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CNN Spotlights Bethlehem: Discover the Moravian Legacy Behind America’s Historic Gem
August 6th, 2026 | In The News
By Brynn Bogli
When CNN recently named Bethlehem, Pa., one of America’s standout towns, it confirmed what residents and visitors already knew: this city’s rich history, culture, and community make it one of the most compelling small towns in the country.
CNN highlighted Bethlehem’s history and vibrant arts scene, a fitting nod to a place whose past continues to shape its future. That story starts with the Moravians, whose influence still defines Bethlehem and helped earn it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List, alongside global landmarks like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, and the Pyramids of Egypt.
Named on Christmas Eve 1741 by Moravians who settled near the Monocacy Creek, Bethlehem was built to be more than a place to live. Its founders wove faith, education, skilled trades, and shared responsibility into daily life, creating a spirit of cooperation that set the settlement apart from other colonial towns. That focus on learning, innovation, and the common good made Bethlehem one of early America’s most forward-thinking communities.
That legacy earned global recognition in 2024, when Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem joined the UNESCO World Heritage List alongside Moravian settlements in Denmark, Germany, and Northern Ireland. The designation honors the “outstanding universal value” of these settlements and the worldwide reach of Moravian ideals — education, innovation, spirituality, and community planning — placing Bethlehem among destinations whose significance reaches well beyond national borders.
Walking through the historic district, visitors see this legacy firsthand: original 18th-century buildings, colonial-era streets, and God’s Acre cemetery all tell the story of a community ahead of its time.
The Moravian story is only one part of the city’s rich history. In the 1970s and ’80s, Main Street was very different than today, with closed storefronts and boarded-up windows part of the landscape. Festivals such as Musikfest and Celtic Classic, paired with downtown investment, brought the area back to life as a destination for shopping, dining, and history. Highlighting this revitalization is the fact that Historic Hotel Bethlehem has been named the No. 1 Historic Hotel in the nation by USA Today/10Best the past five years in a row, an honor no other hotel can claim.
Over on the city’s SouthSide, a onetime Bethlehem Steel plant that closed decades ago is now thriving as the SteelStacks arts and entertainment district. And, of course, the city is well-known for its celebration of the holidays, anchored by popular HBMS events such as the Christmas City Stroll and Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour.
As CNN noted, Bethlehem isn’t just preserved history; it’s a living destination where past and present coexist. Visitors can explore museums, dine at award-winning restaurants, catch festivals year-round, and wander a walkable historic district that blends centuries of American history with a modern cultural scene.
This prestigious recognition is a reminder that Bethlehem is more than just a charming small town. It’s where world history, American history, and living heritage meet — whether you’re exploring the World Heritage Site, learning about the Moravians, or simply strolling Main Street.
