A new USA Today poll has listed a local downtown as the best in the country.

Bethlehem’s historic Main Street beat out well-known locations like Salem, Mass.; Lake Placid, N.Y.; and Cooperstown, N.Y., to claim the Best Main Street crown in USA Today’s 10 Best Main Street competition.

“Now the whole country knows what everyone who lives and works here already knows — Bethlehem is the best,” said Kelly Ronalds, director of room sales and guest experience for Historic Hotel Bethlehem. “As Bethlehem took the world stage in July 2024 with Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem receiving the UNESCO World Heritage Designation — we believe tourism is taking off in such a great way. Those of us who live and work here realize what a treasure we have, but we want to share it with the world. The hotel and our PR agency have worked diligently to promote our stories to national media and encourage travel to our city.

“In 2015, USA Today named 10 Idyllic Main Streets in America, and our Main Street was one of them. We believe receiving the No. 1 Best Main Street in America designation by USA Today solidifies the tagline that we have been promoting for years — visit authentic colonial history on a Top 10 Main Street,” Ronalds said.

The hotel’s marketing team rallied a get-out-the-vote effort, having had success in recent years earning its own status.

“Having won the USA Today Best Historic Hotel award four years in a row, our experts have a lot of experience with this and were very excited to support a contest honoring the entire community,” said Bruce Haines, Historic Hotel Bethlehem managing partner.

On behalf of Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Tammy Wendling, senior vice president of Bethlehem initiatives, said, “That’s what a Main Street like ours stands for: community.”

Mayor William Reynolds told The Press, “This incredible honor is another sign that our city’s future has never been brighter. From vibrant new businesses to community events that bring us together, there’s been so much progress in our city, and we’re just getting started.”

Throughout the several-week contest, the Downtown Business Association worked hard to spread the word. They created a QR code that made it easy to vote, published many email newsletters, produced social media content, printed postcards and used good old-fashioned word-of-mouth to encourage participation.

DBA board member and Knobs ‘N Knockers owner Kimberly O’Neill said, “Bethlehem is a really special place. We’re thrilled to have our business on such a vibrant Main Street and to be part of such a fantastic community. One of the most special things about our location is that you don’t necessarily have to drive a long way to get here, but when you arrive, you feel like you’re on a getaway.”

How the competition worked

A panel of USA Today travel experts selected the top 20 finalists. Then, it was up to the public to vote for the top 10.

Top 10 Main Streets in America

Bethlehem

Emporia, Kan.

Ogden, Utah

Howell, Mich.

Grapevine, Texas

Virginia City, Nev.

McMinnville, Ore.

Paso Robles, Calif.

Winchester, Va.

Safety Harbor, Fla.