Top 10 Things to Do

Let your curiosity run free as you broaden your horizons with new adventures in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. From city to countryside and main streets to mountains, Reading, and Berks County brim with curiosity and wonderfun for all ages. Experience our seasonal and hands-on arts & culture, entertainment, foodie events, festivals, outdoor adventures, and more— all year long!

Explore our Top 10 Things to Do or blaze your own path. Stay for a day or a whole week. Let curiosity be your guide to wonderfun and memorable times with us.
Check out our Calendar of Events too!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Pennsylvania's Americana Region is an outdoor adventure traveler's dream with amazing places to hike, bike, kayak, and do whatever you like to do best outside. Our mountain biking trails offer over 125 miles of off-road experiences for all skill levels, including adaptive riders. Or, hit the road for scenic excursions, uphill challenges, and fast-paced treks across Berks County. If you prefer your boots to a couple of wheels, hike to picture-perfect spots on easy-to-difficult trails. And who needs an ocean when you can fish, swim, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and water ski on our many waterways?

Open year-round

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-December, Hawk Mountain is one of the best places in North America to watch the annual raptor migration.

Open year-round

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

KUTZTOWN FOLK FESTIVAL

Eat til you ouch! 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 U.S. The nine-day festival features PA Dutch craft demonstrations, folk and farm life, historical experiences, shopping, music, dancing, and of course, traditional foods.

Summer Season — See our website for dates

Children watch a show at the Kutztown Folk Festival

BERKS JAZZ FEST

Put a swing in your step at this 10-day extravaganza, which brings jazz enthusiasts from around the world to Berks County 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.

Spring Season — See our website for dates

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 over 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

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.”

Fall Season — See our website for dates

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.

Open year-round

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 – November

KOZIAR’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

Make fond holiday memories at Koziar's Christmas Village. The cozy village brightens the winter skies with thousands of festive and colorful lights. You're sure to feel the holiday spirit as you walk the grounds of the twinkling wonderland, complete with a train, a kissing bridge, festive shops, and plenty of fun activities. Be sure to stop for a special visit with Santa, who makes the long trek from the North Pole each year to greet and pose for pictures with children.

Winter Season - See our website for date

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