GETTING THERE: Reading, Pa.'s GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is about 150 miles from Washington. From I-95 north, follow I-695 north and I-70 toward Towson. Continue on I-83 north to U.S. 30 east and U.S. 222 north toward Reading. Take U.S. 422 (business) to the Penn Street exit, cross the Penn Street Bridge onto Penn Street in Reading, turn left onto Third Street. GoggleWorks is two blocks on the left, 201 Washington St.
GOGGLEWORKS: The arts center (610-374-4600, http://www.goggleworks.org/ ) is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Prime time to catch artists at work is an open house on the second Sunday of each month, featuring lots of extra recitals, choral groups, dancing, pottery, jewelry, glass-blowing studios and woodworking action. The 135-seat movie theater shows the latest art-house and independent films every evening at 7, with matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for senior citizens and $4.50 for students and children. Matinees are $5.50. The Urban Myth Cafe offers indoor and deck seating with wireless Internet service. Art lovers not sated by the GoggleWorks will want to visit the Reading Public Museum (500 Museum Rd., 610-371-5850, http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org/ ), where "Keith Haring: Journey of the Radiant Baby" hangs until Aug. 6.
STAYING THERE: The Abraham Lincoln Hotel (100 N. Fifth St., 610-372-3700, http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/RDGHT/main.wnt ) is a 104-room hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel where march king John Philip Sousa died in 1932 was recently renovated and restored. Rates are from $93 to $144. In the B&B class, within easy driving distance of the GoggleWorks, the Stirling Guest Hotel is a well-restored 1892 mansion (1120 Centre Ave., 610-373-1522, http://www.stirlingguesthotel.com/ ), with rooms from $125 to $300 a night. The Overlook Mansion (620 Centre Ave., 866-272-4186, http://www.overlookmansionbedandbreakfast.com/ ) has rooms from $129 to $179. http://
EATING THERE: My vote for the best restaurant in Reading goes to Judy's on Cherry , a European-style "hearth-fired cafe" (332 Cherry St., 610-374-8511). Try the signature butternut squash with crab and curry soup. By the same owner, the Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse (30 S. Fourth St., 610-685-8511) boasts shepherd's pie to die for. Dan's Restaurant (1049 Penn St., 610-373-2075) gets enthusiastic reviews, as does the Canal Street Restaurant & Pub (535 Canal St., 610-376-4009). The Ugly Oyster Drafthaus (21 S. Fifth St., 610-373-6791) is a good, smoky bar buzzing with energy and a wide selection of beers. For a good cup of coffee and the occasional jazz combo or poetry reading, try City Espresso (124 S. Fifth St., 610-236-0687).
INFO: Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau , 800-443-6610, http://www.readingberkspa.com/ .
