Reading, PA Road Trips

Reading is a very old and historic city. It was once home to one of the largest railway systems in the country (where the familiar Reading Railroad from the Monopoly board comes from) which radiated in all directions from the City of Reading. The construction of the railroad was probably the single greatest factor in the development of Berks County. While Reading has experienced an economic downturn, efforts are being made to try to revitalize the city's downtown area with such projects as the Sovereign Center, the Sovereign Performing Arts Center, the Miller Center, the Goggle Works Center for the Arts, and the Reading Movies 11, which includes an IMAX theater. Today, Reading is a city pulsating with industrial life. It is also well equipped with agencies that represent civilization at its best-churches, hospitals, clubs, fraternal societies, recreational centers, schools and colleges, a historical society, an art institute, and a daily newspaper. Reading claims the distinction of a symphony orchestra, two choral societies, a chamber musical ensemble, a civic opera company, and many other excellent music groups that have contributed to the city's prestige as a center of art and culture. Reading is not only an excellent place to visit because of what it has to offer but also because it is close to other popular destinations.

1 Central Pennsylvania African-American Museum, 119 N 10th St, ☏ +1 610-371-8713. In the old AME Church (the sixth one in the world) and features a hidden tunnel from the Underground Railroad used by escaping slaves during the pre-Civil War era. (updated Jan 2018) 2 Goggle Works Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St, ☏ +1 610-374-4600. A large arts center built out of a factory that used to manufacture goggles for World War II. It boasts frequent art exhibitions as well as a very wide variety of art studios and classes. It also has a small theater that shows independent films. (updated Jan 2018) 3 Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Rd, ☏ +1 610-371-5850. Houses a modest collection of exhibits from around the world, most notably a mummy. There's also a planetarium and a botanical garden on the grounds. Many brides from the area choose to have their wedding pictures taken in the gardens. (updated Jan 2018) Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. Located just North of Reading in Hamburg, features a model train layout and various other exhibits devoted to the history and preservation of the Reading Railroad. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays year-round. The Golden Age Air Museum. In the far reaches of Berks County; nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Bethel, Pennsylvania, features many antique airplanes, most built before 1930, and many still flown today. The museum offers Barnstorming Biplane rides and Flying Circus Air Show several times per year. Every September, the Lions Club hosts an antique car show in Strausstown; Directly off of I-78.

There are a few sports clubs around, along with the Santander Arena which houses many sporting events including the Reading Royals, the local hockey team and the Reading Express, an IFL indoor football team. It first opened its doors in September of 2001 and began hosting several different events. The center has attracted many famous artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, the Blue Man Group, Matchbox 20, the American Idol Tour, Rod Stewart, Kid Rock, and Clay Aikan. The Sovereign Performing Arts Center also hosts many traveling productions such as the Nutcracker around the holidays and the Reading Symphony orchestra, a surprisingly excellent group given the town it's in. The Reading Comedy Outlet (cleverly named for Reading's famous shopping centers), at Hiester's lanes Bowling and Billiards, has been serving the Reading area since 1992. The Reading Phillies, the minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, play out of FirstEnergy Stadium. The stadium is one of the oldest minor league stadiums and is regarded as one of the finest facilities in the nation. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, a diverse collection of military and civilian aircraft, as well as the active restoration of a World War II P-61 Black Widow. Every June the museum hosts 'WWII Weekend', a traveling collection of wartime aircraft, weapons, and wartime vehicles. There are also many golf courses in the Reading area. One in particular is The Reading Country Club. It is 18 holes in the outskirts of Reading in Exeter Township. It is a challenging public course measuring 6,1612 yards and a par of 71.

Until the mid-1990s, Reading was the home of Joe's Restaurant - a humbly named eatery owned by Joe Czarnecki; Whose passion for fine wine and mushroom delicacies created a definitive cook book, "Joe's Book of Mushroom Cookery" and transformed the family business into a world renowned institution of fine dining. It was in 1996, after Joe's passing, the family moved the restaurant to the Palmer House in Dayton, Oregon. Reading has a resurging dining scene with many locally owned ethnic restaurants. 1 Jimmy Kramer's Peanut Bar, 332 Penn St, ☏ +1 610-376-8500. The place where local reporters and politicians have often met. In existence for almost 100 years, the bar allows patrons to throw peanut shells on the floor. (updated Feb 2018) There are many other wonderful dining options including: The Stokesay Castle is a gourmet offering. Notable among the 13th-century Scottish castle's architecture is Andrea Heinly, a Hell's Kitchen contestant and chef on staff. Another excellent option for fine dining is Judy's on Cherry. For Vietnamese food Lang Restaurant at 22 N 6th St is a delicious choice. Privately owned, the restaurant offers well prepared traditional dishes paired with a pleasant atmosphere. When you leave the city, Penn Street continues under the name Penn Avenues and your dining opportunities do not stop either. Go Fish! is a great seafood market and sushi bar in West Reading. Dine in or take out. 622 Penn Ave, West Reading.

