Reading
Around Reading
Photo: Pub. by Berkshire News Company · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Pennsylvania · 439k people
Reading
Locals say Berks County · “Baseballtown”, “Pretzel City”
Where the hills roll and the pretzels are always soft.
Fightin Phils Red
Welcome to Berks County, where the Pagoda watches over the city and the covered bridges lead you into rolling farmland. Whether you're here for a Fightin Phils game or a soft pretzel, you'll find a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Come say hello – we're glad you're here.
Clubs for Reading
No clubs for Reading yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Reading. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Reading. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- The Pagoda Iconic Japanese-style tower on Mount Penn with panoramic views
- Reading Public Museum Art, science, and natural history collections
- Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Vintage aircraft and WWII history
- Blue Marsh Lake Army Corps lake for boating, fishing, and trails
- French Creek State Park Largest state park in Berks, with hiking and camping
- Santander Arena Home of the Reading Royals and concerts
- Outdoors Hiking at French Creek State Park
- Outdoors Boating and fishing at Blue Marsh Lake
- With kids Visit the Reading Public Museum
- With kids Catch a Fightin Phils game
- Evenings Catch a Reading Royals game
- Evenings First Friday art walks
- Locals love Outlet malls
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Reading Fightin Phils home games April–September Double-A baseball at FirstEnergy Stadium, April–September
- Reading Royals home games October–April ECHL hockey at Santander Arena, October–April
- World War II Weekend June Vintage aircraft and reenactments at Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, June
- First Friday in downtown Reading First Friday of each month Monthly arts walk with galleries and live music
- Berks County Fair August Agricultural fair with rides and exhibits at Leesport, August
Reading has four distinct seasons – hot, humid summers; cold, snowy winters; and pleasant springs and falls. The best time to be out is from April to June and September to October. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temperatures and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Redd up”
- Clean up or tidy
- “Outen”
- Turn off (a light or appliance)
- “Slippy”
- Slippery
- “Crick”
- Creek
Getaways
- Lancaster Amish country, farmers markets, and Dutch food
- Lehigh Valley Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton – music, arts, and the SteelStacks
- Philadelphia Big-city museums, food, and history
- Pottsville Yuengling brewery and coal region heritage
Local flavour
Teams
- Reading Fightin Phils Eastern League (AA)
- Reading Royals ECHL
Also rooting for Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Soft pretzels A local staple, often sold warm from street vendors and bakeries.
- Shoofly pie A molasses-based Pennsylvania Dutch dessert.
- Scrapple A breakfast meat made from pork scraps and cornmeal, a Pennsylvania Dutch classic.
- Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie A hearty stew with wide noodles, not a crusted pie.
Where people go
- Outlet malls The area is a major outlet shopping destination, drawing visitors from across the region.
- Farmers markets Rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, offering fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts.
- Covered bridges
- The Pagoda on Mount Penn A Japanese-style pagoda that serves as a beloved landmark and viewpoint.
Heritage and traditions
Reading and Berks County are proud of their deep Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, from the rolling farmland and hex signs to the world-famous pretzel industry, and of being a welcoming, working-class city with a rich industrial history and a vibrant Hispanic community today.
This time of year in Reading
- Apple picking Fall Local orchards open for picking.
- Oktoberfest at the Liederkranz Fall German celebration with food and music.
Say it like a local: “redd up” — clean up
Festivals
- Kutztown Folk Festival June/July Celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch culture with crafts, food, and music.
- Berks Jazz Fest April A week-long jazz festival with national and local acts.
- Reading Liederkranz German Festival June German food, music, and dance at the Liederkranz grounds.
- Greek Food Festival May Greek cuisine and culture at the Greek Orthodox church.
- Puerto Rican Day Parade September Celebrates the city's large Puerto Rican community.
- Oley Valley Community Fair September A traditional farm fair with livestock and local produce.
Landmarks with a story
- Daniel Boone Homestead Birthplace of frontiersman Daniel Boone, now a museum.
- Conrad Weiser Homestead Home of colonial interpreter and peacemaker Conrad Weiser.
- Oley Valley Well-preserved Pennsylvania Dutch farmhouses and barns.
- First Reformed Church Oldest church in Reading, founded in 1733.
- Reading Liederkranz A historic German singing society with a performing hall.
- Reading's Historic District Victorian-era architecture and old churches.
Food traditions
- Schnitz un knepp A Pennsylvania Dutch dish of dried apples, ham, and dumplings.
- Chow chow A pickled vegetable relish, often served with meals.
- Whoopie pies A classic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert of two chocolate cakes with cream filling.
- Apple butter Slow-cooked apple spread, often made in large batches in the fall.
- Lebanon bologna A smoked, sweet bologna popular in the region, though originating nearby.
Music and arts
- Pennsylvania Dutch folk art Hex signs and fraktur are traditional painted designs.
- Reading Liederkranz Preserves German music and culture.
- Berks Jazz Fest Annual jazz festival.
- Reading Symphony Orchestra Local classical orchestra.
A little history
- 1748 1748
- 1748 Reading founded by Thomas Penn, named after Reading, England.
- 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch (German) immigrants settle the area, bringing farming and crafts.
- 19th century Industrial boom with iron, steel, and railroads; Reading Railroad becomes major.
- 1908 The Pagoda is built on Mount Penn, becoming a symbol.
Rivalries
- Reading Fightin Phils vs. Harrisburg Senators Eastern League baseball rivalry
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Tailgating at FirstEnergy Stadium
- Outdoors Apple picking
- Outdoors Exploring the Oley Valley
- With kids Daniel Boone Homestead
- With kids Berks County Heritage Center
Locals speak with a Mid-Atlantic accent influenced by Pennsylvania Dutch English, with phrases like 'outen the light' and 'redd up'. Some Spanish is also common due to the large Hispanic community.
Only here
- Reading is the 'Pretzel Capital of the World'.
- The Oley Valley is known for its unique Pennsylvania Dutch barns.
- The Reading Liederkranz is one of the oldest German singing societies in the US.
- The city has a large Puerto Rican community, making it a hub for Latin culture in central PA.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the Pennsylvania Dutch culture: try a whoopie pie and learn a few words like 'redd up'.
- Be prepared for traffic on Route 222, especially during rush hour.
- Summer can be hot and humid; winter brings snow and ice.
- The city has a strong Hispanic community; you'll hear Spanish spoken.
- Don't miss the Pagoda at sunset for a great view.
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Part of Greater Philadelphia
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Reading, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.