Best Museums in Reading, PA
Looking for museums in Reading? Below you'll find 7 local options with their address, phone number, website and opening hours, plus practical advice on choosing the right one.
What they do: Art, history, science and children's museums. Many offer free days and discounts for students and families.
This guide lists 7 museums in and around Reading, spread across 5 ZIP codes. 3 have a phone number you can call directly from this page, 5 link to their own website, 4 are open on weekends. Listings are organized so you can compare them at a glance and contact them directly.
Top 7 Museums in Reading
Listings are shown in no paid order: no business can pay to appear or to rank higher on this page.
1 Reading Science Center
- Address 645 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19601
- Phone (484) 878-2112
- Website readingsciencecenter.org
Opening hours
| Tue | 10 AM-4 PM |
|---|---|
| Sat | 10 AM-4 PM |
2 Reading Area Firefighters Museum
- Address 501 South 5th Street, Reading, PA 19602
- Phone (484) 525-0590
- Website readingareafirefightersmuseum.com
Opening hours
| Mon | "by appointment" |
|---|---|
| Tue | "by appointment" |
| Wed | "by appointment" |
| Thu | 9 AM-12 PM |
| Fri | "by appointment" |
| Sat | 10 AM-2 PM |
| Sun | "by appointment" |
3 Reading Public Museum
- Address 500 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611
- Website readingpublicmuseum.org
Opening hours
| Mon | 11 AM-5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 11 AM-5 PM |
| Wed | 11 AM-5 PM |
| Thu | 11 AM-5 PM |
| Fri | 11 AM-5 PM |
| Sat | 11 AM-5 PM |
| Sun | 11 AM-5 PM |
4 Berks History Center
- Address 940 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19601
- Phone (610) 375-4375
- Website berkshistory.org
5 Berks County Military History Museum
- Address 198 East Wyomissing Avenue, Mohnton, PA 19540
- Website berksmilitary.weebly.com
Opening hours
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | Closed |
| Fri | Closed |
| Sat | 11 AM-1 PM |
| Sun | Closed |
How to choose museums in Reading
- Check seasonal hours, since many attractions change their schedule in winter.
- Look for discount days, family passes and membership options.
- Check parking and accessibility before you go.
- Pack for the weather. Pennsylvania weather changes quickly, especially in spring and fall.
- For state parks, check the DCNR website for alerts, closures and reservations.
Local tips for Reading
Reading's Department of Codes Services issues building permits and rental licenses, and contractors working in the city must be registered with the city as well as with the state.
Many Reading businesses are bilingual in English and Spanish, and a lot of services are clustered in the surrounding boroughs such as Wyomissing, West Reading and Shillington.
Reading is in Berks County, and local phone numbers use the 610 and 484 area codes. Popular areas include Downtown, Centre Park, Callowhill, Glenside, Millmont, Northeast Reading, Southside, Oakbrook.
Frequently asked questions
Which museums in Reading are open on weekends?
According to their listed hours, these are open on Saturday or Sunday: Reading Science Center, Reading Area Firefighters Museum, Reading Public Museum, Berks County Military History Museum. Hours can change on holidays, so call before you go.
Which areas of Reading do these museums cover?
The museums on this list are located in ZIP codes 19540, 19601, 19602, 19605, 19611. Many businesses also serve nearby neighborhoods and suburbs, so ask when you call.
Are Pennsylvania state parks free?
Yes. Pennsylvania state parks don't charge an entrance fee, although camping, cabins, some pools and special activities have fees.
What are the best times to visit attractions in Reading?
Weekday mornings are usually the quietest. Summer weekends and school holidays are the busiest.
Where can I find trails near Reading?
Use the DCNR's ExplorePAtrails.com and local park websites to find trails by length, difficulty and activity.
Museums in other Pennsylvania cities
More outdoors & attractions guides in Reading
Business data for this page comes from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), reviewed and formatted by Pennsylvania Connection.
Information is collected from public sources and may change. Please confirm hours, prices and availability directly with each business. Business owner? Ask us to update your listing.