Easton

With the Lehigh River to the north and west and with the Delaware River sparkling along its eastern banks, residents of the South Side neighborhood are never far from enjoying the area’s water access. Older homes populate the primarily residential area. “The South Side is a very up-and-coming area,” says Jonathan Campbell, the CEO of the area’s Campbell Team. “There’s access to restaurants and everything, but it’s predominantly all residential homes – not a lot of businesses, but some local shops. It’s more affordable than the direct downtown area and it’s pretty quiet.” With roads and rivers winding through its wooded hills, weathered bridges crossing the water and several trail attractions nearby, there’s no shortage of history to explore or sights to experience in the South Side. Many South Side homes were constructed in or before 1900, lining narrow streets and typically in the colonial or Cape Cod styles. Shared porches are also a feature of some properties here. “The home prices in South Side are in the $150,000 to $300,000 range,” Campbell, a Lehigh Valley native, says. “It’s more residential. It mostly has a bunch of twin and semi-detached homes, and there’s a bunch of single-family homes and more traditional styles. The mayor of Easton actually lives in the South Side.” Evocative of many eastern Pennsylvania neighborhoods, trees blossom along the streets in the spring and put on a display of colors in the fall. Ada B. Cheston Elementary School is the only school located within the South Side neighborhood, receiving a C grade with Niche but ranks 57th in diversity out of more than 1,700 elementary schools in Pennsylvania. Enrollment then filters into Easton Area Middle School, given a C-plus with a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to one. Easton Area High School earns a B grade from Niche and ranks highly in both diversity and for student-athletes, where the Red Rovers squads take to the gridiron, diamond, hardwood and more throughout the school year. Hugh Moore Park spans more than 500 acres and is sandwiched between the Lehigh Canal and Lehigh River, serving as the biggest green space close to the South Side. There, visitors can board an old canal boat pulled by mules, which emulates how settlers embarked on trade routes of the past. Part of the D&L Trail also lies in the area, meandering in a curving arc around the upper portion of the South Side. Stretching for 165 total miles between Wilkes-Barre and Bristol, it runs along the river and connects with boroughs storied in history, as well as farmland and the downtown areas of Bethlehem and Allentown. There’s several small neighborhood parks within the South Side, including Heil Park with its pool and sports fields; Nesquehoning Street Park, with a pavilion, baseball diamond and volleyball courts; and Lachenour Park with its practice fields. A few establishments are scattered throughout the South Side, including Lehigh Valley BBQ and Pino’s Pizzeria. “There’s a couple local pizza places like Pino’s,” Campbell says. “The South Side doesn’t have a lot of commercial stuff. People go downtown for that – it’s five minutes away, and there’s a hill that leads right into it. You cross the bridge and you’re in downtown Easton.” Just across the bridge, options include the Easton Baking Company, Lutzi’s Courtyard Café and Porter’s Pub & Restaurant. Most of the eateries just over the Lehigh River are concentrated on Northampton Street, and on the same thoroughfare the Easton Public Market serves as a stop for groceries. In the South Side, the Easton Food Market is another convenient store for the same, as is the local DG Market. Despite South Side being mostly residential, it’s still close to two beloved local breweries and some other outdoor opportunities outside of the parks. Two Rivers Brewing Company calls the former Mount Vernon Hotel home, part of which is over 200 years old, and the mostly standard brick building is accompanied by a Victorian-design turret above the street corner. Weyerbacher Brewing Company is nearing 30 years in business and focuses on Belgian fare, with their large space hosting events like trivia nights, concerts and even animal-accompanied gatherings in the Jester’s Court Yard. To the south, hit the links at Morgan Hill Golf Course, receive instruction or sign up for a membership. Interstate 78, which runs from state capital Harrisburg to northeastern New Jersey, is just south of the neighborhood. “The South Side sits between downtown Easton and Route 78, which is the main road that goes into New York and New Jersey,” Campbell says. “It’s an easy commute to work in New York and New Jersey, so people will live in the South Side for a lower cost of living but still work and commute in New York and New Jersey.” Traveling into New York City takes about an hour and a half from the South Side. Pennsylvania Route 611 carves its way along the Delaware River’s shores to the south, linking Philadelphia with the Pocono Mountains at either end and meaning residents can head north for scenic landscapes or south for everything the City of Brotherly Love has to offer.

