They don’t call them the “dog days of summer” for nothing! It’s hot out and it’s just going to get hotter. The sizzling days of summer are just ahead but you don’t have to stay home to beat the heat. There are plenty of fun things to do in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region to keep cool in July and August. Here are a few of our favorites:
Crystal Cave – Head below ground to see stalactites, stalagmites, and pillar and dripstone formations in this natural miracle, which is a consistent 54 degrees thanks to Mother Nature’s own design. There’s also a café and ice cream parlor on site for a snack and a refreshing sweet treat. Play a round of miniature golf, visit the gift shop, or pan for gemstones.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – While taking a hike on a hot day might seem like the exact OPPOSITE of cooling down, the large trees overhead will shade you from the sun, and the higher you climb the cooler and fresher the air will be. Not to mention the panoramic view will be well worth the hike! This refuge for birds of prey is the best place to witness the annual hawk migration star
ting in August. Keep cool and catch nature's amazing airshow!
Reading Public Museum & Neag Planetarium – prefer to be indoors when it’s hot out? Then surround yourself with the art in this museum’s collection of more than 300,000 artworks, antiquities, cultural and natural artifacts, including original works by Degas, Rodin, and Warhol. Next door at the planetarium see daily shows on the constellations, the moon, and stars.
Local breweries – Sipping on suds is always a relaxing way to cool down in summer, and Berks County is home to some great craft breweries. Stop by Stoudts Brewing Company, Chatty Monks Brewing Company, for tours, samples and a pint or two. Check out this blog post for some other local suggestions.
Swimming and boating – Grab a kayak or take a dip in a local lake for a natural way to keep cool with the kids this summer. Hit the beach at Blue Marsh Lake and bring along a picnic meal to enjoy at one of the picnic tables with grills nearby. The lake’s three boat launches will help you put your boat or kayak in the water for a day of fishing or paddling around. Or opt to take a dip in the pool by Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park, which has a concession stand and picnic pavilion on site. Or bring along your boat and enjoy some fishing or cruising around the lake.
Check out more ways to stay cool by exploring the Eat, Stay and Shop tabs on the homepage of our website, then tell us how you plan to keep cool this summer.