Center City, which includes the downtown area and its 7th Street retail and residential corridor, is the city's central business district and the location of most of its city, county, and federal government buildings. To the east of Center City are The Wards, residential areas developed during Allentown's late 19th century and early 20th century industrial boom. Just east of the Lehigh River are the city's East Side residential neighborhoods, most of which border various routes to neighboring Bethlehem. South of Center City and across Little Lehigh Creek are the city's South Side neighborhoods, which border Emmaus. Allentown's West End, with a mix of commercial corridors, cultural centers, and larger single-family residences, begins approximately west of 15th Street.
center city which includes the downtown area and its 7th street retail and residential corridor is the city's central business district and the location of most of its city county and federal government buildings to the east of center city are the wards residential areas developed during allentown's late 19th century and early 20th century industrial boom just east of the lehigh river are the city's east side residential neighborhoods most of which border various routes to neighboring bethlehem south of center city and across little lehigh creek are the city's south side neighborhoods which border emmaus allentown's west end with a mix of commercial corridors cultural centers and larger single-family residences begins approximately west of 15th street