Reading Public Museum
A vibrant museum blending art, science, and history with a planetarium and a beautiful 25-acre arboretum.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Reading Public Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant museum blending art, science, and history with a planetarium and a beautiful 25-acre arboretum.
"A wonderful museum offering a rich and engaging escape that's both educational and fun."
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Purchase tickets online or at the door for admission. Consider advance booking for popular temporary exhibits.
👟 Explore the Arboretum
Don't miss the 25-acre arboretum; grab a map before you explore its beautiful trails and art.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Toytopia Exhibit
Temporary Exhibit Hall
An exceptionally well-done and interactive exhibit for all ages, featuring a giant Etch-a-Sketch!
Planetarium Shows
Planetarium
Explore the cosmos with scheduled shows that offer an engaging astronomical experience.
Arboretum Walk
Outdoor Arboretum
Wander through 25 acres of beautiful trees, flowers, and outdoor art along a scenic creek.
Allied Artists of America Exhibition
Galleries
Admire inspiring masterpieces from talented artists in this prestigious annual exhibition.
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Planning Your Visit
Plan Your Visit: Exhibits & Hours
Getting Around & Parking
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Purchase tickets online or at the door for admission. Consider advance booking for popular temporary exhibits.
👟 Explore the Arboretum
Don't miss the 25-acre arboretum; grab a map before you explore its beautiful trails and art.
🧸 Check Toytopia Dates
Toytopia is a temporary exhibit, so confirm its availability and end date before your visit.
🛍️ Visit the Gift Shop
Discover unique cards, jewelry, and crafts from local artists and affordable gifts.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Book Tickets Online
Purchase tickets online or at the door for admission. Consider advance booking for popular temporary exhibits.
👟 Explore the Arboretum
Don't miss the 25-acre arboretum; grab a map before you explore its beautiful trails and art.
🧸 Check Toytopia Dates
Toytopia is a temporary exhibit, so confirm its availability and end date before your visit.
🛍️ Visit the Gift Shop
Discover unique cards, jewelry, and crafts from local artists and affordable gifts.
🚗 Parking Tips
On-site parking is available but can be limited during events. Arrive early or consider alternatives.
🎨 Admire Local Art
The gift shop and some galleries feature works by local artists.
👻 Haunted Museum?
One reel humorously questions if the museum is haunted, adding a quirky element to the visit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Reading Public Museum for its diverse exhibits, friendly staff, and beautiful arboretum. The interactive Toytopia exhibit is a particular hit with families. Some find the watercolor exhibit's display less than ideal, and parking can be challenging during special events.
"I’ve been going to this lovely, easily traversed (only 3 floors) museum for years. The Alphonse Mucha exhibition a few years back drew me in, big time. It was first class. Today, I came for the “Her brush, her story: Women Watercolors” and the “Toytopia” exhibition. The latter was exceptionally well done and highly interactive for children and adults alike (including a gigantic Etch-a-Sketch!). The women watercolors exhibit felt like an afterthought, with the artwork displayed in a corridor and a really dark room (I suppose to preserve the artwork). Highlight for me was the yummy museum gift shop featuring cards, jewelry and crafts from local artists and other affordable gifts such as tea sets and even bejeweled elf ears! The staff and volunteers were all exceptionally friendly and I joined the museum! They have few snacks and cold drinks and a small area to sit indoors or plenty of benches and seating options outside.
There is small conference room for lectures which might be reserved, not sure. Parking is somewhat limited, especially when there is a special event such as “Pokémon Go” events."
Verena Aibel
"The Reading Public Museum is a wonderful museum in Reading, Pennsylvania. The museum is unique in that it offers a lot of different things to do and enjoy. Here you can find great artwork, a planetarium, historical artifacts, learn about nature, and take a walk in a one of a kind arboretum.
The main museum complex offers three floors of exhibits. The exhibits are well curated and it is easy to learn about a variety of topics. On the ground floor you can learn about the museum’s history and see a dinosaur skeleton. The first floor has galleries devoted to animal habitats, Asian Art, artifacts from classical civilizations including a mummy from Egypt, Medieval European Arms and Armor, Native Americans of Pennsylvania, and Latin American history. The second floor contains exhibits on European and American arts. Traveling exhibitions are also displayed here. All of the displays are well put together and presented.
The main campus of the museum is great, but you can’t leave this place without taking a walk in the arboretum. It is well laid out and be sure to grab a map of it before you head out on it. There are 25 acres filled with beautiful trees, flowers, well placed bridges, outdoor artworks all along a nice creek.
This museum offers all of this for only $10.00. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. The museum has a parking lot and it is possible to park on site. You will not be disappointed at this museum."
