The Reading Pagoda
The Pagoda
The Reading Pagoda is the city's defining symbol — completed in 1908 at a cost of $50,000, standing 72 feet tall and perched about 620 feet above the city, with a roughly 30-mile panoramic view (source: reading-pa-research.md). It sits at 98 Duryea Dr on Mount Penn, and the grounds are free (source: reading-pa-research.md).
It is the single must-do in Reading: drive up Mount Penn for the city's iconic overlook, especially at sunset (source: reading-pa-research.md).
Caveat: the Pagoda interior has been closed for renovations; the grounds remain open (roughly 7 AM–9 PM, with a nightly gate added in 2025), and café/gift-shop access is intermittent (verify current hours/closure at pagodaskyline.org) (source: reading-pa-research.md).
William Penn Memorial Fire Tower
About one mile from the Pagoda stands the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower, a 120-foot 1939 WPA stone tower on Mount Penn with roughly 60-mile views (2500 Skyline Dr; free) (source: reading-pa-research.md).
Caveat: the Fire Tower opens only on limited days (often a few days a month) — check pagodaskyline.org before going (verify current hours/closure) (source: reading-pa-research.md).
Mount Penn Preserve and Skyline Drive
The Mount Penn Preserve and Skyline Drive cover 1,595 acres of municipally owned trails linking the Pagoda and Fire Tower, with overlooks and a painted cliffside peace symbol (source: reading-pa-research.md). These trails connect the two landmarks for visitors who want to walk between them rather than drive.