Why Visit Kutztown, PA?

Kutztown, a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, is a little treasure that goes overlooked by many. It is a small town that has a vibrant mixture of lively college kids, and old timers. Most people would not hesitate to just drive right by, but I can promise you that if you take the time to drive through town you will be surprised by this quirky little town.

First, a brief history on Kuztown, this town came to be on June 16, 1755 when George (Coots) Kutz purchased one hundred and thirty acres from Peter Wentz. Kutz originally named the town Cootstown. In the beginning, this town was a lodging place for many travelers. Kutztown grew throughout the colonial period and during the early days of the United States. It is the second oldest borough in Berks County. Mostly Germans settled in this town. Nowadays this town is full of German, Italian, Dutch, Irish, and Polish residents among others.

One of the best attractions of Kutztown would be the Crystal Cave, which was discovered in 1871. Some of the rock formations in this cave are a half-million years old! The highest point in the cave is 65 feet below the earth's surface and gives a breathtaking view of two-third of the cave. Tours are about thirty minutes long. From the front entrance to the back of the cave, it measures to five hundred feet long. One interesting formation is called the "Upside-down Ice Cream Cone." Make sure to check this cave out. You won't regret it. I know I didn't!

Another favorite would be the Kutztown Fairgrounds which often has festivals and is full of amazing things to see. You get the opportunity to experience cultures that you perhaps have not seen before. In the summers there is the German Festival which is full of old-fashioned music, food, auctions, and dancing among many other things. There are even seminars on dialect, traditions and other areas of interest of PA Dutch life, for the people who are curious. You also get to learn early farming techniques and witness a Mennonite wedding. The German Festival is surely something not to be missed! This festival usually starts on July 1 and end on July 9.

The true attraction of the town though is the shops, restaurant and galleries that Kutztown offers. Ever since I moved away, I have had a hard time finding places as unique as the ones found in this quaint town. Such as the Uptown Espresso Bar, which is full of delicious food, and while waiting for your food, you can take a look at the displays of art done by an artist who gets a chance to display their art for a month at this café. I once displayed my art there during October 2005. Another fantastic place is the La Cocina Mexicana restaurant which has the best Mexican food that one will ever taste. Also, for a desert, I highly suggest ordering the fried ice-cream treat! If you like interesting movies, the Strand Theatre shows several movies a week that are actually worth viewing. One must also note that at the local park, there is a Keith Herring original that was donated by Herring himself, as he grew up in Kutztown. There are many other places to check out, please take the time to drop by this town. You just may fall in love and settle there!