Ranging across forested ridges above the banks of the Delaware River and Bushkill Creek, College Hill's natural beauty and classic architecture add historic character to the blocks surrounding Lafayette College. Lafayette itself is a small, private college, enrolling fewer than 3,000 undergraduates in liberal arts and engineering programs as well as a 140-year football rivalry with Lehigh University. “It’s called College Hill for a reason, there’s a mix of Lafayette faculty and students who love living on these beautiful, tree-lined streets,” says Hubert Etchison, president of the College Hill Neighborhood Association. “I live on one of the busiest roads on the hill, and the amount of birds I hear singing is unbelievable. It’s not unusual to see a deer walking down the street.” Overlooking downtown Easton, College Hill is in equal measure a snapshot of tranquil, tree-shaded streetscapes and a lively, active college town roaring with Lafayette Leopard pride. From Lafayette College’s oldest buildings to nearby blocks of residential streets, College Hill is a tapestry of 19th century and early 20th century architectural styles. “I grew up on College Hill. Those extremely well-maintained, classic properties – they're amazing. You don’t see that so much around universities like Lehigh or Muhlenburg,” says Joe McGavin, a Realtor with Realty One Group who has specialized in the Lehigh Valley market since 1976. “People are looking for a very specific type of old home. They know that comes with maintenance.” Grand manors with upward of five bedrooms run the gambit from stately Federal forms to rambling, Queen Anne silhouettes, selling for $800,000 to upward of $1 million. Many of the area’s churches are equally striking, like the towering stone steeples of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, and Colton Chapel, an on-campus building with elegant Beaux-Arts influence. Smaller early 20th century single-family homes with pocket-sized, tree-shaded front yards sell for $300,000 to $700,000, while updated twin homes and row houses whose front doors and porches are flush with the sidewalk sell for $125,000 to $300,000. While there are many rental properties throughout the area, most residents own their homes. Along Cattell Street, several restaurants serve cuisine from casual Italian staples to sushi and bubble tea. “Giacomo’s has a little market, and their cheesesteaks were voted the best in Lehigh Valley. My mouth waters for them every day,” Hutchison says. McGavin seconds Giacomo’s appeal – he drives from Bethlehem for their hoagies. Down the street, College Hill Tavern and Milo’s Place are longtime neighborhood watering holes, both known as hubs for Lafayette alumni and sports bar ambiance. Less than 2 miles away in Forks Township shopping plazas, shoppers pick up groceries and essentials at GIANT and Walgreens. Between on-campus events and seasonal celebrations, neighbors build community at events throughout the year. “Kids come to the hill from miles around during Halloween, we have a reputation for being safe and generous,” Hutchison says. “We started doing Porchfest every September because a lot of our houses have some kind of wraparound porch, and we invite dozens of musicians to play on them.” The annual Lehigh-Lafayette Rivalry, while not quite the oldest, is the most-played rivalry game in the country and packs Fisher Stadium with fans in the years the Leopards get the home field advantage. The recently updated playground, basketball and tennis facilities and long-awaited public fountain redesign draw locals to Nevin Park. “The story is that the old fountain fell into disrepair and was sold for scrap during the war effort,” Etchison says. “For a while it was basically a mound of rocks that we called the beehive. We got grants, fundraised and designed a nautilus-shaped walkway surrounding a new fountain. It took years to get together, but we wanted a space that made a statement.” Nearby, Eddyside Pool opens for the warmer months and offers free swims, lessons and a stocked concession stand. For a unique blend of natural and man-made beauty, walkers and bikers head to the forested paths of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail which winds along Bushkill Creek past colorful sculptures, interactive art displays and Easton Dog Park. March Elementary School earns a B-minus on Niche, Easton Area Middle School earns a C-plus and Easton Area High School earns a B. March Elementary School and Lafayette College enjoy a close relationship, inviting college students to run cultural workshops, read to classrooms and donate to the school’s pantry throughout the school year. Extensive systems of sidewalks make College Hill walkable for employees and students at Lafayette College, though tree roots, hills and varying levels of upkeep provide hurdles on some streets. The restaurants and city life of downtown Easton are within 2 miles of the hill down College Avenue, and LANTA bus stops line Cattell Street for public transit users. Route 22 runs to the south of the hill, a notable east-to-west connector between destinations like Allentown and New York City. The areas of College Hill bordering Bushkill Creek and the Delaware River fall into a higher risk flood zone, and some connective roads below the hill may experience flooding following unusually heavy rainfall.

