If you’re looking for a comfortable local restaurant with plenty of character, Buckeye Tavern in Macungie is worth checking out. Located on Brookside Road, Buckeye Tavern is much more than your typical neighborhood restaurant. The building dates back to 1735, when it originally operated as an inn and hotel. Pieces of that history can still be found throughout the restaurant, giving it a warm, rustic atmosphere that feels distinctly Lehigh Valley. The menu offers a wide selection of American tavern favorites, including burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads, seafood and heartier dinner entrées. My personal recomendaiton would be the wings and black diamond quesadilla! The variety makes Buckeye a good choice whether you’re stopping in for a casual lunch, meeting friends for drinks or taking the family out for dinner.  The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, with the kind of neighborhood-tavern feel that works for just about any occasion. It’s casual enough for an easy weeknight meal but still has enough history and personality to make the experience feel special. Buckeye Tavern also serves a full selection of cocktails and offers rotating drink specials throughout the week. Combined with its broad menu and family-friendly setting, it’s easy to understand why the restaurant has remained a familiar Macungie gathering place for generations.

One of the best things about living in the Lehigh Valley is having so many great local farms and family-owned businesses right in our backyard. As we head toward fall, one place worth putting on your list is Hausman Fruit Farm in Coopersburg. Located along Limeport Pike in Southern Lehigh County, Hausman’s is much more than a place to grab a few apples. The farm dates back to 1916 and has remained in the Hausman family for five generations. Today, the family continues to grow fruits and vegetables while also turning the farm into a place where local families can spend an afternoon and enjoy the season. Fresh, Local Produce If you like buying produce locally, Hausman’s is definitely worth a stop. What you’ll find depends on the time of year, which is really part of the appeal. Throughout the growing season, the farm offers everything from strawberries and peaches to sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, melons and apples. They also have a farm market with additional local products and homemade baked goods. And once apple season arrives, things really start to feel like fall. Pick-Your-Own Apples and Pumpkins Fall is probably when most people around the Lehigh Valley think about Hausman’s. The farm offers seasonal pick-your-own apples along with pumpkin picking during its fall activities. It makes for an easy family outing where the kids can get outside, walk through the farm and actually pick something to bring home instead of spending the entire day staring at a screen. Depending on the weekend, Hausman’s also offers additional activities around the farm, so it can easily turn into more than just a quick trip for apples. The Baked Goods Might Be Worth the Trip by Themselves Of course, you can't talk about a local farm market without talking about the food. Hausman’s has its own bakery with pies, cakes, breads and other seasonal items made using fruit from the farm. One of the items they're particularly known for is their apple dumpling — a Hausman-grown apple wrapped in handmade pastry with cinnamon and sugar. If you're trying to eat healthy when you walk in, good luck. More Than Just a Farm Stand What I like about places like Hausman’s is that they represent a part of the Lehigh Valley that can sometimes get overlooked. We're fortunate to live in an area where you can be near Allentown, Bethlehem or Emmaus and, within a short drive, find yourself surrounded by farmland, orchards and businesses that have been operated by the same families for generations. Hausman’s has evolved with the times, but it still has that local farm feel. During different times of the year, you'll find family activities, seasonal events and other reasons to visit beyond simply picking up produce. A Great Local Fall Outing If you're looking for something simple to do with the family this fall, Hausman Fruit Farm is an easy recommendation. Grab some apples, let the kids explore the farm, pick out a pumpkin and make sure you leave room for something from the bakery. And because produce, picking conditions, events and hours can change throughout the season, I always recommend checking the farm's website or social media before making the trip. Hausman Fruit Farm2822 Limeport PikeCoopersburg, PA 18036 For those of us who call the Lehigh Valley home, places like this are another reminder that some of the best things to do aren't always the big attractions — sometimes they're the local places that have been here for generations.

