Upper Macungie

Bearing its namesake, "Bear Swamp," thanks to the indigenous Lenni Lenape of the Algonquin Nation who called it "Maccongy," is Macungie Township of Lehigh County. "We are one of the fastest-growing municipalities. There is a ton of development going on, and you're centralized to Philly, New York, Allentown and in the hub of manufacturing and farming industries," says John Cummings, Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Cassidon Realty for five years. Approximately 9 miles from the Trexlar Nature Preserve with the Lehigh Valley Zoo and 10 miles from Allentown, with attractions like the Allentown Art Museum and America on Wheels Museum showcasing the region's automobile history, the township offers quiet country living, well-regarded schools, the opportunity to work and urban accessibility. Upper Macungie Park offers residents lakeside views and plenty of ball fields, volleyball courts and shelters for picnics. It is a popular spot for disc golf with access to the Hassen Creek Nature Trail. Though just under a mile, the trail packs much punch, traversing through historical sites and a waterfall. Fitness Plaza is on Glenlivet Drive for indoor indoor exercise. Lone Lake Park is across from the township fire station, with a few multi-use sports courts, and Grange Park comes alive during the summer months at the splash pad. The park also has pickleball courts, a thoughtfully designed playground for kids of all ages and a rock-climbing wall. The residential landscape of Upper Macungie Township unfolds into distinct areas, including Fogelsville and Trexlertown. The township's residential clusters gravitate towards various local amenities, such as parks, schools and shopping centers. Residential streets feature a spectrum of housing styles, encompassing ranch-style and colonial residences, some embraced by trees and natural surroundings. Also found are Neo-traditional homes, characterized by triangular, gabled roofs and tan hues, and contemporary townhomes, clad in muted grey masonry. Prices for residences span from $290,000 for three-bedroom to upwards of $500,000 for five-bedroom single-family homes. The Parkland School District oversees academics and after-school recreation in this rural enclave. Students may attend Fred J. Jaindl Elementary, Springhouse Middle and Parkland High; the district attains Niche's highest rankings with an overall grade of A. Noteworthy programs like Parkland High's Technology and Education initiative prioritize STEM-based learning. Further educational flexibility is afforded through the Parkland Virtual Academy, accommodating diverse learning needs. "The Parkland School District is massive. They have every activity you can imagine for the kids," Cummings says. North Krocks Road carries Whole Foods, Target and Nordstrom, and at Lehigh Hills Shopping Center on Glenlivet Drive, residents will find Weis Markets for groceries. Adjacent to to the center is Aloha Poke, piling up traditional Hawaiian-style poke bowls and boba. Nearby is Madeline's, an upper-scale dining experience dishing out specialty pizzas and seafood dishes. For more grub, Yocco's The Hot Dog King is the place for casual bites after the park, and Sunset Grille offers a curated selection of Tex-Mex staples and cocktails. About 10 Miles away is the Lehigh Valley Mall, but closer to home is Trexler Town Plaza for big box stores. Several wineries and breweries have found home in Upper Macungie making it a mainstay for locals. Vyncrest Winery has been in the community since 1974, where residents come to unwind with locally made red and white wines accompanied by live jazz on weekends. What once started as a hobby became a business for the Skrip family, owners of Clover Hill Vineyard & Winery, offering tastings, tours and craft nights. There's Interstate 78 and Pennsylvania Route 100, leading residents to Interstate 476 and Interstate 95 for convenient commutes to Philly or The Big Apple. The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority or (LANTa) serve the community offering several stops peppered throughout. Schantz Road is a hub of manufacturing and trucking, housing major employers such as, Coca-Cola, Amazon and Ocean Spray. The township is also 17 miles west of St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus and 14 miles from Lehigh Valley International Airport.