Why Reading
Reading is the county seat of Berks County, situated in southeastern Pennsylvania roughly 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia and nearly 39 miles southwest of Allentown. Bounded by the Schuylkill River to the west, Mount Penn to the east, and Neversink Mountain to the south, it stands as the fourth-most populous city in the state. The surrounding landscape features rolling terrain and numerous family-owned farms, framing a urban core that serves as the center of the Greater Reading region.
Originally inhabited by the Lenape people, the town site was mapped out in 1743 by Thomas and Richard Penn alongside Conrad Weiser, officially establishing in 1748. Early settlement was dominated by German immigrants who introduced the Pennsylvania Dutch language and established early Amish communities. During the American Revolution, Reading became an essential military supply depot and a major hub for iron manufacturing. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, local canals and the Reading Railroad drove industrial expansion by carrying anthracite coal to East Coast ports, earning the railroad lasting fame as a property in the classic Monopoly board game.
Today, the city retains a distinct cultural identity tied to its heritage and outdoor recreation. Reading is widely known as "The Pretzel City" due to its historic density of pretzel bakeries, including brands such as Bachman, Dieffenbach, Tom Sturgis, and Unique Pretzel. The city also pioneered factory outlet shopping as a tourist draw. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region offers over 125 miles of multi-use trails spread across five major preserves, earning recognition as an International Mountain Bicycling Association ride center.
Visitors to Reading can explore several prominent cultural institutions. Destinations like the GoggleWorks Art Gallery, the Reading Public Museum, and the Historical Society of Berks County showcase regional art, science, and historical artifacts. Classical music is supported by long-standing organizations such as the Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Reading Choral Society. Historic landmarks include the Charles Evans Cemetery, founded in the 1840s, which houses prominent local monuments including an 1887 memorial dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Reading experiences a four-season climate with warm, humid summers and variable winters. Summer high temperatures in July average roughly 86.5 degrees Fahrenheit, while January sees average highs near 38.6 degrees alongside an average annual snowfall of about 25 inches. Autumn brings milder conditions and lower humidity, with the first freezing temperatures typically arriving in late October, while total annual precipitation measures just over 45 inches.
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