Calling all nature lovers! While there, you can explore the many boroughs of the city: Visit the Botanical Gardens or experience a Yankees game in the Bronx; indulge in the diverse flavors of Astoria, Queens food scene; take iconic bridge photos in Dumbo, Brooklyn; or get lost perusing the many neighborhoods of Manhattan after an epic private helicopter tour. If you have the budget, staying in Manhattan will help you be most central to top attractions. On a short trip, you'll get the most out of your time on Grand Cayman, the largest. The Poconos region also offers wine tastings, waterfall hikes, and cozy porches to help you forget about the stresses of city life. This is as opposed to the 3 hours it will take you to get to Miami. Aetna Road, Frostburg, Md. Drive along scenic routes 100 and 52 between Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, to spectacular Longwood Gardens, designed by Pierre du Pont, and the 70-plus-room Nemours Mansion & Gardens, built by Alfred I. du Pont. Overall, this is one of the most inexpensive weekend getaways near Philadelphia that deserve a repeat. Related: Starter card showdown Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture. 14. Traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes around 3 hours, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes. 11 Best Family Vacations in Pennsylvania That All Ages Love! A short 55 minute drive from the city will get you to lovely Kennett Square. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is a mash-up of luxury and family fun. Even if you dont visit around Christmas, you can stay entertained in Bethlehem. Make sure you bring your camera with you. There's no shortage of fabulous road-trip destinations within a three-hour drive of Philadelphia. Its Beaux-Arts architecture will blow you away. 6. Youre likely to come across a newt and even bald eagles. Read your favorite book in your room, with the stunning Victorian antiques around you. The Bellevue Philadelphia. However, short-time and overnight visitors will find a modest array of hotels and motels such as the beachfront Port-O-Call and The Flanders; current rates for the coming months start at $229 and $219 per night. However, the long journey is still worth your time and effort. Its newest attraction, Jolly Rancher Remix, is a revamped roller coaster that includes a blast through a Jolly Rancher flavor-infused tunnel. Theres a reason Annapolis has been touted as Americas Sailing Capital. It's a European-style cafe with a killer weekend brunch menu. Each one is painted by a different local artist, and a portion of the room rate will go to Make Space, a mentorship program for young female artists. Doylestown, PA. Head to the nature-laden Pocono Mountains, beach towns along the Atlantic, or Christmas-themed Bethlehem to start. What to do: With 2,400 square miles of lakes, rivers and woodlands, the mountain region known as The Poconos has long been one of the main escapes for Philadelphians looking to get outdoors. Hickory Run has two dozen hiking options over 44 miles of trails. Located about three hours from Philadelphia, Gettysburg is rich with museums. Check out the Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction, too. For a smokeshow. Youll agree this is one of the best getaways in Philadelphia or nearby you cant miss. That, or keep it in the Hershey family with a night at the Hershey Lodge, which has its own indoor pool complex (rooms from $129 during the off season). 27 Best Day Trips From NYC - LazyTrips Certain hotels have resort fees. You're awesome for doing it! All of the places listed here are located in Pennsylvania (There are great day trips in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, but this is Uncovering PA) and can be reached within a two-hour drive from the city under normal traffic circumstances (which sadly left out great spots like Gettysburg, Ricketts Glen State Park, and Scranton that were a bit too far). Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard in Charlottesville, Virginia is one of several great drivable weekend getaways from Philadelphia. You can get to the Poconos from Philadelphia in about two and a half hours, and this is a prime place to beat the city's summer heat. Of course, these amazing weekend trips from Philadelphia are just the start! If they get tired of amusement park rides, take them to the beach. With the Garden State in your rearview, there are so many places to explore, many of which are only a short car ride away. This direct flight takes around 12 hours and 20 minutes and is operated by Qatar Airways. Where to stay: Sure, you could stay at one of the chain motels in the area. However, as we Philadelphians know (until recently, I lived there for more than 20 years and I still come back regularly), sometimes you just need to get away. The MGM Resorts property boasts oodles of slot machines and table games, a 2,400-seat event center that draws the likes of Pearl Jam and Gwen Stefani, a sprawling spa, retail shops, and lots of dining and nightlife. Milton Hershey himself had it built on a hill overlooking the town in the 1930s. 21 Best Day Trips from Philadelphia in 2023 (By a Local) Then savor the perfect meal on Main Street. By car, you can reach Bushkill Falls in 2 hours. 15 Best Day Trips from Harrisburg PA - The Crazy Tourist The Poconos are home to 150 lakes, forested peaks, and valleys. 2 hours 20 minutes on the train from NYC or 3 hours 20 minutes by car. Ricketts Glen State Park. Plus, theres the beaches all eight miles of them, wide and pristine. 