Spa Days, Steak Dinners, and American History: This PA Resort Is a Perfect Staycation Under an Hour From NYC

I arrived at Wind Creek Bethlehem about two hours before check-in, which gave me time to take a tour around the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District. In 2024, UNESCO recognized the district as a World Heritage site for its preservation of one of the earliest Moravian settlements in North America.

Even as an A-plus student in AP US History, I wasn’t aware of the Moravians’ contributions to the US. The Moravian people were a Central European Protestant community that established roots in Bethlehem in the mid-1700s, building a tight-knit communal society that was surprisingly progressive for its time.

Women could live together in spaces like the Single Sisters’ House, widows had their own residence, and the community organized care for mothers and newborns. Current residents still use these spaces. Their cemetery, known as God’s Acre Cemetery, was also notably non-segregated, reflecting the Moravians’ belief in spiritual equality.

Their cooperative way of living shaped the town’s early development and eventually helped lay the foundation for Bethlehem’s later industrial future through companies like Bethlehem Steel. Today, that legacy lives on in new ways, including at Wind Creek Bethlehem, a resort built on the former steel plant grounds.

The rooms at Wind Creek Bethlehem

After strolling through the cobblestone streets of the Moravian Historic District, I arrived at the Wind Creek lobby, welcomed by its sophisticated marble walls, glass fireplace, and jewel-tone velvet chairs.

Following a $160 million expansion in 2023, Wind Creek Bethlehem doubled its capacity with
over 500 guest rooms, including 50 deluxe suites. The property added a second tower, a new fitness center, and a spa on the 15th floor. There are six meeting rooms and three expansive ballrooms, accommodating gatherings from 50 to 2,200 guests. Nightly rates vary by room type and season, with deluxe king rooms averaging $189 per night and luxury “Chairman” suites around $689 per night.

The moment I stepped into my North Tower deluxe room, I was greeted by a view of the Bethlehem Steel Corp plant, once the nation’s leading steel producer and a cornerstone of the country’s industrial rise.

It was refreshing to see a hotel room design that wasn’t just white marble walls and counters and dainty gold decals. I was welcomed with lively royal purple, velvet accent chairs, dark wooden tables, and a 55-inch flat-screen HDTV mounted directly across from the king-sized bed.

The amenities at Wind Creek Bethlehem

One of my favorite remedies for cabin fever is going to the gym. Waking up and going straight to the gym has had a positive effect on how I navigate every single day, and I wasn’t going to skip a gym day just because I was away from home.

After taking some aesthetic photos inside my suite, I put on my favorite gray cross-body two-piece set, my favorite pair of anti-social black sunglasses, and matching gray sneakers, and I pressed level four in the elevator. Compared to my typically crowded gym, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had the entire fitness center at Wind Creek to myself.

Before I even noticed the upgraded treadmills, cable machine, and racks of dumbbells, I was captivated by panoramic views of the Bethlehem Steel Mill. While the advanced LifeFitness treadmill offered scenic views to complement my sprint, I preferred the beatuy of the snowy Pennsylvanian mountains from a distance and the flowing river to the right of the resort. No prerecorded nature shots could ever beat the radiance of the bright blue sky on a sunny afternoon.

I normally hate upper body days, but I was able to complete my full routine — cable lat pulldowns, tricep extensions, and so much more — with the fitness center’s all-in-one cable machine. It was exactly like the one I use at my local gym.

Afterward, I grabbed some bottled water from the fridge and caught my breath from the exhilarating workout. An hour into my workout, I started to wind down with a full-body stretch on one of the mats, feeling just as grounded as the trees I saw during my run.

After an energetic workout session the night before, my aching body desperately needed a good spa day. I had breakfast and headed up to the Spa at Wind Creek Bethlehem on the 15th floor. The staff welcomed me with the brightest smiles.

Every visitor fills out an intake form with health questions and also questions on what they’d like to get out of the service. For the facial service, I listed my go-to skin products. My skin was in its healing era after a bad acne breakout, so it was important for me to mention that my dry and sensitive skin needed some TLC. For the massage, I specified my level of comfort and which areas I was okay with receiving the service.

A staff member escorted me to the locker room, where I received a blue wristband to access my locker, which was already stocked with my robe and towel. Then, I received a pair of comfortable rubber slippers so I could meet with my esthetician, Jade, for my ELEMIS Decadent Detox Wrap & Massage.

Before starting, Jade introduced herself and walked me through the treatment: the 80-minute ELEMIS Thousand Flower Detox Wrap, which includes a full-body massage and gentle facial. The treatment features a custom deep-cleansing seaweed pack and aromatherapy essential oils designed to reinvigorate the body while restoring balance to the skin.

As Jade began the massage, I could feel the knots in my shoulders slowly melt away. We chatted here and there, which made the experience feel even more comfortable and personal. Meanwhile, floral and minty aromatherapy notes filled the room, allowing me to sink deeper into the table and fully relax.

During the flower detox wrap treatment, she massaged omega-rich green tea seed oil into my skin before applying the nourishing thousand flower earth wrap (made with floral and grass-rich nutrients) and green tea balm to seal in the moisture. After the massage and wrap, the flower detox wrap left me glowing like a celebrity on the red carpet. Even days after the facial, I noticed my skin was less congested, and the dark spots were much lighter.

