The Berks History Center in Reading, PA
Whether you live in Reading, PA or you’re just visiting, there are always plenty of interesting things to check out. Reading features wonderful attractions such as the Pagoda, nature trails, and multiple museums. One of the best museums to check out is the Berks...
Amusement Parks Located Near Reading, PA
If you live in Reading, Pennsylvania, you likely know that there are plenty of different activities in and around the city. There are museums, nature trails, great places to eat. If you’re willing to drive a little outside of Reading, you’ll find various amusement parks for people of all ages to enjoy, all within an hour’s drive. Whether you have a family you want to take out for a day of fun or you’re just trying to enjoy a nice day with some friends, there’s always fun to be had at an amusement park!
Dutch Wonderland
Located about 40 minutes away in Lancaster, Dutch Wonderland is a great theme park focused primarily on children. The park originally opened back in 1963 and has since then been continuously recognized as one of the best amusement parks in Pennsylvania. Featuring over 35 rides and attractions, a water area known as Duke Lagoon, and plenty of live entertainment, Dutch Wonderland is the place for you and your family to go.
Dorney Park
If you head over to Allentown you’ll likely run into Dorney Park. Dorney Park was originally conceived back in the 1860s where it started as a simple summer resort located outside of Allentown. Over the years, the owner of the land grew the resort into something much more, filling it with attractions for people of all ages to enjoy. The park has changed considerably over the years, but there are countless activities to enjoy such as Wildwater Kingdom, the water park located right next to the main park. Dorney also has plenty of events happening everyday and over 75 rides and attractions overall.
Knoebels
If you’re looking for another great family amusement park, look no further than Knoebels. Located in Elysburg and originally opening in 1926, Knoebels is the largest free-admission amusement park in the United States. That’s right, it’s totally free to get into the park, unlike the others on this list. Instead, you pay for each individual ride. This means the park can be a great place for family and friends to enjoy a relaxing summer day and not have to worry about spending a large amount of money while doing it.
Exploring the Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
Nustled in Berks County, Pennsylvania is more than 725 acres of gorgeous deciduous woodlands and plantations known as the Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. It encompasses beautiful hiking of trails with streams, ponds, and diverse habitats that can be explored by both students and visitors.
Nolde Forest has much to offer to its visitors and explorers. For students, there are special teaching stations that offer places for them to do their work as well as benches set up for anyone looking for a place to sit back and bask in the sights and sounds of nature. There are trails for those looking to explore sites such as Nolde Mansion and historic sawmill. The beautiful Nolde Mansion is also home to a garden with native wildflowers, a lovely fountain, and year-round greenery. Near the mansion, visitors will find an indoor classroom for educational programming.
The Nolde Forest grounds stretch far and wide, with many activities to participate in. Many visitors enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and nature photography due to the forest’s vast grounds and habitats. There is a lot of nature and beauty to explore, so the park is open every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset.
For those looking for a diverse array of environmental education and recreation programs, the Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center is the perfect place. Take friends, family, and loved ones for the perfect day to enjoy the natural world and create lasting memories.
About Peter Bubel
He was born in Fort Carson, Colorado at the Army Base Hospital and attended Penn State University, earning a degree in finance before getting his first job in Allentown at Dun and Bradstreet. Peter then worked in Philadelphia before transferring to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he’s lived and worked for the past 25 years.
Because Peter Bubel has learned the ins and outs of his community over the past two and a half decades, he is able to provide the best real estate services for clients from all walks of life. Peter and his family own and run PANA Rentals, a property management company that provides a variety of student, residential, and commercial property management services. Peter currently owns and manages between 50 and 100 properties. He particularly likes to help Penn State Berks Campus students find off-campus housing.
Peter Bubel loves the “small town” feeling of Reading combined with its proximity to major cities, and he does housing work in this area as well. Peter is an advocate for local affordable housing and economic improvement, and he has served on numerous housing committees and coalitions. He works with nonprofit agencies that help first-time home buyers prosper in the area, and he also shares his knowledge through various media to empower young individuals to take control of their economic outlooks. Peter Bubel has a guest spot on Berks Community Television’s Local Issues Forum, where he discusses housing and banking strategies. He has also shared his strategies via finance and entrepreneurship lectures at Albright College and St. Joseph’s University.
Peter Bubel is also a firm believer in giving back to the community.
He participates in a number of local initiatives, including the Berks MINDCO (Minority Development Council) and Housing Advisory task force. He also presents seminars in the Berks County Chamber of Commerce and works within various budgeting and stewardship committees at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in West Lawn, Pennsylvania.
As a Penn State alumnus himself, Peter Bubel remains involved with the college and loves to attend PSU football games. His older daughter currently attends Penn State and is active in campus volunteering and fundraising efforts. She shares that philanthropic spirit with her father; Peter is the past president and vice president of Reading-Berks Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Under his guidance the affiliate was able to complete the construction of over 30 low-income homes. Peter is also a former board member of Goodwill Industries of the Keystone Area, and he currently volunteers his services at Reading Public Museum, the Children’s Home of Reading, and Boy Scouts of America.
Peter Bubel is a proud supporter of the military. His father was in the United States Army, and to this day Peter is inspired by his father’s service and by the service of current troops.
Peter Bubel outside of work
Health and fitness play a major part in Peter’s life and he stays active by playing a number of sports, especially golf and his weekly tennis games. Peter’s family is passionate about fitness as well, particularly his younger daughter, who is an avid swimmer and water polo player at her high school.
Peter Bubel also loves to travel when he can. He enjoys visiting local places throughout Pennsylvania, especially his parents’ hometown in Schuylkill County; he also loves to explore other parts of the country and see all of the unique and beautiful scenery and picturesque landscapes that our nation has to offer. Peter Bubel hopes to someday settle in a warmer climate.