In the shadows of South Mountain, Emmaus offers the convenience of a suburb – the job centers in Allentown and Bethlehem being a brief commute – with a personality all its own. It’s an independent borough with its own celebrations and a small-town vibe, along with easy access to the outdoors thanks to the forested lands and nature preserves that surround the town. At the heart of the borough, local businesses, restaurants and breweries keep residents coming back, creating a tight-knit community. It’s a vibe that hits home for many looking for that small-town life that might seem in the past for some but is very much alive today in Emmaus.
At the foot of South Mountain, Emmaus offers a small-town vibe in Lehigh Valley.
Colorful murals brighten Chestnut Street in Emmaus.
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Historic homes and brand new builds
Homes in Emmaus generally feature Colonial revival and modern traditional design, although a handful of contemporary homes from the mid-1900s can be found. In the heart of town, twins, town houses and small single-family homes offer a glimpse of the village as it stood a century ago, with many dating back to the steel-country boom of the early 1900s. These homes generally sit close to the road, and on-street parking is the norm – these homes regularly sell for between $175,000 and $300,000, with some historic properties fetching a little more. Newer builds, including split-level homes on double lots from the midcentury as well as brand-new townhouse communities, can be found further out from downtown. With larger lots and off-street parking, these generally command a little more, usually ranging from $250,000 to $450,000.
Cape Cod architecture features across the streets of Emmaus.
New townhomes are popping up in Emmaus, creating more options in the desirable neighborhood.
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Opportunities for extracurricular activities abound
Students in Emmaus are split between Jefferson Elementary and Lincoln Elementary Schools, feeding into Lower Macungie Middle School, all of which have a B rating or greater from Niche. They’ll go on to Emmaus High School, which has an A-minus Niche grade and is known for an extensive extracurricular program. Students have the opportunity to be part of championship athletics squads, an award-winning school paper, and a computer programming team that won the American Computer Science League Invitational tournament in 2017 and is regularly competitive. For private schooling, St. Ann School – affiliated with the local St. Ann's Church Roman Catholic Parish and part of the Allentown diocese – is home to kindergarten through eighth grade.
Lower Macungie Middle School is located in the Allentown suburb of Macungie.
Football player at Emmaus High School play in EPSD Stadium.
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Convenience to the Lehigh Valley and beyond
The heart of Emmaus is quite walkable and bikeable, and residents can take care of business or have a night out without hopping in their car. However, with minimal public transit – only a single LANTA bus route – most people have a vehicle for getting around. Queen City Airport is just outside town, but only provides general and corporate aviation service. Residents looking for a commercial flight head a little further to Lehigh Valley International Airport for regional flights, roughly 12 miles north, usually a drive of 20 minutes or so. Emergency care is much closer, with Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest only 3 miles away, less than a 10-minute drive. This particular hospital is also home to the Regional Burn Center, recognized as one of the leading burn centers in the northeast United States.
Cherry blossoms line Chestnut Street in Emmaus PA.
Take a stroll down Chestnut Street in Emmaus to find iconic shopping and dining options.
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Local shops and suds
“Downtown is really cute,” says Realtor Nancy Bischoff with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, who has lived in Emmaus for more than 15 years. “There are a bunch of new restaurants.” East Penn Diner is an iconic place to eat in Emmaus, offering all-day breakfast and diner favorites for decades. Newer spots include House and Barn, with their modern American fare served up in a historic setting, while Restaurante Boca Chica and Swadee Thai House serve up Dominican and Thai specialties, respectively, reflecting the changing demographics and expanding of cultures in town. Yergey Brewing turns out artisan beers like Simply Chocolate Chili Porter and Ben’s Oatmeal Pale Ale, while just down the road brothers in beer Funk Brewing Company takes the inventiveness in another direction, with favorites like their canned fruited sours and cookie stouts along with taproom exclusives. The community supports a number of local retailers and businesses as well, up and down the main drag. Residents can swing by Apport Used Books for vintage and unusual books, Emmaus Run Inn for fitted running shoes and other athletic gear, or South Mountain Cycle to check out a new bike to tackle the nearby trails. Weis Markets supplies groceries, while north of town the South Mall has groceries and national retailers clustered together for a quick stop.
Enjoy an home brewed ice cold beer by tap in Emmaus at Yergey Brewing.
Quilting and embroidery enthusiasts of Emmaus can find their supplies at Conversational Threads.
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Get outside and play
From parks in town providing playgrounds and fields to the Wildlands Conservancy parks and preserves that allow residents to explore South Mountain, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Emmaus Community Park is home to ball fields and a beach volleyball court, along with pavilions, play areas and the community pool. Little pocket parks throughout town like the South 4th Street Recreation Area, Williams Street Recreation Area, Arch Street Playground and Boroline Park feature play areas, picnic tables and ballfields, with some also offering basketball and tennis courts. Camp Olympic Park offers a large open space for play, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course, a pump track for cycling or skating, and a playground with obstacles like the rope climber. For solace in the woods and peaceful hiking tracks, the Wildlands Conservancy maintains preserves on the east and west sides of town, with some being stroller-friendly for a family outing.
Play 18 holes of disc golf in Emmaus at Camp Olympic Park along rolling hills and woods.
Camp Olympic Park hosts unique swings and playground equipment to tire the kids out.
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Community goings-on in the heart of town
“A lot of the town’s events are centered around Triangle Park in the middle of downtown, like the annual Christmas tree lighting,” says Bischoff. Residents also gather at Triangle Park downtown every Sunday, where the streets shut down for the Emmaus Farmer’s Market, featuring dozens of local vendors and live music. Emmaus Theatre puts on stand-up comedy shows and features the latest films.
Sit outside on a beautiful Spring afternoons in Emmaus and enjoy lunch in Triangle Park.
Unique fire hydrants brighten the community in Emmaus PA.
Loren Keim is the Broker and President of Century 21 Keim Realtors, a best-selling author, and a national authority on real estate and the housing market. Keim has been in the top one percent of agents nationally for more than two decades and has authored several books including "How to Sell Your Home in ANY Market" and "The Fundamentals of Commercial Real Estate." He is also a regular keynote speaker at national events and predicts the real estate market with Lehigh University's Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies. Century 21 Keim Realtors serves Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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