Ryan Mazierski
"The Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania is an enjoyable blend of art, and history—all under one roof. Whether you’re visiting solo or with family, this museum offers a rich and engaging escape that’s both educational and fun. Highly recommend for a half-day adventure!"
Marcel Basulto Deniz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Reading Public Museum is located at 500 Museum Rd, Reading, PA 19611. It's accessible by car, and on-site parking is available.
Information on public transportation routes to the museum is not readily available in the provided content, but driving is a common method.
The museum is generally open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, but it's always best to check their official website for the most up-to-date hours before your visit.
The museum is described as easily traversed with three floors, suggesting good accessibility. Specific accessibility details should be confirmed with the museum directly.
The museum offers a small selection of snacks and cold drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Bringing outside food and drinks may be restricted.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission is $10.00, with free entry for children 3 and under. Adults are $14, and there are discounted rates for seniors, college students, and children aged 4-17.
Yes, tickets can be purchased online or at the door upon arrival.
Yes, discounts are available for seniors, college students, and children aged 4-17. Children 3 and under are free.
Yes, visitors can join the museum for ongoing access and benefits.
While not explicitly stated, it's recommended to book in advance for popular temporary exhibits like Toytopia to ensure entry, especially during peak times.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The museum features art and science exhibits across three floors, a planetarium, an arboretum, and often hosts traveling exhibitions.
The museum showcases European and American arts, Asian Art, artifacts from classical civilizations, Medieval European Arms and Armor, and hosts exhibitions like the Allied Artists of America show. +2
Yes, the museum has child-friendly areas and interactive exhibits like Toytopia, which is highly engaging for both kids and adults.
The arboretum is a 25-acre outdoor space with beautiful trees, flowers, bridges, outdoor artworks, and a creek, offering a lovely nature walk.
Yes, the Reading Public Museum features a planetarium with scheduled shows for an immersive astronomical experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the museum offers a small selection of snacks and cold drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating available.
There are plenty of benches and seating options outside, making it a suitable spot for a picnic.
While specific nearby restaurants aren't detailed, Reading offers various dining options outside the museum.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography policies can vary by exhibit. Generally, personal photography is allowed in many areas, but flash photography and tripods might be restricted, especially in galleries with delicate artwork. It's best to check signage or ask staff.
The arboretum offers scenic natural beauty with bridges and artworks. The Beaux-Art style architecture of the museum itself and the atrium entrance are also photogenic.
Special exhibitions, particularly those with sensitive artwork like watercolors, may have stricter photography rules to preserve the pieces.
Drone usage is generally not permitted inside museums or on their grounds for safety and privacy reasons.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Don't forget to explore the Planetarium for an awe-inspiring journey through space, and take a refreshing walk through the beautiful Arboretum.
🎨 Art Enthusiasts
+2Past exhibitions, like the highly-acclaimed Alphonse Mucha show, highlight the museum's commitment to bringing world-class art to Reading.
🌳 Nature Lovers & Outdoor Explorers
While the arboretum is the primary outdoor attraction, the museum's overall focus on science and nature, including exhibits on animal habitats, complements the outdoor experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Art Collections
Beyond permanent collections, the museum frequently hosts significant temporary exhibitions. The Allied Artists of America 112th exhibition is a notable example, showcasing contemporary fine art and drawing praise for its quality and presentation.
+2 These rotating exhibits ensure there's always something new and exciting to discover, from watercolors to oil paintings. For those interested in specific artistic styles, past exhibitions like the Alphonse Mucha show have been highlighted as first-class experiences, demonstrating the museum's capability to curate world-class art events.
Science and Nature at the Museum
A major draw for families is the Planetarium, where visitors can embark on journeys through the cosmos with scheduled shows.
Complementing the indoor exhibits is the expansive Arboretum, a 25-acre outdoor space featuring a rich variety of trees and flowers. This beautifully maintained area includes well-placed bridges and outdoor artworks, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll and nature appreciation. The museum also delves into history with displays on artifacts from classical civilizations, including an Egyptian mummy, and exhibits on the Native Americans of Pennsylvania and Latin American history.
Interactive Fun: Toytopia and Beyond
Beyond Toytopia, the museum is designed to be engaging for younger audiences. There are child-friendly areas and exhibits that explore art and history in an accessible way. The museum's focus on interactive elements ensures that learning is fun and hands-on, encouraging curiosity and exploration.
Even the arboretum offers a sense of discovery with its winding paths, bridges, and outdoor art installations, providing a different kind of interactive experience in nature.
Social
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