Are you missing that certain spark in life, fanning the flames of your passion and giving you the drive to do new and exciting things?
City life can be rough, and adult life is more challenging.
We lose that sense of wonder we had as children and suddenly find ourselves stuck in a monotonous, uninteresting routine with no idea how we got there.
A vacation snaps us out of this funk and helps us find the magic we once held in our hands.
But, if you feel like you’re in a particular slump, then it takes more than a regular tourist destination to get yourself out of it.
Kutztown is a place where every sight is a surprise, and every destination is the road to a brand new adventure.
If this is the kind of place you want to visit, then here are the best things to do in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, to rekindle that adventurous spirit of yours:
Walk across the Dreibelbis Station Covered Bridge
Amy Lutz / Shutterstock.com
This restoration project finished in 2020, but the destination dates back to the mid-1800s.
The government built the bridge itself in 1869.
Unfortunately, though, the bridge shut down for years due to damage incurred.
Fortunately, people are now free to walk across the newly restored bridge to appreciate its beauty and take pictures of its unique construction.
Brian Yarvin / Shutterstock.com
There are many ways to start your trip to any place, and there’s no wrong way to do it, but one of the best and easiest things you can do is get to know the local culture of where you are.
The Pennsylvania German Culture Heritage Center, located at 22 Luckenbill Road, isn’t the first thing to enter your mind when you hear “museum.”
The place is open-air, meaning you can see the historical exhibits and feel the cool, fresh breeze on your face while you do it.
It offers its visitors access to historic buildings and displays alongside an extensive library where you can learn more about the area’s history.
It’s also the home of Hiwwe we Driwwe, the only Pennsylvania dialect newspaper in the entire world.
There are so many things in this museum that it’s hard to figure out where to start, but there are tours you can join to help you get your bearings.
Visit one of the places that provides one of the other things Pennsylvania is known for wine.
The Setter Ridge Vineyards, located at 99 Dietrich Valley Road, is a family-owned vineyard and winery that provides excellent wines for both the locals and visitors.
Richard Blair founded the wine business.
His love for the wines of Central France inspired his business.
Likewise, his family had owned the land for the vineyard for generations.
Winemaking is, after all, part of the English settler heritage that this family is known for.
Taste this history and heritage in every bottle they produce.
Are you looking for a great adventure on your trip, something that’ll get your blood pumping?
If that’s the case, descend underground into the incredible Crystal Cave.
The place is known for its milky white walls that are impossible to miss.
You’ll see the endless crystalline formation in these caves, and it’s hard not to wonder if it’s just a natural occurrence or if there’s some magic involved.
Join one of the tours to the cave to get the total experience.
You’ll watch a movie detailing the cave’s history before expert guides will lead you through the formations, explaining the science of the geological wonder before your eyes.
Bagel Bar Cafe at 214 W Main Street is one of Kutztown’s unmissable spots.
The place is world-famous for its breakfast, so don’t miss out.
Bagel Bar brews fresh coffee every day to ensure the best flavor, and it shows.
Their blends give just the right amount of oomph to wake you up and give you your daily caffeine dosage.
And, of course, you can’t leave that place without trying out their delicious bagels.
Whether you want eggs, bacon, sausages, ham, or vegan, they have something for every taste.
And the best part is that they carry fair-trade blends, making the experience of drinking them all the sweeter.
The Kutztown Fairgrounds is a place of enjoyment and color where locals and visitors can have fun and celebrate the extraordinary location.
The place started out hosting military fairs in 1831, and this tradition has continued since then.
Then, at some point, what started as a gathering of soldiers changed into the agricultural fair we know today, racetrack and all.
When you visit the fairgrounds, there’s usually an event of some kind.
Try to join in if you can and have fun along the way.
After all, this place is the spot where both locals and visitors alike can celebrate the beauty of Kutztown in any way they can.
For more than 20 years, Pinnacle Ridge Winery at 34 Susquehanna Avenue has provided phenomenal wines to the citizens and visitors of Kutztown, and they intend to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.
They have wines for every occasion, so you’ll never have a shortage of options.
Try out their wide variety of red wines if you’re looking for something more romantic with someone special.
And if you have something to celebrate, they also have sparkling wines that’ll surely brighten up any occasion.
Whatever choice you go with, remember to stop by the showroom to try out the wine of your choice, among other things.
Shuvaev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History isn’t the only thing you can learn in Kutztown, so here’s a place to visit for all the nature lovers.
