If you’re experiencing a little cabin fever and just want to experience nature this winter, bundle up and head outdoors in the beautiful Pennsylvania’s Americana Region! There is so much to do and see here!
Take a Winter Trail Walk
The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, PA offers more than eight miles of breathtaking hiking trails that vary in both length and difficulty, so be sure to choose a trail that fits your experience level.
During your winter trek, you’re almost sure to encounter incredible views of snow-covered scenery and beautiful wildlife like winter songbirds in their natural habitat.
Please note that while the Sanctuary is open for winter hiking, trails are not maintained for winter weather. It’s advisable that patrons dress appropriately for winter weather, wear cleats, carry a daypack with supplies, and use walking poles.
Explore a Historic District
While not strictly a winter activity, the Centre Park Historic District in Reading is especially beautiful at this time of year, as it’s pristine architecture, beautiful carriage houses and stately “country” mansions can attest.
When wealthy industrialists in the 1850s began to settle in the Berks County area, Centre Avenue became a fashionable address. Today, it remains as one of the most desirable places to live in the Reading area.
This winter, take a walking tour through this gracious and historic neighborhood as you experience elegant bed and breakfast locales and lovely Queen Anne style homes strategically painted to show off their unbelievable architectural details.
Follow a Monument Trail
The Berks County Monument Trail is also not exclusive to the winter season, but its striking statues and stone memorials are a thing of beauty when seen against an icy winter landscape.
Begin your journey at Penn’s Common at City Park in Reading, which features more monuments and memorials per acre than anywhere else in Berks County, and is home to the newly rehabilitated Veterans’ Memorial Grove.
Afterward, travel on to encounter the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, the First Defender’s Memorial, the Korean Veterans’ Memorial, the World War II Veterans’ Memorial, the Artillerists’ Memorial, the Submariners’ Memorial, the Desert Storm Veterans’ Memorial and tree, and the Women Veterans’ Memorial.
Cap it all off with the elusive FDR memorial, which is a tough find located near the railroad tracks at the far northeastern tip of Morwood Avenue in West Wyomissing. Unfortunately, not much is known about this statue’s origins, but those lucky enough to find it are in for a treat.