Fig Summer Faves

Summer isn’t over yet! Read how some of our friends have been celebrating the season, and what they recommend for summer treats, tunes, reads, and trips around the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

Eats & Treats

Co-owner of Domaci, Warren Clark praises one of Bethlehem’s most cherished summer institutions. “There’s nothing better on a warm summer evening than taking a stroll with my husband and our dog, Dingo, to The Cup for some delicious ice cream,” he says. “One of us will go inside and place our order while the other waits outside with Dingo, and then we’ll sit on one of the benches outside to eat our frozen treats while visiting with friends and neighbors, listening to the kids play, and watching the fireflies light up the night around us. There’s just something so ‘small-town America’ about the whole experience, and we love that The Cup is still such a popular destination in Bethlehem even after over 85 years in business.”

Library Clerk Libby Ortiz, from the South Side branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL), endorses a fresh (Fig!) face—as well as a well-loved favorite. She says, “one of my favorite places to go on a hot summer day is Crave. This hidden gem, found off of Main Street in Bethlehem, offers nutritional drinks that support a healthy lifestyle. The team members of Crave double as coaches to help you attain your fitness goals in a non-judgmental environment ranging from one-on-one to group settings. Crave offers a large variety of teas and smoothies, ranging from Peach Ring, Fruity Pebbles, Orange Creamsicle to Lime-A-Rita, you’ll be sure to find a flavor that tastes like a cheat day!

She also recommends Aqui Es, A Taste of Mexico. “Aqui Es is essentially a replica of street taqueria that can be found in my abuelita’s neighborhood in Mexico City,” she says. “True to their word, Aqui Es is a taste of home—so if you are feeling adventurous to try real Mexican food, here it is! Once you order tacos de chorizo con agua de melón, you’re family.”

Tunes & Reads 

Summer is a time for eating—but also reading! If you’re into “mysticism, soul searching, and adventure,” adult services tech Janine Santoro, also of the BAPL south side branch, suggests “anything by Paulo Coelho;” if you’re into “brilliant writing, mythology, and characters you wish were real,” check out Neil Gaiman. (Literally! Do you have your library card?) And hazy August end-of-summer days wouldn’t be the same without an anthem—Janine’s favorite is the punk classic “Ruby Soho,” by Rancid.

Adventures

Angela DelGrosso, Senior Vice President, Bethlehem Chamber, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce has always been a planner. “As a kid, as soon as school was out for the summer,” she says, “I’d make a Summer Bucket List on a giant poster board and hang it in my room.” Not much has changed now that she’s an adult–though she keeps the list on her phone now, and the fun is a little more grown-up! She shared her 2019 summer bucket list with us, and it’s so good, we’re passing it along. 

• Go on a Historic Bethlehem River Tour (I can’t believe I still haven’t done this and can’t wait to snap a shot of the Steel Stacks from the river.)
• Take a day trip to Seaside Heights, NJ. How lucky are we to live two hours from the ocean?!
• Conquer the ropes course and zip line (again) at Blue Mountain and have lunch at the Slopeside Pub & Grill.
• Get to as many IronPigs games as possible.
• Pack a picnic and head to Franklin Hill Vineyards for a wine tasting and tour.
• Attend a free concert at the Levitt Pavilion and Tunes at Twilight in the Sun Inn Courtyard.
• Go camping at a nearby site.
• Catch a free movie on the Greenway in South Bethlehem.
• Walkthrough Monocacy Park.
• Hit golf balls at the Bethlehem Golf Club driving range.
• Eat dinner outside on Main Street. Sangria at Tapas is a must.
• Hit the water slides at Wildwater Kingdom.
• Veg out at VegFest on July 13th. 
• Take a day trip to Philadelphia and New York City.

And now we’d like to hear from you! What’s your favorite way to celebrate summer in the LV?