2023 Cond Nast. Youre bound to see great blue herons and ballards during your hike. Add to that the citys location: right between New York City and Washington, D.C. and conveniently well-positioned for so many road trips. But why not go Full Hershey with a night at the historic, 276-room Hotel Hershey (rooms from $229 per night during the off season; much more during peak periods). That being said, here are a few of our favorite day trips from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Callicoon, NY. Often called the Switzerland of America this quaint town in the Poconos is a great spot for those that love the outdoors or exploring small towns. Take a ferry boat right into the action or walk right up on a Cave of the Winds Tour. Built in 1895, it features 18 Victorian period-themed rooms and an on-site restaurant. It goes without saying that NYC is a fantastic weekend trip to take from Philly. Recommended Hotel: Best Western Plus Hershey. Best hotels in Annapolis: Crowne Plaza Annapolis, Graduate Annapolis, and Gibson's Lodgings of Annapolis. Other top Gettysburg stops include the National Park Service-owned David Wills House, where President Abraham Lincoln put the finishing touches on the Gettysburg Address, and the nearby National Military Cemetery, where he delivered it. Having spent more time exploring the city and the area around it than just about anyone, I thought Id put together a few of my favorite spots to check out. If you're longing for a change of scenery a short drive away, read on for our favorite weekend getaways from Philadelphia. Where to Go Ice Skating in Philadelphia: 7 Ice Rinks to Visit, 14 Beautiful Parks and Hikes Near Philadelphia, My Experience at Feria del Barrio Philadelphia (Hispanic Heritage Month), Itineraries: A 3-Day Weekend Getaway in Philadelphia, The Art Lover's Guide to Philadelphia: 18 Places You Can't Miss. Recommended Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Kennett Square. Located 90 minutes from the city, Lancaster makes for a perfect day trip from Philly. Theyll love the Canyon Falls Log Flume, which drops from a height of 35 feet. (four-hour drive from Philadelphia), Virginias capital is home to a vibrant art scene, and theres no better place to soak it in than at Quirk (from $179 per night), located in the Arts and Design Districtabout four hours south of Philly. Between games of skee-ball and a ride on the iconic Giant Wheel at Gillians Wonderland Pier (one of the East Coasts largest Ferris wheels), be sure to grab a cut at Manco and Manco Pizza, a tub of caramel corn at Johnsons Popcorn and a twist of frozen custard at Kohr Bros. Then head over to Shrivers for a box of its famous saltwater taffy (and to watch the taffy made in the back). That keeps the rowdy crowd away, and the evening scene is all about strolling the boards with the little ones in tow. There are over 20 wineries along the Bucks County Wine Trail, so you can spend the day visiting different vineyards and doing tastings. 21 Top Romantic Getaways in Pennsylvania - US News & World Report Longwood Gardens is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the U.S. With 90,000 species of plants and 1,000 acres of land, it looks like its right out of a floral fairytale! Take the kids to Gillians Wonderland Pier. (four-hour drive from Philadelphia), Set on the Northern Neck peninsula between the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay is the tiny town of Irvington, right in the midst of Virginias Oyster Trail. Consider booking your tickets to Charleston, WV from cities including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Theres also the National Park Services Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River site, which brings more outdoorsy pursuits. Boston, MA In the unlikely event cabin fever hits, break the off-the-grid illusion with a visit to the nearby East Point Lighthouse, or with a scenic drive to one of the New Jersey shore towns. 14 Most EPIC Philadelphia Day Trips | 2023 Guide Ease your way into post-quarantine travel with one of these fresh-air-filled (and fully drivable) weekend getaways. 27 Drivable Weekend Getaways From the Philadelphia Suburbs 19 Best Day Trips from Baltimore (under 3 Hours!) - Virginia Travel Tips 21 Best Road Trips from Philadelphia - LazyTrips Copyright 2013-2023 Uncovering Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area , Find more things to do in the Philly region, American Automobile Club of America Museum, most charming small towns in Pennsylvania, Where to Eat at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Exploring the Peter Wentz Farmsteads History and Odd Decorations, 5 Beer Gardens in Philadelphia to Enjoy this Summer, Experiencing the Magic of Christmas at Longwood Gardens, You can also find other places to stay on, Strasburgs Train Sites Strasburg is home to three great spots for train lovers: the. Theres also Winterthur, the massive, 982-acre country estate-turned-museum built by Henry du Pont. This hotel in front of the Atlantic Ocean boasts a Victorian theme and features modern amenities, such as a heated pool and a fitness room. Since you are right at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, make an extra memorable adventure out of the trip by planning extra hikes or even a 30-min epic airplane tour over the Pocono mountains to the DWG. It houses whats considered the premier collection of American furniture and decor as well as a superb garden that Henry du Pont designed himself. Both areas straddle the Delaware River. Below, I list my seven favorite getaways from Philadelphia, all reachable in less than three hours. The 14 Best Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia Since they are so close together, they make for a great day trip when combined together. Take a stroll along the one-mile Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk for spectacular coastline views. Photo by Famartin/Wikimedia. Old-world charm is front and center in this Canadian city, which sits approximately 40 miles north of the U.S.