West Ward is a vibrant neighborhood where rowhomes, local businesses and community spaces sit along narrow, gridded streets. “There are about 10,000 people in one square mile,” says Tanya Ruiz, the Manager of the West Ward Community Initiative. “I moved here in 2020, and some neighbors have been here for 50 years. One of my key sellers was that the neighborhood is within walking distance of downtown.” Tucked alongside downtown Easton at the intersection of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, West Ward offers a walkable community about 55 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles west of New York City. Homebuyers can find a variety of housing options in West Ward. Gridded streets feature a mix of single-family homes, rowhomes and semi-detached twin homes built around the early 1900s. Most homes embrace elements of Colonial Revival design with symmetrical facades, bay windows and small columned porticos or patios. “A lot of people will hang out on their porches,” Ruiz says. While several homes feature rear driveways or detached garages, street parking is common throughout the neighborhood. Prices range from about $130,000 for a two-bedroom twin to $375,000 for a six-bedroom single-family home. West Ward is tucked alongside downtown Easton just south of Route 22 – also known as the Lehigh Valley Thruway. The thoroughfare connects to Interstate 78, which provides access to the rest of the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey, among other places. “There’s been an influx of commuters,” Ruiz says. The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority provides local bus service to the community and makes several stops along the neighborhood’s main streets. Children can walk to Paxinosa Elementary School, which earned a C from Niche. “It’s a community hub in the neighborhood,” Ruiz says. “The kids really seem to enjoy it, and they’re sponsored by Crayola so there are some great murals inside and outside of the school.” Older kids attend the C-plus-rated Easton Area Middle School and B-rated Easton Area High School. The high school offers three Career and Technical Education programs that students can complete for college credit. Teens may also attend high school online at the Easton Cyber Academy. College Hill is just north of West Ward and is home to Lafayette College, a private liberal arts school. Cafés, restaurants, and bars line Northampton Street, which bisects West Ward and is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. “I could eat out in the neighborhood every day for weeks and not even go to the same place,” says Ruiz. Locals can enjoy lattes and bagels surrounded by greenery at Plants + Coffee or head to the mom-and-pop shop Noto’s Deli for classic sandwiches. Daddy’s Place is a casual Lebanese restaurant known for its homemade hummus and authentic kabobs. At Porters’ Pub, neighbors can sip microbrews and listen to live music long after sunset. Tucked below the commercial corridor are the brick buildings of the Northampton County Courthouse and Northampton County Prison, which sit in the southeastern corner of the neighborhood. Northampton Street connects residents to downtown Easton, where the Easton Public Market sells locally sourced foods year-round. Residents can also head 2 miles west to the Palmer Town Center and shop at chains like Giant and Home Depot. Vanderveer Park sits in the heart of the neighborhood alongside Paxinosa Elementary School. The park features a playground and basketball court, with plans to update the green space in the future. “We have some great plans in the works, we’re just waiting for funding and approval from the city,” says Ruiz. “Next to that is Cottingham Stadium, which is where the high school plays football. Easton is a big football scene type of place.” Further south, the Easton Area Community Center offers summer camps, after-school programs, youth athletic teams and more. Residents can also head east to downtown Easton, where the Crayola Experience offers colorful hands-on activities for kids. The West Ward Market is held seasonally from May to September and features 17 local vendors stationed along North 12th Street. "A lot of kids come to the market, so the YMCA is always there doing activities,” Ruiz says. Annual festivities include National Night Out, a neighborhood block party complete with a cookout, field games and more. West Ward is about a mile east of Easton Hospital, which features a 24-hour emergency room and an accredited cancer center.

Lively colors brighten up the neighborhood around Easton. Take a walk and experience the pops of colors from brightly painted homes in the area. Town houses line the streets in neatly connected rows, and small steps often lead up to quaint porches with colorful front doors waiting to welcome you. Easton is renowned for its historical homes, many of which were built around the 1830s. <br><br>One of Easton's most historic homes is the Parson-Taylor House, home to George Taylor, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Looking to learn more about Easton’s past? Join the community in celebration of the Easton Heritage Day at the Center Square located in the Easton Historic District. The self-guided tour allows residents to explore the Parson-Taylor House and other homes on the National Register of Historic Places. The Easton Historic District also has all the charms of a thriving urban center: frequent and vibrant murals painted by local artists decorate the cultural hub, while the district overflows with local shops and restaurants. Businesses in the area are well established; the Carmelcorn Shop opened their doors in 1931, boasting the finest candy, nuts and popcorn in Easton. The historical influences are all over downtown. Antique shops that have been open for decades have cemented their place in the historic district, including Easton Antique Emporium and Salvage Goods. <br><br>The Easton Public Market is home to a variety of vendors, who operate on a rotating schedule, for residents to explore. Vendors hail from all over the state, but many of the favorites are local: the Modern Crumb Bakeshop, for instance, specializes in custom cakes, cheesecakes and puddings. Highmark Farmstand, an Easton Public Market staple, is stocked with fresh produce and pantry essentials. Different from the Easton Public Market, the Easton Farmer’s Market has provided the community with fresh produce since 1752; it is one of the oldest continuous open-air farmer's markets. This historic market draws a crowd of tourists and locals alike every weekend. <br><br>Looking for something more exciting? Skeggy’s Axe House is a hot spot that offers participants an opportunity to throw axes and knives at a bull’s-eye. Or immerse yourself in the Crayola Experience, a working Crayola factory that offers a tour, fun for all ages. The experience offers an in-depth look at what it takes to create the childhood staple. Guests can create their own coloring book and take home a personalized crayon at the Crayola store on site. <br><br>The community of Easton comes together annually to celebrate the region's history on Easton Heritage Day. Take a tour beginning at Center Square, one of the only three public places that the Declaration of Independence was publicly read during the Revolutionary War, then make a stop at George Taylor's Parson-Taylor House. Downtown Easton has also hosted the annual PA Bacon Fest for over a decade. The two-day festival features live music, bacon eating competitions and activities for children to delight in.<br><br>On a sunny day, journey to the Easton Waterfront and the adjoining parks. The Delaware and Leigh Rivers run next to the trail, dividing Easton from the neighboring state of New Jersey. Listen to the water splash as boats launch into the calm water at Scott Park. A walking trail in the park overlooks the massive waterfall created by the Leigh River Dam. The park is also home to other hidden gems—spend some time admiring the amphitheater or marvel at the monument to local legend and professional boxer Larry Holmes.<br><br>From history to experiences and dining, Easton has a lot to offer.