One of the things I enjoy about the Lehigh Valley is that we have plenty to do without having to travel very far. If golf is your thing, one local course worth knowing about is Wedgewood Golf Club in Coopersburg. Located on Limeport Pike, Wedgewood is a public golf course that's convenient to Emmaus, Lower Macungie, Center Valley and the surrounding area. It's also only a short drive from the Route 309 and I-78 interchange, making it pretty easy to get to from other parts of the Lehigh Valley. A Course With Some History Wedgewood has been part of the local golf scene for quite a while. The original 18 holes opened back in 1963. Those became the Pine and Maple nines, and an additional Oak nine was added in 2000. The course's current website advertises 18 holes for public play. For a local public course, that history is part of the appeal. It's one of those places that generations of Lehigh Valley golfers have probably driven past, practiced at, or played at some point. A Good Option for a Local Round Not every round of golf needs to involve an hour-long drive or an expensive resort course. Sometimes you just want to grab your clubs, meet up with a few friends and get out for 18 holes. That's where a place like Wedgewood fits in nicely. Being right in the Coopersburg and Center Valley area makes it particularly convenient if you live around Emmaus, Lower Macungie or Southern Lehigh. The course also offers online tee-time booking up to 14 days in advance, so it's fairly easy to plan a round ahead of time. Don't Overlook the Driving Range You don't necessarily have to play 18 holes to make a trip to Wedgewood worthwhile. One of the bigger features of the property is its 40-acre driving range, which uses grass hitting areas and target flags. That's a nice option if you just want to hit some balls after work, work on your swing, or warm up before playing. And let's face it — sometimes spending an hour at the range is a lot easier to squeeze into the schedule than finding four or five hours for a full round. Challenging Enough to Keep Things Interesting Wedgewood isn't necessarily a course where you're going to step onto the first tee and automatically have your best round of the year. Golfers regularly mention the greens, course conditions and some challenging holes as part of the experience. Recent golfer reviews have generally been positive about the course itself, with players particularly commenting on the greens and fairways. Like most public courses, conditions and pace of play can vary depending on the day and how busy it is, so booking an off-peak tee time can sometimes make for a more relaxed round. Another Great Part of Living in the Lehigh Valley Golf courses might not be the first thing people think about when talking about the Lehigh Valley, but they're another example of how much we have right here locally. Within a relatively small area, we have restaurants, parks, farms, trails, youth sports and plenty of golf. Wedgewood fits right into that. Whether you're looking to play 18, spend some time at the driving range, or just get outside for a few hours, it's another local option worth checking out. And if you live around Emmaus, Lower Macungie, Center Valley or Coopersburg, you really don't have to go very far to get there. Wedgewood Golf Course4875 Limeport PikeCoopersburg, PA 18036 Before heading over, I'd recommend checking the course website for current tee times, rates and course conditions since those can change throughout the season.

There are certain events that just feel like part of living in the Lehigh Valley, and The Great Allentown Fair is definitely one of them. Every year around Labor Day, the Allentown Fairgrounds come alive with rides, games, food, animals, concerts, competitions and plenty of things for families to do. Whether you've lived here your entire life or you're relatively new to the area, it's one of those local traditions that's worth experiencing at least once. And once you realize just how long the fair has been around, you appreciate it a little more. A Lehigh Valley Tradition Since 1852 The roots of the Great Allentown Fair go all the way back to 1852, when the Lehigh County Agricultural Society was created to promote agriculture, horticulture, livestock and other local achievements. The first fair was held that October in Allentown. It eventually outgrew its original location and moved to its present-day fairgrounds near 17th and Chew Streets in 1889. That's more than 170 years of Lehigh Valley history. Over the years, the fair has obviously changed quite a bit, but agriculture is still a major part of what makes it different from simply being a carnival. Don't Skip the Agricultural Side of the Fair It's easy for kids to spot the rides as soon as you walk in, but some of the best parts of the fair are inside the agricultural areas. You can see livestock, locally grown produce, baked goods, crafts, photography and all kinds of competitive exhibits from people throughout the community. Agri~Land also gives families a chance to meet farm animals, learn about agriculture and better understand where our food comes from. For kids especially, it's a nice change from everyday life and a chance to see something they may not normally experience. Of Course, There Are Plenty of Rides Let's be realistic though. If you're bringing kids, they're probably going to ask about the rides before they ask about the agricultural exhibits. The fair midway includes rides for different ages, including attractions that younger kids and parents can ride together. For 2026, ride wristbands and individual tickets are both available during the fair. Between the rides, games and lights once the sun starts going down, the midway is probably what most of us picture when we think of a traditional county fair. Come Hungry You also probably shouldn't go to the Allentown Fair planning on eating healthy. Fair food is part of the experience. You can find the usual favorites like funnel cake, fried foods, ice cream and all sorts of things you probably wouldn't make for yourself at home. And every year there always seems to be something new that makes you stop and say, "I have to try that." The fair even holds food-related contests, including its annual scrapple eating contest—which might be one of the most Pennsylvania things imaginable. Entertainment Throughout the Fairgrounds You don't necessarily need a concert ticket to find entertainment either. The fair offers free performances and activities throughout the grounds, including children's shows, magic, circus-style acts, animal attractions, demonstrations and entertainment around the different stages. The Grandstand has also hosted major performers for generations and has become a big part of the fair's history. In 2026, the fair is even introducing Local Legends Live, featuring several well-known Lehigh Valley bands on the Grandstand stage. 