-Canada border. Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May are only a short drive away. If youre searching for the best family getaway, Philadelphia and its vicinity offer a wide array of options. The cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia is January. 1600 Mt. I recommend trying to see a bunch of these coastal Maryland towns during your weekend trip from Philadelphia. What to do: If Ocean City, N.J., is the place to go for kiddie fun at the beach, Atlantic City is its counterpart for adults. Related: How to get to New York City on points and miles, Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours and 30 minutes. There's a lot of great history to uncover in Philadelphia. Looking for unforgettable trips from Philadelphia? So once youre done admiring all the flora, you can explore this charming area as well. Annapolis is the capital city of Maryland. Board Amtraks Keystone Service train to make it a great weekend train trip from Philly. With plenty of posh options for lodgings, a pedestrian mall packed with shops and restaurants, and wineries, cideries and breweries down seemingly every winding country road, its fully possible to do an entire weekend in the home of the University of Virginia without ever stepping foot on campus grounds. Its not just because its home to the Independence Hall and the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Arts Rocky Steps.. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. First stop: Merroir at Rappahannock Oyster Company for fresh-harvested oysters al fresco. Less than five hours by car from Philadelphia, The Tides Inn (from $199 per night) has a distinctly retro-seaside resort feel, with tennis courts, lawn games, and dockside crabbinga perfectly peaceful spot to refresh and feast on local seafood. Its also one of the shortest day trips from Philadelphia that you can take. One of the best nature-focused weekend trips from Philadelphia is undoubtedly the Pocono Mountains. . Given that the town is named after Jesus birth town, Pennsylvanias Bethlehem is most popular around Christmas. Baltimore, MD Aquarium, Museum The invisible service hotelone that replaces an onsite staff with technology and intuitive designis perfect for these times of social distancing. Rates start under $100 a night during the off season, and as a member of MGMs M Life Rewards program, you can enjoy status matching with World of Hyatt and earn 5 Hyatt points per dollar spent on your stay. Related: A guide to Marriott hotel brands, Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour and 20 minutes. Take a dip in the clear beach waters of Sunset Beach in Cape May County. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Driving Time: 2 hrs. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn Hagerstown. What to do: Call it the town that chocolate built. Harpers Ferry is a unique location, as the National Park Service runs a large chunk of the town. 10 best Amtrak trips on the East Coast Heres how to explore it. Explore the Hershey Story museum, which tells of the communitys origins and the chocolate company. This hotel is in the center of Berlins historic district. Book a private cottage at recently opened The Roundtree (from $395 per night) in Amagansett. The Ritz-Carlton Resort Grand Cayman The Brandywine Valley also is Andrew Wyeth country. Thats for good reason: Beyond the National Mall, the District is home to many under-the-radar green spaces and splashy waterfront developments (and, of course, a new administration). You can get to New York City from Philadelphia in 1 hour and 38 minutes if you travel by car. Review my camping checklist for packing list suggestions. See all routes, airlines and scheduled direct (non-stop) flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Direct Flights from Philadelphia to the Caribbean | Islands In the warmer months, youll definitely want to check out Sunset Beach, Higbee Wildlife Management Area, Cape May Point, Historic Cold Spring Village, and Cape May Point State Park. Your Guide to Earth Day Events and Volunteering Around Philly, This search result is here to prevent scraping, Weekending in Baltimore: How to Eat Your Way Through the Charm City, Weekending on Tilghman Island: A Pet-Friendly Escape on the Water, Weekending in Charlottesville: A Quaint Downtown With Nearby Wineries, Cideries, and More, Weekending in Delaware: Great Dining, Gorgeous Gardens, and Shore Towns to Explore, Weekending in Washington, D.C.: Getting Outdoorsy in the Nations Capital, Things to Do in Philadelphia the Weekend of April 29-30. Set along a waterfront, this inn is just a stroll away from dining spots and galleries. Source: Jon Bilous / shutterstock. First established as an inn in 1727, its one of the oldest continuously run inns in the country (rooms from $150). Its home to 10 suites, each with its Florida Keys theme. Stay at the Dogfish Inn (from $119 per night), a boutique hotel run by Dogfish Head brewery on the edge of downtown Lewes, looking out over the Lewes-Rehoboth canal. You can explore the Plateau district, too, with its colorful houses and neo-Art Deco exterior. Keep reading here. Recommended Hotel: The Williamsburg Hotel, Also See:Weekend Getaways From Pittsburgh, PA, 4797 Route 660Wellsboro, PA 16901(570) 724-2868. 8 Places You'll Want to Discover Not Far From Pittsburgh Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.
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