Bethlehem, PA and Gerald Dickens, A Christmas Carol
This past weekend, we traveled to Bethlehem, PA, aka: "Christmas City," to check out Gerald Dickens performance of A Christmas Carol. I had to giggle when my boyfriend told me, as a child, he thought Bethlehem, PA was the site of the nativity. I can see how that could be confusing to a six year-old and happy he eventually sorted it out.
We arrived on a snowy Sunday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised that there was free parking in the Spring Street parking lot (it's the little things). We were able to walk to a couple hundred yards up a small grade to reach Main Street, but for those with limitations, a free shuttle is available. What immediately impressed me was the quaintness of Main Street. Bethlehem is a beautiful little town. The buildings are a lovely mix of brick and stone facades and I felt instantly transported back to another century as horse drawn carriages passed by us. We spoke to a guide who told us the city was founded by Moravians on Christmas Eve in 1741. Since its inception, Bethlehem has been known for its hospitality offering quarters to George Washington, Samuel Adams and the Marquis De Lafayette. And not too long ago, yet a lifetime ago, Bethlehem Steel was the center of the world steel industry. Products created here were used in the construction The Golden Gate Bridge and Chrysler Building (just to name two), which I found amazing. I won't go much further into that though because I am here for the Christmas aspect and this town delivers.
Moravian Bookstore needs to be one of your first stops. This place is heaven! It was founded in 1745 and is the oldest continuously running bookstore in the US and "possibly the world" (huh. impressive). This store houses not just books, but hosts special events, tours, signings, art, ornaments, refreshments and sell beautiful versions of the famed Moravian Star. The Moravian Bookstore feels like the heartbeat of Main Street and one could lose the self in here all afternoon. It was so charming and made me feel a bit sad that we lost local treasures like this due to our preference for convenience. All the more reason to visit, right?
The shops that line Main Street are local and offer a variety: a chocolate shop, a wine bar, restaurants including Fegley's Brewery, and even a small outdoor shopping area. Hotel Bethlehem is a standout with its beautiful decorations. It's worth a stop inside to see the Christmas trees and be sure to turn around and look up at the nativity above the door. Treat this stop like you would your wedding day: just pause, look around intentionally and notice the smells, the decor, the windows, the activity. With its hustle and bustle and details, it feels like a smaller-scale NYC hotel this time of year. But most importantly, it feels like Christmas.
Ok, so now for THE BEST: Gerald Dickens and his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol. Dickens....hmmm...that name sounds familiar. This is none other than the great-great-grandson of the master himself, Charles Dickens. I will admit that my expectations were, well, low. Walking in and seeing the sparse set, I wondered out loud, "how is this going to work?". My boyfriend assured me,"you'll see" and given he had seen it four times in years past at The Hotel Hershey, I settled in and within ten minutes, through his brilliant portrayal of 26(!) characters and the vivid narrative, I was transported to another world. I imagined I was with Dickens, on every street watching each interaction. I could see him as Tiny Tim, as Scrooge, as sweet Belle, as the ghosts and it was simply beautiful. For this event alone, I would travel to see. After the performance, Gerald Dickens offered a meet and greet and book signing at Moravian Bookstore. I now own a beautifully illustarted red silk covered autographed edition which I adore. I'd totally go back and see this performance.
After the play, boyfriend was experiencing the first pangs of hanger so we walked over to Fegley's. We ordered a flight and found it to be a decent representation of wits, IPAs and a seasonal beer. (sidebar rant: Is it just me, or does it seem like every craft beer place I visit is doing their own interpretation of Troeggs Mad Elf? Fegley's Rude Elf seemed like Mad Elf with more cinnamon and don't EVEN get me started on Fat Heads Holly Jolly.) I digress: Fegley's food was SOLID and had boyfriend returning to his charming self in <20 minutes (read:fast service!).
Ratings:
Bethlehem, PA/market: 4 out of 5 candy canes
I would like a bit more variety with shops. Plus, I really wanted a Christmas cookie yesterday and there were none to be found.
http://www.christmascity.org
Gerald Dickens: 5 out of 5 candy canes
https://www.byerschoice.com/our-company/events/gerald-dickens/
Fegley's Bethlehem Brew Works: 4 out of 5 candy canes
http://www.thebrewworks.com/
Would like more IPA options on tap but wow those Perogies and brats were delish!
