Southeast Reading - Reading, PA Area Guide

Founded in 1748, the town of Reading was mapped out by Richard and Thomas Penn, the sons of Pennsylvania founder William Penn. The town is named after a town in Berkshire, England -- a hub during the medieval period that contained the Reading Abbey, which was built in 1121. In 1752, Reading became the county seat of Berks County. Reading played a major role in the American Revolution due to its strong iron industry. These factories were able to supply George Washington's troops with ammunitions, rifles, and cannons. During the war, it nearly became the emergency national capital during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 -- a devastating epidemic that killed about 5,000 Philadelphia residents. President Washington traveled to Reading, but chose Germantown as the temporary capital instead.

The yearly Kutztown Folk Festival features fun, food, and pageantry -- and it celebrates a rather dark event in Berks County history. In 1809, Susanna Cox, a German immigrant, was accused of murdering her infant son. Because she spoke little English, she was unable to defend herself in court. After a brief, one-day trial, Cox was sentenced to hang, and she was executed in the public square of Reading as residents watched. The hanging was so horrific that sympathy for the young woman grew, and a ballad was written about the event. During the festival, the ballad is read before a dramatic reenactment of the hanging -- the last woman hung in Berks County.

Reading features a variety of fascinating historic sites and districts, so be sure to take a walking tour once you find your Reading apartment. The Victorian Peter Wanner Mansion, built in 1889, was converted into apartments in the 1980s. The Wilhelm Mansion and Carriage House is another Victorian mansion with a multi-gabled roof and four chimneys. It was built in 1877. Stirling, a Gothic mansion built around 1890, serves as a bed and breakfast.

After work, Reading residents can relax and enjoy a meal at the Suburban Tavern and Restaurant. Located on Perkiomen Avenue, this restaurant, bar, and lounge is just the place to relax with a sit-down meal. The restaurant features mouth-watering appetizers, including spring rolls stuffed with black beans, jalapenos, and two different kinds of cheese.

Abigail's Tea Room brings a bit of the Victorian era to the southeast of Reading. From crystal chandeliers to stained-glass windows, this place makes you forget you're in Pennsylvania. The lunch menu includes tiny tea sandwiches and an assortment of quiches. This establishment also features a variety of vegetarian options. Tea is standard, but there's coffee on the menu too. If you simply must take something home, there's a shop in back that stocks plenty of tea-related items.

The Railroad House offers excellent food and a nod to southeast Reading's railway history. Larger-than-normal burgers are just the thing to satisfy a hearty appetite, and fresh-cut fries pair with this tasty treat perfectly. Don't forget to add fried mushrooms to the burger. The buffalo wings are to die for, so don't leave without ordering some. A new addition to the menu, the Irish cheese steak is a half pastrami and half corned beef amalgamation, providing an unexpected twist to a traditional sandwich. Dessert time calls for the much-touted cheesecake, or try the peanut butter pie and triple chocolate cake.

The East End Athletic Club is a misnomer, as the only working out to be done there is lifting mugs to mouths. This last vestige of the Mineral Springs Hotel serves as a preferred watering hole for locals. The mineral springs used to provide all the water for Reading, but now it's a place for east-enders to come and relax.

The Speckled Hen on South Fourth Street offers a bit more than band music. Dubbed "Reading's newest and oldest authentic neighborhood pub," this brewpub is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite. The rustic, 18th-century farmhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tiny log home was built in 1760, making it one of the oldest structures in Reading.

For live music events and more, the Santander Arena is a large venue featuring popular bands and sports events. The Miller Center for the Arts, located on the Reading Area Community College campus, holds the Downtown Performing Arts Series. Acts include violin concerts and famous dancing troupes.

In Reading, 39 percent of the resident live and work in the city. The Berks Area Region Transportation Authority transports another 34 percent to work and back home for a cost of less than $2. Downtown Reading is the bus hub for Bieber Bus Lines and Greyhound. Both modes of transportation bring residents back and forth to neighboring New York and Philadelphia. Prices start at $10. Bike riders are a common sight, especially around Reading Are Community College.

The commuter population makes good use of the many parking garages in the city, which are numerous and abundant. Most businesses offer free parking for the convenience of customers.

Berks County features nine large parks. These include Antietam Lake Park, which features hiking trails, pedestrian boardwalks, viewing platforms, and the Bingaman Nature Center. For a completely different park experience, visit the StoneCliffe Action Park, designed for skateboarders, in-line skaters, and BMX bikers. This park includes quarter pipes, a grind rail, a grind box, ramps, and more. Gring's Mill Recreation Area features the historic mill, an information center, six tennis courts, a ball field, an exercise course, a ranch-themed playground, volleyball, shuffleboard, and horseshoe pits. This park is also home to the Summer Concert Series, held at the amphitheater.

The Reading Fair hearkens back to days of old, providing a glimpse into the traditions of the area. A pie-eating contest draws a crowd and people anxiously wait for the crowning of the Reading Fair Queen. A fairway with rides attracts city dwellers who are new to fair-going. The Pennsylvania Dutch food and farm animals remind these visitors they aren't in New York or Philadelphia, but in southeast Reading.

The average cost of living in Southeast Reading is 12.3 percent less than the Pennsylvania average and 12.7 percent less than the national average, making it a fiscally comfortable place to live. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Reading starts at $600, and lots of rentals are available due to the city's college. Despite the low cost of living, gas prices run 10 percent higher than the national average.

Shillington Shopping Center contains several shops for neighborhood residents, including Family Dollar, Pet Supplies Plus, Shillington Farmers Market, and Sherwin-Williams.

Those looking for unique gifts head to Hello Bluebird on Penn Avenue. Stocking everything from deliciously scented candles to a gallery filled with artwork, this quaint shop truly proffers something for everyone in the neighborhood. Almost everything within its walls has been handcrafted.

A little farther down Penn Avenue sits A Running Start, a shop devoted solely to the love of running. Serving everyone from the novice jogger to competitive sprinters, the staff here truly knows their stuff. Friendly and full of advice, your salesperson can even special order items. Whether you plan to participate in a charity 5K or simply enjoy a brisk morning run, you can find everything from shoes to sweatbands here.

Although a bit far from the southeast, Grocery Outlet in Blandon makes a worthy destination. Recently expanded, a trip to this discount grocery store pays for itself in your savings on weekly groceries.

The Penn Street Market, an open-air market, sells fresh fruits and vegetables from surrounding farms. This market operates Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from June until October. Local musicians and handcrafted items make this market a little different from the rest.