Easton: Canal History, Art and Market Traditions

Easton offers a variety of themes around which to plan your stay: restored canals, art along Bushkill Creek, a market founded in 1752, and an educational program for student groups. This mix makes the city interesting for travelers looking to combine culture and discovery. Depending on whether you are especially interested in canal history, public art or local produce, you can give different priorities to your daily itinerary.

Canal History at Hugh Moore Park

Hugh Moore Park has more than two miles of restored Lehigh Canal. The canal boat Josiah White II is used for rides there. It holds 110 passengers; rides typically take place from June through October. This means the park offers both preserved stretches of canal and an experience connected with historic waterway transportation.

Another experience in the park is Immersion Days for student groups. This roughly four-hour program teaches scientific and technological principles related to the construction and operation of the Lehigh and Delaware canals through nine interactive activities. It typically runs from late April to early June. For anyone planning a visit with a student group, it offers a concrete introduction to the topics covered by the program.

There is another important detail for your planning: the National Canal Museum is temporarily closed through the end of 2026 because the Glendon Hill Road Bridge leading to Hugh Moore Park is closed. You should therefore not plan on visiting the museum during this period.

Art Along the Creek and Outdoor Activities

The Karl Stirner Arts Trail follows Bushkill Creek for 1.75 miles. The trail includes the Young Master's Wall, which showcases works by young artists, often local students. This gives the art trail a special connection to emerging artists. The route and the wall offer different points of interest: the creek shapes the trail, while the displayed works take center stage at the wall.

Easton's parks and trails also offer opportunities for walking, running and cycling, apart from this art trail. You can shape your time outdoors to suit your interests and consider these activities as a focus in their own right, alongside the museum, market or performing arts offerings.

Market, Local History and the Performing Arts

The Easton Farmers' Market was founded in 1752—the same year as the city of Easton. Farmers and vendors offer fresh goods and handmade products there. The market's tradition and its offerings today represent two sides of the same place: its long history and the goods sold there. The market complements the canal and art themes with a distinct focus on produce and crafts.

The Sigal Museum offers themed tours of historic Easton. As a local history institution in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, it has significant collections of artifacts from before European settlement, decorative arts and textiles, agricultural tools, and Colonial-era furniture. The State Theatre Center for the Arts offers a venue in Easton where people can celebrate and explore the arts together. These provide further options for focusing on the city's history and performing arts.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When looking for a vacation rental in Easton, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: Would you like to explore canal history, discover art and trails, or visit the market and learn about local history? These interests lead to different daily itineraries. Then choose your accommodation based on the location that suits your plans, without assuming that the various attractions form one connected network of trails.

More destination pages: Bethlehem, Wind Gap.

Return to the main travel overview: Northampton.