Cute little boy eating ice cream in closeup
Looking for some free family fun in Berks? From restaurants to museums, outdoor activities and more, there's always somewhere to go to boost your spirits without breaking the bank! To spice up your day off or your time with the kids, try one of these 25 locations for excitement, relaxation, education and enjoyment on the inexpensive side.
1. If you're a history buff, visit Hopewell Furnace national historical site and park on Wednesday through Sunday to enjoy living history presentations about the Revolutionary War. Admission for kids is always free. nps.gov/hofu
2. Dine at Paolo's in Shillington on Wednesdays for a free kid's meal with every adult entrée purchased. mypaolospizza.com
3. Carve out your own cost-free trail of exploration on a self-guided driving tour of one or more of Berks County's five historic covered bridges. visitpaamericana.com
4. Make the most of the sunny season amongst Gring's Mill's admission-free 33 acres, which include a volleyball court, an amphitheater and a beautiful walking trail. co.berks.pa.us
5. Kids age 11 and younger eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult entrée at Chef Alan's American Bistro in West Reading. chefalans.com
6. Head to the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to explore galleries, artists' studios and exciting demonstrations in multiple mediums. Admission is free. goggleworks.org
7. Explore the historic Quaker roots of a nationally recognized pioneer at the Daniel Boone Homestead, where you may roam the grounds for free or enjoy an inexpensive house tour. danielboonehomestead.org
8. Receive a free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult meal when you choose Austin's Restaurant and Bar for your Sunday night out. austinsrestaurant.com
9. Spend a day exploring the history of aviation at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, where admission is always free for kids age 5 and younger. maam.org
10. Enjoy free samples and beautiful local scenery when you stop by any wineries on the Berks County Wine Trail! Check back for free seasonal events as well. berkscountywinetrail.com
11. Enjoy free ice cream every day at Dickey's Barbeque Pit, where kids also eat free with the purchase of an adult meal on Sundays. dickeys.com
12. Squeeze in a fun, interactive educational experience at the Reading Public Museum, where children's admission is always free! readingpublicmuseum.org
13. Schedule an educational tour of Kutztown University's Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, an open-air folk museum. Tours are free, although small donations are appreciated. kutztown.edu
14. Sundays are free meal days at the Coastal Grille for kids age 12 and under with a paying adult. coastalgrille.com
15. Spend a rainy afternoon paging through Berks County's history at the Berks County Genealogical Society, located at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. Access to all library materials is free for members and a small fee is charged for non-members. goggleworks.com
16. Embark on a cost-free adventure in Nolde Forest's 10 miles of woods, streams, historic landmarks and trails, perfect for hiking, fishing and exploring. dcnr.state.pa.us
17. Head to Hoss's in Leesport, where kids 5 years and younger always eat free at the salad bar! hosss.com
18. Experience a unique cultural perspective and scenic view from Mt. Penn's Pagoda, open Noon-4pm on weekends with free admission. readingpagoda.com
19. For a free outdoor educational experience in an unlikely setting, head to Cabela's in Hamburg. Browse a large collection of mounted animals and stop in at the aquarium. cabelas.com
20. Head to Jet Set Bar & Grill every Sunday for a free kid's meal with an adult meal purchase. facebook.com/JetSetRestaurant
21. Organize a DIY driving tour of the county's Pennsylvania Dutch farms and famous hex signs, and enjoy relaxing scenic views from the comfort of your own car, on your own schedule, with no cost! hexsigntour.org
22. Drop by the nonprofit, student-run Eckhaus Gallery in Kutztown for free events, art exhibits and happenings. eckhausgallery.org
23. Enjoy a free kid's meal with an adult meal purchase every Tuesday at Moe's Southwest Grill in Wyomissing. moes.com
24. If you love nature, head to Tulpehocken Creek Valley Park for free biking, hiking and exploring along the historic Union Canal Trail. co.berks.pa.us
25. Kids eat free on Mondays at the Westy Bar & Grill in Hamburg! One complimentary kid's meal with each adult meal purchase. westybarandgrill.com