2026 Is a Special Year This year's Great Allentown Fair runs September 2–7, 2026. The 2026 theme is “Something Old, Something New, Forever Red, White & Blue” in recognition of America's 250th birthday. Special events include patriotic exhibits and programming, military appreciation, a Camp Crane historical exhibit and other activities tying the fair's history into the country's 250th anniversary. And there's an even bigger milestone coming next year: 2027 will mark the 175th Great Allentown Fair. A Good Family Day Without Leaving the Lehigh Valley That's probably what I like most about events like this. You don't need to plan a vacation or drive several hours to give the kids something different to do. You can spend an afternoon walking around the fairgrounds, see some animals, grab something to eat, hit a few rides, watch a show and make a day out of it right here in the Lehigh Valley. Admission for the 2026 fair is generally $10 for adults, while children 12 and under are free. There are also certain free-admission periods and specials throughout the week, including military and senior admission days. Another Part of What Makes the Lehigh Valley Home I talk quite a bit about homes and neighborhoods, but a community is about much more than the houses in it. It's the restaurants, parks, farms, youth sports, businesses and traditions that give an area its personality. The Great Allentown Fair has been bringing people together in the Lehigh Valley since the 1850s, and that's pretty remarkable when you think about it. So if you're looking for something to do around Labor Day, grab the family, come hungry and spend a few hours at the fair. Just don't blame me when the kids spot the midway and suddenly want to ride everything. The Great Allentown Fair302 N. 17th StreetAllentown, PA 18104

One of the best things about fall in the Lehigh Valley is that you don’t have to drive very far to find a great apple orchard or pumpkin patch. From pick-your-own apples and pumpkins to hayrides, corn mazes, cider donuts and farm markets, there are plenty of places around Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus and the surrounding area to make a full fall day out of it. Here are a few of my favorite places to check out this fall.   Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms – Breinigsville If you want one place where you can do both apple picking and pumpkin picking, Grim's Orchard & Family Farms is probably one of the biggest fall destinations in the Lehigh Valley. Grim’s has more than 25 varieties of apples throughout the season, along with a huge pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Their Fall Festival also includes an eight-acre corn maze, hayrides, play areas and plenty of opportunities for pictures. And, of course, there’s the food. Apple cider donuts, cider slushies, caramel apples and other fall treats make it pretty difficult to leave empty-handed. For 2026, Grim’s Fall Festival runs from September 5 through November 1, with weekend activities and additional Friday dates in October. Pick-your-own apples are available during the week as well, weather and crop conditions permitting. Best for: Families looking for the full fall-festival experience. Hausman Fruit Farm – Coopersburg Being from the Emmaus area, this is one of the local farms that’s especially easy to recommend. Hausman Fruit Farm has been part of the Coopersburg area for generations and is a great choice if you want a little bit of everything without having to travel far. During the fall, Hausman’s offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, along with hayrides, a corn maze, kids' activities and its farm market. The bakery is another reason to stop—I’d especially keep an eye out for their apple dumplings and other seasonal baked goods. Their 2026 Fall Festival is scheduled to run from September 26 through November 1, and pumpkin picking is offered on fall festival weekends. It feels a little more like an old-fashioned local farm outing than some of the larger attractions, which is part of what I like about it. Best for: Apple and pumpkin picking close to Emmaus, Macungie, Center Valley and Coopersburg. Seiple Farms – Bath If your main goal is to find a great pumpkin, Seiple Farms should definitely be on the list. Seiple Farms has been family-owned since 1889 and has been offering pick-your-own pumpkins for more than 40 years. Their fall weekends include a large pumpkin patch, a 20-acre corn maze, farm animals, food vendors, rides and a free hayride out to the pumpkin field. For 2026, pumpkin season runs from September 26 through November 1, primarily on weekends with several Friday dates and Columbus Day also included. This is a good place if you want to make pumpkin picking the main event rather than simply grabbing a pumpkin from a farm stand. Best for: Pumpkin picking, corn mazes and spending several hours at the farm. Unangst Tree Farms – Bath You might know them best for Christmas trees, but Unangst Tree Farms is also a really good fall destination. Their 25-plus-acre pumpkin patch has dozens of varieties that you can pick right off the vine. On weekends, there are free hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a six-acre corn maze, a smaller kids' story maze, farm animals and a farm market. And if cider donuts are part of your definition of a successful fall outing, they have those too. Pick-your-own pumpkin season runs from late September through October 31, with the farm market opening September 19–20 for the 2026 season. Best for: Families with younger kids and anyone who likes a traditional pumpkin-patch experience. Juniperdale Farms – Nazareth For those on the eastern side of the Lehigh Valley, Juniperdale Farms is another good one to put on the fall list. During October weekends, the farm offers free hayrides to the pumpkin patch, where you can choose a pumpkin straight from the field. Depending on the weekend and crop availability, apple picking is offered as well, with varieties ranging from sweet eating apples to tart and baking apples. Juniperdale is a nice option if you want something a little more relaxed without necessarily committing to a huge amusement-style fall festival. Best for: A lower-key pumpkin-picking day around Nazareth and Northampton County. So Which One Should You Visit? You really can’t go wrong with any of them. If you want apples and pumpkins in one trip, I’d start with Grim’s or Hausman’s. If pumpkin picking is the priority, Seiple and Unangst are hard to beat. And if you’re looking for something a little quieter and more traditional, Juniperdale is worth checking out. One tip: always check the farm's website or social media before heading out. Apple varieties ripen at different times, pumpkin availability changes throughout the season, and weather can affect picking hours. That’s part of the fun though—fall weekends in the Lehigh Valley give us a pretty good excuse to get outside, support a local farm and bring home way more apples and pumpkins than we originally planned. Enjoy Fall in the Lehigh Valley One of the things I enjoy most about living in the Lehigh Valley is having places like these practically in our backyard. Between the farms, parks, restaurants and community events, there’s always something local worth checking out. And if you're thinking about buying or selling a home anywhere in the Lehigh Valley, I’m always happy to help. I spend a lot of time not only following our local real estate market, but also highlighting the places that make this area such a great place to call home.