Kutztown

Kutztown is a small town in the northeastern part of Berks County, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country between Reading and Allentown. It is home to about 5,100 year-round residents (2018), and to the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a public university whose 8,300 students make the town a busy place from late August to early May. In the summer months and during school breaks, the town is much quieter and dominated by locals.

Understand
Kutztown is 17 miles northeast of Reading and 18 miles southwest of Allentown in the agricultural East Penn Valley.

Kutztown was largely settled by German immigrants. Today, over 90% of its residents have German heritage, including 160 Old Order Mennonite families. The Old Order Mennonites in the area use the horse and buggy as transportation.

By car
Kutztown is on U.S. Route 222, which heads to Reading to the southwest and Allentown to the northeast. Pennsylvania Route 737 heads north from Kutztown to Exit 40 of Interstate 78/U.S. Route 22 in Krumsville. I-78 connects to Harrisburg to the west and Allentown to the east.

From Philadelphia, Kutztown can be reached by following I-76 west to I-476 north onto the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Motorists should exit at Lehigh Valley (Exit 56) and follow US 22 west to I-78, exiting at Exit 40 and following PA 737 south into Kutztown. Kutztown is about 1 hour and 25 minutes from Philadelphia.

From New York City, follow I-78 west into Pennsylvania and get off at Exit 54A, following US 222 south to Kutztown. Kutztown is about 1 hour and 50 minutes from New York City.

From the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, follow I-83 north into Pennsylvania and get off at Exit 21A onto US 30 east. Follow US 30 east to Lancaster to the exit for US 222 north. Follow US 222 northeast through Reading to Kutztown. Kutztown is about 2 hours 15 minutes from Baltimore and about 3 hours from Washington D.C.

By plane
The closest airport with commercial air service to Kutztown is the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, which is about 30 minutes away by car. A larger selection of air service is available at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, which is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by car, and the Newark Liberty International Airport  in Newark, New Jersey near New York City, which is about 1 hour and 40 minutes away by car. Rental car service is offered at all three of these airports.

By train
There is no train station close to Kutztown. Rail travelers along Amtrak can use 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, which serves a variety of routes along the Northeast Corridor along with some long-distance routes. From here, travelers can either rent a car or take an Uber.

By bus
Bus riders from New York City can take Klein Transportation's run into Kutztown. This service also stops in the Lehigh Valley and Reading.

Clydesdale Lines occasionally operates service to and from Philadelphia and other locations. However, their service is often unreliable and customers have expressed complaints on Google Maps and the Better Business Bureau website.

Get around
The best way to get around the Kutztown area is by car. Many sites within town are within walking distance of each other; parking is available on-street along Main Street and in parking lots located a short distance off Main Street. Many side streets have permit parking that is reserved for residents, so make sure not to park in these spots. A car is needed to access the sites that are outside the central area of town. There is no scheduled public transportation serving Kutztown. Kutztown University operates a shuttle service serving the campus and the downtown area, but it is only accessible to university students.

Eat

 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.
 * Pop's Malt Shop This ice cream shop is known for being the go to ice cream spot in town. They offer a variety of flavors and toppings.

Sleep
There are a few lodging options in the Kutztown area. Additional hotels can be found in Allentown, Fogelsville, and Reading, all of which are within a 30 minute drive.

Stay safe
As a small rural town, Kutztown is generally safe and has a low crime rate. However, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights during the fall and spring semesters at Kutztown University, there can be drunk college students, particularly on Main Street and near the university campus.

Go next

 * Allentown, 18 miles northeast