Welcome to The Local Rundown Northampton your new dose of family-friendly fun, events, recipes, and real-life parent tips.
The official launch is Friday, August 29, 2025, but you’re in early so you’ll see things first.
See you Friday!
Mark & The Local Rundown Northampton Crew
In This Issue
🍴 Fresh Flavors & Family Fun: New Eats Opening in Northampton County
🎡 Northampton Days Festival: A Community Celebration for the Whole Family
🏛️ Historic Walk Through Easton: Stories Around Every Corner
🌿 Free & Low-Cost Nature Programs for Families
"Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten." — Lilo & Stitch (Disney) 🌺
🍴 Fresh Flavors & Family Fun: New Eats Opening in Northampton County
If you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge at 5:30 p.m. wondering, “What on earth do I feed everyone tonight?”—you’re not alone. The good news? Northampton County is serving up some brand-new restaurant options (plus a fun arcade!) that might just save dinner and keep the kids entertained.
Here’s what’s new on the local food scene this fall:
🌯 Bubbakoo’s Burritos in Hellertown
Opening Day: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Where: Creekside Marketplace, 1892 Leithsville Rd (next to the Giant)
What to Know: Think Chipotle with extra personality—Bubbakoo’s lets you customize burritos, bowls, and even “Burritodillas.” Quirky menu options like the “Papi Hibachi” or fried Oreos for dessert make this spot a hit for adventurous eaters and picky kids alike.
Opening Day Bonus: First 50 customers score a free burrito, and five lucky folks will walk away with brand-new iPads.
🍛 Aroma Authentic Indian Cuisine – Palmer Park Mall
Now Open!
What’s on the Menu: Halal Indian, Chinese, and Pakistani favorites—perfect for families looking to expand their dinner horizons. Dishes are flavorful but approachable, with plenty of vegetarian options for those Meatless Mondays.
🥔 Wrap’d Tight 2.0 – Fully Loaded (Coming Soon)
Where: Palmer Park Mall
Opening Date: Later this fall
Why Kids Will Love It: Picture giant baked potatoes piled high with toppings like BBQ chicken, broccoli & cheese, or the “All or Nothing” special. Basically, dinner disguised as comfort food.
🎮 Back to the Arcade II – Palmer Park Mall
Opening Date: Expected November 2025
The Fun Factor: About 30–40 games, both retro and modern, with a pay-one-price, unlimited-play model. Translation: no more “Mom, I need another token!” moments. Pair it with dinner at Aroma or Wrap’d Tight and you’ve got yourself a full family night out—all under one roof.
👨👩👧 Parent Tips
Make it an event: Turn new openings into a “Family Food Tour.” Each month, pick one new restaurant to try and let the kids give it a “thumbs up or thumbs down” review.
Snag the deals: Restaurants often run opening-day specials—like Bubbakoo’s free burrito giveaway—so check social media before you head out.
Dinner + Play Combo: The Palmer Park Mall trifecta (Aroma, Wrap’d Tight, and the arcade) makes for an easy weeknight dinner and activity, especially when the weather cools.
Conversation starter: Ask your kids, “If you could open a restaurant, what would it serve?” You might be surprised at their creativity (and their love of rainbow sprinkles).
🎡 Northampton Days Festival: A Community Celebration for the Whole Family
If you’ve been craving a good old-fashioned community festival—the kind with food trucks, live entertainment, and kids bouncing happily on inflatables—mark your calendars. The Northampton Days Festival is back on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM, and it’s shaping up to be one of the season’s most family-friendly outings.
This free event takes over Northampton (Richboro area) with more than 100 vendors and exhibitors. Expect everything from handmade crafts and local businesses to food that will tempt even the pickiest eaters. Kids can jump, climb, and slide their way through inflatable attractions, while parents browse community booths and enjoy live music.
One highlight? Emergency service demonstrations—a chance for little ones to see fire trucks, police vehicles, and rescue crews in action. (Prepare for lots of “wow”s and maybe a request or two for a future fire helmet.)
👨👩👧 Parent Tips
Pack sunscreen and water: Even in September, outdoor festivals can be hot and sunny.
Bring cash: Many vendors accept cards, but some smaller stands still prefer bills for quick transactions.
Plan parking early: Arrive closer to 10 AM if you want a smoother experience with parking and smaller crowds.
The Northampton Days Festival is more than just a day out—it’s a celebration of the community we call home.
