Best Things To Do in Easton

Easton, Pennsylvania sits at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, a location that has shaped much of what visitors come to see today. The city's compact downtown, canal-era history, and college-town energy from nearby Lafayette College give it a mix of outdoor, cultural, and historic options that can fill anywhere from an afternoon to a multi-day trip. This guide groups activities by interest — outdoors, museums and culture, waterfronts, historic sites, and neighborhoods — and notes which are generally free to explore versus ticketed. For a fuller rundown of the city, start with the Easton Travel Guide: Things to Do, Landmarks, Food, and Itineraries.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Hugh Moore Park is one of the more distinctive outdoor destinations in the area, built around the remnants of the Lehigh Canal. Trails along the towpath follow the old canal route and connect to the broader Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, a long-distance trail network that traces the region's industrial canal history. The park is also associated with mule-drawn canal boat programs seasonally, so travelers interested in that experience should check current schedules directly with the park before planning around it.

The Karl Stirner Arts Trail follows Bushkill Creek through the city and links several public art installations along a paved path. It's a low-key, free walking or biking route that connects downtown Easton to the Simon Silk Mill area and College Hill, making it a useful way to move between neighborhoods while getting outside. Riverside Park and Scott Park offer smaller, more traditional green space along the water for picnicking or a quieter break from downtown streets.

Museums and Culture

Easton's cultural attractions range from family-oriented to more specialized historical museums. The Crayola Experience, built around the Crayola brand's longtime Easton manufacturing ties, is a ticketed, hands-on attraction popular with families traveling with kids. The Sigal Museum, operated by the Northampton County Historical Society, focuses on regional history and is a smaller, ticketed stop worth considering for visitors interested in local heritage beyond the canal era.

The State Theatre, a restored performance venue downtown, hosts a rotating schedule of concerts, comedy, and other live events; because programming and ticket costs change frequently, checking the venue's own listings is the most reliable approach. Two Rivers Landing houses exhibits related to the National Canal Museum's collection and the area's industrial past, connecting well with a visit to Hugh Moore Park. The Nurture Nature Center offers science- and environment-focused exhibits and programs, and is a useful stop for visitors interested in the region's natural or flood history along the rivers.

Waterfronts and Views

The meeting point of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers is central to Easton's identity and gives the city several vantage points for river views, particularly around the Karl Stirner Arts Trail and the areas near Hugh Moore Park. These riverside paths are free to walk and offer a way to see the city's industrial-era bridges and waterways at a slower pace. The redeveloped Simon Silk Mill complex, a former industrial site converted into mixed residential, dining, and event space, also sits along Bushkill Creek and is worth a walk-through for visitors interested in how the city has repurposed its manufacturing history.

Historic Sites and Landmarks

Downtown Easton centers on Centre Square, home to a long-running farmers market that is commonly cited as one of the oldest continuously operating markets of its kind in the country. The square is surrounded by 19th- and early 20th-century commercial buildings that give the downtown core a distinct historic character. The Bachmann Publick House, a colonial-era tavern building near the square, is one of the older structures still standing in the city and reflects Easton's role in the region during the colonial and early Republic periods.

Easton also includes a number of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, spanning residential, civic, and industrial architecture across several neighborhoods. For a more complete rundown of specific sites, landmarks, and what makes each one notable, see Top Landmarks in Easton.

Neighborhoods to Wander

Downtown Easton, anchored by Centre Square, is the most walkable area for visitors, mixing shops, restaurants, and historic storefronts within a few compact blocks. College Hill, home to Lafayette College, has a quieter, tree-lined residential character with a mix of historic homes and campus buildings, and connects to downtown via a short walk or the arts trail. The South Side and areas near the Simon Silk Mill offer a more industrial-turned-residential feel, with converted mill buildings now housing apartments, breweries, and event spaces. Each of these areas rewards unhurried, on-foot exploration rather than a single fixed itinerary.

Free vs. Ticketed, at a Glance

Free or low-cost options generally include the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, Riverside and Scott Parks, the towpath trails at Hugh Moore Park, downtown wandering around Centre Square, and the farmers market. Ticketed attractions typically include the Crayola Experience, the Sigal Museum, Two Rivers Landing exhibits, and State Theatre performances, along with any seasonal canal boat rides at Hugh Moore Park. Since hours, admission, and event schedules change, it's worth checking each attraction's official site before visiting, especially if a trip is built around a specific activity.

Planning Your Visit

Easton's downtown, riverside trails, and college-adjacent neighborhoods are close enough together that most of these activities can be combined without much driving. For a structured plan, the Easton 1-Day Itinerary covers a condensed version of downtown, the arts trail, and a museum stop, while the Easton 3-Day Itinerary allows more time for Hugh Moore Park, the Simon Silk Mill, and nearby neighborhoods. If timing matters for weather or seasonal programming, review the Best Time to Visit Easton guide before booking. Pair any of these outings with a stop from Where to Eat in Easton, and check the Easton FAQ for other practical, trip-planning questions.