Now more than ever, take a ‘StayCation’ and become a tourist in your own hometown.

Happy Holidays Package I

’Tis the season! Our winter StayCations feature fun and festive ideas for spending time in Greater Reading. You might want to add a stop or two from our daily Calendar of Events that haven’t been included in the StayCations itineraries, as they direct visitors to ongoing events. Take a Ride to enjoyable holidays in Greater Reading.

The Place: Foose Cookie Cutters
18 W. Poplar Street
Fleetwood, PA 19522
610-944-1960
Closed Fridays
Start a new holiday baking tradition with a trip to Foose Cookie Cutters in Fleetwood, PA. You’ll delight at the wide array of cookie cutters available in every form imaginable. Customize the cookies you give or buy an assortment of fun shapes to give as a gift to an avid baker. Add a few new cookie cutters to your own collection annually. This is a wonderful way to start your StayCation and holiday preparations as well. Head up the road to your next stop.
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The Place: Renningers Antique & Farmers Market
740 Noble St.
Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-6848
Farmers MarketOpen every Friday and Saturday - Fri - 10-7, Sat 8-4.
Antique Market Open Sat 8-4
It’s a Farmer’s Market. It’s a Flea Market. It’s a Antiques & Collectors Market. Renninger’s is uniquely all three. On any given market day (every Friday & Saturday) you’ll encounter local Amish farmers and city slickers alike. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. Walk inside and weather permitting, outside, to see what the various vendors have to offer. Old meets new, farmer meets urbanite. It all makes for a fun stop on your getaway. Enjoy local cuisine before you move onto your next stop.
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The Place: The Rodale Institute and Bookstore
611 Siegfriedale Road
Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-6009
Thinking about going green in 2009? Then you’ll love The Rodale Institute. Not only is the source of Prevention Magazine all about health, it’s all about the environment too. Free, one hour long tours of the Rodale farm are available through the end of December. Purchase holiday gifts for friends and loved ones in the Rodale Bookstore before moving on to your next stop.
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The Place: Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery
9850 Newtown Road
Breinigsville, PA 18031
610-395-2468
Drive a little further north on Rt. 222 and you’ll find yourself at Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, a small, family-owned vineyard, open seven days a week. Clover Hill Vineyards is part of the Berks County Wine Trail and produces more than 65,000 gallons of premium Pennsylvania wines annually. Learn about growing grapes for wine, making wine and pairing just the right white or red with your holiday feast. For a minimal fee, participate in a wine tasting. Wines are available for purchase…so cross a few names off your shopping list before you decide which fabulous GRCVB member restaurant you’ll be dining at tonight.
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The Place: HOLIDAY LIGHTS - Berks County Parks & Recreation
Grings Mill, Wyomissing
610-374-8839
Wednesday - Sunday - 6:30-8:30 p.m.
11/29 - 12/27/08
Not ready to call it a day? Gather your family & friends for an evening stroll at Grings Mill to see its annual Holiday Lights display. After your walk, warn up in the barn by the fireplace to enjoy live entertainment provided by local talent. Train aficionados (children and adults alike) won’t want to leave without taking a look at the intricate miniature train displays. And finally, don’t forget to visit with Santa Claus before heading home. Light refreshments available. See the website for the complete list of entertainment. Admission is $2.00 person; children are free with an accompanying adult. Call for more information.
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Fun and Games Package All StayCation long

The Place: Ozzys Fun Sports Center
Rts 61 & 73
Leesport, PA 19533
610-926-6162
Take a Ride - a bunch of them. Ozzy's Sports Center has every ride and game you could want, in one place. Not just video games and prizes, Ozzy's indoor fun includes rock climbing, roller skating, rope courses, a moon bounce and even an indoor mini-golf. Outdoor activities include go-carts, bumper boats, and more! Don’t get too tired, grab a bite and move onto your next stop.?Admission Rates: $6.00 per attraction?Adult unlimited: $30.00?Children unlimited: $20.00
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The Place: Schell's 27 Hole Miniature Golf Course
4625 5th Street Highway
Temple, PA 19560
Golf until 4 pm daily
610-929-9660
Schell's 27 Hole Miniature Golf Course is open year round. Weather permitting, 27 holes of golf is fun for anyone. Challenge your family and friends to a competition day or night. Loser buys Schell's famous hot dogs for all. Still not tired? Keep going!?Admission Rates: Adults: $5.75, Children: $4.75

The Place: Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex
3103 Papermill Rd
Wyomissing, PA 19610
610-376-2100
Ice skating is good old-fashion fun for the whole family. With two NHL-size ice rinks, Body Zone unquestionably has some of the finest facilities available for ice sports in Berks County and the surrounding area. Friends and family, young and old will enjoy ice skating at one of the centers many public skating sessions, complete with rental skates, disc jockey and light show.
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The Place: The Works @ Wyomissing
1109 Bern Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610
610-375-2700
The Works at Wyomissing offers a delicious and fun way to end your day. Children of all ages will enjoy the game room, which houses over 150 games. From amazing state-of-the-art simulators to arcade classics and challenging games of skill; the most talented gamesters are rewarded with tickets redeemable for enticing prizes. No coins are necessary with The Works "Play Card" system. Dinner and games, the perfect end to your fun filled StayCation - all on less than a tank of gas.?Game Card Rates: $10.00 card equals 55 credits
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Take a Ride PACKAGE - by air, by train or by automobile

