Popular Vacation Spots in Pennsylvania

If you are traveling to Reading for the first time, the city is known as the 'Shopping Capital of the World' due to its incredible variety of shopping outlets scattered along the city.

Apart from shopping opportunities, Reading PA features many inner city parks, lakes and a couple of state parks within a short distance where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing and boating.

If you are using car rental and are planning on exploring nearby cities, Reading PA is only an hour’s drive from Hershey Pennsylvania, Lancaster PA and Philadelphia PA.

Additionally, Reading PA is also within driving range of New York City, New Jersey, Maryland and Wilmington Delaware in Delaware State.

Things to do in Reading PA: Outdoor Activities

Hiking & Fishing

Berks County Parks

The city of Reading PA is home to around ten city parks, lakes and state parks, where you can enjoy a myriad of recreational activities.

Fishing opportunities can be found at both Antietam Lake and Kaercher Creek Park.

Antietam Lake is the closest to the city center, located 4 miles north east of the city center; while Kaercher Creek Park is located 20 miles north of Reading PA in the town of Hamburg.

If you’re traveling with the family and are planning on doing other activities apart from fishing, Kaercher Creek Park is your best bet.

The park also features a launching ramp for boats, fishing docks, electricity hook-ups, picnic and grill areas, playgrounds for kids and walking trails.

Nolde Forest State Park

Another excellent place where you can explore the outdoors and enjoy hiking trails is at Nolde Forest State Park.

This state park is only a 10 minute drive by car, and offers miles of easy trails through beautiful woodland.

Camping & Biking

If you are an avid mountain biker or are looking to camp out during your trip to Reading PA, French Creek State Park offers plenty of challenging biking and hiking opportunities.

The state park is also home to a campground that has amenities such as toilets, showers and electricity hook-ups.

French Creek State Park is only 17 miles south of Reading PA and it takes about 20 minutes drive to get there.

Cycling & Walking

If you and your family enjoy cycling and walking outings, two popular walking and cycling trails include:

- The Union Canal Trail, which runs along the Schuylkill River from Montgomery Street to Camp Joy through beautiful natural scenery.

- The Schuylkill River Trail - Thun Trail, which spans over 100 miles from Tamaqua to Philadelphia PA, passing through Reading PA.

Things to do in Reading PA: Places of Interest

Pagoda

One of the most historic and recognizable landmarks in Reading PA, it’s the Pagoda, which was built on the slope of Mount Penn in 1910 to resemble a Japanese Pagoda.

The fourth floor of this five-story pagoda is open to the public and features a gift shop and museum.

GoggleWorks Center

If you love anything to do with art and want to spend a fun day out, the GoggleWorks Center is one of the most popular things to do in Reading PA.

The GoggleWorks Center, located along Washington Street, features art galleries such as glass art works, as well as Sunday workshops you can join where you can learn the art of glass blowing and jewelry-making.

Reading Public Museum

If you are looking for more things to do in Reading PA with kids, the Reading Public Museum is another must-visit attraction worth adding to the Reading PA itinerary.

The museum is located along Museum Park, and features fun educational programs, a planetarium and an arboretum.

Things to do in Reading PA: Shopping

If you are a shopping enthusiast, Reading PA is home to many outlets and malls where you can find many bargains.

For instance, in West Reading, you can find VF Outlet and Berkshire Mall, which are located a short drive of Reading's city center.

And, in the neighborhood of Laureldale (north of Reading PA), you can find Fairgrounds Square Shopping Mall

Things to do in Reading PA: Nightlife & Entertainment

The downtown area of Reading PA is the hotspot for nightlife in the city and it is here where you'll find many bars, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs such as 1402 Bar & Nightclub located along 9th Street, Al’s Diamond Cabaret along 5th Street and El Tapatio along Walnut Street.

If you enjoy movies, the A-1 Cinema Center‎ at the Fairgrounds Square Shopping Mall it’s one of the biggest cinema complex in town, with over ten screens and stadium-style seating.

Things to do in Reading PA: Events & Festivals

“Go Fly A Kite!" Day

If you are visiting Reading PA in April, the 'Go Fly A Kite!' Day event is one of the most popular spring events in Berks County, and one event not to be missed if you are traveling with the family.

At the 'Go Fly A Kite!' Day event, you can participate in kite events, watch kite demonstrations and even learn how to fly a kite.

Children’s Fishing Rodeo

The Children’s Fishing Rodeo event is another popular family event that happens in May at Hunsicker's Grove in Mertztown, which is just half-hour drive from the city center.

If you’ve always wanted to enjoy a family fishing trip, the Children’s Fishing Rodeo is a great event where kids can learn fishing techniques.

Fiddle Festival

If you are a Bluegrass music fan, the Fiddle Festival showcases popular Bluegrass artists on an open stage at the Heritage Center in May.


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Popular Vacation Spots in Pennsylvania

Lancaster PA is located approximately at the half-way point between Hershey Pennsylvania and Philadelphia PA.

In fact, if you’re looking for things to do in Lancaster PA area, the city is just an hour’s drive from Hershey Pennsylvania and Philadelphia PA, making Lancaster PA an ideal holiday base for exploring the south east of Pennsylvania State.

Lancaster PA is also within a short drive from Smoketown and Lancaster airports, making the city easily and conveniently accessible by air.

If you are planning on exploring nearby states, Lancaster PA is just a couple of hours from things to do in Maryland, Washington DC and fun things to do in Delaware.

In fact, Lancaster is only a couple of hours drive from Bethesda Maryland Attractions, things to do in Baltimore Maryland and fun things to do in Wilmington Delaware.