Dining at Wind Creek Bethlehem

Chop House at Wind Creek

Whenever I travel, I challenge myself to stray away from the comfort of chicken tenders and calamari as appetizers, so I kicked things off with the mouthwatering crab au gratin. This starter was the best way to wake up my taste buds. Every bite revealed a different layer to experience: the perfectly seasoned jumbo lump crab meat with its fragrant herbs and lemon juice on top for a zesty kick, the richness of the cheese sauce, and the garlic breadcrumbs on top. For a cocktail, I wanted something that didn’t take away from this savory plate, so I picked the Cucumber’s Callin, a refreshing gin-based cocktail with cucumber liqueur, lavender syrup, and lemon.

As a native New Yorker, it only made sense to order the New York strip as a main, one of Chop House’s seven USDA prime steaks. Now, here’s the thing: I know all about the well-done steak slander. I experience it all the time when I eat steak around my friends, and they not-so-quietly judge my steak doneness preference (and my rapidly shaking the table while trying to cut a piece).

You know that one Saturday Night Live sketch where Pedro Pascal was trying to hold his laughter in as Ego Nwodim plants her leg on the table to get better precision as she cuts her steak? That’s me, but I have no shame in my game. However, I really wanted to get the full seasoned experience of a 16-ounce New York strip at The Chop House, cooked medium (and honestly, to perfection), accompanied by some mashed potatoes. The skin was crisped to perfection and seasoned with pepper.

When I asked the staff for their favorite drink, the brown butter old fashioned was a no-brainer. As the cocktail reached my table, its sweet aroma mixed with warm bourbon filled the air. It was hard to finish my drink because I was so enthralled by its richness.

Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse

When it comes to beer, I’ve always felt like everything tastes the same. Over the past few months, I’ve promised myself to approach beer with a little more curiosity. A visit to Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse quickly opened my eyes. Each pour made me realize that there’s a whole world of flavors beyond just wheat.

Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse prides itself on offering locally sourced IPAs, each boasting at least a 4.0 rating on Untappd. While many draft houses lean toward citrus-forward flavors, this spot isn’t afraid to experiment with its menu.

If your palate leans toward the bold bitterness of a freshly brewed black coffee or the velvety richness of a cabernet sauvignon, Pizza Boy (10% ABV) delivers with its double-chocolate and vanilla stout layers. I never thought I’d refer to an IPA as “the sweetest treat,” but Lost Tavern pleasantly surprised me with its gelato-inspired pineapple whip flavor. And if you’re not feeling too experimental, Tired Hands is a milkshake IPA with a classic citrus, light-lager taste that doesn’t overpower.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without a good cocktail to seal the deal, and the Yuzu pineapple margarita didn’t disappoint with its refreshing pineapple and a kick of jalapeno spice.

Urban Table

I kicked off my meal at Urban Table with some juicy skirt steak tacos. I couldn’t choose between the hot honey margarita and the seasonal apple bottom margarita, so the margarita flight here was the perfect solution. It includes both, along with a cranberry flavor. I loved the sweetness of the guava paired with the hot honey and Tajín rim.

I could have gone back to my room happy with just this, but when the baby back ribs came out, I was on cloud nine. After all the tangy goodness, I needed something sweet, and the stout cake delivered with its layered chocolate mousse and caramel drizzle.

Things to do at Wind Creek Bethlehem

Visit the casino

No visit to Wind Creek Bethlehem would be complete without stepping onto the casino floor. The sprawling gaming space spans more than 150,000 square feet, creating an energetic atmosphere filled with flashing lights, clinking chips, and the unmistakable thrill of a winning spin.

The casino has more than 2,000 slot machines and over 150 table games, making it one of the largest gaming destinations in Pennsylvania. Slots range from penny machines to high-limit games, while table classics like blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat draw crowds throughout the night.

For those who enjoy a more immersive experience, the casino also features live dealer stadium gaming, where players can bet on games like blackjack and roulette through electronic terminals while watching real dealers run the action. There’s also a dedicated poker room and a sportsbook where guests can place wagers on major sporting events.

If you’re looking to vibe while your friends and family hit the machines, you can visit the Molten Lounge, located near the center of the northern gaming floor by the bus entrance, and catch some free live entertainment after 8 PM.

Do some on-site shopping

After visiting the drafthouse, I wandered through The Outlets at Wind Creek, an indoor shopping corridor that connects the hotel and casino. The 130,000-square-foot retail space features brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, and GUESS, making it easy to squeeze in a little retail therapy between spa appointments and dinner reservations.

I popped into the Coach store for a quick spritz of the Sunset Dreams fragrance before heading out for the evening. With about nine restaurants and dining options spread throughout the resort, the outlets also serve as a convenient hub where guests can grab a coffee, browse designer brands, and then head straight to dinner without ever leaving the property.

Getting to Wind Creek Bethlehem

Wind Creek Bethlehem is an easy getaway, whether you’re driving from a major city nearby or flying in for a longer trip. From New York City, the drive takes roughly 1.5 to two hours, depending on traffic. From Philadelphia, it’s about an hour. The property is minutes from downtown Bethlehem, right off several major highways, and easily accessible by car.

The closest airport for air travelers is Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located about 15 minutes away by car. Larger airports such as Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are both roughly an hour to 1.5 hours away, offering more flight options and easy rental car access.

Once you arrive, getting around Bethlehem is simple. Wind Creek is less than a 10-minute drive from the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District, and the compact downtown area makes it easy to explore by car or rideshare.

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