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You’ve heard of the expression “million-dollar question,” and maybe you’ve even seen the 2004 hit movie “Million Dollar Baby,” but have you heard of the “Million Dollar Town”? Yes, it’s real, and no, it’s not a town populated by millionaires \u2014 that is, not anymore. Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, got this one-of-a-kind moniker as a result of its history as a hub for anthracite iron. In the 19th century, during the United States’ Industrial Revolution, Crane Iron Works was established in Catasauqua. Because of this lucrative business, by the time the turn of the 20th century rolled around, it was populated by a proportionally larger percentage of self-made millionaires than anywhere else in the U.S. As the story goes, the town’s nickname does double duty, also referring to the fact that the townspeople, flush with cash at the time, raised a whopping million dollars for war bonds to fund World War II.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Catasauqua may not be brimming with millionaires today, but vestiges of this gilded history remain in Catasauqua’s historic buildings and homes. Not\u00a0that the town is stuck in the past. No post-industrial slump here. It’s become a revitalized hub of delicious cuisine and charming ambiance \u2014 while embracing its historic charm and storied past. If you’re eager to get a dose of up-close history and grab a good bite to eat along the way, add Catasauqua to your next Pennsylvania trip itinerary. It’s less than 15 minutes by car from Allentown, a thriving, artsy city with world-class bites<\/a>, making it an easy add-on or half-day excursion for a meal and a bit of sightseeing, and 19 minutes by car from Bethlehem, America’s thriving Christmas Capital<\/a>. If you’re visiting from further afield, Catasauqua is also accessible:\u00a0it’s barely a\u00a010-minute drive from Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Dine on mouthwatering food in Catasauqua<\/p>\n Catasauqua is just as full of tasty local eats as Washington, Pennsylvania<\/a>, on the other side of the state,\u00a0making it a good starting or ending destination for a food tour of the Quaker State. For a delicious meal and relaxed ambiance, grab a table at the Catty Corner Neighborhood Pub & Pie<\/a>, which bills itself as “providing a warm and inviting community neighborhood pub.” Patrons speak highly of the friendly and helpful staff here, and the food is a hit as well. With an eclectic menu to choose from, you can order up classic American fare like a burger or Buffalo wings, opt for Italian-American favorites like stromboli or pizza, go for the Mexican menu options like quesadillas or tacos \u2014 or, if you’re feeling brave, spring for the unique pickle pizza. This eatery is a local staple; as one Google reviewer<\/a> puts it, “this is the local Cheers. Everyone knew everybody and I saw many of the same faces the multiple times I came here.” Pro tip: don’t overlook the weekly food and drink specials, which include Mexican Monday and Cheesesteak Tuesday, among other highlights.<\/p>\n For some different flavors, don’t miss Sazon Dominicano Restaurante<\/a>. Nestled unsuspectingly in a residential area of Catasauqua, this family-owned establishment has garnered beloved fans who appreciate \u2014 as one customer puts it in a Google review<\/a> \u2014 how walking into this restaurant feels “like stepping right into a Dominican kitchen filled with love and tradition.” From plantains to oxtail stew to chicharr\u00f3n, diners here are spoiled for choice in terms of authentic and flavorful menu options\u00a0that will have you feeling like you’ve been transported directly to the Dominican Republic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Explore historic Front Street and its surroundings<\/p>\n To fully wrap your head around Catasauqua’s abundant history, take a stroll down Front Street, a quaint main street that is one of the town’s major thoroughfares, past and present. Catasauqua’s historic center is a\u00a0walkable gem with historic charm, much like Pennsylvania’s riverfront borough near Pittsburgh, Ambridge<\/a>. Running throughout the heart of town, this artery is the site of a plethora of 19th-century homes\u00a0that are, remarkably, still standing today. If an independent walking tour is your preferred way to scope out this stretch of living history, you can read up on the materials provided online by the Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association<\/a>, which offers\u00a0numerous historic area walking tour resources and routes you can undertake on a self-directed basis, allowing you to explore and learn at your own pace based on your own interests.<\/p>\n