Things to do in Lancaster PA: Outdoor Activities

Water Activities

Boating & Fishing

If you enjoy water activities such as fishing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, both the Susquehanna and Conestoga (class 1 river) rivers are only a short drive from Lancaster PA.

The town of Columbia PA (20 minutes car ride from Lancaster) is located along the Susquehanna River and offers many spots where you can launch your canoe or Kayak.

One such spot is Chickies Rock County Park, which is only 5 minutes drive from the town of Columbia PA.

If you’re traveling with the family and would like to enjoy a canoeing trip, there are a few outfitters in town which offer canoeing tours to suit families.

Fishing-wise, there are creeks nearby Chickies Rock Park where you can enjoy fly-fishing opportunities such as Chiques Creek and Donegal Creek.

Recreational Areas

Central Park

If you are looking to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities with the family, Central Park is one of the best places in Lancaster PA.

Central Park is located a short drive from downtown Lancaster PA and offers hiking, horseback riding, swimming, picnicking and camping opportunities.

In particular, if you are looking for things to do in Lancaster PA with kids in the summer, County Pool at Central Park features a massive swimming pool with water slides and a shallow wading area.

Chickies Rock County Park

If you want to enjoy a bit of natural scenery, Chickies Rock County Park is actually a woodland and natural meadow with natural trails where you can enjoy hiking and bird spotting.

The park features and impressive rock formation, which gives name to the park, and offers lovely views of the area around and the Susquehanna River.

The park also features playing areas and open spaces where you can enjoy a nice picnic.

Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park

If you and your family love amusement parks, Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park is only 10 minutes drive from Lancaster’s city center and offers fun rides for both adults and kids, as well as puppet shows, dance shows and more.

Winery Tour

If you are a wine enthusiast, taking a winery tour is another activity you can add to your Lancaster PA itinerary.

For instance, Nissley Winery is a family owned winery located 20 miles west of Lancaster PA (30 minutes drive) which offers wine tasting tours seven days a week.

Things to do in Lancaster PA: Places of Interest

Demuth Museum

If you are an arts enthusiast and a fan of Charles Demuth work, in particular, the museum features a permanent collection of Charles Demuth original works.

Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum

The Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum is also located along East King Street and not far from Demuth Museum.

If you love quilts, the Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum is an impressive place which showcases amazing Amish quilt works.

Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster

Another popular thing to do in Lancaster PA with kids; it’s to visit the Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster.

The museum is located 4 miles north of Lancaster’s city center (10 minutes car ride), and it’s an educational place where kids can enjoy a multitude of fun and interactive activities.

Landis Valley Museum

If you are visiting the Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster, it is worth adding the Landis Valley Museum to the itinerary as it is nearby the children’s museum.

The Landis Valley is an excellent place where you can learn more about Lancaster’s inventions and how rifles were made by gunsmiths in the 18th century.

Rock Ford Plantation

Lancaster PA is home to many historic landmarks, and they don’t come more historic than the Rock Ford Plantation, which is located in Central Park.

This 18th century plantation is open to the public for tours where you can see artifacts from the time, giving you a glimpse of live in a plantation back then.

Things to do in Lancaster PA: Shopping

For a bit of upscale shopping, Park City Center offers over 100 specialty stores to choose from such as Apple Bebe, Hollister Co and H&M.

This shopping center also features many dining options and steak houses such as Longhorn steak house.

Another excellent place for shopping opportunities it’s at the historic Central Market where you can purchase popular handmade Amish goods, arts and craft, and local produce such as cakes, meats and more.

Things to do in Lancaster PA: Nightlife & Entertainment

The downtown area of Lancaster is heart of the city’s nightlife where you’ll find all types of bars, pubs and clubs to suit every taste.

The main streets where you’ll find nightlife are Water Street, King Street, Chestnut Street and Walnut Street.

For instance, one of the most popular nightclubs in town is the Chameleon Club, which is located along North Water Street.

If you prefer a night of opera and performing arts with a historical feel, the Fulton Theater is the oldest running theater in the USA. The theater features quality productions such as the Eichmann Family and Fulton Cabaret Series

Things to do in Lancaster PA: Events & Festivals

Summer Music Series

One of the best times to travel to Lancaster PA is during the summer when you can catch many summer family events such as Summer Music Series held at Long’s Park.

The event is held every Sunday between June and August and features a myriad of live performances from local artists.

Long’s Park Arts and Crafts Festival

If you are a fan of arts and crafts, the Long’s Park Arts and Crafts Festival features the finest artists and craftsmen from across the USA and Canada.

The Long’s Park Arts and Crafts Festival takes place each Labor Day weekend at Long’s Park.

Sertoma Chicken BBQ

The Sertoma Chicken BBQ is one of the most popular family events in Lancaster’s calendar, and it is actually the largest chicken barbecue event in the world.

The event costs around $8 in advance and features live entertainment and plenty of chicken dinners.

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Popular Vacation Spots in Pennsylvania

Hershey Pennsylvania is a great destination for fun affordable family vacations, and it is only a couple of hours drive from places to visit in Philadelphia.

Hershey Pennsylvania: Things to do

* Hershey Pennsylvania is home to the popular Hersey Park where you can enjoy fun family outdoor activities.

* Apart from visiting Hershey Park, another popular thing to do in Hershey Pennsylvania is to take a ride on a Hershey Trolley car.

A Hershey trolley car is a fun and educational tour on an old fashioned trolley car, where you get to visit the Hershey Chocolate factory and learn how Mr. Hershey started the chocolate business.


In terms of accommodation, two great suggestions are Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge which features its own golf course, tennis courts and a miniature golf for the kids. 

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