Hillside Mini Golf & Ice Cream – Northampton, PA

September 21, 2019 No Comments

UPDATE – Since the time of our review (below), we’ve learned that Hillside Mini Golf & Ice Cream has been completely renovated. Here are some photos that were sent to us by family still in the Lehigh Valley. From what we can tell from this photo, the new course looks to be built by Harris Miniature Golf.

Played on August 22, 2019

Reviewed by The Pink Putter

This was another stop on our eastern Pennsylvania journey back in late August 2019 with my dad in tow. My step-mom grew up in the Northampton area, so we spent a lot of time here as kids, but oddly enough had never played mini golf at Hillside. Established in 1959, this is the oldest existing mini golf course in the Lehigh Valley. It sits just next to a small cemetery and in front of a corn field. Currently, it’s connected to the local chain, Rita’s Italian Ice, which seems to be the main focus of the establishment.

Rating

Par – Considering it is now 60 years old, Hilltop Mini Golf is in surprisingly good shape. However, at 60, it also shows lots of wear and tear in the form of hand-painted signs faded from the sun, a boarded up clubhouse, well-worn turf, crooked bricks, rotted wood and a beehive in Hole 7. But despite its need of some basic maintenance, Hilltop’s charm far outweighs its shortcomings. This course is what I consider to be a quintessential mini golf experience. After all, it does have a windmill, a covered bridge, a church, a pin-ball inspired plinko hole, a water wheel, a lighthouse and the classic clown face that collects your balls as the 18th hole. Hilltop is a rare gem and I’m so happy that this course still exists and hasn’t been demolished to make way for a new shopping complex or housing development. If you’re in the Northampton area, it’s definitely worth $5 and an hour of your time to play a round.

Hillside Ice Cream & Miniature Golf Website

Pros

Classic course with fun obstacles such as a windmill, covered bridge, church, lighthouse and clown face at the 18th holes
Oldest mini golf course in Lehigh Valley (established 1959)

Cons

In need of some maintenance and upkeep including new turf, repair of some rotted wood and new paint

Nerdy Notes