By Lisa Haggerty, Marketing Director, Pennsylvania’s Americana Region
Visit our top picks or blaze your own path. Stay for a day or a whole week. Let curiosity be your guide in Greater Reading.
For uniquely memorable and forever epic times, let your imagination free and broaden your horizons with new adventures here.
From city to countryside and main streets to mountains, Greater Reading is brimming with fun for all ages—with seasonal and hands-on arts, culture, entertainment, foodie experiences, festivals, outdoor adventures, events and more—all year long.
1. Hawk Mountain
Opened in 1934 as the first refuge for birds of prey, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a world leader in conservation science. Over 2,500 acres of protected forests with miles of hiking trails await your footprints as you walk in the land of hawks, foxes, ruffed grouse, bears and countless nature friends. Take a hike, attend a workshop or simply breathe in the fresh air that surrounds you. From August to December, Hawk Mountain is one of the best places in the area to watch the annual raptor migration. Open: Year-Round.
Photo Credit: Mary Linkevich/HMS
2. World War II Weekend
Be an eyewitness to World War II. Walk through military encampments, relive battles, look for warbirds above and dance to 1940s swing music. Every year, the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum is transformed with authentic World War II-era planes, armored vehicles and over 1,000 reenactors conducting mock skirmishes in a battle-scarred French village. See living history at its best! Held annually the first full weekend in June.
Photo Credit: MidAtlantic Air Museum
3. Reading Pagoda
A pagoda in PA? Yes! A seven-story high climbable Pagoda, in fact, where you can get a bird’s eye view of the City of Reading and over 4,000 acres of fields, forests, lakes and more. Sitting atop Mt. Penn for more than 100 years, the Pagoda will open your eyes to an earlier time in American history. Today, the beloved landmark sits at the crossroads of the region’s hiking and mountain biking trails. The Pagoda grounds are open year-round, from dawn to dusk, while the building is closed for maintenance. Open: Year-Round.
CrowdRiff image @knickknackJeff
4. Koziar's Christmas Village
Rekindle fond memories of Christmas in a village adorned with thousands of festive, colorful holiday lights. Get into the holiday spirit with food, shopping and fun in the Village’s cozy lakeside setting. Come for a special visit with Santa, who makes the long trek from the North Pole to greet visiting children each year. Open: Winter Season.
5. Kutztown Folk Festival
Discover a taste of Pennsylvania Dutch culture at this annual early summer folklife festival. It’s the oldest continually operated, one-of-its-kind event in the United States. The nine-day festival features PA Dutch craft demonstrations, folk and farm life, historical experiences, shopping, music, dancing and, of course, traditional foods. Open: Summer Season. See kutztownfestival.com for dates.
6. Colebrookdale Railroad
Travel back to a time when pioneers and patriots roamed the land! Colebrookdale Railroad, also known as the Secret Valley Line, was originally completed by soldiers home from the Civil War. Today the beautifully restored Edwardian-era train offers festive and themed excursions throughout the year. Within Colebrookdale’s 16 miles of roundtrip runs you’ll witness a century’s worth of history. Open: Year-Round.
Photo Credit: Colebrookdale Railroad
7. Berks Jazz Fest
Put a swing in your step at this 10-day extravaganza, which brings jazz enthusiasts from around the world to Greater Reading each spring. Musicians at the top of their game and up-and-coming artists perform at ticketed and free events to the delight of dedicated jazz fans. Top-notch talent and an army of volunteers make this festival one of the best around. Open: Spring Season. See BerksJazzFest.com for dates.
Photo Credit: Soul Imagery
8. Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest
Get to the bottom of a beer stein (or two) at the Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest. It’s the oldest and largest German fall festival in Pennsylvania, featuring a huge spread of traditional German fare and beers. Dance to live music throughout the festive weekend. USA Today named Reading Liederkranz the best Oktoberfest in the nation and CBS Philadelphia rated it a “Philly Top Spot.” Open: Fall Season. See readingliederkranz.com for dates.
9. Maple Grove Raceway
Get your heart racing watching the world’s fastest accelerating machines! Nestled among 457 acres of farmland and towering trees, Maple Grove Raceway features NHRA Drag Racing and auto events including jet-powered vehicles, street bike races, youth racing programs and exotic car driving experiences for non-professionals. Maple Grove also hosts concerts, flea markets and festivals. Open: April to November.
Photo Credit: Don Carrick
