short trips from philadelphia
A fantastic beach trip from Philadelphia is Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Named after a grove of black cherry trees, Cherry Springs State Park is most well-known for its stargazing. St. Peters Village The small village offers several small shops, an arcade, a winery, and more for a leisurely shopping experience. Since Hersheypark and Harrisburg are so close to each other, you can easily visit both of these wonderful stops in one weekend. Let us know in the comments below. Whether you are on a layover or are just planning a short day trip to Philadelphia from nearby, you can use our guide of things to do in Philly. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Doylestown - 45 minutes Doylestown is a charming borough and the county seat of Bucks County. The Valley Forge area is best known for its Revolutionary War connections, but this area is also filled with great shopping, art, and other unique attractions. This hotel is in the center of Berlins historic district. Although this isnt one of the cheap vacations from Philadelphia on this list, its worth it. 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. 2 N Main StreetBerlin, MD 21811(410) 641-1234. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. 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. 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). They get their distinctive pink color from the shells and calcium carbonate left behind by tiny marine animals. Take a dip in the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. 1001 Lafayette Dr. Farmington, PA 15437. Related: TPG beginners guide Everything you need to know about points, miles, airlines and credit cards, Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour and 30 minutes. 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. Photograph by Pamela Aquilani. Annapolis is the capital city of Maryland. You can build an entire weekend around a pilgrimage to one of its famed mid-century modern auctions. And I do mean extraordinary. Save this list of Weekend Trips from Philadelphia by pinning the image below to your planning board. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Youll love your room, with its walls painted in screaming colors and pop art hanging around. Terms and Conditions Apply. Then, theres King of Prussia, which has the iconic Justice Bell and is known for its big shopping. Home to a vibrant culinary scene, thousands of larger-than-life works of public art, andno big dealthe actual home of American democracy, Philadelphia has plenty going for it. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Return to sit by the fire pit, sampling house beers brewed just down the road. Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn Hagerstown. Light and airy guest rooms are imbued with character thanks to plenty of artwork, but perhaps none mirrors the neighborhoods dynamic and design-minded vibe more than the Mural Rooms. The nearly 14-hour road trip spans just over 700 miles and stops in such quaint small towns as Ligonier, Hollidaysburg, Elizabethtown, and Wellsboro. Missing travel? Theres also the Hersheypark Camping Resort. Fly from Philadelphia to Dallas (DAL) for as low as $192 round trip Dallas Love Field Airport is about six miles northwest of downtown Dallas and is convenient for travelers looking for a quick trip (compared to DFW, which is 20 miles outside of town). Read your favorite book in your room, with the stunning Victorian antiques around you. (one-hour drive from Philadelphia), Baltimore may be best known for its tourist-thronged Inner Harbor, but fan out from Charm Citys unofficial epicenter to find much quieter, quirkier neighborhoods. Splash in the waters under the blue skies for the perfect family bonding moment. Visit the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick or National Civil War Museum, grab a bite to eat at Broad Street Market, or join in a city scavenger hunt to explore deeper! There's actually a designated spot - the park's . This region comprises 19 counties and has centers in the cities of Lancaster, Reading, York, Allentown, and Hershey. The city is primarily known for its large Amish community, but this is also an area filled with a thriving art scene, great breweries, and beautiful nature. Looking for even more places to explore? Youll technically already be in the United Kingdom when you get to the island. They include a conservatory, which houses over 4,600 different types of flora. Take a ferry boat right into the action or walk right up on a Cave of the Winds Tour. And if you time it right, you can enjoy the fantastic Cherry Springs Star Party, which takes place each June. What to do: There are quite a few wonderful beach towns within striking distance of Philadelphia, but none we love more than Ocean City. 1. Ocean City, NJ Source: Photo by Flickr user LabyrinthX used under CC BY-SA 2.0 Its home to famous landmarks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Soldiers and Sailors Arch. Built in 1904, this luxe hotel retains the splendor of a bygone Philadelphia with all the modern amenities imaginable. It features the Gettysburg National Military Park and a historic downtown. Winter is ideal for cold weather activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Morning departure is around 23% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*. Here are 15 day trips from Philadelphia that will give you the best the region has to offer. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Find amazing last minute deals from Philadelphia to your favorite destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. Heres one of the best places near Philadelphia for vacation. You might even see planets from far away. Train: California Zephyr (Amtrak) Route: Chicago to Emeryville, California. 60 Water St., Stonington, Connecticut, (860) 535-2000. If you are on a mission to see lots of greater Philadelphia attractions like Longwood Gardens at minimal cost, I highly suggest you get a city pass which offers free entry to over 30 attractions in and near the city. The outdoor patio at Bluecoast in Bethany Beach, one restaurant to try while youre visiting Delaware. Photograph by Eric Kelley. Or head across the river to the recently renovated Logan Inn in New Hope. Aetna Road, Frostburg, Md. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. (five-hour drive from Philadelphia). Things to do in Philadelphia on your day trip from New York. However, whether you live in the city and are looking to get out or are visiting and want to explore the area outside of the city, there are a ton of great day trips from Philadelphia that are worth taking. Erie Zoo, located in northwestern Pennsylvania, is your go-to place for fun-filled days of animal viewing. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to Disney100: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution. Recommended Hotel: Best Western Premier the Central Hotel & Conference Center, 1001 Longwood RoadKennett Square, PA 19348(610) 388-1000. Youll love its beautiful facade made of marble and the courtrooms grand 24 columns. Doylestown is a charming borough and the county seat of Bucks County. And spring is great for hiking trails like Lehigh Gorge Trail, Bushkill Falls Trail, and nearby Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area. Follow the yellow trail to get to the main falls and the lower gorge. If youre heading that way, and youre a theater fan, check out Bucks County Playhouse, which opened in a former gristmill in 1939 and has put on performances ever since. Just marvel at the over 3,000 boats that occupy the citys harbors and marinas. 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. If you love nature, make sure you swing by the place. 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). Sample Seasonal Wines in Kennett Square. There are many short trips from Philadelphia worth taking, and New Hope is one of them. The oldest business on the boardwalk, its been a fixture of Ocean City since 1898. Try a whiskey tasting at the Cannon Room (named for the 17th-century cannons unearthed on site during the hotels construction), and come back in the summer, when the pool set on the edge of Rec Pier opens for sunbathing and socializing. Ample outdoor recreation activities await you in the park, including hiking, fishing, strolling along the Chesapeake Bay, etc. Blue Mountain Ski Area Just north of Philadelphia, Blue Mountain Ski Area offers stunning views of the snow-covered landscape with slopes and trails perfect for skiing, snowboarding, or tubing. Make sure you bring your camera with you. Top Bethlehem, PA hotels to stay at: Historic Hotel Bethlehem and The Sayer Mansion. 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. Come back in warmer weather to take one of the propertys beach cruisers for the mile-long spin to the ocean (theyll also give you towels, umbrellas, and all the other essentials for a perfect day at the beach). Take a stroll along the 600-foot-long flower garden walk. Visiting these two communities gives you the chance to explore some of the best sites and most beautiful outdoor areas in Chester County. The charming inn has the amenities you need just to unwind. However, this city a little over an hour from Philadelphia features some neat spots that are worth checking out. The Poconos region also offers wine tastings, waterfall hikes, and cozy porches to help you forget about the stresses of city life. There are many last minute weekend getaways from Philadelphia you can choose from. The cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia is January. Start the day in the courtyard with made-to-order lemon souffle pancakes, take afternoon tea in the library, and in the evening, pour a glass of wine at the serve-yourself Mansion bar. Home to the birthplace of America, visitors can tour Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Related: A guide to Marriott hotel brands, Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour and 20 minutes. Harpers Ferry, WV. Founded in 1705, Lambertville is a charmer lined with well-preserved federal townhouses and Victorian homes. You can reach The Poconos in 1 hour and 36 minutes by car. The museum features contemporary works of art in historical surroundings. You can reach the Atlantic Hotel in 2 hours and 25 minutes. In fact, PHL is a gateway to Europe - and on our trips overseas, we often had . Photograph: Shutterstock. The state Joe Biden calls home is having a full-on moment. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Columbus is about 380 miles (611 km) from Philadelphia and you can reach it in less than 6 hours. Where to stay: Most visitors stay in weekly rentals (houses, half-houses and apartments being the norm). The invisible service hotelone that replaces an onsite staff with technology and intuitive designis perfect for these times of social distancing. Located 90 minutes from the city, Lancaster makes for a perfect day trip from Philly. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Rates start at $161 per night. Visit the National Civil War Museum, with its over 21,000 artifacts. Its home to the National Civil War Museum and beautiful structures. Whether youre looking for a last-minute weekend getaway from Philadelphia, a shore getaway, or any fun driving vacation, here are 12 of the best weekend trips from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. If you have the budget, staying in Manhattan will help you be most central to top attractions. The 30-mile from downtown Philadelphia drive usually takes less than 45 minutes. Its an interactive museum chronicling Hershey founder Milton Hersheys life and the picture-perfect communitys creation as a model factory town. The falls are deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains. 1.5 hours by train or 3 hours by car from Philadelphia The nation's capital may be contentious turf nowadays, but no matter what side of the aisle you're on, we're sure you can get down with luxe hotels, gourmet grub, and iconic historical and cultural institutions. Distance from Baltimore: 41 miles (36 minutes) Sandy Point State Park. Add Rehoboth Beachs beautiful beaches and award-winning boardwalk to your weekend getaway plans for a sandy getaway sans alcohol (yep, this beach spot prohibits booze on the beach, boardwalk or public streets).