The Rodale Institute Farm seeks to promote the organic lifestyle by educating people on its benefits and giving them the chance to try it out firsthand.
Shuvaev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When you visit their farm, you’ll almost be overwhelmed because of how many things there are to do.
You can visit their garden store, visit their farmer’s market, or join one of their educational workshops or family-friendly events to check out what they do at the institute.
Shuvaev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This historical society is a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the history and culture of their town.
Visit them if you want to learn the story of Kutztown from a local’s perspective.
Their headquarters is home to many historical artifacts, and if you’re a history buff of any sort, you’ll want to stop by this place at least once.
The society hosts various tours to educate visitors on the stories of these artifacts.
These tours will show you antique toys, a Pennsylvania long rifle made by the local gunsmith Jacob George, two needlepoint samplers, etc.
If something catches your eye or you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask the guide.
Learning history is the entire point of the place, and your guides will be more than happy to tell you a story about Kutztown.
Of course, visiting museums and going on guided tours isn’t the only way to immerse yourself in a place’s culture.
If you want to integrate yourself into the place you’re visiting, you have to go where the locals go and do as the locals do.
The Burkholder Farm Market, at the intersection of route 54 and 254, is a great place to stop by if you want to chat with the locals.
Buy fresh produce and delicacies from the residents themselves, and try to make friends along the way.
The place specializes in deli markets and cheeses, bulk foods, and fresh produce.
Go ahead and strike up a conversation with one of the storeowners or your fellow buyers.
You may find that you have more in common with this place than you expected.
Maybe you’ll even get so attached you’ll no longer want to leave.
When the Folino Estate Vineyard owners opened their winery, they made it their mission to make great wine, and it’s easy to say that they are succeeding.
They purchased their land in 2000, and after years of working the land and ensuring it produced only the best fruits, they have fulfilled this mission.
Their vineyard now has over 50 acres of land filled with thousands of quality grapes.
And, of course, the place isn’t strictly utilitarian; something so gorgeous shouldn’t be hidden away, after all.
You can also book the venue if you’re looking for a place to have a beautiful and romantic wedding at.
Renninger’s Antiques and Farmer’s Market at 740 Noble Street is another place to visit if you want to mingle with the locals in a more natural setting.
But, what makes this place different is that it’s not just a farmer’s market; it also has a section dedicated to selling antiques, which means you can grab a few souvenirs on your way to make a few lifelong friends.
You can also look through their flea market and find various knick-knacks and oddities, and if you’re in luck, the seller may even tell you an exciting story to go with your find.
Kutztown doesn’t lack adventure, and once you’ve finished the caves and history, it’s time for an experience of a different sort.
Stop by the Saucony Creek Craft Brewery and Gastropub at 15032 Kutztown Road.
Their beer and food aren’t for the faint of heart, but they’ll leave you wanting more.
Their products have a wide range of flavors, so take a risk and pick something unfamiliar and out of your comfort zone.
And while you try out the new and the strange, you’ll be serenaded by the upbeat pub music as you lay back against the casual air all around you.
This place is fun if that’s what you’re looking for, and if it’s not, well, you’re going to have a fun time anyway.
Allentown and Auburn are among the more famous attractions of this town, meaning it’s something you absolutely cannot miss.
The place itself is a short-line railroad that carries freight and tourist cars.
The tourist train is something that every traveler dreams of riding.
You’ll sit around a gorgeous train for a few miles, tasting good wine, enjoying the peaceful scenery, and basking in the company of your loved ones; who doesn’t want to have an experience like that?
This hotel is over 130 years old, and it’s provided its patrons with good food and even better cheer.
They have an extensive menu featuring a wide variety of dishes, so stop by as you end your trip to take a piece of the homely feel of Kutztown with you before you go.
The restaurant has wraps, burgers, and specialties unique to the southwest.
And if you’re a vegetarian, they have dishes for you too, so don’t worry.
This place embodies Pennsylvania warmth and hospitality, so they’re willing to accommodate your needs, whatever they are.
Kutztown is not for the faint of heart, and it’s a place that’s guaranteed to bring out your inner adventurer.
So many people lose themselves as they get stuck in the grind of downtown life and are too tired to do anything on the weekend.
Taking a break, seeing some sights, and finding what inspires you again are great ways to rejuvenate yourself.
And if that’s what you want, then why not go to a place that will surprise you?
From caving to food escapades, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, is a town that’ll rekindle your passion and help you look at the world with newer and brighter eyes.
Discover the world.
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