking garage , it's about a 5-minute walk and was only $5 for us. Strollers and wagons are totally doable with elevators throughout. They also have a café if you want to make a full day of it, and rotating special exhibits (always check the website ahead of time so you know what's on and whether it fits your crew). We stayed about two and a half hours and left happy. Already thinking about when we're coming back.

It hasn't really changed much in 20 years. There is virtually nothing to do for children under 5…read more The food is trash and the prices are astronomical. When you purchase the pass, they say you can have access to tons of museums nationwide, but The 2 in NJ and the Franklin Institute are not included. Waste of money and time. Wish it was more like the "Please Touch" museum.

Amazing property, it is a hidden gem. Went with my family for the tour and everyone enjoyed it!read more

Great tour guide. Highly recommend Zephyr. Very knowledgeable and friendly!!! The grounds are…read morelovely and the castle is impressive.

This is a great story to go and check out look around have coffee have a little snack and just…read moreenjoying the decorations and feeling like you're interested Safari Harding store at the same time

Cool place, overpriced oddities, barely any parking, still fun to go look around, I bought a couple…read moretee shirts just because I'm not from the area and wanted a souvenir, but expect tourist prices for things. The range of their menu wasn't that big, a few things but none of them sounded appetizing, so just went to buy some things from the store, they do have a tattoo place in the back, had no idea that was there, as there were no signs in plain sight about it. Overall a cute place for people who like dark macabre things, but not worth it if you're traveling for just this place.

The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is a more extensive museum then you would expect. Parking…read moreis located across the street and there is plenty of it, with the main entrance being easy to find. Entry fee was reasonable at $10 and the area doubles as the small gift shop. Tentatively, within the next few months, they are opening a second building across the street with even more exhibits, despite how much they already have. Also, this is a traditional auto museum so it does not have hands on exhibits for kids. At the start of the tour is an optional short film with information about the museum. This museum is located in the former Boyertown Auto Body Works and mainly features vehicles made in Pennsylvania or having some relationship to the state, including vehicles that were assembled in this building. Most of the vehicles here are older and extremely rare, with some from the 1910's. I found the 1912 Sears Motor Buggy and 1940 American Bantam Roadster to be interesting examples. Due to the body works customization of trucks, they also include vehicles like a Mister Softee Ice Cream truck, International Half Ton military conversion, and a Post office truck. Three full size buildings that are great for taking pictures at are in the building including a Sunoco service station, Fegely's Reading Diner, and a Tourist Cabin. Also included here are various bicycles, sleds, motorcycles, and even a small camper. This is all just on the first floor. On the second floor is the Jeremiah Sweinhart Carriage Factory that includes a machine shop, blacksmith area, carriages, and sleds. Attached to this floor is The Carriage Barn, which includes additional carriages and sleds, including an interesting funeral carriage. Staff were lovely to chat with and a good resource of information about the vehicles. Overall, the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is easily worth an hour of your time and a great value.

I arrived at about 1130 and I stayed for two hours. The cost to go in was only $10. The staff was…read moreincredible and they love to share and present information regarding the history. They do really good at preserving the vehicles by not allowing you to touch them. They had a display of a blacksmith today, which was really cool. I would definitely go back for another visit to see new cars and displays they have.

Historic parish/school & the only thing that beats the pastor, msgr. coyle, is his dog, Happy!read more