We arrived on a snowy Sunday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised that there was free parking in the Spring Street parking lot (it's the little things). We were able to walk to a couple hundred yards up a small grade to reach Main Street, but for those with limitations, a free shuttle is available. What immediately impressed me was the quaintness of Main Street. Bethlehem is a beautiful little town. The buildings are a lovely mix of brick and stone facades and I felt instantly transported back to another century as horse drawn carriages passed by us. We spoke to a guide who told us the city was founded by Moravians on Christmas Eve in 1741. Since its inception, Bethlehem has been known for its hospitality offering quarters to George Washington, Samuel Adams and the Marquis De Lafayette. And not too long ago, yet a lifetime ago, Bethlehem Steel was the center of the world steel industry. Products created here were used in the construction The Golden Gate Bridge and Chrysler Building (just to name two), which I found amazing. I won't go much further into that though because I am here for the Christmas aspect and this town delivers.
Moravian Bookstore needs to be one of your first stops. This place is heaven! It was founded in 1745 and is the oldest continuously running bookstore in the US and "possibly the world" (huh. impressive). This store houses not just books, but hosts special events, tours, signings, art, ornaments, refreshments and sell beautiful versions of the famed Moravian Star. The Moravian Bookstore feels like the heartbeat of Main Street and one could lose the self in here all afternoon. It was so charming and made me feel a bit sad that we lost local treasures like this due to our preference for convenience. All the more reason to visit, right?
The shops that line Main Street are local and offer a variety: a chocolate shop, a wine bar, restaurants including Fegley's Brewery, and even a small outdoor shopping area. Hotel Bethlehem is a standout with its beautiful decorations. It's worth a stop inside to see the Christmas trees and be sure to turn around and look up at the nativity above the door. Treat this stop like you would your wedding day: just pause, look around intentionally and notice the smells, the decor, the windows, the activity. With its hustle and bustle and details, it feels like a smaller-scale NYC hotel this time of year. But most importantly, it feels like Christmas.
Ok, so now for THE BEST: Gerald Dickens and his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol. Dickens....hmmm...that name sounds familiar. This is none other than the great-great-grandson of the master himself, Charles Dickens. I will admit that my expectations were, well, low. Walking in and seeing the sparse set, I wondered out loud, "how is this going to work?". My boyfriend assured me,"you'll see" and given he had seen it four times in years past at The Hotel Hershey, I settled in and within ten minutes, through his brilliant portrayal of 26(!) characters and the vivid narrative, I was transported to another world. I imagined I was with Dickens, on every street watching each interaction. I could see him as Tiny Tim, as Scrooge, as sweet Belle, as the ghosts and it was simply beautiful. For this event alone, I would travel to see. After the performance, Gerald Dickens offered a meet and greet and book signing at Moravian Bookstore. I now own a beautifully illustarted red silk covered autographed edition which I adore. I'd totally go back and see this performance.
After the play, boyfriend was experiencing the first pangs of hanger so we walked over to Fegley's. We ordered a flight and found it to be a decent representation of wits, IPAs and a seasonal beer. (sidebar rant: Is it just me, or does it seem like every craft beer place I visit is doing their own interpretation of Troeggs Mad Elf? Fegley's Rude Elf seemed like Mad Elf with more cinnamon and don't EVEN get me started on Fat Heads Holly Jolly.) I digress: Fegley's food was SOLID and had boyfriend returning to his charming self in <20 minutes (read:fast service!).
Ratings:
Bethlehem, PA/market: 4 out of 5 candy canes
I would like a bit more variety with shops. Plus, I really wanted a Christmas cookie yesterday and there were none to be found.
http://www.christmascity.org
Gerald Dickens: 5 out of 5 candy canes
https://www.byerschoice.com/our-company/events/gerald-dickens/
Fegley's Bethlehem Brew Works: 4 out of 5 candy canes
http://www.thebrewworks.com/
Would like more IPA options on tap but wow those Perogies and brats were delish!
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