Skip to main content

Lifestyles over 50

Things To Do With Grandkids

For generations, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown has defined summer fun for the Lehigh Valley. Dorney features two great parks for the price of one, spread across 200 acres of amusement! There are more than 100 rides, shows and attractions for guests to enjoy including seven roller coasters, the largest collection of kids’ rides in Planet Snoopy™ and one of the country’s best-ranked water parks. The international celebration, Grand Carnivale, returns in July, bringing sights, sounds, and tastes from China, France, Germany, India, Italy, and Spain through authentic food, music, dance, and performances, along with the “Spectacle of Color” electro-light parade. 4000 Dorney Park Rd. Allentown, 18104 | dorneypark.com | 610-395-3724

If you want to spend a day outdoors in the indoors (Huh?), there are two “underground” destinations to visit in the Valley. Crystal Cave, located near Kutztown, is known for its abundance of milky-white formations that have thrilled visitors for over 145 years.

The endless number of crystalline formations on the walls and ceiling of Crystal Cave are what gave it its name. Join us as we go back in time and see Historic Crystal Cave by the glow of hand-held lantern light. You will hear stories about Crystal Cave that have never been part of the modern-day cavern tour. This unique tour guarantees great family entertainment. 963 Crystal Cave Rd., Kutztown, 19530 | crystalcavepa.com | 610-683-6765

In business since 1930, Lost River Caverns, located in Hellertown, offers guided walking tours of a natural limestone cavern complete with an underground river! Gain insight into the geology of the cave and its formations, as well as the history of the property and surrounding community. Visit Gilman’s “At The Cave,” a jewelry, mineral and lapidary supply house providing stones, crystals, findings, and tools for all your collecting, stone-cutting, and jewelry-making needs! 726 Durham St., Hellertown, 18055 | lostcave.com | 610-838-8767

Ice cream is a traditional summer treat — especially homemade ice cream! If your grandkids think ice cream comes from the grocery store, take them to the source! Klein Farms in Easton has been in business since 1935. The farm is run by Layne and Beth Klein who are third-generation farmers on the current property. See quality animals (such as cows, the “source” of ice cream) and enjoy quality products (like homemade ice cream). Klein Farms also offers gourmet cheese, raw milk, eggs, and farm-raised beef. Layne and Beth welcome you to the farm. 410 Klein Rd., Easton | kleinfarms.com | 610-253-8942 | [email protected]

In its day, Bethlehem Steel hit the heights of steel production, building cities and bolstering the war effort. Now, you and your grandkids can climb the heights of the Hoover Mason Trestle. The trestle was used as a narrow-gauge railroad to carry coke, limestone, and iron ore from the ore yards to the blast furnaces. The trestle stands 46 feet tall and 2,000 feet long, along the blast furnaces. Get up-close and personal with the blast furnaces! 711 First Street, Bethlehem, 18015