🏛️ Historic Walk Through Easton: Stories Around Every Corner
Want to sneak in some learning while stretching your legs? The Easton Historic District Walking Tours, organized by the Sigal Museum and the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, are a fun way to explore the city’s rich past.
Easton is one of America’s oldest cities, and its streets are full of stories. The tour winds through the historic district, pointing out iconic architecture, hidden gems, and spots that played a role in both local and national history. It’s a great way to help kids connect with the idea that history isn’t just in textbooks—it’s right here in our backyard.
Tours are scheduled throughout the fall (check the Sigal Museum’s calendar or Eventbrite listings for dates). The pace is gentle, making it doable for older kids, grandparents, and curious teens alike.
👨👩👧 Parent Tips
Turn it into a scavenger hunt: Give kids a list of things to spot (a brick arch, a horse emblem, a church steeple).
Comfortable shoes are a must: These are real walking tours, so ditch the flip-flops.
Reward with a treat: Finish at one of Easton’s downtown ice cream shops or bakeries—you’ll have earned it.
It’s the kind of outing that blends fun with a little learning, leaving kids (and parents) seeing Easton with fresh eyes.
🌿 Free & Low-Cost Nature Programs for Families
Sometimes the best family outings don’t require spending much at all. Luckily, Northampton County and the surrounding Lehigh Valley are full of free or low-cost nature programs that get kids outside, curious, and moving.
Here are a few standouts:
🧪 Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Offers Family Science Nights and guided hikes where kids learn about wildlife, trees, and stream life. Free and open to the public.
🦆 Wildlands Conservancy
Known for its all-ages programs, including family hikes, river cleanups, and hands-on animal education. Many are free or just a few dollars per family.
🌸 Lehigh Gap Nature Center
Features sensory gardens, beginner-friendly trails, and special events focused on pollinators and native plants. Great for younger kids.
🎣 Trout Fishing & Creek Walks
Local parks and nature centers sometimes host fishing days or guided “creek stomp” events where kids can discover critters living under rocks.
👨👩👧 Parent Tips
Check age recommendations: Some hikes and programs are better suited for older kids, while others are designed with little explorers in mind.
Bring extra clothes/shoes: Kids + water + dirt = outfit change almost guaranteed.
Pack light snacks: Nothing derails a nature walk faster than “I’m hungry.”
Nature programs are a low-stress way to give kids adventure, exploration, and a taste of science—without breaking the bank.🎡 Northampton Days Festival: A Community Celebration for the Whole Family
Where was the modern birthday cake invented?
The Local Rundown
🕓 10:00 AM–6:00 PM · Crayola Experience (Easton) · $30.99 GA ($27.99 online); 2 & under free · 🌟 All Ages
Hands‑on art fun across 20+ attractions with a character meet this month. 📍 Google Maps
🕓 1:00–2:30 PM · Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks · $20 adult / $12 ages 7–17 · 🧑🎓 Teens, 🌟 All Ages
Explore the giant blast furnaces and local steel history up close. 📍 Google Maps
🕓 11:00–11:45 AM · Online · Free · 🧒 Kids
Short, interactive storytime about mail and postcards.
Tue, Aug 26
🕓 10:00 AM–6:00 PM · Crayola Experience (Easton) · $30.99 GA ($27.99 online); 2 & under free · 🌟 All Ages
Create, color, and play indoors — easy weekday outing. 📍 Google Maps
Wed, Aug 27
🕓 3:00–7:00 PM · 12th St. between Cottingham Stadium & Paxinosa School · Free entry; vendors vary · 🌟 All Ages
Neighborhood market with food, produce, music & activities (SNAP/EBT accepted).
🕓 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM departures · National Canal Museum (Easton) · $15 adult / $11 child (museum+boat); under 3 free · 🌟 All Ages
45‑minute mule‑drawn ride plus hands‑on canal exhibits. 📍 Google Maps
🕓 6:00 PM · Barnes & Noble, Southmont Plaza (Easton) · Free · 🧑🎓 Teens, 🌟 All Ages
Drop‑in tabletop adventure—beginners welcome. 📍 Google Maps
🕓 10:00 AM–6:00 PM · Crayola Experience (Easton) · $30.99 GA ($27.99 online); 2 & under free · 🌟 All Ages
More colorful, indoor fun. 📍 Google Maps
📅 Coming Soon
Opens Wed, Sep 3 · Williams Center for the Arts, Lafayette College (Easton) — Bicentennial exhibit of Lafayette imagery; great educational outing. 📍 Google Maps
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See you soon,
Mark