The Place: The Golden Age Air Museum
371 Airport Road
Bethel, PA 19507
717-933-9566
Take your ride by air to learn about the golden age past. The museum offers the chance to explore the past, learn how the early aviators flew, and what they flew. Museum displays include full size operational aircraft and automobiles, as well as displays of artifacts from the Golden Age. After your visit, get some lunch before your next ride.
Admission Rates: Adults: $5.00
Children: $3.00
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The Place: Reading Railroad Heritage Museum
500 South Third Street
Hamburg, PA 19526
610-562-5513
Visitors can see exclusive video showcasing the Reading Railroad, plus view exhibits about the influence of the Reading Railroad on society, business, technology, and the environment. Visit and see why everyone wants to learn about the heritage of one of the most influential railroads in the history of the eastern United States.
Admission Rates: Adults: $5.00
Children: $3.00
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The Place: Mid Atlantic Air Museum
11 Museum Dr.
Reading, PA 19605
610-372-7333
We’re back in the air at The Mid Atlantic Air Museum. This collection emphasizes the Mid-Atlantic region's contribution to flight as well as a general history of aviation, including military aviation. You’ll find something for everyone at the museum. Take a tour and walk through the exhibit building, hangar, and out on to the museum ramp.
Tour Rates: Adults: $6.00
Children: $3.00
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The Place: Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
85 S. Walnut Street
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2090
Nearby Boyertown holds your final stop, with the Museum of Historic Vehicles. Learn about and view the various vehicle exhibits. Scheduled programs and events, research facilities, videos and publications are also yours to enjoy and to participate in.
Admission Rates: Adults: $6.00
Students: $4.00
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GET TO KNOW YOUR HERITAGE ITINERARY

The Place: Historical Society and Museum of Berks County
940 Centre Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania 19601
610-375-4375
Your final historical spot is Reading’s Historical Society and Museum. The Society's 20,000 artifacts tell many stories behind the development of Berks County. Three levels of museum exhibits interpret our colorful history from the Conestoga wagon to the 1902 Duryea to toys, crafts and fine arts, all related to our social history. An ideal ending to your historical travels; right here in your own hometown.
Admission Rates: Adults: $4.00
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The Place: Reading Area Firefighters Museum
501 S. Fifth Street
Reading, PA 19602
610-375-2066
Hours by appointment
The Reading Area Firefighters Museum is committed to the preservation of the 1876 built structure at S. 5th and Laurel Sts., Reading, PA. This includes the building contents consisting of firefighting memorabilia, antique furnishings, and the John Wanamaker designed "best room ". The museum will serve as a permanent facility for the public exhibition and the safe storage of items related to the history of firefighting in the Reading area.
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The Place: Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
Luckenbill Road
Kutztown, Pennsylvania 19530
610-683-1589
The Center focuses on the preservation of Pennsylvania German ("Pennsylvania Dutch") history, folklore, and its many traditions. It is part of Kutztown University's educational and cultural program. The Center is located on a 30 acres, 19th century farm consisting of a barn, and smaller buildings (which have been authentically restored) a one-room schoolhouse from around 1870, and the library, which contains genealogical, historical and cultural information. A long day of fun and learning calls for a relaxing dinner and a good night’s rest before starting tomorrow’s education. The GRCVB Visitors Guide and website provides a complete listing of places to stay in Greater Reading.
Admission Rates: Adults: $5.00
Children: $3.00
heritage@kutztown.edu

The Place: Central PA African-American Museum
Old Bethel African Methodist Episcopal CHURCH
119 N. TENTH STREET
READING, PA 19601
610-371-8713
Make your last stop a registered landmark; the oldest, black owned, church building in Reading and Berks County. Additionally, this museum was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Take a guided tour through the museum’s exhibits and art, and travel through “the pit,” where runaway slaves hid. Realize how far we’ve come as you get a close up look at our history and end this StayCation.
Tour Rates: Adults: $3.00
Children: $1.50
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SWEETHEARTS PACKAGE

The Place: Balloon Rides Daily
Box 490, Hopewell Rd
?St Peters, PA 19470
1-800-763-5987
Start off your morning like never before. Even if you have lived in Greater Reading all of your life, chances are you haven’t seen it from the sky. US Balloon Rides presents a bird’s eye view of our beautiful and historic countryside. Have champagne as you land to make the moment a memory you will never forget.
Distance from Reading: 20 miles/35 minutes
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Berks County Wine Trail
After your balloon ride and lunch, take your pick of the 8 family owned wineries located in and around Berks County! Test your nose and pallet as you sample a wide variety of local wines. Catch a glimpse of what goes into the science and art of winemaking. Purchase a bottle of your favorite libation to take home. This is a StayCation for anyone over 21 years of age.
Different wineries are located all around Berks County.
Admission: $8.00 for adults
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GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN PACKAGE

The Place: Girlfriends Getaway™
Girlfriends Getaway is the original spa and shopping package designed just for women! Thousands of women have traveled to Greater Reading for a Girlfriends Getaway. Local girls, you deserve a break too. Visit the GRCVB website or www.girlfriendsgetaway.com to get the 4-1-1 on all this package has to offer. Participating hotels and spas go out of their way to make you feel pampered. Girlfriends receive a gift bag and coupons and ladies who shop at VF Outlet can redeem a coupon for a free Girlfriend’s Getaway nightshirt!
Visit girlfriendsgetaway.com to start your StayCation!
Rates: Varies