Bethlehem’s historic Main Street beat out well-known locations like Salem, Massachusetts, Lake Placid, New York, and Cooperstown, New York, to claim the “Best Main Street” crown in USA Today’s 10Best Main Street competition.

“Now the whole country knows what everyone who lives and works here already knows, Bethlehem is the best,” said Kelly Ronalds, director of room sales and guest experience for Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

The hotel’s marketing team rallied a get-out-the vote effort.

“Having won the USA Today Best Historic Hotel award four years in a row, our experts have a lot of experience with this and were very excited to support a contest honoring the entire community,” said Historic Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines.

Tammy Wendling, senior vice president of Bethlehem Initiatives for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, said, “That’s what a Main Street like ours stands for — community.”

Throughout the several-weeks contest, the Downtown Business Association worked hard to spread the word. It created a QR code that made it easy to vote; published many email newsletters; produced social media content; printed postcards; and used old-fashioned word-of-mouth to encourage participation.

Kimberly O’Neill of Knobs ’N Knockers and a board member of the Downtown Bethlehem Association said: “Bethlehem is a really special place. We’re thrilled to have our business on such a vibrant Main Street and to be part of such a fantastic community.

“One of the most special things about our location is that you don’t necessarily have to drive a long way to get here, but when you arrive, you feel like you’re on a getaway.”

A panel of USA Today travel experts selected the top 20 finalists. Then it was up to the public to vote for the top 10.

The winning spots were: Bethlehem; Emporia, Kansas; Ogden, Utah; Howell, Michigan; Grapevine, Texas; Virginia City, Nevada; McMinnville, Oregon; Paso Robles, California; Winchester, Virginia; and Safety Harbor, Florida