Many corners of Reading house small bars and pubs, if you're feeling adventurous. Winedown Cafe & Wine Bar, 622 Penn Ave, West Reading, has a very relaxed atmosphere for wine lovers. Penn Ave in West Reading. 1 The Speckled Hen, 30 South 4th street, ☏ +1 610 685-8511. Can accommodate private parties and offers a wide selection of traditional dishes. (updated Feb 2018) 2 3rd & Spruce Cafe, 238 S 3rd Ave (3rd & Spruce), ☏ +1 610 376-5254. A bar and restaurant in Reading which has been a local landmark for over 60 years. Offering a casual atmosphere with daily food and drink specials, their kitchen is open seven days a week until midnight. (updated Jan 2018) Building 24 Kitchen & Bar, 1115 Bern Road, Wyomissing, ☏ +1 610 375-2700. Set in a renovated turn-of-the-century factory is a dining and entertainment hot spot. The restaurant features upscale cuisine, classic cocktails, an excellent microbrew selection, a diverse wine menu, and open air dining with an expansive covered deck and bar area. Building 24's entertainment area features a cutting edge light and sound system, four bars, VIP section, with regional and national entertainment. Brewer's Bar & Grill, 101 South 3rd Avenue, West Reading, ☏ +1 610 375-8760. Brewer's Bar & Grill is a hoppin' sports bar and restaurant in West Reading. Brewer's takes you back deep into the history of Reading Brewery's before & after prohibition. Memorabilia from these decades can be found hanging on every wall.

1 Homewood Suites by Hilton, 2801 Papermill Road, ☏ +1 610 736-3100. The Homewoodsuites offer complimentary breakfast and beverage areas, a fitness room, and a pool. (updated Feb 2018) 2 Candlewood Suites Reading, 55 S 3rd Ave, ☏ +1 610 898-1910. The Candlewood suites offer a 24-hour health/fitness center and a convenience store. (updated Jan 2018) Twin Turrets Inn, 11 E. Philadelphia Ave, Boyertown, ☏ +1 610 367-4513. 1860 Victorian has all the amenities, antiques throughout. Thick robes and thirsty towels compliment your private bath. Breakfast at your convenience in your suite, dining room, patio or gardens. Golf, baseball, antiques and Reading Outlets nearby. Mobil and AAA recommended. For visitors interested in a more intimate experience Reading offers some very quaint bed and breakfasts which are in close proximity to many of the most visited attractions. 3 The Gables At Overlook Mansion Bed & Breakfast, 620 Centre Ave, ☏ +1 610-373-1522. Aside from being in one of the most historic areas of Reading, this B&B offers complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day and beautiful grounds where visitors can sit outside on warm days. 4 The Inn at Centre Park, 730 Centre Ave, ☏ +1 610-374-8557. It's in a historic Victorian style mansion in one of Reading's oldest neighborhoods. Every room is uniquely and beautifully decorated and there are many activities offered on the grounds daily. (updated Feb 2018)

Reading is close to both Philadelphia International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE IATA) in Allentown. Reading is served by many major bus services such as OurBus, FlixBus, and Uptown Vans. FlixBus and OurBus stop at fixed points in Downtown Reading on routes from Midtown Manhattan, while Uptown Vans offers a combination of fixed stops and door-to-door service on routes from Newark Airport, Union City, and Upper Manhattan/Bronx. Reading is served by US-222, US-422, PA-61, PA-176, and PA-183. From the Lehigh Valley, Northern New Jersey, and New York City, take I-78 west to Exit 54A, then proceed southeast on US-222. From Central New Jersey, head west to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and take exit 298 (Morgantown) to I-176 then US-422 northwest. From Philadelphia, take I-76 west to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, then proceed as above. From western Pennsylvania, take the Pennsylvania Turnpike east to exit 286 (Reading).

BARTA, the Berks Area Reading Transit Authority, runs buses in Reading and throughout the Berks Region. Base fare is $1.70, transfers are $.25. The central hub for local and regional bus lines is 1 BARTA Transportation Center, at 701 Franklin St. There are many taxi cab services that offer 24-hour transportation around Reading. Reading Yellow Cab: +1 610 374-5111 Grab A Cab: +1 610 478-1111

While Reading's crime rate has been falling, it is much higher than the national average. Reading has experienced gang-related crime. The city violent crime rate for Reading in 2016 was higher than the national violent crime rate average by 71.17% and the city property crime rate in Reading was higher than the national property crime rate average by 6.48%.