Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Allentown (Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; pop. 120,207) sits at 103 m (338 ft) elevation near Trexler Memorial Park, with regional transit access via Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (3.8 km). Visitors pair Allentown landmarks with signature Pennsylvania specialties including Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe and Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries.
Within Pennsylvania, Allentown (Allentown, PA) serves as a us city in pennsylvania. Travelers exploring Pennsylvania often combine a stop in Allentown with state highlights such as Independence Hall & Liberty Bell (Philadelphia), Gettysburg National Military Park, Lancaster County Amish Country, Pittsburgh Duquesne Incline & Fallingwater.
| Fact | Details for Allentown (Allentown, PA) |
|---|---|
| City & State | Allentown, PA |
| County & Role | US City in Pennsylvania |
| State & Major Hubs | Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh & Lancaster) |
| Population | 120,207 residents |
| Elevation | 103 m (338 ft) above sea level |
| Nearest Airport / Transit Hub | Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (3.8 km) |
| Coordinates | 40.6084°N, 75.4902°W |
Getting to Allentown & Getting Around
Via the regional hub (Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (3.8 km)): Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 30th Street Station (Amtrak Acela, Northeast Regional & Keystone Service to Lancaster/Harrisburg), and I-76/I-80.
- Public transit & contactless payment: Major US metro areas use tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets (NYC OMNY, SF Clipper, Chicago Ventra, DC SmarTrip, LA TAP), while smaller towns and National Park gateways are best explored by rental car or intercity coach.
- Airlines & baggage rules: Flying domestically into PHL Philadelphia & PIT Pittsburgh Airports + Amtrak Acela / Keystone Service? Check your 22×14×9 inch carry-on and $35 checked bag fees in our TSA & Airline Baggage Checker.
- Driving & National Parks: If your route from Allentown includes National Parks or Scenic Byways, use our $80 America the Beautiful Pass Calculator to see if the annual pass saves you money.
What Locals Eat in Allentown (Pennsylvania)
1. Signature Regional Dish
In Allentown (Lehigh County, Pennsylvania), local tables feature: Signature Pennsylvania dishes—Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe, Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries, and Soft pretzels, scrapple & Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie.
2. Diner, Smokehouse & Market Staples ($14–$28)
Around Allentown and across Pennsylvania, local beverage lists highlight: Regional pours and beverages in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania craft lagers & Brandywine Valley wines, alongside independent American craft breweries, local roasters, and regional vineyards.
3. Local Craft Beverages & Regional Produce
At farmers markets and specialty shops in Allentown (Pennsylvania), look for: Local specialties across Pennsylvania: Philly water ice (wooder ice) & Hershey chocolate desserts, farmers-market seasonal produce, and regional smokehouse or bakery traditions.
4. American Dining & Tipping Rhythm (18%–22%)
Classic Pennsylvania dining—hearty diner or café breakfasts, casual lunch counters and food trucks ($12–$20), and evening neighborhood restaurants where 18%–20% table-service tipping and state/local sales tax apply at checkout. In Allentown (pop. 120,207), diverse neighborhood dining districts, food halls, James Beard-recognized kitchens, and late-night spots across Lehigh County offer everything from $12–$18 counter lunches to chef-driven tasting menus.
GeoNames Local Data: Elevation, Nearest Hub & Neighboring US Cities
- Elevation: 103 m (338 ft) above sea level
- Nearest Airport / Rail Hub: Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (3.8 km)
- Nearby Landmarks & Points of Interest: Trexler Memorial Park (3.7 km) · Bogerts Bridge (4.4 km) · South Mountain Park (5.4 km) · Manassas Guth Covered Bridge (5.8 km) · Lehigh Mountain (6.1 km)
- Local Districts & Neighborhoods: Griesemersville, Hilltown, East Allentown, Hanover Acres, Mountainville
5 Nearest Neighboring US Cities & Towns
- Fullerton, PA (3.0 km)
- Dorneyville, PA (4.5 km)
- Catasauqua, PA (5.3 km)
- North Catasauqua, PA (5.8 km)
- Hokendauqua, PA (6.0 km)
Regional Specialties Across Pennsylvania
- Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Soft pretzels, scrapple & Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Philly water ice (wooder ice) & Hershey chocolate desserts — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania craft lagers & Brandywine Valley wines — a signature specialty across Pennsylvania.
For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our American English Idioms & Allergy Show-Cards.
Best Time to Visit & Practical Tips for Allentown
Best time to visit Pennsylvania: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov.
- Sales Tax & Tipping: Menu and shelf prices in Allentown exclude state and local sales tax. At sit-down restaurants, plan on an 18%–22% pre-tax tip. Use our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
- Cards & Contactless: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere in Allentown; keep $20–$40 in $1 and $5 bills for hotel bellhops, valet parking, and roadside farm stands.
- Emergency & Visitor Info: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies anywhere in the US, and dial 511 for state highway and weather road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Allentown (Allentown, PA) located in the United States?
Allentown (Allentown, PA) is a us city in Pennsylvania, United States (coordinates: 40.6084°N, 75.4902°W, elevation: 103 m (338 ft)). It has a population of approximately 120,207.
How do I get to Allentown by plane, Amtrak, or car?
Most visitors reach Allentown via Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (3.8 km). Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 30th Street Station (Amtrak Acela, Northeast Regional & Keystone Service to Lancaster/Harrisburg), and I-76/I-80. You can compare Amtrak fares and passes using our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($).
What local food is Allentown and Pennsylvania known for?
In Allentown and across Pennsylvania, signature regional dishes include Philly cheesesteak & roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe, Pittsburgh Primanti-style sandwich topped with slaw and fries, Soft pretzels, scrapple & Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie, as well as Philly water ice (wooder ice) & Hershey chocolate desserts and Pennsylvania craft lagers & Brandywine Valley wines. Remember that menu prices exclude state sales tax and 18–22% tipping—check our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
When is the best time of year to visit Allentown?
Best time to visit Pennsylvania: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Check our US Seasonal Travel Calendar to compare month-by-month weather and National Park crowd levels.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: