PlanetWare.com

20 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia, PA

Written by Freddy Sherman and Joni Sweet Updated Feb 15, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

While Philadelphia may be known as the City of Brotherly Love, sometimes you just need to get away. Philly's Mid-Atlantic location means cities from New York City to Washington D.C. are within three hours by car, and even less by train, making them ideal weekend getaways from Philadelphia.

New York City

The city's large international airport means there are frequent, non-stop flights to resort destinations like Florida and the Caribbean , and you can be on a course golfing in Bermuda within three hours of taking off from PHL.

You can also be strolling the romantic streets of Old Montreal , within two hours of departing Philadelphia by plane. Families may want to consider an urban weekend getaway from Philadelphia to a car-free place like New York City, where you can take the train then unpack and spend most of your time sightseeing in the destination. Or, take a road trip to New York's Hudson Valley , which is downright spectacular in the fall.

Couples seeking a romantic getaway near Philadelphia may actually want to jet off to one of the more exotic places to visit, like spending a weekend in Montreal. For a cheap romantic getaway near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dutch Country is an easy, inexpensive destination.

Plan your travels with our list of the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia, PA.

1. New York City, NY

2. pennsylvania dutch country, pa, 3. brooklyn, ny, 4. pine creek gorge, pa, 5. ocean city, nj, 6. montreal, canada, 7. gettysburg, pa, 8. jersey shore, nj, 9. new hope, pa, 10. annapolis, md, 11. hershey, pa, 12. rehoboth beach, de, 13. bermuda, 14. the poconos, pa, 15. washington, d.c., 16. hudson valley, ny, 17. reading, pa, 18. allentown, pa, 19. easton, pa, 20. bethlehem, pa.

Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline

The Big Apple is a two-hour drive (or a quick, 90-minute Amtrak Acela high-speed train ride) from Philadelphia's William H. Gray III 30 th Street Station. Walk on the train in Philly and walk off the train in the heart of Manhattan, inside the iconic Grand Central Station.

It's a great weekend getaway for couples-you can enjoy a stroll through Central Park , fine dining , and the Broadway theater scene . Families might enjoy an itinerary of tourist sites like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island . If you're looking for a getaway in from Philadelphia in winter, New York City offers plenty of things to do in winter .

A stay on Manhattan means the entire city can be explored via the subway and public transportation (with some help from taxis and shared ride services like Uber, Via, and Lyft).

  • Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New York City

An Amish farmer in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Concentrated around the city and county of Lancaster , a rural area about 90 minutes outside Philadelphia, this is the land of the Amish, where you'll share the road with horse-drawn buggies.

The Dutch part of the name is a misnomer. The area was settled by German immigrants in the 17 th and 18 th century, and they referred to themselves as the Deutsche, literally, the Germans. Deutsche was corrupted to Dutch by the locals, and they were referred to as the Pennsylvania Dutch ever since.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Country area is also popular for antiquing, and smart buyers will make time to attend one of the mud sales held in the late winter and early spring. These are charity auctions at the local fire stations, usually filled with interesting antiques and farm ephemera. Families traveling with kids will love Dutch Wonderland , an old-school, 50-acre amusement park for small children and families.

Brooklyn Bridge at sunset

This borough of NYC is worth its own listing as a good Philly weekend getaway and can make a really cool travel destination.

It's now filled with boutique hotels, a thriving restaurant scene, and its own respectable collection of museums. Brooklyn is also a place you can get away to without needing a car. Take the train from Philadelphia and then take the subway around the city.

Leave some time to explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden , the borough's curated, smaller version of the New York Botanical Garden. It's a nice green space to escape the summer heat and/or the crowded streets. There are beautiful gardens of different types, along with streams and lakes.

One of the more interesting is the Fragrance Garden, designed with different smelling plants to be enjoyed by those with vision impairments. Opened in 1955 and the first of its kind in the country, the Fragrance Garden features signage in Braille and plants grown in raised beds, perfect for children and people in wheelchairs.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Brooklyn, NY

Pine Creek Gorge

Considered the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, this natural wonder is a 47-mile-long canyon reaching heights (or depths) of 1,450 feet.

This canyon has more gentle, tree-covered sides than the sheer, vertical rock faces of the Grand Canyon. The Pine Creek Gorge sits within the giant, 160,000-plus-acre Tioga State Forest, a protected park. It's about a 3.5-hour drive from Philly.

The many types of deciduous trees in the area make it a popular spot for leaf peeping in September and October. It's also a popular camping spot, and after the camping season ends in the late fall and the deer hunting season ends in late January, the winter brings snowmobiling season. The park has over 177 miles of snowmobile trails.

Leave time to visit Wellsboro, the quaint town adjacent to the gorge. It has a wonderful collection of preserved Victorian mansions, entire neighborhoods lit by vintage gas streetlights. There's also a downtown historic district with interesting shops and places to eat.

Beach houses in Ocean City, New Jersey

Not to be confused with the larger beach town of the same name in Maryland, Ocean City, New Jersey just may be the ultimate family destination.

Originally founded in the 19th century as a Methodist seaside resort, it retains some very family-friendly laws, like no alcohol sales within the town boundaries; no public alcohol consumption; and Blue Laws, which require many businesses to close on Sunday.

The city has a wonderfully wide wooden boardwalk extending almost three miles. The boardwalk is filled with many family-owned businesses, from little amusement parks to gift shops and food places. There are also some hotels and motels that are right on the boardwalk.

Ocean City has about eight miles of clean, well-guarded beaches, along with a large bay area, perfect for fishing and water skiing. This Jersey Shore getaway destination is an easy 2.5-hour drive from Philadelphia.

Read More: Best Things to Do in Ocean City, NJ

Downtown Montreal in autumn

You might not think of Montreal as a place to visit on a weekend getaway from Philadelphia, but Canada's beautiful and very French city is only a 100-minute flight from PHL.

Once here, you can stroll the narrow, cobblestone streets of Old Montreal ; shop in the food and flower markets; and enjoy the unique cuisine. The city has a wonderful European feel to it, enhanced by the fact that the main language spoken here is French.

Summer visitors can take advantage of the warm weather, with beaches along the river like the large Plage de L'Horloge. Summer visitors can also take advantage of BIXI Montreal, the city's public bike-share system. Whether winter or summer, make some time to visit Bota Bota, the city's very hip floating spa, constructed on a barge that floats on the river.

Winter visitors can experience the range of winter sports and use the city's underground passageways to enjoy the downtown area without ever having to brave the cold temperatures.

A hike up (and then back down) Mount Royal is an excellent way to enjoy the fresh air, check out some of Montreal's nicest neighborhoods, and get a view of the city from the summit. Don't worry, Mount Royal is more of a large hill than a real mountain.

The hike through Mount Royal Park to the top takes about an hour. Make sure you visit the Mount Royal Cemetery on your way, as it has some incredible Victorian monuments and architectural details.

  • Read More: Best Tourist Attractions in Montreal

A cannon and barn in historic Gettysburg

The historic Pennsylvania city where President Abraham Lincoln gave his iconic address is about two hours from downtown Philadelphia.

Recent changes and improvements to the Gettysburg National Military Park itself allow for a more meaningful visit, as the majority of the surrounding land has been acquired by preservation groups and returned to its original Civil War-era state. There's a large visitor center and museum, but the highlight is the opportunity to explore the sacred battlefield site by foot.

The small town of Gettysburg itself has a few historic boutique hotels that allow you to immerse yourself in the time period. This can also be done at living history events like battle re-enactments on the original battlefield. While here, you can also visit the adjacent Eisenhower National Historic Site , the home and farm of the former president.

  • Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Gettysburg

Atlantic City, New Jersey

A 127-mile stretch of the New Jersey coastline, the Jersey Shore area starts in Monmouth County and goes south through to Cape May. Towns like Wildwood, Seaside Heights, Ventnor, Margate, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City, and Ocean City are all considered part of the Jersey Shore. The range of experiences is also vastly different.

The city of Wildwood offers a carnival-like atmosphere with the opposite being Cape May, filled with families and elegant Victorian homes restored as bed and breakfasts.

All the Jersey Shore destinations are a 60- to 90-minute drive from Philadelphia. Atlantic City is the closest at an hour; Cape May is the farthest at an hour and a half.

Ocean City is the best getaway destination for families. The town retains some wholesome laws from its days as a religious seaside resort. No alcohol is sold anywhere in the town, no alcohol is allowed in any public area, and many shops observe Blue Laws and are closed on Sundays.

New Hope, PA | Photo Copyright: Joni Sweet

This small town in Bucks County on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River has long been a popular place for weekend getaways for couples.

This is antique country, and the town and surrounding area are filled with antique shops. You can also shop for unique treasures at Rice's Market, a flea market that's been around for more than 150 years.

New Hope also has a thriving arts scene, with many galleries and performance venues of all sizes in town, as well as the internationally acclaimed Bucks County Playhouse here as well.

One of the popular summer outdoor activities here is " tubing" down the Delaware . You're able to float in an inner tube (a round inflatable) five to six miles for three to four hours down the river. The current is gentle, and for safety, you always go in organized groups. Kayaks and canoes are also used.

New Hope sits next to the Delaware Canal, part of a 1,200-mile canal system built in the 19th century to move the materials of the Industrial Revolution. Now a National Historic Landmark, it's a popular walking, hiking, biking, and fishing spot.

The Bucks County area has also become a popular foodie destination, with farm-to-table restaurants taking advantage of the area's rich variety of locally grown produce and artisan foods. Visit Solebury Orchards to pick your own berries, apples, and cherries, and stock up on farm-made foods from the on-site market.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in New Hope, PA

Sunset over Annapolis

Maryland's historic, cobblestone-street-filled capital city, located on the Chesapeake Bay, is just a two-hour drive from Philadelphia.

An Annapolis getaway means you can explore the city's history, including the United States Naval Academy and the city's many museums. You can also explore the city's modern culture, with trendy locally owned boutique shopping options and a thriving food scene (with especially fresh seafood, of course).

Things to see and do in Annapolis include the Maryland State House building; the country's oldest still-in-use legislative building; and the city's historic city dock, usually home to several tall sailing ships. The waterfront area is also home to the Annapolis Maritime Museum , with its large collection of sailing and sea-related material.

The United States Naval Academy , which is like a large college campus on the waterfront, can be visited and offers guided tours. During the academic year, visitors can watch the daily formation of cadets at noon. On parade days (most Fridays), the full brigade of midshipmen perform formations on Worden Field at 4pm, something not to be missed.

Hershey Gardens in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Did you know there was a man named Hershey behind the Hershey chocolate empire? Milton Hershey made millions in the late-19 th and early 20 th century by pioneering a process to make caramel using fresh milk and a method for making milk chocolate inexpensively (previously, chocolate had been an expensive luxury).

Milton Hershey created the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania as a company town to house his many workers and their families. There were a lot of them, as Hershey had the largest chocolate factory in the world.

The city of Hershey, Pennsylvania, a scenic three-hour drive from Philadelphia, is all about chocolate. Hershey is home to the giant Hersheypark theme park and Hershey's Chocolate World , a combination chocolate museum and attraction with rides.

Hershey is easy to get to by car and not expensive, so the city is also a good cheap romantic getaway destination. It's near Lancaster and can be combined with a Pennsylvania Dutch Country experience as well.

  • Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Hershey, PA

Benches on the boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach

This small Delaware seaside town delivers everything you need for the perfect family getaway: wide, sandy beaches; a wooden boardwalk with amusements; and even a big bandstand area with frequent band concerts.

Also to help make it a cheap getaway, Delaware has no sales tax (and there's a huge outlet mall just outside Rehoboth). The town has also gained additional fame due to it being right next to the long-time location of President Biden's summer vacation home.

Rehoboth Beach, just over a two-hour drive from Philadelphia, is primarily a summer destination and is especially popular with families. The beach and water are very clean, the city (and its next-door neighbor Dewey Beach) constantly ranks in the top 20 beaches in the country for water quality.

Rehoboth Beach is also known as an LGBTQ-friendly beach town with many LGBTQ-owned small businesses.

Read More: Top-Rated Beaches in Delaware

Beautiful beach in Bermuda

Closer to Philadelphia by plane (2.5 hours) than Miami (three hours), the Caribbean-like island of Bermuda is actually in the North Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. It still provides a tropical, paradise-like romantic getaway, complete with pink-sand beaches, luxury resorts, and a lot of golf courses.

Another interesting fact: Bermuda is not technically an independent nation (by choice-they voted on it in 1995); it's a British Overseas Territory. It's under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the British government, and that's why it can feel like a tropical England. The island culture is mixed with traditional British culture, from food like fish and chips to activities like cricket. Cars even drive on the left side of the road.

The island gives visitors an incredible range of things to see, do, and eat. Aside from the beaches, there is history to explore; all kinds of outdoor activities, from hiking to hang gliding; and, of course, lots of fun on, above, in, and under the water.

  • Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bermuda

Bushkill Falls in the Poconos

This mountainous area is known for its great skiing and winter sports during the winter, and amazing hiking and outdoor adventure activities during the spring and summer. The four-county area has over 150 lakes for swimming, fishing, and boating along with several rivers, some of which include sections of white water rafting-ready rapids.

During the summer, the Delaware Water Gap area, at the eastern end of the Poconos, is a great place for outdoor getaways, with miles of rivers and riverside beaches. Of course there are many hiking trails and mountain bike trails as well.

Summer is also the time to visit the area's many water parks and adventure parks (places for ziplining and other adventure sports).

In wintertime, The Pocono Mountains area is the region's largest ski resort area, with six full resorts and 185 slopes, terrain parks and trails for skiing, snowboarding, and every other kind of winter snow activity.

Snow tubing is popular and available at all the resorts. Suitable for anyone, it involves going down a gentle hill sitting in an inner tube (inflated donut).

Sunrise in Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital, and its endless museums, monuments, parks , and vibrant food scene, is only a 2.5-hour drive away. This city is also well-connected to Philly by rail, including Amtrak's Acela high-speed train, which gets you here in under two hours.

To travel around Washington, get a one-day Unlimited Metro Pass, giving you unlimited rides on the Metrobus and Metrorail systems. The city is filled with museums, and a focus on the 17 different museums and galleries that make up the Smithsonian Institution is a good strategy for those with limited time. They're also all free (some require timed tickets, which must be secured in advance).

The Georgetown neighborhood is a great place for shopping and dining. Be sure to visit the Old Stone House, the city's oldest, unchanged, pre-Revolutionary War home, built in 1765.

  • Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Washington D.C.

Mohonk Mountain House | Photo Copyright: Joni Sweet

Located roughly three hours away from Philly by car, the Hudson Valley region of New York is an iconic destination for a fall getaway. This mountainous area transforms into a brilliant palette of gold, red, and orange in September and October, drawing leaf-peepers from around the world.

Plus, the region has remarkable hiking opportunities for people of all experience levels. Popular hiking spots in the Hudson Valley include Breakneck Ridge, Minnewaska State Park Preserve , Mount Beacon , and Bear Mountain State Park.

Artsy river towns, like Beacon in the south or Hudson toward the north, make for quaint, culture-filled places to spend the night. They have tons of art galleries, antique shops, great restaurants, and performing arts venues that can fill the itinerary for your vacation.

Another great place to stay is the Mohonk Mountain House , a Victorian castle resort from 1869 that's located in New Paltz.

Reading Pagoda | Photo Copyright: Joni Sweet

Between its art scene, baseball stadium, and quirky attractions, Reading is a fantastic weekend getaway. It's just over an hour's drive from Philadelphia, making it an especially easy destination to visit in a short amount of time.

One of the most unique things to see in Reading is the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum. It has a renowned collection of restored aircraft, including one of just four remaining World War II-era P-61 Black Widows, which you can see up-close.

Reading doesn't disappoint when it comes to entertainment, either. You can catch a baseball game at FirstEnergy Stadium, watch world-class musicians perform at the Santander Arena , or see a play at the Mill Center for the Arts, among other great venues.

Be sure to leave room in your itinerary to watch the sunset from the Reading Pagoda . Considered a symbol of the city, this novel structure offers mesmerizing views.

Malcolm Gross Rose Garden in Allentown | Photo Copyright: Joni Sweet

Drive 90 minutes northwest from Philadelphia and you'll hit Allentown, a much smaller city with more than enough things to do to fill your weekend getaway itinerary.

You could easily spend a few hours wandering around the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market, a nearly 70-year-old indoor farmers market that stretches across a huge building.

But, once you've filled up on local fare, head to some of Allentown's other top attractions , including the America On Wheels Museum, the Malcolm Gross Rose Garden, and the Allentown Art Museum, which has a Rembrandt painting in its permanent collection.

If you're traveling with kids, be sure to devote a day in your itinerary to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom . In business since 1884, this beloved amusement park has more than 60 thrilling rides, including Pennsylvania's only floorless roller coaster .

Mule-drawn canal boat at the National Canal Museum | Photo Copyright: Joni Sweet

Tourists who are passionate about art and history will love Easton, a small city less than an hour-and-a-half away from Philadelphia by car.

Interestingly, Easton's Centre Square , a green space with a towering monument in the heart of downtown, is where one of just three public readings of the Declaration of Independence was held in 1776.

The city became prosperous in the 19th century thanks to its strategic location where several canals met. This legacy is celebrated at the National Canal Museum , where you can take a ride on a mule-drawn canal.

Public art abounds in Easton, as well. Head to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail , a 1.6-mile-long path lined by large sculptures and other works, to stretch your legs while getting a big dose of creative inspiration.

The farms that surround Easton also make for fun (and tasty!) experiences. You can get a scoop of fresh ice cream at Klein Farms Dairy and Creamery, wander through the 14-acre corn maze at Raub's Farm Market, or shop the Easton Farmers' Market, the longest continuously running open-air market in the United States.

Read More: Top Things to Do in Easton, PA

Shops in Bethlehem, PA | Photo Copyright: Joni Sweet

Looking for a weekend getaway before the holidays? Bethlehem is one of the top Christmas towns in the US.

Also known as "Christmas City USA," the town has holiday magic around every corner in late November and December, including horse-drawn carriages, twinkling lights and ornaments along Main Street, and an award-winning Christmas market. And, given that it's located less than 90 minutes away from Philadelphia, the drive is doable, even if it's a little snowy.

Bethlehem is more than just a holiday hot spot, though. This is an all-season destination is filled with fascinating things to do.

You can learn about its industrial heritage at the National Museum of Industrial History or at the Hoover Mason Trestle, an elevated linear park set against several impressive blast furnaces from a former steel factory.

Or, travel even farther back in time at the Colonial Industrial Quarter , which has several centuries-old structures from Bethlehem's Moravian community.

You can also see a concert at SteelStacks, peek inside of artists' studios at The Banana Factory, and marvel at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts ' collection of intricate dollhouses. When you're ready for some down time, head to the Linderman Library at Lehigh University. It has a stunning Victorian Rotunda where you can relax with a good book.

instagram logo

More on Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Travel Guide

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

Pennsylvania Chevron

Philadelphia Chevron

Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia

By Regan Stephens

The Tides Inn Irvington Virginia

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home to a vibrant culinary scene , thousands of larger-than-life works of public art , and—no big deal— the actual home of American democracy , Philadelphia has plenty going for it. Add to that the city’s location: right between New York City and Washington, D.C. and conveniently well-positioned for so many road trips. Charming small-towns, secluded mountain cabins, cultural hubs and coastal retreats—they’re all less than a five-hour drive. If you're longing for a change of scenery a short drive away, read on for our favorite weekend getaways from Philadelphia.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

East Point Lighthouse New Jersey

Maurice River, New Jersey  

Philadelphians searching for a restorative getaway should look no further than the Lokal A-Frame (from $300 per night) , located less than an hour from Philly by car in Cumberland County, New Jersey. The homegrown Lokal hotel group, run by husband-and-wife creatives Chad and Courtney Ludeman, introduced the area to a new style of lodging when they opened their first hotel in Old City in 2017. The “invisible service” hotel—one that replaces an onsite staff with technology and intuitive design—is perfect for these times of social distancing. And the three-bed, two-bath A-Frame vacation home, set on a wooded 2.5 acres, takes it to the next level. Besides groceries, the home is stocked with all the necessities for a secluded break. Fire up dinner in the Big Green Egg grill, screen a movie on the 8-foot projection screen, soak in the wood-fired hot tub, and take your morning coffee (made with locally brewed beans you can find in the kitchen) to the private river beach. 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. Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May are only a short drive away. (one-hour drive from Philadelphia)

River House at Odettes New Hope PA

New Hope, Pennsylvania  

Just 40 miles north of Center City in bucolic Bucks County, Pennsylvania, New Hope is as charming and small-town as Philadelphia is (charmingly) bustling and gritty. River House at Odette’s (from $389 per night) opened on the edge of town in late September. Named for the cabaret run by French singer Odette Myrtil who once occupied the same site, the 36-room boutique hotel overlooks the Delaware River and is a short walk from Main Street’s antique shops and eateries. Pack a picnic lunch with provisions from the Ferry Market —a salad from Little Radish, made with produce from nearby farms, or a vegetable empanada from Lima Fusion—before pedaling two miles down the canal path to explore what’s in season at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve . End the day at the hotel’s member’s only rooftop lounge, with a local beer from Free Will Brewing and panoramic river views. (one-hour drive from Philadelphia)

Baltimore George Peabody Library one of the most beautiful famous libraries in the world.

Baltimore, Maryland  

Baltimore may be best known for its tourist-thronged Inner Harbor, but fan out from Charm City’s unofficial epicenter to find much quieter, quirkier neighborhoods. Spend a weekend in a restored 19th-century brick mansion in Mount Vernon at The Ivy (from $595 per night ). Plenty of historic sites are in walking distance—the stunning Peabody Library and the Walters Art Museum —but no one would blame you for forgoing it all to stay cloistered in what can feel like your own private estate. 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. Inside each of the plush 18 rooms and suites is a gas fireplace and complimentary mini-bar stocked with local snacks and drinks. In the Fell’s Point neighborhood along the Patapsco River, the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore (from $295 per night ) sits on Recreation Pier. Opt for a harbor view room where floor-to-ceiling windows show off the scenic waterfront. Try a whiskey tasting at the Cannon Room (named for the 17th-century cannons unearthed on site during the hotel’s construction), and come back in the summer, when the pool set on the edge of Rec Pier opens for sunbathing and socializing. (one-and-a-half hour drive from Philadelphia)

15 Best Family Vacation Spots in the US, From Cape Cod to Charleston

Kimberly Wilson

The Happiest Countries in the World in 2024

Sarah James

We Asked Experts: When Is It Okay for Children to Miss School for Vacation?

Jessica Puckett

15 Underrated Places to Travel This Summer, From Kosovo to Quebec

Jamie Spain

Pocono Mountains Delaware Water Gap

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania  

About 100 miles north of Philadelphia, the Poconos have been a sanctuary for city dwellers since the early 19th century, when the region’s first hotel opened. Surrounded by lake-dotted forests, the area is still a draw for camping, skiing, and other year-round outdoor entertainment. Bypass the sprawling resorts and instead book a cozy Airbnb, like the Midcentury A Frame (from $275 per night ) near the village of Hamlin. Nestled in a leafy enclave just a few minutes walk from a lake, the jewel of this lovingly restored home is the soaking tub, framed with a wall of windows to showcase the surrounding nature. Venture out to walk Main Street in nearby Honesdale, and stop for a cup of coffee at Black and Brass , made with beans roasted on-site, or plates of handmade fettuccine and whole roasted trout at Native . (two-hour drive from Philadelphia)

Lewes and Rehoboth Beach Delaware

Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware  

Southern Delaware draws year-round visitors for its 25-mile-stretch of family-friendly beaches, scenic biking trails, and thriving culinary scene. 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. Stroll down 2nd Street—stopping in Edie Bees for penny candy and Biblion Books for paperbacks—before tapping the Inn’s gear shed for beach cruisers, binoculars, Woolrich blankets, and other essentials for a trail ride. Return to sit by the fire pit, sampling house beers brewed just down the road. At the Bellmoor Inn + Spa (from $199 per night) in downtown Rehoboth, take your breakfast into the quiet courtyard, read by the fire in the Jefferson library, or schedule an in-room massage. Just two blocks from Rehoboth beach and boardwalk, find a host of restaurants in walking distance, including Egg and Henlopen City Oyster House . (two-hour drive from Philadelphia)

Amber Waves Farm Market  Kitchen Amagansett NY

Amagansett, New York  

While “out east” for sun-seeking Philadelphians typically means the Jersey Shore, in under four hours from Center City, the Hamptons are a refreshing change of coastal scenery. Book a private cottage at recently opened The Roundtree ( from $395 per night ) in Amagansett. Room designs reflect the low-key luxury that defines the region, with a subdued color palette, Frette linens, and Grown Alchemist bath products. In winter, snuggle under a blanket by the fire pit during a s’mores-filled happy hour. Come back in warmer weather to take one of the property’s beach cruisers for the mile-long spin to the ocean (they’ll also give you towels, umbrellas, and all the other essentials for a perfect day at the beach). Or, tour nearby vineyards and shop the town’s farmer’s markets, like nearby Amber Waves , for fresh peaches grown on their 25-acre farm. (four-hour drive from Philadelphia)

Quirk Hotel Richmond VA

Richmond, Virginia  

Virginia’s capital is home to a vibrant art scene, and there’s no better place to soak it in than at Quirk ( from $179 per night) , located in the Arts and Design District—about four hours south of Philly. Light and airy guest rooms are imbued with character thanks to plenty of artwork, but perhaps none mirrors the neighborhood’s dynamic and design-minded vibe more than the Mural Rooms. 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. Check out the neighborhood’s myriad galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, and don’t miss the hotel’s own Quirk Gallery, which showcases exhibitions by established and emerging artists. (four-hour drive from Philadelphia)

The Tides Inn Irvington Virginia

Irvington, Virginia  

Set on the Northern Neck peninsula between the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay is the tiny town of Irvington, right in the midst of Virginia’s Oyster Trail. 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 crabbing—a perfectly peaceful spot to refresh and feast on local seafood. Book a long weekend in one of the newly designed Ashburn suites, with harbor views and soaking tubs, and make time to cruise Carter’s Creek in one of the hotel's electric Duffy boats, or borrow a stand-up paddleboard to venture out solo. The resort can arrange an Oyster Academy experience, too, where you can tag along with a local waterman to learn about the bivalves before sampling the haul, or hit the trail on your own. First stop: Merroir at Rappahannock Oyster Company for fresh-harvested oysters al fresco. (five-hour drive from Philadelphia)

Recommended

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

O. Christine

12 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (less than 4 hours away)

Site under maintenance, please excuse our appearance.

This article’s recommendations may include affiliate links.

Are you looking for the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia to escape the city? Lucky for you, there are loads of options! Head to the nature-laden Pocono Mountains, beach towns along the Atlantic, or Christmas-themed Bethlehem to start.

charming town center with brick streets and coastal houses

Whether you’re looking for last-minute weekend getaways from Philadelphia , a shore getaway, or any fun driving vacation – here are 12 of the best weekend trips from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This list is comprised of vacations that are a 4-hour drive from Philadelphia (in fact, most are under 3 hours), and is organized by: (1) weekend getaways near Philly in the state of Pennsylvania , and (2) weekend road trips from Philadelphia to nearby states .

Pennsylvania Weekend Trips from Philadelphia

Here are top-rated weekend trips within the state of Pennsylvania

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

One of the top weekend trips from Philadelphia is Bethlehem, PA — especially during the holidays. Given that the town is named after Jesus’ birth town, Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem is most popular around Christmas.

During this time, you can explore beyond Ph iladelphia’s local holiday attractions and instead experience Bethlehem’s Christmas markets and the town festivities.

Even if you don’t visit around Christmas, you can stay entertained in Bethlehem. Visit the National Museum of Industrial History, check out SteelStacks, and stop by Dutch Springs Aqua Park.

  • Distance from Philly : 2 hours
  • Top Bethlehem, PA hotels to stay at : Historic Hotel Bethlehem and The Sayer Mansion

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

Calling all nature lovers! Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best weekend trips for outdoorsy Philadelphia folks who want to explore more nature escapes throughout Pennsylvania.

Named after a grove of black cherry trees, Cherry Springs State Park is most well-known for its stargazing. There’s actually a designated spot – the park’s Overnight Astronomy Observation Field – that offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way.

And if you time it right, you can enjoy the fantastic Cherry Springs Star Party, which takes place each June.

  • Distance from Philly: 4.5 hours
  • Best hotel near Cherry Springs State Park: Hotel Crittenden
  • Best camping near Cherry Springs State Park: The main campground is open seasonally from April – October. Review my camping checklist for packing list suggestions.

stargazing at night in a park with a clear view of the milky way

Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania & DWG

Located in the Pocono Mountains near the Delaware Water Gap, Bushkill Falls is undoubtedly one of the best natural gems in the state and one of our recommended places for autum n hikes . This privately owned series of waterfalls is absolutely picture-perfect and an ideal weekend getaway from Philadelphia!

Things to do near Bushkill Falls: While in the area, you can hike to each of these wonderful waterfalls, get some sweet treats at the Fudge Kitchen, and even mine for gemstones.

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.

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 2.5 hours
  • Best hotels and vacation rentals near Bushkill Falls: This 6-bedroom rental or a further drive to Skytop Lodge

Hersheypark & Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Since Hersheypark and Harrisburg are so close to each other, you can easily visit both of these wonderful stops in one weekend. As an added bonus, you don’t even have to own or rent a car to get there! Board Amtrak’s Keystone Service train to make it a great weekend train trip from Philly.

Owned by the Hershey chocolate company, Hersheypark is definitely the coolest chocolate-themed amusement park in the world. Hop aboard the Cocoa Cruiser, test your skills on the Reese’s Cupfusion ride, and get a sweet bite to eat at Chocolatetown Treats.

When you’re done exploring this chocolate wonderland or Hershey’s AACA car museum , see what the town of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital, has to offer. Visit the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick or the National Civil War Museum, grab a bite to eat at Broad Street Market, or join in a city scavenger hunt to explore deeper!

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours
  • Distance from Harrisburg to Hershey: 30 minutes
  • Where to stay near Hershey Park and Harrisburg: The Londonderry Inn for couples or this Hummelstown vacation home or the Best Western Premier for families/groups.

roller coaster at sunset

Longwood Gardens & Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

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 it’s right out of a floral fairytale!

Longwood Gardens is located in the Brandywine region in an area called Kennett Square. So once you’re done admiring all the flora, you can explore this charming area as well.

Things to do near Kennett Square: Buy high-quality mushrooms from The Mushroom Cap, feel fancy at Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop, and pay a visit to Galer Estate Vineyards & Winery.

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. You can also book a private driver departing from Philadelphia to help you explore the Brandywine region (especially if you want to visit vineyards).

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour
  • Best hotels near Longwood Gardens: The Inn at Westwynd Farm , Brandywine River Hotel , and Hotel Du Pont .

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

One of the best nature-focused weekend trips from Philadelphia is undoubtedly the Pocono Mountains. And since the Pocono Mountains revolve around its natural landscapes, the things that you can do in this region depend on the season.

Summer is perfect for heading out on the water, specifically at Mauch Chunk Lake Park and Promised Land State Park, or even riding in a stock car at the raceway. Fall is filled with autumn colors and leaf-peeping opportunities.

Winter is ideal for cold-weather activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. And spring is great for hiking trails like Lehigh Gorge Trail, Bushkill Falls Trail, and the nearby Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area.

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 2-3 hours (depending on the area)
  • Best hotels near the Poconos: home rentals are common because of group travel, but these hotels are wonderful options: Settlers Inn , Skytop Lodge , Ledges Hotel , and Hotel Anthracite .

hiking along a woods trail near Philadelphia

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Valley Forge is one of the best getaways in Pennsylvania for history buffs — especially if you want to visit Valley Forge Historical Park. While in the area, learn about the American Revolution, hike the Schuylkill River Trail, and pop by Washington’s Headquarters.

Try this: Valley Forge Historical Park self-guided driving tour

If you have some extra time on your weekend getaway, you can visit some of the other historical sites in Valley Forge and King of Prussia. Valley Forge boasts the Bryn Athyn Historic District and Pottsgrove Manor. Then, there’s King of Prussia, which has the iconic Justice Bell and is known for its big shopping.

  • Best hotels near Valley Forge: Springhill Suites by Marriott , Element Valley Forge , Tru by Hilton

Fun weekend getaways from Philadelphia (outside PA)

Here are top-rated weekend trips outside of the state of Pennsylvania

Annapolis, Maryland

Not all of the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia are in Pennsylvania. Quite a few of them are in neighboring states! One example of this is Annapolis, Maryland.

Annapolis is the capital city of Maryland. Situated on Chesapeake Bay, it’s most well-known for its water-related activities.

What to do in Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay: Take a stroll on the dock, hop aboard a boat and sail on the bay, take a helicopter tour for an aerial view , and indulge in delicious fresh seafood.

But if you want to take a break from the Atlantic Ocean, you can do that too. Tour the US Naval Academy, enjoy a wine tasting at Great Frogs Winery, or visit the Banneker-Douglass Museum instead.

  • Best hotels in Annapolis: Crowne Plaza Annapolis , Graduate Annapolis , and Gibson’s Lodgings of Annapolis

road trip driving Chesapeake bridge by the coast

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

A fantastic beach trip from Philadelphia is Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Just two hours outside of Philadelphia, this Delaware beach town is quite convenient for beachgoers looking to escape the city, go paddle boarding , and maybe even take some windsurfing lessons .

Add Rehoboth Beach’s 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).

  • Best hotels near Rehoboth Beach: The Bellmoor Inn and Spa and Ocean Glass Inn

Cape May, New Jersey

If you’re hoping for a beach weekend getaway from Philadelphia that’s a shorter drive than going to Delaware, consider Cape May, New Jersey. This little town is known for its soft sand and scenic stretch of beaches.

In the warmer months, you’ll definitely want to check out Sunset Beach, Higbee Wildlife Management Area, Cape May Point, Historic Cold Spring Village, and Cape May Point State Park. This is also a great place for dolphin and whale watching so consider booking a 3-hour cruise to spot some!

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 1.5 hours
  • Best hotels near Cape May: ICONA Cape May , The Virginia and Cottages , Sand Piper Beach Club , The Mason Cottage Downtown

sitting in an old row boat

Eastern Shore of Maryland

The eastern shore of Maryland is filled with gems that are worth a visit – from Ocean City to Assateague Island National Seashore. I recommend trying to see a bunch of these coastal Maryland towns during your weekend trip from Philadelphia.

Tours to book in Ocean City, MD: Parasailing , sail on a catamaran , book a sunset cruise , or try a banana boat adventure .

Get a taste of small-town life in Chesapeake City, say hello to the wild horses at Assateague Island National Seashore, and dine on fresh seafood on Tilghman Island.

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 3 hours
  • Best hotels on Eastern Shore, MD: Princess Royal Oceanfront Resort , Residence Inn by Marriott Ocean City , and Cambria Hotel Ocean City Bayfront

New York City, NY

It goes without saying that NYC is a fantastic weekend trip to take from P hilly . You can take a quick bus for under $10 at times (Bolt or Megabus ), a train for under $40 (NJT or Amtrak), or drive there — but we don’t recommend you subject yourself to that traffic.

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, Queen’s food scene; take iconic bridge photos in Dumbo, Brooklyn; or get lost perusing the many neighborhoods of Manhattan after an epic private helicopter tour .

  • Best hotels in New York City: the hotel options are endless, I recommend you decide which borough you’ll explore the most and then use Booking.com or Priceline to secure an epic hotel. If you have the budget, staying in Manhattan will help you be most central to top attractions.

standing next to a huge barrel that says cider, while pouring a drink from its nozzel

Which destinations to Choose for Your weekend trips from Philadelphia

Of course, these amazing weekend trips from Philadelphia are just the start! You can also visit fantastic spots like the Catskills in New York for scenic views, New Hope in Pennsylvania for an adorable village feel, Washington DC for their local Cherry Blossom festival , and more!

I recommend considering the season, school vacation schedule, and your group size when planning your weekend getaway from Philly.

Hey Pinterest Fam!

Share this guide to Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia   by pinning the image below to your planning board.

beach at sunset with text overlay that says best weekend getaways from philadelphia

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Eat & Drink
  • Life & Style
  • Home & Property
  • Things to Do
  • Best of the Main Line

Logo

In spring, everything’s in bloom—including the impulse to come out of winter hibernation. Here are some of our favorite places for a getaway, all within an easy day’s drive from Philadelphia’s Main Line and western suburbs.

Connecticut | Delaware | Maryland | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Virginia  |  Washington, D.C. | West Virginia

Connecticut

Inn at Stonington Stonington Connecticut

Inn at Stonington • Stonington, Connecticut

Drive time:  4 hours, 15 minutes.

Rates:  $225-$550.

What’s great: Cheerful, cozy rooms—some with jacuzzi tubs and private balconies—look out onto the harbor, with its fishing, lobstering and pleasure boats. Others offer a view of the picture-perfect New England seafaring village of Stonington Borough. Continental breakfast is included with your stay. A short drive away is Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium, where you’ll find lots of sea life to love and have some close encounters of a different kind with seals, penguins, stingrays, sea lions and even a whale.

60 Water St., Stonington, Connecticut, (860) 535-2000.

Back to top.

Introducing On It Productions by BVTLive! Philadelphia’s Newest Luxury Production Company

Preserving Ankle Motion with Total Ankle Replacement Surgery

Blue Water House in Lewes, Delaware.

The Blue Water House • Lewes, Delaware

Drive time:  2 hours.

Rates:  $142-$200 weekdays, $156-$242 weekends (two-night minimum).

What’s great: The colorful façade will make you smile, and the laid-back, beachy atmosphere, whimsically tropical rooms and exceptional service will keep the good feelings going. The oversized rooms have a light, airy feeling. Homemade breakfast is included with your stay. You’re just an easy walk or bike (complimentary ones are available) to historic downtown Lewes and the Delaware Bay beaches.

407 E. Market St., Lewes, Delaware, (302) 645-7832.

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel Rehoboth Beach Delaware

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Drive time:  2 hours, 15 minutes.

Rates:  $179-$569.

What’s great:  This oceanfront hotel is Old World elegant without being stuffy, from its lavish lobby to its rooms furnished with Victorian-era antiques and reproductions to its adults-only key-access Concierge Level. Deluxe suites offer private balconies with ocean views and whirlpool baths for two. A heated indoor/outdoor spa pool is open exclusively to adults in the evenings, with poolside cocktails available. Weekdays, you can rise and shine with instructor-led yoga or tai chi on the beach. Don’t miss Sunday brunch at the onsite Victoria’s restaurant, with its live piano serenade and a water view from every table.

2 Olive Ave. and the Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, (302) 227-7169.

Atlantic Hotel in Berlin, Maryland.

Atlantic Hotel • Berlin, Maryland

Drive time: 3 hours.

Rates: $150-$240 weekdays, $330-$375 weekends.

What’s great: Though the razzle-dazzle of Ocean City is only a few miles away, the charming village of Berlin and its tastefully Victorian centerpiece hotel will sweep you back to another time and a serene state of mind. Romantic movie buffs often ask for the room where Richard Gere stayed while he was in town filming Runaway Bride . Or, for the ultimate in privacy, choose the Gardner’s Cottage. Try to snag a seat on the enclosed front porch of the onsite Drummer’s Café, an Eastern Shore seafood destination for more than a century.

2 N. Main St., Berlin, Maryland, (410) 641-3589. 

Inn BoonsBoro in BoonsBoro Maryland

Inn BoonsBoro • BoonsBoro, Maryland

Drive time:  3 hours.

Rates:  $289-$352 weekdays, $326-$371 weekends.

What’s great:  If anyone knows how to set the mood, it’s the queen of romance novelists, Nora Roberts—a.k.a. J.D. Robb. And she just happens to own a sweet little couple’s retreat in Western Maryland where the rooms are named and themed for some of world literature’s most ardent lovers. Named for the main characters in The Thin Man, the Nick and Nora Room is done in a 1930s Art Deco style. The furnishings in the Elizabeth and Darcy Room—think Pride and Prejudice—look to be from an English country estate. And the whimsical accents in the Titania and Oberon Room reflect the woodland fantasy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A full breakfast is included with your stay.

1 N. Main St., Boonsboro, Maryland, (301) 432-1188.

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland.

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina • Cambridge, Maryland

Drive time:  2 hours, 30 minutes.

Rates:  Starting at $185 weekdays, $243 weekends.

What’s great:  Situated on the banks of the Choptank River amid pristine wetlands, this expansive 342-acre resort features 400 guestrooms—many of them recently renovated. Choose from a robust menu of treatments at Sago Spa and Salon, or have a soak in the indoor pool. In warmer weather, the outdoor infinity pool is just steps from a pristine beach. Take a swing at River Marsh Golf Club’s 18-hole championship course, or sample the numerous options for exploring the river and bay available at the full-service marina. Regional specialties, fresh seafood and water views are the focus at the resort’s three onsite restaurants.

100 Heron Blvd. (at Route 50), Cambridge, Maryland, (410) 901-1234. 

getaway

Great Oak Manor • Chestertown, Maryland

Rates:  $349-$900 (two-night minimum).

What’s great:  Built in 1938 in the style of an 18th-century Georgian English country estate home, this Upper Eastern Shore B&B offers a host of amenities, including a private beach on the Chesapeake Bay and complimentary use of bicycles. Toast your getaway with an evening sherry or port in the parlor bar. You can savor your breakfast in the dining room or out on the terrace. Note: This is an adults-only hotel, so all guests must be 18 or older.

10568 Cliff Rd., Chestertown, Maryland, (410) 505-8736.

Hollerstown Hill Bed & Breakfast Frederick Maryland

Hollerstown Hill Bed & Breakfast • Frederick, Maryland

Drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Rates: $189-$199.

What’s great: You’ll get plenty of peace and quiet at this inn, which boasts four guest rooms that are tastefully furnished with antiques and period reproductions to complement the Queen Anne-style architecture. Only a 10-minute walk away, downtown Frederick is the perfect destination for art lovers. Take a walk and keep watch for the numerous public installations. Community Bridge is also transformed into a breathtaking work of art with trompe l’oeil images.

4 Clarke Pl., Frederick, Maryland, (301) 228-3630. 

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Brampton Inn • Chestertown, Maryland

Drive time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Rates: $189-$599.

What’s great: With jetted tubs, steam showers and 35 wooded acres on the property, few destinations are cozier then Chestetown’s Brampton Inn. An impressive 164 years old as of 2024, it was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Offering seven rooms and suites in the main house, as well as six secluded cottages, this charming inn has been designed with maximum comfort in mind, even down to the heated towel racks. Just a few short miles from the Chestertown waterfront, local businesses sell river cruises, fishing and bird-watching trips for guests looking to get out on the water.

25227 Chestertown Rd., Chestertown, Maryland, (410) 778-1860.

Savage River Lodge Frostburg Maryland

Savage River Lodge • Frostburg, Maryland

Drive time:  4 hours.

Rates:  $265-$295 (two-night minimum from April 11).

What’s great:  Surrounded by more than 700 acres of state forest, this Western Maryland inn is just the place to renew your love affair with Mother Nature. Watching the sunrise from the lodge’s East Porch is a new thrill every day. The accommodations here strike the perfect balance between rustic and luxurious, whether you stay in one of the two-story log cabins or go glamping in a fully decked-out yurt with a central domed skylight for star-gazing. Every morning, a basket of juice and freshly baked muffins is delivered to your door. Some cabins are also pet-friendly. In spring, fly-fishing lessons on the nearby Cassalman River are available.

1600 Mount Aetna Rd., Frostburg, Maryland, (301) 689-3200.

Southern Mansion Cape May New Jersey

The Southern Mansion • Cape May, New Jersey

Rates:  $299-$489

What’s great:  Park your car and forget it. It’s only a five-minute stroll along the Cape May’s historic streets to get to the beach, boutique shopping and great restaurants. True to Cape May’s personality, this lovingly restored Victorian (circa 1860) is an original, from its intricate crown moldings and gasolier lighting fixtures to its art collection and antique furnishings. The getaway’s newer wing—with its balconies, verandah and soaring circular staircases—also reflects the era’s grandeur. The complimentary breakfast is a combination of private table and buffet service.

720 Washington St., Cape May, New Jersey, (609) 884-7171.

Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort Hamburg New Jersey

Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort  • Hamburg, New Jersey

Drive time:  3 hours

Rates: Starting at $469.

What’s great:  You may not be able to fly off to a tropical island for the weekend, but you can find the next best thing in the mountains of northwest New Jersey. The Biosphere, a 10,000-square-foot indoor complex at this Adirondack-style resort, features freeform pools, lush foliage and a grotto-like jacuzzi under a retractable roof made from a material that allows for year-round tanning. If golf is your sport, the property has six championship courses. For pure relaxation, there’s also a full-service spa. The onsite white-tablecloth restaurant Latour is known for its impressive wine list.

3 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, New Jersey (844) 205-1857.

Glenmere Mansion and Spa in Chester New York

Glenmere Mansion and Spa  • Chester, New York

Drive time:  2 hours, 45 minutes.

Rates: Starting at $750.

What’s great:  During the Gilded Age, industrialist Robert Goelet used to entertain royalty, illustrious artists and other discerning guests at his lower Hudson Valley country retreat set high on a hilltop overlooking acres of pristine land and a lake. Designed to be reminiscent of the villas of Tuscany and surrounded by Italian-style terraced gardens, the mansion offers a taste of the lavish lifestyle. Rooms and public spaces are decorated with antiques and private-collection art. In addition to a traditional full-service spa, Glenmere features a marble bathhouse and hammam, where cleansing and purifying water treatments from around the world are performed. Afterwards, savor a candlelight dinner at The Supper Room. Full breakfast is included with an overnight stay at the getaway.

634 Pine Hill Rd., Chester, New York, (845) 469-1900.

Oheka Castle and Estate in Huntington New York

Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate • Huntington, New York

Drive time:  2 hours, 40 minutes.

Rates:  $495($295 spring special)-$595

What’s great:  It doesn’t take much imagination to picture the posh 1920s-era parties hosted by the original owner of this majestic French chateau-style Long Island Gold Coast mansion and surrounding formal gardens. This estate was so symbolic of opulent Gilded Age architecture and style that it was used as a backdrop in the cinema classic  Citizen Kane . Not surprisingly, dining at the getaway’s intimate restaurant, with its shimmering chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling window views, is also an extraordinary experience. Complimentary continental breakfast is included with your overnight stay.

135 W. Gate Dr., Huntington, New York, (631) 659-1400. 

The Chatwal in New York City New York

The Chatwal • New York, New York

Drive time:  2 hours.

Rates: Starting at $522.

What’s great: If you’d love to score a pair of hard-to-get tickets to that hot Broadway show, the concierge team at this Upper West Side luxury hotel will do everything humanly possible to make it happen. Beforehand, book a service or two at the onsite wellness center or take a swim in the indoor lap pool. Get a taste of Michelin Star chef Jack Logue’s signature style at The Lambs Club on the property. Do you need or want anything else? Just ask your personal butler. And from check-in to checkout at this getaway, Rover will be treated like a “VIPet.”

130 W. 44th St., New York, New York, (212) 764-6200.

Pennsylvania

Frank Llyod Wright's Polymath Park Acme Pennsylvania

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Polymath Park • Acme, Pennsylvania

Rates:  $825, Mäntylä; $675 Duncan; $475, Balter; $475, Blum

What’s great:  You can tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, but you can’t sleep over. At this nearby complex, you can fully experience what it’s like to live in a house designed either by Wright himself at Duncan House and Mäntylä, the latter only recently moved and reconstructed at Polymath Park, or long-time apprentice Peter Berndtson (Blum House and Balter House). In keeping with Wright’s signature integration of nature and contemporary design, the four houses have been transported to a lovely wooded area. Stay in the Wright frame of mind while dining at the onsite Treetops restaurant.

187 Evergreen Ln., Acme, Pennsylvania. (877) 833-7829.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Farmington Pennsylvania

Nemacolin  • Farmington, Pennsylvania

Drive time:  4 hours, 30 minutes.

Rates:  Starting at $889 weekdays, $1400 weekends.

What’s great: You won’t find a greater variety of outdoor recreational activities than at this 2,200-acre resort in southwest Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. For golfers, there are 36 holes of Pete Dye-designed courses. To get the adrenaline pumping, try off-road driving or the warm-weather version of dog sledding using wheeled carts. Take in the scenery on horseback during a trail ride, or try your hand at fly-fishing. At the end of the day, book a treatment at the spa. Accommodations at the getaway include three hotels: the palatial Chateau (opening summer 2024 after extensive renovations), inspired by the Ritz Paris; Falling Rock, the boutique tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright and The Grand Lodge, in English Tudor-style.

1001 Lafayette Dr., Farmington, Pennsylvania. (866) 344-6957.

The Lodge at Woodloch Hawley Pennsylvania

The Lodge at Woodloch • Hawley, Pennsylvania

Rates: Starting at $578 weekdays, $758 weekends (two-night minimum on weekends).

What’s great:  Whether you’re looking for an active or just plain relaxing getaway, this property, with its beautifully appointed rooms and suites and abundance of indoor and outdoor recreational options (many included with your stay), is the perfect adults-only escape. Set on more than 400 wooded acres in the Pocono Mountains, it has a private 15-acre lake for fishing and kayaking, scenic trails for hiking and biking, fitness and wellness programs, cooking demos and much more. Three luxurious meals are also included at this getaway.

109 River Birch Ln., Hawley, Pennsylvania, (570) 685-8000. 

The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm in Holicong, Pennsylvania.

The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm • Holicong, Pennsylvania

Drive time:  1 hour.

Rates:  $250-$475.

What’s great:  Stop and smell the flowers as you take an easy-going walk on the hundred acres of pasture land and gardens surrounding this Bucks County inn near New Hope and Peddler’s Village. Stay in the 1740s Stone Manor House, the 19th-century Stone Bank Barn or one of the private guest cottages. Playwright George Kauffman hosted many glamorous parties with writers and celebrities as his guests on the property in the middle of the last century—and it’s still a very special place today. Many of the rooms at the getaway have whirlpool tubs, sunrooms and private balconies. The décor runs the gamut from Colonial American to Louis XVI era to Asian. Full breakfast is served in the bright and airy Conservatory. Be sure to book dinner at the onsite restaurant, which sources many of its ingredients from local farms.

5281 York Rd., Holicong, Pennsylvania, (215) 794-5104. 

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Hotel Rock Lititz • Lititz, Pennsylvania

Drive time:  1 hour, 45 minutes.

Rates:  $161-$389.

What’s great:  This uber-cool modern hotel brings backstage charm to Lancaster County. With a rock ‘n’ roll theme based around the art and technology that brings music to the world, this Lanco stay is a one-of-a-kind adventure. Designed to support a wide range of events from weddings and parties to meetings and conferences, Hotel Rock’s 3,000 square feet of rental space will get the job done. After an exciting day, drop in on one of the plush suites, or rent out the penthouse like a true rockstar with 1,000 square feet of living room along with a private bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms.

50 Rock Lititz Blvd., Lititz, Pennsylvania. (717) 925-7625.

The French Manor Inn & Spa in South Sterling, Pennsylvania.

The French Manor Inn & Spa • South Sterling, Pennsylvania

Rates: Starting at $196 weekdays, $260 weekends (two-night minimum on weekends).

What’s great:  Perched high atop Huckleberry Mountain in the northern Poconos, this European-style stone chateau is a great choice for a secluded rendezvous. Stay in the Carriage House, with its English country estate feel, or a room in the Victorian Manor. You can even cuddle in a two-level suite in your own castle turret. Soak your stress away in the indoor saltwater pool or hot tub. Or book a massage or other treatment at the onsite spa. Full breakfast is included with your stay at this getaway. The restaurant serves artful French fare.

50 Huntingdon Dr., South Sterling, Pennsylvania. (570) 676-3244.

Bear Mountain Lodge in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

Bear Mountain Lodge • Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

Drive time:  4 hours.

Rates:  $159-$229.

What’s great: What could be cozier than a cabin tucked away in the forest? The three rooms and one suite at this B&B are woodsy warm and furnished with upscale accents like a whirlpool tub or a private outdoor hot tub. The fridge and pantry at this getaway are fully stocked with brunch and snack items to take along on your adventures in the great outdoors. Close by is Pennsylvania’s scenic Grand Canyon and the quaint, gaslight-lined Main Street of Wellsboro.

8010 Rte. 6, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, (570) 724-2428. 

Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg, Virginia.

The Red Fox Inn & Tavern • Middleburg, Virginia

Rates: $220-$1,099.

What’s great: Established in 1728, this traditional Virginia Hunt Country inn has a long history of providing the highest level of hospitality. One sniff of the home-baked cookies, and you’ll appreciate the attention to detail at the getaway. The Red Fox is composed of four buildings offering a total of 18 guest rooms. The food at the Tavern sticks to the inn’s historic roots by featuring traditional upscale Southern fare. Breakfast is included with your stay. This is Virginia wine country, so be sure to visit some of the nearby producers for tastings during your getaway.

2 E. Washington St., Middleburg, Virginia, (540) 687-6301.

Linden Row Inn

Linden Row Inn • Richmond, Virginia

Drive time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.

Rates: $188-$409

What’s great: You’re in the heart of American history at Richmond’s Linden Row Inn, which is comprised of seven 19th-century row homes. Edgar Allen Poe played in the garden here as a child, and it stood at the focal point of the Civil War. Today, the stunning architecture has been meticulously restored in downtown Richmond to bring patrons back to a more refined era. Both guest rooms and parlor suites have been furnished with antiques to add to a charming aura to this unique getaway.

100 E, Franklin St., Richmond, Virginia, (804) 783-7000.

Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Virginia.

Inn at Willow Grove • Orange, Virginia

Rates:  $325-$725.

What’s great: Personal butlers take care of everything at this cozy getaway. They’ll come to your door with complimentary beignets and French-press coffee in the morning and tea and treats in the evening. They’ll also help with an itinerary that must include an exclusive six-hour chauffeured Central Virginia wine country tour. Stay in the stunningly renovated 1778 main Manor House or one of the cottages. Eat farm-to-table fresh meals with seasonally crafted, locally-sourced ingredients, or ask the talented chef to put together a personal tasting.

14079 Plantation Way, Orange, Virginia, (540) 317-1206.

Washington, D.C.

Embassy Row Hotel in Washington D.C.

Embassy Row Hotel  • Washington, D.C.

Drive time:  2 hours, 30 minutes.

Rates:  From $361 weekdays, $229 weekends.

What’s great: Murals on the walls and colorful flourishes in the room décor give this recently renovated hotel a vibrant personality for the perfect getaway. Sip a cocktail on the Rooftop Lounge overlooking DuPont Circle and architecturally diverse Embassy Row. Some deluxe rooms also have great views. Fido is welcome at this getaway, too. Leave your car parked and just hop on the nearby metro to do the town without the hassle of parking.

2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., (855) 893-1011.

West Virginia

Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Bavarian Inn • Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Drive time:  3 hours.

Rates: $195-$415.

What’s great: Old World European-style architecture gives this collection of chalets situated on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River the look of a traditional Alpine village. Rooms at the getaway have modern amenities like whirlpool tubs; suites have double-size Jacuzzis. The menu at the inn’s Greystone Mansion restaurant features authentic upscale German specialties. Harpers Ferry is nearby for daytime exploring, and there’s plenty of nightlife—including headliner entertainment at the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races located only minutes away.

164 Shepherd Grade Rd., Shepherdstown, West Virginia, (304) 876-2551.

Related: Here’s What to Do Around the Main Line Area This Weekend

Your guide to people, places, and things to do in Philadelphia's fabled Main Line and western suburbs.

Company Info

About Us Contact Us Subscribe Advertise Partner Content Our Publications

Get Our Email Updates

Copyright © 2024 Today Media. All Rights Reserved.

  • Notice at Collection

Logo

  • Last Updated On
  • September 5, 2023

25 Best Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia — Quick Trips!

Claire Allard

Philadelphia is a slice of paradise for travelers.

It’s not just because it’s home to the Independence Hall and the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art’s “Rocky Steps.”

It’s also because it’s in an excellent location.

Situated in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania, Philly gives you access to other must-see places outside the city.

So if you’ve seen the city’s tourist spots, you can still carry on with your adventures in other places.

Is this the situation you’re in?

Discover other beautiful areas with the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia I handpicked for you below.

1. New York City

New York City

This city consists of five boroughs sitting at the intersection of the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s home to known skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and Central Park.

You can get to New York City from Philadelphia in 1 hour and 38 minutes if you travel by car.

Here’s one of the best places near Philadelphia for vacation.

It has everything you’re looking for in the big city.

Explore some of the eight trails of sprawling Central Park.

Watch a play in Broadway Theater.

Then take a stroll along neon-lit Times Square.

You’ll agree this is one of the best getaways in Philadelphia or nearby you can’t miss.

Related: Day Trips Around NYC

2. Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Dutch Country, PA 17608 (717) 787-2500

This region comprises 19 counties and has centers in the cities of Lancaster, Reading, York, Allentown, and Hershey.

It derives its name from the immigrants who resided in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The travel time from Philadelphia to Pennsylvania Dutch Country is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

This is unlike your big-city Philadelphia weekend getaways.

You’ll feel a relaxing small-town vibe wherever you go in Pennsylvania Dutch County.

Learn more about the residents of the area in The Amish Experience.

You’ll visit an Amish farm and learn more about the area’s cottage industries during the tour.

Check out the Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction, too.

You might just find the perfect souvenir for you.

3. Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 802-3700

This borough is on the western end of Long Island.

It’s home to famous landmarks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch.

It will take 1 hour and 50 minutes to get to Brooklyn if you’re coming from Philadelphia.

Don’t look any further for places to go for a weekend trip near you.

Brooklyn is the perfect destination for a holistic experience.

Experience nature in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, with its over 14,000 taxa of plants on 52 acres.

Are you more of a history lover?

Check out the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883.

You should also drop by the Greenpoint Historic District with its 19th-century row houses.

Prefer the museum experience?

Head to The Brooklyn Museum.

You’ll love its art collection, composed of around 1.5 million objects.

Recommended Hotel: The Williamsburg Hotel

Also See: Weekend Getaways From Pittsburgh, PA

4. Pine Creek Gorge

Pine Creek Gorge

4797 Route 660 Wellsboro, PA 16901 (570) 724-2868

Also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, this natural landmark is a 47-mile gorge in north-central Pennsylvania.

It sits on 160,000 acres of the Tioga Forest.

The travel time from Philadelphia to Pine Creek Gorge is 3 hours and 17 minutes by car.

This is one of the best romantic getaways from Philadelphia for a reason.

After all, Pine Creek Gorge is a natural beauty.

So it makes for the perfect backdrop to your bonding moment with your significant other.

Hike the almost five miles of the Barbour Rock Blue Overlook Trail together.

You’ll get spectacular views of green valleys.

If you’re up for a more challenging hike, try the Chimney Hollow Falls trail.

The terrain is more rugged and steeper.

But you’ll find a beautiful waterfall when you get to the end.

Recommended Hotel: Rough Cut Lodge

5. Ocean City

Ocean City

This city sits on Jersey Shore.

It’s famous for its beaches, boardwalk, and amusement parks.

You can get to Ocean City in 1 hour and 5 minutes if you’re coming from Philadelphia.

If you’re searching for the best family getaway, Philadelphia and its vicinity offer a wide array of options.

Ocean City is one of them.

Take the kids to Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.

They’ll love the Canyon Falls Log Flume, which drops from a height of 35 feet.

Ride the Wild Waves Coaster or the Swings with them in Playland’s Castaway Cove, too.

If they get tired of amusement park rides, take them to the beach.

Splash in the waters under the blue skies for the perfect family bonding moment.

Recommended Hotel: Atlantis Inn Hotel

Related: Hotels in Philadelphia

6. Montreal

Montreal

Set on an island in Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is the largest city of Quebec province.

It’s home to the Notre Dame Basilica and the bohemian Plateau district.

Montreal is 452 miles away from Philadelphia.

So you’ll get to the Canadian city in 7 hours if you travel by car.

This may be one of the long weekend trips from Philadelphia you’ll take.

The long trip, however, is worth it.

You’ll get to visit the Notre Dame Basilica.

It’s one of the most spectacular examples of Gothic Revival architecture.

You can explore the Plateau district, too, with its colorful houses and neo-Art Deco exterior.

Want an artistic experience?

Don’t forget to swing by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Its permanent collection includes more than 44,000 works of art.

Recommended Hotel: Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile

7. Gettysburg

Gettysburg

Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 334-1160

This borough in Pennsylvania stretches for 1,062 acres in Adams County.

It features the Gettysburg National Military Park and a historic downtown.

You’ll get to Gettysburg from Philadelphia in 2 hours and 19 minutes.

If you’re a history enthusiast, Gettysburg is the place to go.

You’ll have the time of your life following the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln.

Visit the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station.

It’s where Lincoln’s train arrived in 1863.

Then drop by David Wills House, where he spent the night.

Then explore Baltimore Street and Cemetery Hill, where he delivered his famous Gettysburg address.

Finally, check out the Presbyterian Church, which is the last stop in his Gettysburg itinerary.

Recommended Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg

8. Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore, NJ 08901 (732) 745-3000

This shore encompasses 141 miles of oceanfront across Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, May, and Atlantic counties.

It’s a popular tourist destination for its boardwalks and amusement parks.

Jersey Shore is 52 miles away from Philadelphia, and you can reach it in 1 hour and 7 minutes by car.

Who says you need to go far away for a cool overnight trip?

Jersey Shore is just over an hour away, and you’ll enjoy it here, too.

View the sunrise at Spring Lake in Monmouth County.

Take a dip in the clear beach waters of Sunset Beach in Cape May County.

Although this isn’t one of the cheap vacations from Philadelphia on this list, it’s worth it.

Recommended Hotel: Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Toms River

9. New Hope

New Hope

New Hope, PA 18938 (215) 862-3347

This borough in Pennsylvania stretches over 906 acres in Bucks County.

It features famous tourist spots like the Parry Mansion and the New Hope Arts Center.

On average, it’s a 47-minute drive from Philadelphia to New Hope.

And guess what?

There are many short trips from Philadelphia worth taking , and New Hope is one of them.

You can do many things in this gorgeous place without breaking the bank.

Check out the 1784 Parry Mansion, which features furnishings from different time periods.

The New Hope Arts Center is your stop for your artistic fix.

The museum features contemporary works of art in historical surroundings.

Overall, this is one of the most inexpensive weekend getaways near Philadelphia that deserve a repeat.

Recommended Hotel: Ghost Light Inn

Related: Weekend Vacations in Pennsylvania

10. Annapolis

Annapolis

Annapolis is Maryland’s capital city.

It stretches for 5,190 acres in the Chesapeake Bay and is home to the United States Naval Academy.

It’s a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia to Annapolis.

This is one of the best Philadelphia area weekend getaways for travelers seeking the coastal experience.

There’s a reason Annapolis has been touted as America’s Sailing Capital.

Just marvel at the over 3,000 boats that occupy the city’s harbors and marinas.

Don’t forget to drop by the United States Naval Academy.

Its sailing team is one of the best in the country.

Recommended Hotel: Graduate Annapolis

11. Hershey

Hershey

Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 533-2057

This unincorporated community encompasses 9,216 acres in Derry township.

Founded by entrepreneur Milton S. Hershey, the community was originally a model town for workers of his chocolate factory.

You can reach Hershey in 1 hour and 36 minutes if you travel by car from Philadelphia.

Although Hershey is a small community, you won’t run out of things to do here.

Explore the Hershey Story museum, which tells of the community’s origins and the chocolate company.

Then take the kids to Hersheypark, touted as the biggest amusement park in Pennsylvania.

They’ll love the Wildcat’s Revenge, the park’s all-new wood, and steel hybrid coaster.

Recommended Hotel: Best Western Plus Hershey

12. Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach

This city stretches for 1,049 acres in Sussex County.

It’s a popular tourist spot for its beautiful beaches and bustling main street.

If you’re using a car from Philadelphia, you can get to Rehoboth Beach in 2 hours and 6 minutes.

There are many last minute weekend getaways from Philadelphia you can choose from.

Rehoboth Beach, however, should be at the top of your list.

You’ll enjoy its small-town and beachy feel perfect for relaxation.

Take a stroll along the one-mile Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk for spectacular coastline views.

Enjoy a dip on the beach under the gorgeous blue Delaware skies.

Then savor the perfect meal on Main Street.

It’s an unforgettable experience, just like what you get during your Philadelphia vacations.

Recommended Hotel: Avenue Inn & Spa

13. Bermuda

bermuda

Bermuda, UK HM 11 (441) 295-5151

This self-governing British territory is in the North Atlantic Ocean.

It consists of 181 islands known for their pink sand beaches.

Bermuda is closer to Philadelphia than Miami by plane.

It will only take 2 hours and 30 minutes to get to the British territory.

This is as opposed to the 3 hours it will take you to get to Miami.

Want to go overseas without spending too much time traveling?

Bermuda is your best bet.

You’ll technically already be in the United Kingdom when you get to the island.

You can enjoy the territory’s beautiful beaches.

They get their distinctive pink color from the shells and calcium carbonate left behind by tiny marine animals.

Explore the Crystal & Fantasy caves here, complete with gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites.

For some history, visit the National Museum of Bermuda.

You’ll learn more about how Bermuda came about and its maritime history.

Recommended Hotel: Hamilton Princess & Beach Club A Fairmont Managed Hotel

14. The Poconos

The Poconos

Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (570) 844-2001

This nature oasis stretches over a million acres in Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties.

The Poconos are home to 150 lakes, forested peaks, and valleys.

You can reach The Poconos in 1 hour and 36 minutes by car.

Looking for unforgettable trips from Philadelphia?

Consider The Poconos, especially if you love nature.

You can have the ultimate nature experience in this beautiful place.

Hike a portion of the trails here for stunning views of waterfalls and forests.

Make sure you bring your camera with you.

You’re bound to see great blue herons and ballards during your hike.

Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn Stroudsburg Poconos

15. Washington

Washington

Washington, DC 20001 (202) 789-7000

This US capital is on the Potomac River, bordering Virginia and Maryland.

It’s home to architectural gems, such as the Supreme Court and the White House.

If you’re driving from Philadelphia, you can get to Washington in 2 hours and 33 minutes.

Don’t miss out on Washington if you’re an architecture enthusiast.

As the seat of government, the city is replete with imposing structures you can explore.

Marvel at the White House, with its gorgeous Neoclassical style.

Check out the Supreme Court, too.

You’ll love its beautiful facade made of marble and the courtroom’s grand 24 columns.

Union Station is a must-see, too.

Its Beaux-Arts architecture will blow you away.

Recommended Hotel: Riggs Washington DC

16. Inn at Stonington

Inn at Stonington

60 Water Street Stonington, CT 06378 (860) 535-2000

Set along a waterfront, this inn is just a stroll away from dining spots and galleries.

It features 18 rooms, massage rooms, and a fitness room.

Getting to this inn from Philadelphia will take 3 hours and 54 minutes.

Want a relaxing getaway this weekend?

Why not spend a weekend at this cozy inn?

The charming inn has the amenities you need just to unwind.

Get rid of any stress in the body in any of this place’s two massage rooms.

You can get your daily dose of exercise in the gym, too.

It has a Peloton bike and a treadmill.

Afterward, why not take a dip in your room’s jacuzzi?

17. The Blue Water House

The Blue Water House

407 East Market Street Lewes, DE 19958 (302) 645-7832

This bed and breakfast is just a 7-minute walk from Lewes downtown.

It’s home to 10 suites, each with its Florida Keys theme.

The driving time from Philadelphia to The Blue Water House is 2 hours.

Feel the tropical experience in this colorful bed and breakfast.

You’ll love your room, with its walls painted in screaming colors and pop art hanging around.

Enjoy a read on the porch.

You’ll feel like you’re floating on the sea, with the porch’s bright blue floors reminiscent of the ocean.

Want the real deal?

Just walk a bit, and you’ll get to Lewes Beach.

18. Boardwalk Plaza Hotel

Boardwalk Plaza Hotel

2 Olive Avenue Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 (302) 227-7169

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.

It’s a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia to Boardwalk Plaza Hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing stay in this beautiful hotel.

Read your favorite book in your room, with the stunning Victorian antiques around you.

Want more physical activity?

Enjoy a swim in the hotel’s heated pool instead.

You can also just head to the fitness room and use any of the treadmills and other equipment there.

Tired of staying indoors?

Just cross to the other side of the hotel.

Take a dip in the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

19. Atlantic Hotel

Atlantic Hotel

2 N Main Street Berlin, MD 21811 (410) 641-1234

This hotel is in the center of Berlin’s historic district.

Built in 1895, it features 18 Victorian period-themed rooms and an on-site restaurant.

You can reach the Atlantic Hotel in 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Travel back in time in this gorgeous hotel set in the 19th century.

You’ll enjoy your stay in The Elizabeth.

It has gorgeous carpeting and an elegant mini-chandelier above an ornate bed.

The Rose Room is a beauty, too.

Its four-poster antique wooden bed in the center catches the eye.

The pink theme stands out, too.

Related: Weekend Trips From Baltimore

20. Inn BoonsBoro

inn boonsboro

1 North Main Street Boonsboro, MD 21713 (301) 432-1188

This boutique hotel dates back to the 1790s.

It is home to eight luxury guest rooms, porches, and a fitness facility nearby.

If you’re coming from Philadelphia, you can reach Inn BoonsBoro in 2 hours and 37 minutes.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city in this historic hotel.

Marvel at the inn’s Victorian and lodge-themed facade.

You won’t get enough of the white porch railing with ornate details and the main structure made of stone.

You can choose a different theme for your room, though.

And each room gets inspiration from famous novels.

For instance, the Nick and Nora room has a modern touch.

The theme comes from The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett.

If you want colorful surroundings, try the Eve and Roarke room from the In-Depth novels by J.D. Robb.

21. Bethlehem

Bethlehem

This city stretches for 12,454 acres in Northampton and Lehigh Counties.

It’s home to historical structures, Bethlehem Steel, and a wide array of shopping options.

If you use a car from Philadelphia, it will take 1 hour and 9 minutes to get to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is oozing with history.

Built in 1857, the headquarters of Bethlehem Steel, once the country’s second-largest producer, remains here.

The Burnside Plantation is a must-see, too.

Built in 1768, it has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990.

Recommended Hotel: Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino & Resort

22. Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs State Park

4639 Cherry Springs Road Coudersport, PA 16915 (814) 435-1037

This state park stretches for 82 acres in Potter County.

It derives its name from the black cherry trees originally found in the area.

If you’re driving from Philadelphia, you can get to Cherry Springs State Park in 4 hours and 12 minutes.

Getting to Cherry Springs State Park might take a little longer than usual.

However, the long journey is still worth your time and effort.

The park, after all, allows for the ultimate nature immersion.

Hike a portion of the 85 miles of the Susquehannock Trail.

You’re likely to come across a newt and even bald eagles.

Stay for the night, and you’ll see the beautiful Milky Way if you look up.

You might even see planets from far away.

Recommended Hotel: Hotel Crittenden

23. Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls

Route 209, Bushkill Falls Road Bushkill, PA 18324 (570) 588-6682

Also known as the Niagara of Pennsylvania, the popular tourist spot consists of eight waterbodies.

The falls are deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains.

By car, you can reach Bushkill Falls in 2 hours.

Experience nature at its finest in this stunning nature oasis.

Follow the yellow trail to get to the main falls and the lower gorge.

You’ll see the falls drop over the edge of a 100-foot cliff.

At the bottom, you’ll find beautiful wildflowers and ferns surrounding the resulting stream.

Recommended Hotel: Pocono Mountain Villas by Exploria Resorts

24. Harrisburg

Harrisburg

Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 255-3040

This capital of Pennsylvania sits on the east bank of the Susquehanna River.

It’s home to the National Civil War Museum and beautiful structures.

The travel time from Philadelphia to Harrisburg is 1 hour and 44 minutes.

There’s no shortage of things to do here.

Visit the National Civil War Museum, with its over 21,000 artifacts.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex is a must-see, too.

Its Renaissance-style dome replicates the one in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Recommended Hotel: Best Western Premier the Central Hotel & Conference Center

25. Longwood Gardens & Kennett Square

Longwood Gardens & Kennett Square

1001 Longwood Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 388-1000

The Longwood Gardens stretch for 1,077 acres in Kennett Square.

They include a conservatory, which houses over 4,600 different types of flora.

It’s a 48-minute drive from Philadelphia to the Longwood Gardens & Kennett Square.

If you love nature, make sure you swing by the place.

Take a stroll along the 600-foot-long flower garden walk.

You won’t get enough of the outdoor gardens, with their plant designs ranging from formal to naturalistic.

Check out the camellias and poinsettias in the Conservatory, too.

You’ll agree this is one of the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia that deserve a repeat.

Recommended Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Kennett Square

Map of The Best Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia, PA

25 Best Weekend Trips From Philadelphia 2024

  • New York City
  • Pennsylvania Dutch Country
  • Pine Creek Gorge
  • Jersey Shore
  • Rehoboth Beach
  • The Poconos
  • Inn at Stonington
  • The Blue Water House
  • Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
  • Atlantic Hotel
  • Inn BoonsBoro
  • Cherry Springs State Park
  • Bushkill Falls
  • Longwood Gardens & Kennett Square

25 Best Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia — Quick Trips!

new NJ logo long blue 720.png

  • Jun 24, 2021

19 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (within a 4 hour flight)

Updated: Jan 21

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love home to good food and rich history. As a resident of 4 years during my time spent at Temple University, I didn't get to leave town too often, unless it was heading back to New York to visit my family, or quick trips to the jersey shore.

With a vast array of short domestic destinations, there are also some nearby international destinations within reach. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for locals in the Philadelphia area within a 4 hour flight. More importantly, these trips are all possible without having to request PTO (for you M-F 9-5'ers), it just depends what you want to do at your destination.

Miami, Florida (MIA, FLL) - Just Under a 3 Hour Flight

Beaches, outdoors activities, clubs, restaurants, culture. I just ask that you please please please venture out beyond Miami Beach.

When to go?

Any time of the year, but best is October - February for perfect weather.

Who can fly you there?

AA from PHL - See flight deals

Spirit Airways from PHL - See flight deals

JetBlue from PHL - See flight deals

Frontier from PHL - See flight deals

How much will it cost to get there?

Airfare: $100+

Where can you stay?

See hotels in Miami

See hotels in Miami Beach

Visit the following neighborhoods to step away from the "typical Miami": Wynwood, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Midtown, Edgewater.

Orlando, Florida (MCO) - Just Under a 3 Hour Flight

Disney & Universal Studios. Bring bug spray and an umbrella if you go during the summer.

Southwest from PHL - See flight deals

Airfare: $50+

See hotels in Orlando

Puerto Rico - 4 Hour Flight to San Juan (SJU)

Surfing, culture, and hiking. Oh and you don't need a passport to travel.

December to July to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms.

April to June to avoid the busy winter and the upcoming rainy season.

Airfare: $200+

See hotels in San Juan

See hotels in Rincon

New York, New York - 2 Hour Drive

Head to New York for a nice weekend during the summer to see the sights in the city that never sleeps. Take a trip during the holiday season and see the tree at Rockefeller Center and a Broadway play.

Summer for the best weather, but peak rates for solid hotels.

Winter for Christmas festivities!

See hotels in New York

Austin, Texas (AUS) - Just Under a 4 Hour Flight

Food, Art, Music, BBQ, Tech, Bach Parties, and All-Around Fun!

Airfare: $400+

See hotels in Austin

Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) - 2 Hour Flight

Brew pubs, art, nightlife, Mexican food.

Delta from PHL - See flight deals

See hotels in Atlanta

Walk some of the BeltLine.

Washington, DC (IAD, DCA, BWI) - 1 Hour Flight

Museums, walking tours, great mass-transit and cherry blossoms. Fly to DCA for convenience.

Year-round (spring season for cherry blossoms)

United from PHL - See flight deals

Airfare: $150+

See hotels in Washington DC

For avid runners, pack your running shoes and go for daily runs around the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.

Chicago, Illinois (ORD, MDW) - Just Over a 2 Hour Flight

Food, bars, sports, rivers!

See hotels in Chicago

For bourbon enthusiasts, visit Untitled Supper Club on W Kinzie for an incredible speakeasy experience.

Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) - 3.5 Hour Flight

BBQ! BBQ! BBQ!

Airfare: $500+

See hotels in Kansas City

Visit the Power & Light District for a unique nightlife experience & go to Arthur Bryant's for BBQ.

Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) - 2 Hour Flight

History, culture, family-friendly attractions, and watersports.

Spring, Summer and Fall

See hotels in Charleston

Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) - Just Over a 2 Hour Flight

Music (not just country), endless bars, brewpubs, hot chicken.

See hotels in Nashville

Stay in the Gulch or near printer's alley.

New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY) - 3 Hour Flight

Jazz music, other music, culture, architecture, partying, passionate football fans.

Spring, Summer, Fall

Airfare: $250+

See hotels in New Orleans

Check out Bourbon Street for a little bit, but don't get sucked in. It's absolutely disgusting. Chartres Street is better for those looking to maintain their cleanliness.

Portland, Maine (PWM) - Just Over a 1.5 Hour Flight

Seaside villages and towns with incredible restaurants and a thriving art scene.

See hotels in Portland

Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) - 1.5 Hour Flight

Fresh seafood, winding beaches, cozy BnBs, and loads of summer activities.

See hotels in Nantucket

Raleigh, North Carolina (RDU) - 2 Hour Flight

Outdoors activities, restaurants, college sports, booming tech sector.

See hotels in Raleigh

The Poconos, Pennsylvania - Just Under a 2 Hour Drive

Hiking, winter sports, and heart-shaped jacuzzies. Great Wolf Lodge is a great resort for families.

See hotels in The Poconos

Great Wolf Lodge

Asheville, North Carolina (RDU) - 2 Hour Flight

Art, craft beer, and the Smoky Mountains.

Airfare: $300+

See hotels in Asheville

The Hamptons & Montauk, New York (ISP) - 1 Hour Flight + 1 Hour Drive

Beaches, quaint towns, and summer activities.

Summer and Fall

See hotels in The Hamptons

See hotels in Montauk

North Fork Long Island, New York (ISP) - 1 Hour Flight + 1 Hour Drive

See hotels in North Fork Long Island

Be responsible and take a bus for a wine tour from various locations throughout Long Island and NYC.

  • Tips and Advice
  • North America
  • Best Weekend Getaways

Recent Posts

11 Best Weekend Getaways from Charleston (within a 4-hour flight)

27 Best Weekend Getaways from Minneapolis (within a 4-hour flight)

10 Best Weekend Getaways from Memphis (within a 4-hour flight)

Comentarios

Hey! I'm Jordan, a native New Yorker who is addicted to adventure travel, photography, content creation, investing, and fitness. Read on, enjoy, and Never Run Out of First Times!

3e45.jpg

23 Best Weekend Getaways from Washington DC (within a 4-hour flight)

15 Best Weekend Getaways from Las Vegas (within a 4-hour flight)

Best Things to Do in Hudson Valley for a Memorable Night Out

10 Fairy-tale Wedding Locations in California: From Castles to Enchanted Forests

18 Best Weekend Getaways from San Antonio (within a 4-hour flight)

23 Best Weekend Getaways from Austin (within a 4-hour flight)

5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Miami

5 Buildings Shaping Miami's New Skyline

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Top Destinations

  • Food + Drink

Explore the best of the world. Access insider tips and hotel recommendations from our travel tastemakers

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways outdoor person City neighbourhood people human settlement pedestrian Downtown way tourism sidewalk group tours waterway campus crowd

  • 1 Cape May, New Jersey
  • 3 The Poconos, Pennsylvania
  • 4 Washington D.C.
  • 5 Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania
  • 6 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
  • 7 Hershey, Pennsylvania

7 Best Weekend Getaways Near Philadelphia

With iconic historical monuments, innovative modern art museums, and a red-hot culinary scene, the City of Brotherly Love easily eeks out a spot among America’s top destinations. But should you look to set your eyes on new sights just for a day or two, we’ve got a handful of equally worthwhile options just a short distance away. Pound the pavement in other top-notch cities or ditch it all for the outdoors on a romantic mountain retreat.

A Brooklyn-based writer and editor, Chelsea's work has appeared in Matador Network, The Huffington Post, the TripAdvisor blog, and more. When not planning her next trip, you'll usually find her drinking way too much iced coffee (always iced—she’s from New England) or bingeing a Netflix original series.

See recent posts by Chelsea Stuart

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways grass outdoor sky tree yellow agriculture field vehicle rural area Farm Garden lawn flower

Cape May, New Jersey

1 hour and 50 minutes by car from Philadelphia

The Jersey shore may have developed a (rowdy) reputation over the last decade, but the resort town of Cape May is unlike anything you've seen on MTV. When it comes to stays, you have to go with the Virginia Hotel — a 24-room landmark that’s been in the heart of the historic district since 1879. On a tree-lined street just half a block from the beach, the boutique welcomes guests with airy, light-filled interiors and fresh farm-to-table fare at onsite Ebbitt Room (think: rainbow trout with herb-caper brown butter, and broccolini and duck fat potatoes). Despite its less than cheerful name, Poverty Beach is a standout among Cape May’s many Atlantic shores (and parking here is meter-less—a rare find). Comb for shells, try your luck surfing, or just enjoy the quiet shore. The low-key, seaside town has more to offer than sand, though—take a trip to Willow Creek Winery or Cape May Winery & Vineyard for tours, tastings, and even summer lobster bakes.

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Cape May, NJ hotels

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways building outdoor sky metropolitan area transport City neighbourhood urban area residential area human settlement Downtown Architecture tower block cityscape public transport vehicle plaza waterway skyline

2 hours by car from Philadelphia

If you’re not interested in escaping all cities, but simply your city, on your weekend away, then NYC—as always—is a top contender. Drive not even two hours northeast of Philly and you’ll land yourself in the five boroughs. While you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dining and daily activities, there are some things we’ll never tire of: exploring the High Line —a now-defunct railroad turned 1.5-mile-long elevated city park that runs from Gansevoort St. to 34th Street on the West Side; walking over the East River on the Brooklyn Bridge from Dumbo to Lower Manhattan; and popping by envelope-pushing exhibits on the Museum Mile stretch of Fifth Ave (see: the Guggenheim , Neue Galerie , and Met ). When it comes time for dinner, we’ve been drooling over the new BBQ-meets-fine-dining menu—particularly the smoked and grilled pork chop with peach habanero jam— from chef Matt Abdoo (previously of Mario Batali's Del Posto ) at Pig Bleecker in Greenwich Village. Looking for the perfect NYC hotel for your weekend trip? Check out The Hoxton’s Williamsburg location , where the rooms are as luxurious as the hotel's sweeping cityscape view.

RELATED : 10 Best Day Trips from NYC

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Brooklyn, NY hotels

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways tree outdoor habitat creek Nature Waterfall stream body of water River wilderness geographical feature water natural environment watercourse Forest water feature woodland rainforest rapid rock ravine autumn Jungle surrounded wooded

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

2.5 hours by car from Philadelphia

Looking to flee the stifling summer city heat? Head 2.5 hours out of Philly to the adults-only Lodge at Woodloch for a retreat packed with farm-to-table meals (check out seasonal chef-curated garden dinners), wine tastings with chocolate pairings, and lavish spa treatments—all bookended by afternoons spent by cozy stone fireplaces and tranquil soaking pools. While we wouldn't blame anyone who chose to spend their entire weekend onsite (just take a look at the lake-view porch just off of the library), there's much to see and do beyond the resort. One option: exploring the Pocono Mountains at Bushkill Falls — dubbed the Niagara of Pennsylvania—where eight cascading waterfalls are connected by a series of hiking trails, observation decks, and wooden bridges.

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Hawley, PA hotels

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways sky outdoor tree Nature landmark City horizon atmosphere of earth tower cityscape monument tower block skyline day

Washington D.C.

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. We love a good comeback, and in 2016—fresh off of a $125 million renovation— that’s just what we got with the illustrious Watergate Hotel (aka ground-zero for America’s OG political scandal). Avant-garde architecture from Luigi Moretti greets guests at the door, while interiors nod to the hotel’s original 60s design—right down to the staff who are decked out in period-appropriate uniforms by way of Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant. In terms of good eats, D.C’s culinary scene has been evolving at a breakneck pace. While we can’t keep up with all the openings, one in particular has our stomachs rumbling: Mirabelle . The glam dining room—just two blocks from the White House— serves up refined French fare from James Beard Award-winning Executive Chef Frank Ruta and IG-worthy desserts from Pastry Chef Aggie Chin.

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways tree outdoor habitat vegetation Nature mountainous landforms green geographical feature natural environment wilderness ecosystem Forest mountain rainforest hill plantation landscape valley rural area ridge meadow Jungle plateau mountain pass flower water feature mountain range agriculture shrub lush plant bushes hillside wooded highland

Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania

3.5 hours from Philadelphia

Home to a thriving culinary scene and small-town-meets-big-city glam, Philly has many an enviable feature. But one thing the urban sprawl is lacking? Worthwhile options for the outdoorsman. While it’s a bit of a trek, making the 3.5-hour drive to Pine Creek Gorge—aka the Grand Canyon of PA—presents days full of open-air activities like hiking, fishing, biking, tubing, and swimming. Exhausted from all there is to explore along the 47-mile-long gorge, retire at La Belle Auberge B&B , a surprisingly luxe retreat (think: breakfast on a wraparound porch, in-house massage, and jacuzzi tubs) on gas-lantern-lit Main Street in Wellsboro.

RELATED : Northeast Vacations: The 9 Cutest Towns For Your Trip

Architecture Design Historic Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways structure building column baluster furniture facade monument

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

An indisputable hotbed of American history (see: the Liberty Bell , Independence Hall , and—don’t forget—the Rocky Statue and steps), Philadelphia isn’t lacking in monuments and patriotic sites. But if you’re a history buff looking to further broaden your horizons, you can always opt for a weekend in Gettysburg. Former host of one of the largest Civil War battles, and the site of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address, the town holds strong to its rich history with battlefield tours, annual war reenactments, and museums highlighting every interesting facet of wartime in the town. To stay close to it all—seriously, it’s just a two-minute walk from the Soldiers’ Cemetery and the Culp’s Hill section of the battlefield—check in at the Brick House Inn B&B . Turn of the century-style guestrooms are split between a three-story Victorian mansion and a home once occupied by Confederate sharpshooters (look for original bullet holes in the walls—they're there).

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Gettysburg, PA hotels

Trip Ideas Weekend Getaways amusement park park amusement ride Water park outdoor recreation transport recreation illustration nonbuilding structure decorated

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Two hours by car from Philadelphia

Traveling with hard-to-impress tots? Hershey, “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” is guaranteed to grab their attention with an unbeatable combo of roller coasters, carousels, and—of course—chocolate, all found at family-friendly Hersheypark . Though the sweets-centric town is known for just that, there are non-calorie-consuming things to do. You can visit the 23-acre Hershey Gardens (with a butterfly atrium), check out the river otters, black bears, bobcats, and more at ZooAmerica , or visit The Hershey Story , an interactive museum that follows the story of candy tycoon Milton S. Hershey. Given there aren't many non-chain hotel options in the area, keep it casual with the nearby Hampton Inn for a quick stay with the kiddos.

What to Wear on Your Weekend Getaway

Women’s outfit to wear in brooklyn, shop the look.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Rib Halter Top

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Tiger Print Midi Skirt

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Tilu Bracelet Set

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Jeanne Sandal

Men’s picnic date outfit.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Denim Shorts

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Polarized Aviators

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Espadrilles

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Large Waterproof Picnic Blanket

Older women’s swim outfit.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Cover-up Maxi Dress

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Waterproof Mascara

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Reversible One-Piece Swimsuit

Men’s swimsuit for a beach resort in mexico.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Cannonball Swim Trunks

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Mosquito Repellent Necklace

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Women’s Boho Dress Outfit

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Point Toe Mules

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Eye Fringe Necklace

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Reversible Faux Leather Tote & Wristlet

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Range Bracelet

Men’s rooftop bar date outfit.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Button Down Shirt

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Cropped Pants

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Women’s Day Dress Outfit for the East Coast

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Polka Dot Dress

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Liquid Lipstick

long weekend trips from philadelphia

18k Gold Mini Leaf Bracelet

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Men’s Day Outfit for the East Coast

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Elastic Shorts

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Swingarm Sunglasses

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Q Explorist Smartwatch

long weekend trips from philadelphia

  • 8 Amazing Lakeside Hotels in the U.S.
  • 12 Best Walking Shoes for Men
  • 9 Summer Makeup and Hair Products You Need to Try

All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission.

Become a Jetsetter.

Use our insider connections to know where to go and what to do.

Thanks for Signing Up!

Related Tags

Explore more.

airstream artistic artsy calm Exterior Hip Hotels isolation quirky remote serene Solo Travel trendy Trip Ideas outdoor sky property transport trailer home house real estate cottage vehicle shack shed outdoor structure hut

8 Hotels Every Solo Traveler Needs to Check Out

property Bedroom Suite home living room cottage lamp

Atlantis Inn Luxury BB

The Cliffs at Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard.

7 Summery East Coast Getaways That Aren’t the Hamptons

Boutique Dining Drink Eat Modern restaurant Lobby function hall lighting convention center Bar headquarters Resort conference hall

The Chelsea

11 easy must-do weekend trips from Philadelphia

Weekend trips from Philadelphia

It’s natural to feel a little burned out, especially when residing in a bustling metropolis like Philadelphia. Getting out of the city has plenty of benefits and can even make you appreciate your hometown even more. But you won’t need to fly to the Grand Canyon to get a breath of fresh air, there are many amazing outdoor destinations within a few hours of Philly. Places like the Jersey Shore and other coastal towns are within reach as well. This shouldn’t be surprising, but there are a number of quaint and historic towns to visit that are very easy to get to from Philadelphia. 

All it takes is a little planning. If you have access to a car, these weekend trips are simple, and car rentals are easy enough to arrange. Even though researching lodging, luggage storage , activities, and arranging an itinerary takes a little bit of time, it’s well worth it. You have to decide where you’ll be heading for your weekend trip. 

Here are the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia for tourists and locals: 

Weekend trips from Philadelphia to Annapolis

Ocean City, Annapolis, and Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Maryland’s Eastern shore and the Chesapeake Bay have a bevy of excellent water-side towns, especially Annapolis and Ocean City. Finding a vacation rental or hotel is a great way to enjoy the summer weather. There are beaches, boats, and other ways to enjoy some time outdoors along the water. 

Distance from Philadelphia: 

It takes about two hours to drive from Philadelphia to Annapolis. The rest of Chesapeake Bay is within an hour of downtown Annapolis. 

Our activity recommendations: 

Annapolis, Maryland’s Capital city, may not have the cultural offerings of its larger neighbor Baltimore, but there are many historic landmarks and parks like the US Naval Academy to visit. There are also bustling Annapolis and Ocean City harbors that are perfect for boat lovers. Otherwise, spending time on the water in the Chesapeake Bay is an ideal way to spend a weekend. 

Best season to visit Annapolis: 

Because of all the outdoor time you’ll spend on the water, the best time of year for weekend trips to Annapolis, Ocean City, and the surrounding area is summer. 

Cape May, New Jersey Shore

Some of the best weekend getaways for families with young children are in Cape May along the Jersey Shore. This quaint seaside town has a ton of outdoor activities along with a cute downtown for eating and drinking. 

It only takes about 90 minutes to reach Cape May and the Jersey Shore by car, which is the only convenient way to get there. 

This is all about spending time outdoors, and Cape May has amazing places to do it. Higbee Wildlife Management Area is great for hiking and biking. Cap May Point State Park and Sunset Beach are perfect for taking the kids to see the ocean. If you want to catch a glimpse of some marine wildlife, look into a cruise in town for whale and dolphin watching. 

Best season to visit Cape May: 

Because it’s along the coast, late spring, summer, and September are the best times to head to Cape May. 

Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs State Park

82 acres of beautiful black cherry trees are only a few hours away from Philadelphia at Potter County’s Cherry Springs State Park. Hiking and other activities are popular draws to this beautiful stretch of land. It’s an ideal weekend getaway for couples looking for a romantic experience away from the big city. 

It takes a little over three hours to drive from Philadelphia to Cherry Springs State Park. Friday rush hour traffic from downtown Philadelphia is best avoided.

Hiking, biking, star watching, and birdwatching are all popular activities near Cherry Springs State Park. Depending on your accommodations, this is also a great place for a quiet weekend at the cabin, where you can truly relax and recharge. It’s far enough from Philly and Pittsburgh that there is no light pollution, so you can gaze at the stars. 

Beast season to visit Cherry Springs State Park: 

Any time from late spring to mid-fall is great for visiting Cherry Springs State Park. 

Pine Creek Gorge

Known as Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, this massive gorge spans almost 59 miles of scenic (even spooky) topography that is ideal for outdoor recreation. The surrounding Tioga Forest boasts miles upon miles of trails for hiking and enjoying the beautiful Pennsylvania wilderness. 

Pine Creek Gorge is just over three hours from Philadelphia by car. 

Our activity recommendations:

Hiking and outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with the Chimney Hollow Falls and Barbour Rock Blue Overlook trails, which are rated as some of the best hiking paths in the state. The difficulty is moderate, with steeper terrain, but there are great beginner trails in the area for families and older visitors. 

Best season to visit Pine Creek Gorge: 

The biggest draws for Pine Creek Gorge are hiking trails and other outdoor activities, so summer is the ideal time of year for a weekend trip. A rainy spring can make the gorge difficult to navigate, but fall is a great time to go when the leaves change color. 

Harrisburg weekend trip from Philadelphia

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 

This charming state capital has all the best aspects of smaller cities, with a cute downtown and a number of historical and cultural landmarks. While the nightlife and dining scenes aren’t amazing, they’re perfectly serviceable for young families and older travelers. 

Driving from downtown, you’ll get to Harrisburg in just under two hours. 

While it’s a cute town with small-town charm, it’s all about historical landmarks in Harrisburg. The National Civil War Museum and the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, which was modeled after Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica, are must-sees. 

Best season to visit Harrisburg: 

Weekend trips to Harrisburg may not be ideal during winter, but this is an all-year travel destination. 

Maurice River, New Jersey 

This Cumberland County hidden gem is one of the best weekend getaways for a relaxing time away from the city. While there isn’t a notable attraction that brings tourists in, there are quaint downtowns to explore. This is a great place for couples looking to get away for a romantic weekend. There are hiking trails nearby for afternoon adventures, but getting cozy will be the primary focus. 

It’s a quick hour-long drive from Philadelphia. Rush-hour traffic can push it to 90 minutes, but it’s still a very quick weekend getaway. 

It’s all about peace and quiet here. Look into a secluded vacation rental or one of the local hotels like the Lokal-A-Frame, which provides a more private experience. You’ll get that classic “cabin weekend” experience (with a few modern amenities), so you should look into grabbing groceries on your way in to cook your own meals and share a bottle of wine. 

Best season to visit Maurice River: 

Weekend trips to this quaint little town are perfect during the fall, especially when the leaves have changed color. 

Weekend trips from Philly to Gettysburg

Gettysburg National Military Park 

The ideal weekend getaway for history buffs, the small borough of Gettysburg features one of the country’s most important historical landmarks. 

From Philadelphia’s Center City , it takes about two hours and 15 minutes to drive to Gettysburg. 

One of the best landmarks to visit is the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station, where Abraham Lincoln arrived in town at his iconic address at Cemetery Hill. The Gettysburg National Military Park is another important place to visit. Culturally, you’ll find a charming small-town main street with restaurants, breweries, and shops. 

Best season to visit Gettysburg: 

Weekend trips to Gettysburg are most enjoyable when the weather cooperates, but it doesn’t necessarily mean summer. Fall is ideal when the leaves change, but the town and historical landmarks are beautiful in spring. 

Pennsylvania Dutch Country

While visiting a region defined by its antiquated culture may not be the ideal weekend getaway for some, a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country is one of the most interesting travel experiences one can have. Experience the unique way of life of the Dutch and German communities living apart from society without modern technology. 

While it’s a large swath of land, the closest parts of Pennsylvania Dutch Country can be reached in as little as 90 minutes from Philly. 

Visiting the smaller towns and Amish farms and exploring this unique way of life is the main draw. There are also farmers' markets (like the Green Dragon held every Saturday) and antique auctions. 

Best season to visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country: 

Weekend trips to Pennsylvania Dutch Country are great during spring, summer, and fall. Fall is especially popular for enjoying the rustic charm and seasonal beauty. 

Weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach from Philly

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania 

Philadelphians are shocked when they learn that all of their outdoor dreams can come true just by driving 100 miles from downtown. The Poconos are Pennsylvania’s most popular outdoor recreation area, with acres of skiing and hiking terrain along with hundreds of iconic resorts. The 80’s ski-town vibes have become popular with nostalgic millennials looking for a bit of nightlife after hiring the slopes. The town of Hamlin is a hotspot for restaurants and bars, with a few hotels clustered around its main stretch. 

The Pocono Mountains are a two-hour drive from Philadelphia. 

Promised Land State Park, along with the Pocono's numerous ski resorts, are the main draws of the Poconos depending on the time of year.

Best season to visit the Pocono Mountains: 

For a weekend trip full of hiking, it’s ideal to visit the Poconos during summer, fall, and summer. Winter is the high season, given the numerous ski resorts. 

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Coastal Delaware enjoys warmer waters than the North Atlantic Ocean and, when paired with a sunny summer afternoon, boasts some of the best beach conditions outside of Florida or California. This makes Rehoboth Beach and surrounding towns extremely popular for weekend trips from Philadelphia and Baltimore. The town has a boardwalk with restaurants and bars, along with a few landmarks to visit. 

It will take about two and a half hours to drive to coastal Delaware from Philadelphia. 

Swimming, surfing, sunbathing, paddle boarding, hiking, and everything in between are popular activities. It’s all about spending time outside and on the water at Rehoboth Beach. There are also a few culinary attractions, like the iconic Dogfish Head Brewery , which is one of the most important craft beer producers in the country. Their headquarters and restaurants are all in town and have become something of a pilgrimage for craft beer aficionados. The restaurant serves delicious wood-fired pizza with its beer and is perfect for the whole family.

Best season to visit Rehoboth Beach: 

Summer is the best time of year to visit Rehoboth Beach, but that means higher prices for lodging. A weekend getaway before Memorial Day or after Labor Day can possibly provide a solid bang for your buck. 

Weekend trips to Valley Forge from Philadelphia

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Another amazing quick trip for history enthusiasts, Valley Forge and King of Prussia are both charming towns with significant importance dating back to the American Revolution. Booking a room at a bed and breakfast and touring the Valley Forge Historical park, as well as hiking through the Schuylkill River trail, is a popular itinerary for older couples and young families. 

Valley Forge is a swift hour's drive from Philly, making it a possible day trip if you don’t want to pay for a hotel or vacation rental. 

Touring the historic towns of King of Prussia and Valley Forge is great for older travelers and families with young children. You can see the iconic Justice Bell in historic downtown King of Prussia. The Valley Forge Historical Park will be the main draw; touring this monument is an amazing experience, given the town’s historical importance. Look into a self-guided tour to go at your own pace.

Best season to visit Valley Forge: 

Fall is the best time of year to visit Valley Forge. Spring and summer are decent as well. 

With so many cultural and historical offerings, you may feel you’ll never have to leave Philadelphia. But city life can be exhausting, so getting away for a quick weekend or day trip from Philadelphia can really be restorative and, in the long run, help you appreciate Philly even more. Whether it’s weekend trips to the Jersey Shore or maybe even a three-day staycation in Philly , getting out of the city or just your regular routine is massively beneficial. It gives you perspective, even a new hope for how you want to live in your day-to-day life. Luckily, Philadelphia has plenty of amazing travel destinations (in and outside the city) worth exploring. 

Explore the world

Newsletter Banner

Love discounts and traveling?

Sign up for our newsletter to get insider travel tips and a 10% discount delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam here, just the good stuff.

Get the Bounce app

Instantly find locations nearby to drop off your luggage wherever you go.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

VacationIdea

  • Last Minute

25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia, PA

Last Updated By VacationIdea Staff on March 13, 2024

Romantic Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Vacations: Cabins , From Pittsburgh , Weekend Getaways in Pennsylvania , Poconos

InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C., an IHG Hotel

Willard Intercontinental Hotel , 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, Phone: 202 628 9100

Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast, Long Beach Island, New Jersey

More ideas for couples: Anniversary Vacations , From Kansas City , North Dakota , Colorado , From Chicago

King’s Cottage Bed and Breakfast - 1 hour 20 minutes from Philadelphia

Midwest Vacation Ideas: From Minneapolis , Ohio , MN , Iowa , From Detroit , Michigan

Lafayette Inn

Top trip ideas for a couple: Texas , Florida , Ohio , Virginia , New England , Birthday Vacation

The Settlers Inn - 2 hours 50 minutes from Philadelphia

East Coast Vacations: North Carolina Vacations , SC Getaways , From Atlanta , Connecticut , Rhode Island

Crestmont Inn

More to Explore: Getaways from NYC , Maine Getaways , New Hampshire , From Boston , East Coast

Golden Pheasant Inn

More ideas: From DC , Virginia , West Virginia , Maryland , Tennessee , Vermont , Delaware

Fairville Inn

506 Kennett Pike, Route 52, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, 484-778-4870

Asbury Ocean Club Hotel, Asbury, New Jersey

More Vacation Inspiration: Nebraska , Midwest , From Columbus , Small Towns , Missouri

The Inn on Negley

703 South Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, 412-661-0631

Historic Smithton Inn - 1 hour 15 minutes

900 W Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522, 717-733-6094

Sleepy Hollow Bed & Breakfast

172 Sleepy Hollow Road, Elysburg, PA 17824, 570-672-2828

Fulton Steamboat Inn, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Fulton Steamboat Inn, 1 Hartman Bridge Road, Lancaster, PA 178602, 717 299 9999

The Artist’s Inn

117 E Main St, Terre Hill, PA 17581, 717-445-0219

Angel of the Sea, Cape May

Angel of the Sea, 5 Trenton Ave, Cape May, NJ 08284, P609 884 3369

Inn at Whitewing Farm

370 Valley Road, West Chester , PA, 610-388-2013

Canna Country Inn Bed and Breakfast

393 Valley Road, Etters, PA 17319, 717-938-6077

The Swope Manor - 2 hours 30 minutes from Philadelphia

60 York St, Gettysburg, PA 17325, 717-398-2655

1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast - 1 hour 45 minutes

More ideas: Places to Visit in Philadelphia on a Date

The Inn at Bowman’s Hill - 50 minutes

518 Lurgan Rd, New Hope, PA 18938, 215-862-8090

Sayre Mansion - 1 hour 15 minutes

250 Wyandotte St, Bethlehem, PA 18015, 610-882-2100

Speedwell Forge - 1 hour 30 minutes from Philadelphia

465 Speedwell Forge Rd, Lititz, PA 17543, 717-626-1760

Driving Distances from Philadelphia

  • 1. Twin Pine Manor Bed & Breakfast - 1 hour 20 minutes from Philadelphia
  • 2. InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C., an IHG Hotel
  • 3. Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast, Long Beach Island, New Jersey
  • 4. King’s Cottage Bed and Breakfast - 1 hour 20 minutes from Philadelphia
  • 5. Lafayette Inn
  • 6. The Settlers Inn - 2 hours 50 minutes from Philadelphia
  • 7. Crestmont Inn
  • 8. Golden Pheasant Inn
  • 9. Fairville Inn
  • 10. Asbury Ocean Club Hotel, Asbury, New Jersey
  • 11. The Inn on Negley
  • 12. Historic Smithton Inn - 1 hour 15 minutes
  • 13. Sleepy Hollow Bed & Breakfast
  • 14. Fulton Steamboat Inn, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • 15. The Artist’s Inn
  • 16. Angel of the Sea, Cape May
  • 17. Inn at Whitewing Farm
  • 18. Canna Country Inn Bed and Breakfast
  • 19. The Swope Manor - 2 hours 30 minutes from Philadelphia
  • 20. 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast - 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 21. The Inn at Bowman’s Hill - 50 minutes
  • 22. Sayre Mansion - 1 hour 15 minutes
  • 23. Speedwell Forge - 1 hour 30 minutes from Philadelphia

More Features

24 Best Romantic Getaways Texas

25 Romantic Getaways in Texas for Couples

Romantic Weekend Getaways in South Dakota

25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in South Dakota

Weekend Getaways for Couples

Top 25 Weekend Getaways for Couples

VacationIdea

  • About Us/Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

7 easy Philadelphia escapes you can get to in 3 hours or less

Gene Sloan

From Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House to the art collection at The Barnes, Philadelphia is home to enough A-list attractions to keep you busy for a whole summer's worth of weekends. 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 good news for those living in and around The City of Brotherly Love — or anyone visiting for an extended stay — is that there is an extraordinarily rich array of options in the region for a quick escape. And I do mean extraordinary. There aren't many other U.S. cities that have classic beach towns, mountain retreats, a historic amusement park, a gambling mecca and one of the nation's most famous battlefields, all within a few hours' drive.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Below, I list my seven favorite getaways from Philadelphia, all reachable in less than three hours. Some can be done as day trips, but all make for wonderful long weekend escapes, too. I encourage you to plan for a stay of at least a night or two at each.

Note that I didn't even bother to list New York City, which is just 98 miles away and, some might argue, the ultimate weekend getaway for Philadelphians. It's such a major destination that TPG already has an entire New York City guide devoted to it.

Related: How to get to New York City on points and miles

1. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours and 30 minutes

What to do: If, like many Americans, you descend from someone who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg (two of my great-great-grandfathers were there), this is somewhat of a pilgrimage site. Even if you have no connection to the battle, though, it's a fascinating destination. The events that took place over three days in 1863 in this rural town west of Philadelphia changed the course of history.

Often referred to as the turning point of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg took place all around the town, and much of the battlefield is preserved within the National Park Service-run, 6,000-acre Gettysburg National Military Park . Before you do anything, stop in the Visitor Center for its must-see museum, 20-minute movie and iconic, recently restored Cyclorama — a massive, 360-degree painting depicting Pickett's Charge that dates to 1883. While viewing the Cyclorama, you'll get commentary on the battle and a sound and light show. Then head out to the battlefield, preferably with a licensed guide who will hop in your car for a two-hour tour (guide fee: $75 per car).

Related: The best cash-back cards of 2022

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. For a respite from Civil War history, the area also is home to Eisenhower National Historic Site, the home and farm of President Dwight Eisenhower.

Where to stay: History buffs will have a hard time passing up the Brickhouse Inn, in downtown Gettysburg (rooms from $119 per night). Not only is the two-building, 14-room bed and breakfast just steps away from the Culp's Hill section of the Gettysburg battlefield, one of its two buildings — the 1838-built Welty House — was occupied by Confederate sharpshooters during the conflict (and has the bullet holes to prove it). For those looking to earn-or-burn miles, the immediate vicinity also includes several chain hotels, including a Courtyard, Holiday Inn Express and Wyndham .

Related: A guide to Marriott hotel brands

2. Ocean City, New Jersey

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour and 20 minutes

What to do: There are quite a few wonderful beach towns within striking distance of Philadelphia, but none we love more than Ocean City. With a two-and-a-half-mile wooden boardwalk lined with kiddie rides, miniature golf courses, a go-kart track and arcades, it's like a throwback to family fun circa 1950. Plus, there's the beaches — all eight miles of them, wide and pristine.

Families are, indeed, the focus. A barrier island that bills itself as America's Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City is, notably, a "dry" town — there are no bars and no liquor stores once you cross the bridge from the mainland. That keeps the rowdy crowd away, and the evening scene is all about strolling the boards with the little ones in tow.

Between games of skee-ball and a ride on the iconic Giant Wheel at Gillians Wonderland Pier (one of the East Coast's largest Ferris wheels), be sure to grab a "cut" at Manco and Manco Pizza, a tub of caramel corn at Johnson's Popcorn and a twist of frozen custard at Kohr Bros. Then head over to Shriver's for a box of its famous saltwater taffy (and to watch the taffy made in the back). The oldest business on the boardwalk, it's been a fixture of Ocean City since 1898.

Note that Ocean City, New Jersey, shouldn't be confused with Ocean City, Maryland — another beach town to the south that primarily caters to the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. markets.

Where to stay: Most visitors stay in weekly rentals (houses, half-houses and apartments being the norm). 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.

Related: TPG beginner's guide — Everything you need to know about points, miles, airlines and credit cards

3. The Poconos, Pennsylvania

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour and 30 minutes

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. Just 80 miles to the north of the city, and offers such allures as the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which offers hiking, biking, boating and camping. There's also the National Park Service's Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River site, which brings more outdoorsy pursuits. Both areas straddle the Delaware River.

The closest corner of The Poconos to Philadelphia is the Lehigh River Gorge area, home to Jim Thorpe, the "Gateway to the Poconos" and a hub for white water rafting, mountain biking and hiking in nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park. Other hubs include historic Milford, Hawley and Stroudsburg. In addition to hiking, biking and boating, you'll find places to horseback ride, fish, bird watch and even zip line. In winter, there's both downhill and cross-country skiing.

Where to stay: It doesn't get much better than The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley. It's a 58-room luxury retreat, complete with a spa and dining room. With rates in June starting at $419 per person, it's certainly not cheap, but you'll end up feeling relaxed and refreshed. For something more budget-friendly, try the Inn at Jim Thorpe with rooms starting for just $133 a night.

Related: Starter card showdown — Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture

4. Hershey, Pennsylvania

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours

What to do: Call it the town that chocolate built. Located 95 miles east of Philadelphia, the home to the original Hershey chocolate factory offers a glimpse into the making of one of America's iconic brands. Start your visit at The Hershey Story, located near the corner of Chocolate Avenue and Cocoa Avenue (really, we're not making those names up). It's an interactive museum chronicling Hershey founder Milton Hershey's life and the picture-perfect community's creation as a model factory town.

More Hershey indoctrination awaits at nearby Hershey's Chocolate World, site of a famed ride telling the story of chocolate, a 4D chocolate-themed show and other diversions. The town's biggest attraction, though, is Hersheypark , the historic, roller coaster-filled amusement park that Milton Hershey opened in 1906 as a diversion for his factory's workers (a current offer has tickets starting at $47.95 per person; the full rate is $76.95). Hersheypark is really three parks in one, with 70 rides, a full water park and a zoo included in admission. Its newest attraction, Jolly Rancher Remix, is a revamped roller coaster that includes a blast through a Jolly Rancher flavor-infused tunnel.

If that's not enough Hershey for you, there's also Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical park that, yes, has a tad of Hershey theming, too.

Where to stay: Sure, you could stay at one of the chain motels in the area. 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). Milton Hershey himself had it built on a hill overlooking the town in the 1930s. 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). There's also the Hersheypark Camping Resort. The latter has hundreds of campsites that cost $59 for a full hookup. All of these "official" Hershey resorts come with free shuttle service to Hersheypark, extra hours inside the park, tickets to The Hershey Story and Hershey Gardens, and free chocolate at check-in.

5. Brandywine Valley, Delaware and Pennsylvania

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Distance from Philadelphia: 45 minutes

What to do: The Brandywine Valley is just 35 miles south of Philadelphia, but it feels a world away. The site of former country mansions of the du Ponts and other wealthy families, it offers a pastoral, château country-like scene. 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.

There's also Winterthur, the massive, 982-acre country estate-turned-museum built by Henry du Pont. It houses what's considered the premier collection of American furniture and decor as well as a superb garden that Henry du Pont designed himself.

The Brandywine Valley also is Andrew Wyeth country. You can visit the famed 20th-century artist's studio (where he worked until just before his death in 2009) and the nearby Kuerner Farm, which inspired many of his works. Then learn more about him and his father, the painter N.C. Wyeth, at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. N.C. Wyeth's former residence and studio also is open for tours.

Where to stay: Listed on the National Historic Register, The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa is the classic place to stay in the area. Eleven carefully restored buildings dating from 1799 are home to 28 guest rooms and suites with four-poster beds and, in some cases, cozy fireplaces. The buildings once housed workers from nearby DuPont powder mills. Rates start at $161 per night.

6. Lambertville, New Jersey

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Distance from Philadelphia: 50 minutes

What to do: Located just 41 miles north of Philadelphia, this historic riverfront town is the place to go when you're on the hunt for cool furniture and decor. Along with its cross-river twin New Hope, Pennsylvania, it's loaded with small craft, vintage, art and antique shops. It's also easy to reach from Baltimore if you're coming from that direction.

Be sure to time your visit around an opening of the giant outdoor Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, which is just outside of town and usually open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, don't miss The People's Store, which has more than 40 dealers on three floors. Lambertville is also where you'll find Rago, one of the nation's best-known auction houses specializing in 20th-century design. You can build an entire weekend around a pilgrimage to one of its famed mid-century modern auctions.

Founded in 1705, Lambertville is a charmer lined with well-preserved federal townhouses and Victorian homes. So is New Hope, just across the Delaware River via a walkable bridge. If you're heading that way, and you're a theater fan, check out Bucks County Playhouse, which opened in a former gristmill in 1939 and has put on performances ever since.

Where to stay: Filling a restored 19th-century train depot, the 46-room Lambertville Station offers waterside dining, as well as lodging (rooms from $199 per night). Or head across the river to the recently renovated Logan Inn in New Hope. First established as an inn in 1727, it's one of the oldest continuously run inns in the country (rooms from $150).

7. Atlantic City, New Jersey

long weekend trips 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. Instead of kiddie rides and miniature golf, the big allures of its boardwalk are the giant casinos loaded with adult-only gaming areas — there are nine across Atlantic City in all.

Just 62 miles from Philadelphia (and one barrier island up the coast from Ocean City), the famed gambling town also offers such adult diversions as dance clubs, comedy clubs, lounges with bottle service, bars galore (unlike Ocean City, this is definitely not a dry town) and, yes, "gentleman's clubs" where stripping is the shtick and bachelor's parties are big business.

Not that families aren't welcome. Kiddie rides aren't completely absent from the boardwalk (you'll find plenty over at Steel Pier). And you can't make a trip to this area without a stop at Lucy the Elephant in nearby Margate, a six-story-high marvel of 1880s novelty architecture that has delighted both adults and children for generations. Plus, there's the golden sand beach.

Where to stay: The 2,000-room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is the place for a Las Vegas vibe. 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. Rates start under $100 a night during the off season, and as a member of MGM's 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: How to redeem points with the World of Hyatt program

Bottom line

There's no shortage of fabulous road-trip destinations within a three-hour drive of Philadelphia. As eagle-eyed Philadelphians will have noticed, I didn't even try to be all-encompassing. In addition to the destinations above, there are plenty more great getaways in the region, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (aka Amish Country) to Cape May, New Jersey, to explore.

More of Gene Sloan's stories:

  • The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line
  • 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise
  • The best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones
  • Be a kid again on these 12 cruise ships with over-the-top attractions
  • The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler

Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

3 Amazing Weekend Trips from Philadelphia

Last Updated August 19, 2023 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Guides » 3 Amazing Weekend Trips from Philadelphia

In the context of American history, Philadelphia is incredibly significant – in fact, some may go as far as saying that it’s the birthplace of the United States of America. Another reason the city is underrated is due to its close proximity to several other awesome attractions and popular destinations in the US. There really is no shortage of options when it comes to weekend trips from Philadelphia so here are 3 of our top suggestions!

Read more about US East Coast travels

  • Things To Do In Buffalo
  • Top 4 Things To Do In NYC In The Summer
  • 6 Day Smoky Mountains Itinerary – 2 States, One Grand Adventure

Looking for top deals on your accommodations?

  • Rest with ease on your next trip’s accommodations when booking with Expedia . With frequent sales, discounts on package bundles, as well as benefits from enrolling Expedia Rewards, you are sure to keep more money in your pocket for the fun parts of traveling!

Here's what we're covering:

The Top Places To Go On Weekend Trips From Philadelphia

Fun things to do in the poconos.

  • Learn about the history of the Poconos

Where to stay in the Poconos

Fun things to do in newport, learn about the history of newport, rhode island, where to stay in newport, rhode island, fun things to do in gettysburg, learn about the history of gettysburg, where to stay in gettysburg, final thoughts on weekend trips from philadelphia, travel resources for your next trip.

Weekend Trips Philadelphia Skyline at sunrise

If you don’t know where to start when planning a trip, don’t fret – we’ve put together a list of the best weekend trips from Philadelphia. Including the best areas to visit, things to do, and recommended places to stay, we’ve got you covered – all you have to do is take your pick!

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

Poconos resort beachside with lake and dock

Visit the Poconos for a spectacular time in the mountains that you’re unlikely to forget. Teeming with gorgeous greenery, picturesque lakes, thundering waterfalls, and awe-inspiring peaks, a weekend getaway to the Poconos is sure to help you recharge, relax, and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Distance from Philadelphia: 108 miles

Duration of Journey from Philadelphia to the Poconos: 1 hour and 45 minutes

If you’re looking for a scenic escape from Philly, you can travel for less than two hours and find yourself immersed in the most awe-inspiring landscape with lots to see and do.

Whether you want to get outdoors and explore the mountains, learn about the history of the region, or relax alongside one of the many lakes, you’re sure to have more than enough to do. Here are a few fun things to do during your visit to the Poconos.

Visit the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

One of the best ways to enjoy the surrounding scenery is to jump aboard the Lehigh Gorge train and enjoy a 70-minute journey through the mountains. Following the beautiful Lehigh River, you’ll be treated to the comfort of vintage coaches built as early as 1917.

During this narrated trip, you’ll be treated to gorgeous panoramas of majestic mountains, looming cliffs, and perhaps even some wildlife if you’re lucky. The train follows a forested route and travels over bridges, through Glen Onoko, and finally ending in the Lehigh Gorge State Park.

A trip on the Lehigh Gorge scenic railway is a fabulous way to sit back, relax and see some of the most gorgeous scenery the Poconos has to offer. While it offers delightful views all year round, if you’re a fan of a good old white Christmas, then wintertime is the best time to go – the coaches are delightfully cozy and the scenery is nothing short of magical. Not to mention the “Harry Potter” vibes!

Go Hiking at Big Pocono State Park

Made up of 1,306 acres of rugged terrain, the Big Pocono State Park covers land spanning the slopes and the summit of the Camelback Mountains. And boy, its name certainly doesn’t lie – the Big Pocono State Park sure is big. Boasting a plethora of adventurous hiking trails, you’ll be able to enjoy views of three different states all at once.

Here are a few of the best hiking trails in Big Pocono State Park:

  • Camelback Mountain Loop Trail – Moderately difficult, 2.7 miles
  • Wolf Swamp and Deep Lake Trails Loop – Moderately difficult, 5.8 miles
  • Big Pocono South and North Trail Loop – Moderately difficult, 3.5 miles

The nice thing about hiking in the Camelback Mountains is that while most of the trails are around the same level of difficulty, they vary in distance. So whether you’re looking for a good, long walk to really get the blood flowing or just a short stroll for some fresh air, you’ll be able to find whatever it is you’re looking for.

Before you visit the park, however, make sure you check that the park is open . Generally speaking, you’ll be able to visit from May to November – the park closes from December to April during the height of winter due to accessibility and safety concerns, so plan accordingly!

Just down the road is the Poconos Raceway as well. If you feel the need for speed, book a 3 Lap Stock Car Ride

L earn about the history of the Poconos

Much like most of the United States, the Poconos has a rich history dating back many years. Today, there are several museums and educational sites for visitors to peruse and learn all about the area’s heritage. While the land was originally home to Native American inhabitants, it was later colonized by the Dutch, British, and Germans, starting in the 17th century, many of whom eventually became permanent residents.

Today, the Poconos Mountains area is a popular holiday destination, but before it became what it is now, it went through centuries of change and development. The heritage of the area is truly fascinating – if you’re keen to learn more about it during your weekend getaway from Philadelphia, here are a few of the best attractions to visit:

  • The No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum : Visit the oldest continuously running anthracite coal mine in Pennsylvania and learn all about its dark and treacherous history. It was operational from 1855 until 2002 when it was converted into a museum. Today, visitors can take tours led by experienced guides who will teach you all about the dark history of mining and the people who worked in the mines.
  • The Pocono Indian Museum : Having opened in 1976, the Poconos Indian Museum contains hundreds of important artifacts pertaining to the so-called “Delaware Indians” – or Native Americans, rather. This includes fascinating things such as tools, weapons, and articles of clothing, as well as oodles of information about how they lived.
  • Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm : Covering a 114-acre area of farmland, the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm seeks to preserve the area’s rich German heritage. Guides are dressed in traditional German attire and guests will be able to watch re-enactments of scenes from daily farm life. Today, the farm is home to a plethora of animals and visitors can wander through the old farmhouse, cabin, smokehouse, and several little barns. Visiting the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm will really make you feel like you’re stepping back in time!
  • Eckley Miners’ Village : A full-on village made up of a sports club, two churches, a little company store, and several houses, the Eckley Miners’ Village is a great place to immerse yourself in the history of the area. The village was operational and a hive of activity from the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s, and today, you can wander around the village and learn all about its history at the visitors’ center.

Observe the Poconos from above! This private sightseeing flight will take you on a trip over attractions like Camelback Mountain, Delaware Water Gap, Mount Pocono, and more!

The Poconos is a popular area for weekend trips from Philadelphia, so, for that reason, it’s really not difficult to find accommodation options that suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for luxury or something that’s a little more budget-friendly, you have come to the right place. Here are a few options for in different price ranges.

Hotel Fauchere

This beautifully restored building, originally opened in 1880, features a true boutique hotel atmosphere. Complete with a highly rated spa, stylish room options, and two onsite dining options Hotel Fauchere is sure to provide the top quality stay you are looking for.

The Inn at Jim Thorpe

The Inn at Jim Thorpe is the ideal option for you if you don’t want to break the bank. This 19th-century-style inn is located in the historic district of Jim Thorpe and it simply oozes character and charm.

Newport, Rhode Island

Weekend Trips Philadelphia to Newport Rhode Island harbor with sailboats and mansion in the distance

Home to some of the most wealthy families in modern American history, Newport, Rhode Island has a lot more to offer than just fancy houses and rich people – although it has lots of those as well. In fact, Newport is teeming with a range of awesome things to do during weekend trips from Philadelphia.

Distance from Philadelphia: 273 miles

Duration of Journey from Philadelphia to Newport : 4 hours and 30 minutes

Whether you want to simply enjoy the gorgeous oceanside and stick to outdoor activities, such as an afternoon sightseeing cruise , or explore the town and learn all about its fascinating architectural and social history, you’re bound to have loads to do.

Ranging from mansion tours to cliff walks, you’re bound to have a weekend jam-packed with fun and interesting activities when you take a drive out to Newport for a weekend trip from Philadelphia. Here are some of the best things to do during your weekend getaway.

Enjoy the scenery

There’s no wondering why Newport is home to so many wealthy people who, for all intents and purposes, could choose to live pretty much anywhere in the United States. This beachside town boasts not only fascinating architectural history, but its scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Best of all, there are a few ways in which you can view it, depending on the weather and your preference:

  • Ocean Drive: Boasting 10 miles of open road and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, cruising along Newport’s Ocean Drive is an epic, relaxing way to enjoy your natural surroundings from the comfort of your own vehicle. Begin your drive just off Bellevue Avenue and enjoy the journey. Peer down at Newport’s southern coastal shoreline and you’re sure to feel as one with nature.
  • Cliff Walk: If you’d like to stretch your legs and appreciate Newport’s natural beauty with the wind in your hair, take yourself out for a cliff walk. Open from sunrise to sunset all year round, this route is about 3.5-miles long, two thirds of which is easy walking and one third that requires a little more finesse and agility. Newport’s Cliff Walk is a National Recreational Trail and it allows you to appreciate the area’s history, wildflowers, birds, scenery, and geology – what more could you want? Perhaps, however, you should avoid doing this walk if the weather isn’t good (for obvious reasons), and in particular, avoid the more difficult section of this route for safety reasons.

Explore the Mansions

As mentioned, Newport is perhaps best known for the history of its most wealthy inhabitants and the homes in which several generations of these families have lived – or vacationed, at the very least. A few of these Gilded Age mansions were owned by the likes of the Vanderbilts , the Astors , and even the Kennedys, making both their architecture and social history incredibly interesting.

Now, doing the Cliff Walk or cruising along Ocean Drive, as mentioned above, will allow you to see many such houses. However, the most famous mansion in Newport is, arguably, the Breakers. Built between 1893 and 1895, it was originally intended to be a “summer cottage for Cornelius Vanderbilt, but when you catch a glimpse of the building, you’ll quickly realize that the word “cottage” isn’t exactly universal – the Breakers is enormous. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours any day during the week and explore this 125,000-square-foot house and its incredible 13-acre grounds.

To experience Breakers and more, check out this highly rated trolley tour of multiple Gilded Age mansions while also getting admission to the Breakers Mansion!

Having been frequented by wealthy Americans for hundreds of years, Newport has a rich and interesting history. Here are a few fun ways you can engage with it and learn a little bit about this Rhode Island town’s past:

  • Sailing has always been a popular pass time in Newport – owing to the fact that sailing is a wealthy sport and hobby and Newport is a rather wealthy town. In fact, Newport is the American location for the world-famous America’s Cup, making it the country’s hub for competitive sailing, in the opinion of some. If you’re interested in learning more, visit the Newport Sailing Museum and learn all about different types of boats, designers, historians, Olympic sailors, and more.
  • If you’re interested in history but would rather be a little more active, why not check out the International Tennis Hall of Fame? Back in 1881, the Tennis Hall of Fame was a social club and it hosted the first-ever US National Lawn Tennis Championships – what is known as the US Open today. Nowadays, the grass courts are open to the public, so if you’d like to get your tennis on, check the courts’ availability and book a slot .
  • Visit the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, the United States’ first-ever purpose-built library – which means that at the time that it was built, the structure was intended on being a library from the very begin, it wasn’t repurposed from something else. It dates back to 1747 and is one of the oldest continuously operating libraries in the area. So if you’re a lover of literature, make sure you don’t miss out on perusing this century-old collection.

Deciding on where to stay really comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. If you’re looking for luxury, there are plenty of options available. And, you may be surprised to hear that there are also several accommodation options if you’re on a tighter budget. Here are a few:

For a truly Gilded Age experience, check out Gilded . A luxury hotel that offer an experience that only Newport can offer. The atmosphere in this hotel is one that a Vanderbilt would appreciate. Serving fresh ingredient filled small plate dishes this one is sure to provide the most unrivaled trip!

Ocean Cliff Hotel & Resort

The Ocean Cliff Hotel & Resort is located right on the waterfront in the Fifth Ward. Close to many local hot spots and not far from the historic Ocean Drive while also including free breakfast and an onsite restaurant.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg old cannons and statue

For most Americans, the first thing that springs to mind when they hear Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the Civil War and the oodles of American history they most likely learned in high school. Well, if this is the case, you’re not wrong – Gettysburg was the location of the Battle of Gettysburg, the moment in time that is often revered as the turning point of the entire Civil War. Today, the battlefield is preserved as a National Military Park and tourists can visit and learn all about it.

Distance from Philadelphia: 141 miles

Duration of Journey from Philadelphia to Gettysburg : 2 hours and 20 minutes

Gettysburg has even more to offer than just its battlefield. In fact, as far as weekend trips from Philadelphia go, Gettysburg is actually a pretty cool destination with lots of things to do.

Visit Gettysburg Battlefield

We’ll start with the history because, as mentioned, it is what the area is most famous for after all. Gettysburg National Military Park, as it’s now known, was the location of the three-day battle that is widely known as the turning point of the American Civil War. It’s about six acres in size and boasts several really important sites – including several monuments as well as the site at which President Abraham Lincoln gave his infamous Gettysburg Address.

Visitors can wander around the park and view the monuments while learning all about the history of the battle and the Civil War as a whole. There are several options for guided tours – whether you prefer a horse-drawn carriage , horseback , or a bus tour that can be listened to while walking or driving.

While you’re at the park, also make sure to check out the museum, the Visitors’ Center, the national cemetery, Little Round Top, and the “Summer White House” of President Dwight E. Eisenhower.

Dobbin House Tavern

Grab a bite to eat and drink at Dobbin House Tavern and you can rest assured that you’ve tried an establishment that is quintessentially Gettysburg. Boasting a fun, old-timey atmosphere, historic charm, and a lively ambiance, you can enjoy delicious food and a good old pint after a long day of wandering around and learning about history.

Downtown Gettysburg

Get a real feel for this quaint and historic down when to take a trip downtown (downtown Gettysburg, that is) during your weekend trip from Philadelphia.

Here, you’ll be able to wander the streets and peruse some of the local stores and charming little eateries, some of which have been owned by the same families for several generations.

Also in Downtown Gettysburg you’ll be able to see Lincoln Square, the center of the town, which includes a famous statue of the former president himself. You’ll also find the David Willis House and its interactive exhibits nearby, as well as several other museums, exhibits, and art galleries.

Into the spooky side of history? Gettysburg has what you are looking for on this after dark history and haunts tour !

“Four score and seven years ago…” Ring a bell? The borough of Gettysburg is most notably known as the location of the Battle of Gettysburg as well as Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to commemorate the lives lost during the battle. The battle took place July 1-3, 1863 and was a pivotal point in the Civil War while Lincoln’s speech actually took place four months later.

This borough has a rich history even beyond this historic battle as well! The Eisenhower National Historic Site is also located here. Check out some other attractions to experience more of Gettysburg:

  • Gettysburg Beyond The Battle Museum : this immersive 12 exhibit museum captures the full history of the borough. You can experience what is was like to be a local family during the onset of the battle in a reconstructed farmhouse. As well as learn about the prehistoric times of Adams County through the Eisenhower years.
  • Strawberry Hill : Leader in environmental stewardship, this educational center offers hands-on educational programs where you can meet their animal ambassadors as well as guided hikes in Michaux State Forest. Unique nature experiences include a restored mineral quarry, Mount Hope Maple Madness, and an annual festival
  • The Maryland Sutler : Find all you need to jump back in time at this Civil War re-enactment shop. Whether you are looking to suit up in a period frock coat and trousers or want to own a replica a-frame tent! This shop is the place to check out the items that really make history come to life.

Finding somewhere to stay in Gettysburg isn’t very difficult, with many different options to choose from. Here are a few.

The Brickhouse Inn B&B

Charming and quaint, the Brickhouse Inn B&B is the perfect place to stay while you’re in Gettysburg. It fully encapsulates the historic charm of the town and provides you with all the comfort and facilities you’ll need, including breakfast so you can start your day the right way.

The Lodges at Gettysburg

This 63 acre resort has stunning views of the Gettysburg battlefield and Hunter Lake. The Lodges of Gettysburg offers 28 lodges as well as 45 rooms fulling decorated with period artwork and fireplaces. Amenities include continental breakfast, hiking trails, free fishing pole rental, and more!

Weekend Trips Philadelphia Independence National Park statue

If you’re looking for weekend trips from Philadelphia, it’s pretty clear that finding an option that suits you won’t be difficult at all! With so many wonderful and beautiful places within such close proximity to Philadelphia, you’ll find it difficult to take your pick.

So better get packing, because your weekend getaway awaits!

If you would like to stay in the Vanderbilt family, check out the Marble House. Rosecliff looks over the Atlantic Ocean and is the location of many famous movies. The Elms boast exquisite and unique architecture and holds a deep history. Including being one of the first homes in Newport to get electricity.

Depends on the tour you take. Bus and horseback tours can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours. Carriage tours look to be a little shorter at about an hour. Or take as much time as you would like on a self guided car tour using the Civil War Gettysburg app!

Enjoy top notch burgers and brews at Boulder View Tavern while overlooking the Big Boulder Lake. Van Gilder’s Jubilee Restaurant is considered “the breakfast king of the Poconos” as well as serving up delicious food for the other meals of the day. If you consider yourself a “hophead,” check out Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. If you are looking for a unique bistro setting, Sango Kura is the Poconos only sake bar offering delicious poke bowls, sushi, and ramen!

What you should read next

Best Place to Stay in the Smoky Mountains How Not To Suck At Airport Security Things to Do in Bradenton FL Top Reasons To Plan A Trip To Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature .

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

park sleep fly airport parking discount code

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

Data: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices like PokeFi because their rates are so good and you can use it globally but recently, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting region-specific eSIMs and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts . The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. TripAdvisor is also useful for reviews and bookings.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • Insured Nomads – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks.
  • RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Find us on social media

  • Home Design Experts
  • Senior Living
  • Wedding Experts
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Private Schools
  • Mortgage Professionals
  • 50 Best Restaurants
  • Restaurant Finder
  • Be Well Philly
  • Find a Dentist
  • Find a Doctor
  • Life & Style
  • Properties & News
  • Find a Home & Design Pro
  • Find a Real Estate Agent
  • Find a Mortgage Professional
  • Events in Philly
  • Philly Mag Events
  • Guides & Advice
  • Find a Wedding Expert
  • Bubbly Brunch Event
  • Best of Philly
  • Newsletters

If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours.

5 Totally Drivable Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

Missing travel? Get your fix with these fresh-air-filled, not-too-far escapes.

Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.

driveable weekend getaways

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard in Charlottesville, Virginia is one of several great drivable weekend getaways from Philadelphia. Photograph by Eric Kelley

Not quite ready to book that overseas escape? Ease your way into post-quarantine travel with one of these fresh-air-filled (and fully drivable) weekend getaways.

Weekending in Baltimore: How to Eat Your Way Through the Charm City

There’s so much more to the city than crabcakes and Natty Boh.

visiting baltimore

French lentils at Le Comptoir du Vin, a restaurant to try when you’re visiting Baltimore. Photograph by Kate Grewal

Pre-pandemic, Baltimore was the most exciting up-and-coming food and drink destination on the Eastern Seaboard. Post-pandemic, the hot spots are still hot — though in some cases not yet fully out of hibernation — and new options keep right on opening. The best part? All the good stuff is far away from touristy Inner Harbor. Keep reading here .

Weekending on Tilghman Island: A Pet-Friendly Escape on the Water

Fun awaits on the Chesapeake Bay.

visiting tilghman island

The back dock at Wylder Tilghman Island. Photograph Courtesy Hotel Wylder

Of all the quaint small towns dotting Maryland’s Eastern Shore, St. Michaels gets the most attention. Fewer folks know about Tilghman Island, its sleepier — but even more naturally beautiful — neighbor around the bay. That makes it the perfect home base for a low-key weekend centered on water sports and quality seafood. Keep reading here .

Weekending in Charlottesville: A Quaint Downtown With Nearby Wineries, Cideries, and More

Get schooled on the grown-up charm of this Virginia college town.

visiting charlottesville

Check out the art gallery at the Quirk hotel while visiting Charlottesville. Photograph by Betty Clicker

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, it’s fully possible to do an entire weekend in the home of the University of Virginia without ever stepping foot on campus grounds. Keep reading here .

Weekending in Delaware: Great Dining, Gorgeous Gardens, and Shore Towns to Explore

The state Joe Biden calls home is having a full-on moment. Here’s how to explore it.

visiting delaware

The outdoor patio at Bluecoast in Bethany Beach, one restaurant to try while you’re visiting Delaware. Photograph by Pamela Aquilani

From restaurant hopping in Wilmington to checking out a new-to-you shore scene to exploring some spectacular estates, here’s what to see and do. Keep reading here .

Weekending in Washington, D.C.: Getting Outdoorsy in the Nation’s Capital

The District is home to many under-the-radar green spaces.

visiting washington dc

The Glenstone art museum in nearby Potomac, Maryland. Phototgraph by Iwan Baan/Glenstone Museum

Last year, D.C. earned the number two slot in the Trust for Public Land’s ranking of park access in the 100 largest U.S. cities. That’s 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). Keep reading here .

Published as “Road Trip!” in the March 2021 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Bowling Alleys in Philly: The Ultimate Guide

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Inside the Franklin Institute’s Massive New Lego Exhibit

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Women’s History Month Events in Philly

Things to Do in Philadelphia This Weekend

Spring break: what to do with kids in philly when school’s out, 11 places to see cherry blossoms in philadelphia, the top 10 things to do with kids in philly this month, fun events in philadelphia this week, in this section.

American Airlines Vacations logo

  • public English
  • Destinations
  • AAdvantage®

Vacation packages from Philadelphia

Choose 2 or more:

Type text to display a list of choices

Write a date in the format: MM/DD/YYYY

Enter to select travel class and passengers

Explore our most popular vacation packages from Philadelphia

5 night stay

To Cancun from Philadelphia

4 night stay

To Las Vegas from Philadelphia

3 night stay

To Oranjestad (Aruba) from Philadelphia

To Montego Bay from Philadelphia

To San Juan from Philadelphia

*Average total price per person based on round trip flights in the Main Cabin and double occupancy hotel stays. Prices displayed have been collected within the last 24 hrs and may no longer be available at time of booking. Modifying this information may result in a different price. To find the most updated price, please visit aavacations.com.

You may also like...

  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Albuquerque
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Nantucket
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Auckland
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Amsterdam
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to St. John’s (Antigua and Barbuda)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Athens
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Atlanta
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Oranjestad (Aruba)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Austin
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Asheville
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Anguilla
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Barranquilla
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Barcelona
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Hamilton (Bermuda)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Bridgetown (Barbados)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Bloomington
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Nashville
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Bogota
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Kralendijk (Bonaire)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Boston
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Budapest
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Buffalo
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Baltimore
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Belize City
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Bozeman
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Paris
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Charleston
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Casablanca
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Colorado Springs
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Corpus Christi
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Cartagena
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Cancun
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Curacao
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Cozumel
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Daytona Beach
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Dubrovnik
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Denver
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Dallas-Fort Worth
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Dublin
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Edinburgh
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Vail
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to North Eleuthera
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to El Paso
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Newark
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to The Florida Keys and Key West
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Buenos Aires
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Rome
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Fort-de-France (Martinique)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Grand Bahama Island
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Frankfurt
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Grand Cayman
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Guadalajara
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to George Town
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Rio de Janeiro
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Glasgow
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to St. George's (Grenada)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Green Bay
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Sao Paulo
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Geneva
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Hilton Head Island
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Tokyo
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Oahu
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Houston
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Seoul
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Jackson Hole
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Jacksonville
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to New York
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Juneau
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Reykjavik
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Kingston
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Big Island Hawaii
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Las Vegas
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Los Angeles
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to London
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Kauai
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Lima
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Milan
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Liberia (Costa Rica)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Lisbon
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Madrid
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Manchester
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Montego Bay
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Kansas City
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Orlando
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Memphis
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Mexico City
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Marsh Harbour
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Miami
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Milwaukee
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Male
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Madison
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Minneapolis
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to New Orleans
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Monterrey
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Munich
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Montevideo
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Martha's Vineyard
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Myrtle Beach
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Mazatlan
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Nadi
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Naples
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Nassau
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Nice
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Maui
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Chicago
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Norfolk
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Port-au-Prince (Haiti)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to West Palm Beach
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Portland
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Beijing
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Perth
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Phoenix
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Providenciales (Turks and Caicos Islands)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Pensacola
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Puerto Plata
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Papeete, Tahiti
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Prague
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Palm Springs
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Panama
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Punta Cana
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Shanghai
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Puerto Vallarta - Riviera Nayarit
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Rapid City
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Reno
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Fort Myers
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Santa Fe
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to San Diego
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to San Antonio
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Savannah
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Santiago
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Santo Domingo
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Seattle
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to San Francisco
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Shreveport
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Los Cabos
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to San Jose (Costa Rica)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to San Juan
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Salt Lake City
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Anaheim
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Sarasota
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Saint Louis
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to St. Thomas
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Saint Croix
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to St. Maarten
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Sydney
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Tampa
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Tulsa
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Tucson
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Berlin
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Quito
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Vieux Fort (Saint Lucia)
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Venice
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Destin
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Santa Cruz
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Montreal
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Vancouver
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Calgary
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Toronto
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
  • Vacation packages from Philadelphia to Zurich

Where the Wild Kids Wander

Family | Travel | Adventures

Escape the Chill: 21 Winter Getaways Near Philadelphia (& Day Trips, Too!) For 2024

Lauren

  • December 19, 2023
  • Updated January 24, 2024
  • In Itineraries and Things to Do , Philadelphia , Weekend Getaways

Are you looking for winter getaways near Philadelphia for the day or a weekend?

How will you keep the kids entertained when the  holiday festivities  are over and the temperatures drop? That is every parent’s question come January.

Thankfully, there are many fun things to do in winter, especially in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. There are also several fun places to visit for a winter day trip from Philadelphia or even a fun winter weekend getaway.

Some of our favorite activities are the indoor waterparks in the Poconos, like Camelback’s Aquatopia, the Lost River Caverns near Allentown, and enjoying a weekend away in Washington, DC.

The list below shares some of the best places to visit for a day or weekend, and they aren’t far from Philadelphia. This whole list might even get you through the entire winter!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Awesome Day Trips & Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia in the Winter

1. camelback resort.

people play in the wave pool at Aquatopia at Camelback Resort with water slides in the background

Camelback Resort in the Poconos is a one-stop-shop for winter fun and is a top thing to do in the area .

Whether you want to stay warm inside and enjoy the fantastic Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark or get outside in the snow and go tubing or skiing, it is the perfect winter getaway from Philadelphia.

We recommend staying over the weekend to enjoy everything the resort offers. However, you can also  spend a day at Aquatopia  and have just as much fun.

2. Island Waterpark at Showboat

One of the newest indoor waterparks near Philadelphia is Island Waterpark at Showboat in Atlantic City.

The park has several water slides, a lazy river for relaxation, and fun splash zones for the little kid to entertain visitors of all ages. You can play all day and have a quick drive back to the city.

Buy your tickets online  to get the best price and FREE parking.

3. Great Wolf Lodge in Maryland

One of the newest Great Wolf Lodge resorts is in Perryville, MD, which is closer to Philadelphia than the Poconos location (another great winter getaway option!).

Its indoor water park has a variety of slides, pools, and water attractions, providing endless aquatic fun for guests.

Beyond the water park, the lodge features themed suites, interactive games, dining options, and seasonal activities, ensuring tons of fun and excitement for your getaway.

🧳 Check out our Great Wolf Lodge packing guide

4. American Dream Mall

Another fantastic place to visit for indoor fun during a winter weekend is the  American Dream Mall  in East Rutherford, NJ.

The American Dream Mall offers something for everyone, including indoor skiing and snowboarding at Big SNOW, thrill rides at Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the Dreamworks indoor waterpark, and more!

There are so many other things to do at American Dream, like ice skating, a mirror maze, a Ferris Wheel, a mini-golf course, an aquarium, and more. Are you tired yet?

🛌 Stay overnight to enjoy everything American Dream has to offer!

5. Woodloch Resort

Woodloch Resort  is an excellent,  family-friendly resort in the Poconos  that is perfect to visit any time of year. Of course, they have tons of things to do that are included with your stay during the winter.

Some of the winter activities at Woodloch include snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing on their beautiful trails.

And if you want to stay warm inside, the resort also has indoor fun, like an arcade, swimming pools, and various themed events. It’s the perfect getaway for families during the winter months.

6. Hershey, PA

Hershey's Chocolate Tour Sign at Chocolate World

We love Hershey, PA! It’s one of our favorite places in  Pennsylvania to visit in winter .

Even if  Hersheypark  is closed, the town has plenty of  fun activities . The activities at  Chocolate World  alone can fill your day. But the Hershey Story Museum and the Hershey Gardens are also fun winter activities.

If you’re heading to Hershey for a winter getaway, you’ll want to stay the night at the  Hershey Lodge . You’ll receive FREE admission to the Hershey Story Museum and Hershey Gardens. And you’ll also get to enjoy their excellent pool, the Hershey Water Works, which is practically a mini indoor waterpark.

7. Gettysburg, PA

Blue cannon in the foreground at Gettysburg Battlefied

Gettysburg  is a cute  small town  with a lot of history and fun. The town offers many things to do in the winter , with shops, eateries, and museums, like the Shriver House, which offers insight into the battle’s impact on the townsfolk.

Many visitors head to the historic battlefield and the visitor center, where you can enjoy the film, cyclorama, and museum before taking a self-guided driving tour around the battlefield.

There is even more cold weather enjoyment nearby with Liberty Mountain Resort, where you can ski, snowboard, and snow tube, a fun  winter activity in Pennsylvania . And if you enjoy winter hiking, Michaux State Forest is 30 minutes away, with several fun trails, including Pole Steeple Trail and the trail to Chimney Rocks.

🚗 Take this self-guided driving tour through the Gettysburg battlefield

8. Alexandria, VA

The George Washington Masonic Memorial in the back with a large "G" in the foreground

Outside Washington, DC,  Old Town Alexandria  could be a fun overnight or weekend away in the winter. With several fascinating museums, the incredible George Washington Masonic Memorial, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon down the road, plenty of indoor activities keep you warm.

Even if it’s a chilly day, you won’t want to skip walking around Old Town Alexandria. The FREE King Street Trolley will give you a warm ride up and down the street while you visit the many shops and restaurants.

🛌 This hotel has FREE made-to-order breakfast and is across from the King Street Trolley Station

9. Milford, PA

Water rushes down Raymondskill Falls, the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania

Milford, PA, is a perfect winter day trip from Philadelphia!

This charming small town on the Delaware River is close to some of the best winter hiking in the Delaware Water Gap. You can visit Raymondskill Falls and Hackers Falls from the same parking area. They are both beautiful in the winter.

Take the time to visit two historic homes: Grey Towers and the Columns Museum. James Pinchot, the founder and first Chief of the US Forest Service, owned Grey Towers. You can tour the grounds of the home in the winter for free or take one of the self-guided tours of the property.

The  Columns Museum  was the home of businessman and politician Dennis McLaughlin. One of the highlights of the museum is the flag that Abraham Lincoln rested his head on after he was shot.

10. Harpers Ferry, WV

View of Harpers Ferry, and two bridges from Maryland Heights Overlook

Harpers Ferry in West Virginia  is the perfect winter getaway from Philadelphia. It combines a small town with history and hiking and is fun for everyone.

You’ll want to start at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, where you can explore several buildings in town. The town has been preserved so well that it feels like you are stepping back in time!

Warm up by doing one of the many hikes available. We love the Maryland Heights trail, which gives you incredible town views. It’s one of our favorite places to hike on the east coast. However, the Loudon Height Trail and the Weverton Cliffs are also fun.

🛌 This hotel is 15 minutes from town and has complimentary breakfast

11. Ithaca, NY

View of Taughannock Falls from the overlook in Ithaca, New York

Ithaca is gorgeous, especially in the snow! This beautiful town in the  Finger Lakes area of New York State  is the perfect destination for a winter weekend getaway from Philadelphia.

There are plenty of things to do in town, like visiting museums or exploring Cornell’s campus. Outside, you can explore the Cayuga Nature Center and its six-story tree house!

However, if you’re visiting the Finger Lakes, you’ll want to enjoy some of the  many waterfalls . Thankfully, two in Ithaca are easy to see and get to, including Triphammer Falls at Cornell.

Our favorite is the Taughannock Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in New York. You can enjoy its frozen beauty from the overlook or take the easy 1-mile trail to the bottom of the falls (though it occasionally closes if there is too much ice).

🛌 The  Inn at Taughannock Falls  is right next to Cayuga Lake

12. Easton, PA

Crayola Experience Easton PA Pine Street Entrance with large crayons spilling out

Easton is perfect for a day trip from Philadelphia. One of the city’s biggest draws, especially for parents with young children, is the  Crayola Experience . This colorful interactive museum allows kids to design their crayons, make art, and play.

If it’s a warmer day, take the time to stroll through the Karl Stiner Art Trail or the Delaware Canal Towpath.

13. Lancaster County

The Turkey Hill Experience sign

Lancaster County has so many things to do over a winter day trip or weekend getaway.

First, you want to take advantage of the Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia. Even when cold outside, you’ll still enjoy an ice cream treat! You can even make your own flavor.

A winter landscape makes the perfect scene as you roll by on the Strasburg Railroad. Even though the train is famous for its  Christmas-themed rides , the railroad operates year-round.

🛌 Stay the night at Eden Resort & Suites  with their large indoor pool

14. Catskills

When you think about the Catskills, I’m sure one word comes to mind: skiing! The Catskill Mountains are known for their winter sports, including downhill and cross-country skiing.

Several hikes in the Catskills are perfect for the winter weather, including the easy walk to the top of  Kaaterskill Falls  and the gorgeous  Sunset Rock .

If you want warmer fun, try the  Kartrite Resort  in Monticello, which has an indoor waterpark and other fun activities.

15. New York City

two children look down below at New York City from the top of the empire state building

New York City is a fun winter weekend destination. Popular attractions, like the Empire State Building, tend to be less crowded (in New York). You can enjoy some breathing room at the fun stores. And restaurants are easier to get into.

Spending  a winter day  or two in New York has many ways. From the fantastic museums and tall buildings to the winter activities like ice skating at Bryant Park, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Some of them are  FREE !

🛌 Make the most of your New York weekend and stay overnight !

16. Baltimore, MD

two children sit in a heart sculpture at Baltimore's Inner Harbor with a historic ship in the background

Baltimore isn’t always at the top of a list of winter weekend getaway locations, but it should be! There are plenty of  ways to enjoy a weekend in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor , even in winter.

Of course, the National Aquarium is a top attraction in Baltimore year-round. However, other fun things exist, like the Maryland Science Center , the Historic Ships , and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House . You can even tour the M&T Bank Stadium , where the Ravens play.

🛌 We loved our stay at the Homewood Suites in Baltimore.

17. Washington, DC

The Washington Monument and reflection in the Tidal Basin

Washington, DC, is a perfect place for a winter  weekend getaway  from Philadelphia in the winter! With several museums, many of which are  FREE , there is no shortage of things to do inside where it’s warm.

Winter is a great time to visit Washington, DC, since it’s less crowded than it can be in the spring and summer. You might find getting tickets to the  Washington Monument  and reservations at the Air & Space Museum easier.

🛌 This hotel is close to the White House and offers FREE breakfast

18. Pittsburgh

Looking out at Pittsburgh from the Monongahela Incline

Visiting  Pittsburgh  in winter gives you plenty of options to enjoy both indoor and outdoor attractions. Its distance from Philadelphia makes it perfect for a two-night stay.

You can stay warm while visiting the Phipps Conservatory and enjoying the botanical displays and vibrant plant life. Or the Heinz History Center , which offers exciting history about Pittsburgh and the surrounding regions with interactive exhibits and artifacts. We love the Mr. Rogers Neighborhood set.

You can always spend a sunny winter day outside at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Frick Park . And you can never go wrong with a ride on one of the inclines.

🛌 We loved this hotel with FREE breakfast in Downtown Pittsburgh

19. Valley Forge NHP

Two kids walk along the path between cabins at Valley Forge National Historical Park

Winter is the perfect time to visit  Valley Forge National Historical Park !

The park was the encampment site of the Continental Army from December 1777 until June 1778. This means kids will understand what it was like for a soldier at that time. Don’t forget to check out the museum at the Visitor Center. Kids can even participate in the Junior Ranger Program.

If you’re up for a winter hike, the Mount Misery and Valley Creek trails are the perfect way to get warm! They are some of the  best trails near Philadelphia , so you’ll want to take advantage of them.

20. French Creek State Park & Hopewell Furnace

French Creek State Park in the winter time

Another great historical site for a day trip from Philadelphia is the Hopewell Furnace in Elverson, PA.

Hopewell showcases what life was like on these “iron plantations” from the early industrialized era between the late 1700s and 1800s. There are several buildings on the property, plus a small museum in the Visitor Center. Don’t forget to earn a Junior Ranger Badge!

Hopewell Furnace is adjacent to French Creek State Park, one of the  best state parks near Philadelphia . There are several hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate, which are fun to do on a sunny winter day. Don’t forget to wear  bright colors , as hunting is allowed in some areas of the park.

21. The Lost River Caverns

Path through a cave at lost river caverns in Hellertown Pennsylvania

Caves are such a fun way to get “outside” in nature without actually having to be outside! And with a constant 52° year-round, it might be warmer in the cave than the weather outside.

Many of the caves in Pennsylvania stop tours during the winter. However, Lost River Caverns in Hellertown, PA is open daily throughout the year, though they are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The tour is about 35-40 minutes long and will take you underground to explore the various formations, Although the path is paved, their are steep ramps and stairs, so it’s not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

You can combine this tour with a visit to Easton to make the most out of your day trip from Philly.

Wrapping Up Winter Day Trips and Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

Even though there are many fun things to do in Philly during the winter , there are even more options outside of the city.

Whether you want to be inside somewhere warm or want to spend a sunny day outside, there are tons of fun winter day trips or weekend getaways not far from Philadelphia.

Read It Now. Pin It For Later!

Fun ideas for winter getaways near Philadelphia including weekend and day trips

Lauren is the visionary behind Where the Wild Kids Wander. She is a travel enthusiast who lives outside of Philadelphia. For more than a decade, she's been hitting the road, exploring the nooks and crannies of the United States alongside her family. Her passions include visiting big cities and small towns and trekking through nature's trails. She loves sharing those adventures with fellow travelers.

  • visitPA.com
  • Hospitality Jobs

Type To Search

40 great day trips near philadelphia, art, history and the great outdoors — all in philly’s backyard....

Copied to Clipboard

Historic homes, fascinating museums, gorgeous gardens, shopping havens and sprawling parks await visitors venturing outside the city into Philadelphia’s Countryside for an exciting (or relaxing) day trip.

Towns and boroughs throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties offer adventures for nature lovers, art appreciators and history buffs, as well as some of the best shopping on the East Coast.

Historic sites like Valley Forge National Historical Park and Brandywine Battlefield take visitors back to the days of the Revolutionary War. Outdoor adventures await at preserves and parks like John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and Ringing Rocks Park . The expertly landscaped Chanticleer and Longwood Gardens delight guests with themed gardens and bountiful floral displays. And Elmwood Park Zoo and Sesame Place entertain kids with furry friends. Wrap it all up with some retail therapy at shopping destinations like Peddler’s Village and Suburban Square .

Check out our guide to 40 of Greater Philadelphia’s most awesome attractions for fun day trips — all located within a one-hour drive of Center City Philadelphia .

Brandywine Museum of Art and The N.C. Wyeth House & Studio

Brandywine River Museum of Art interior

The grounds are as breathtaking as the art at the bucolic Brandywine Museum of Art , housed in a renovated 1864 gristmill surrounded by wildflower gardens and the meandering Brandywine River. Inside, works by Andrew Wyeth sit beside other beautifully detailed illustrations, paintings and installations along with permanent and rotating exhibitions. Cross the road to visit the N.C. Wyeth House & Studio , the 1922 family home and workspace of Andrew’s father, a National Historic Landmark with Colonial Revival architecture, country furnishings, illustration tools, and many Wyeth relics including a birch-bark canoe and a firearm collection.

Where: Brandywine Museum of Art and The N.C. Wyeth House & Studio, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford

Fonthill Castle

People outside of Fonthill Castle

Former home to archeologist, anthropologist and ceramist Henry Chapman Mercer, Fonthill Castle is a 115-year-old museum displaying Mercer’s massive collection of prints, books and handcrafted ceramic tiles produced at his historic Tile Works (see above). The collection — including a 2,000-year-old whale oil lamp and cuneiform tablets dating back four millennia — is spread among mansion’s 44 rooms and 32 stairwells. As impressive as the relics, the building features 200 windows, 23 chimneys, and a bevy of turrets and balconies (plus 11 bathrooms!). The castle hosts year-round programming, including summer festivals, fall ghost tours and foodie events.

Where: Fonthill Castle, 525 E. Court Street, Doylestown

King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall

A family walks through King of Prussia mall pointing at stores and holding colorful shopping bands.

With over 450 stores and at nearly 3 million square feet, King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall is the third-largest in America and the premier shopping destination on the East Coast. Together, The Court, The Plaza and The Pavilion welcome around 20 million visitors each year to anchor stores like Nordstrom; shops like Tiffany & Co., Sur La Table, Givenchy and Versace; and 17 dining options for on-the-go eats or sit-down relaxing. Get there via SEPTA’s M line (formerly the Norristown High Speed Line) or grab one of the center’s 13,000 parking spaces.

Where: King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia

Three kids build and play with Legos at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia.

Are you a LEGO maniac? Then head to the 33,000-square-foot LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Montgomery County’s Plymouth Meeting Mall. Designed for kids 3 to 10, the indoor LEGO playground offers a dozen LEGO-themed rides and attractions (including the Imagination Express and Great LEGO Race Virtual Reality Experience), a 4D cinema, create-your-own build stations, LEGO workshops with master builders and the LEGO Ninjago Training Camp — plus a themed café and LEGO store. Don’t miss Miniland, with huge miniature recreations of Philly’s most iconic buildings and landmarks created from over 1 million LEGO bricks.

Where: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting

Linvilla Orchards

Pumpkins and kids at Linvilla Orchards

One of the last working farms in Delaware County , the year-round fun of Linvilla Orchards offers pick-your-own apples, peaches, berries, corn and more, plus fun-filled festivals and educational programs built around them. Visitors can stop by the open-daily, always-fresh farmers market, or enjoy seasonal events and activities like fall’s Pumpkinland for hayrides and pumpkin carving and Christmas Around the Farm’s chop-down-your-own Christmas tree and a holiday gift market.

Where: Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media

Longwood Gardens

At over a thousand acres, Longwood Gardens is Philly’s largest and arguably most famous botanical garden, named No. 1 on Fodor’s list of Best Botanical Gardens Across the United States . Pierre du Pont’s tranquil horticultural oasis showcases nearly 10,000 varieties among its indoor and outdoor grounds. Guests can enjoy permanent exhibits like the Green Wall, Orchid House and Hillside Garden, as well as the seasonal Illuminated Fountain Performances (color-lighted musical dancing water shows at the center of a magnificent five-acre fountain garden) and elaborate installations like the late-winter Orchid Extravaganza, Chrysanthemum Festival and A Longwood Christmas .

Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square

Peddler's Village

Popular Lahaska shopping haven Peddler’s Village welcomes more than 1.6 million visitors a year to enjoy its 70-plus charming colonial-style independent boutiques, specialty shops, wineries and restaurants ringing the storybook-like landscaped grounds connected by winding brick pathways. While browsing through vintage apparel, handmade jewelry, and local art and craft stores, take a moment to stop by the flowing fountains, Zen gardens and historic carousel, and check the village’s calendar for annual festivals celebrating strawberries, blueberries, apples, scarecrows, gingerbread houses and other seasonal events.

Where: Peddler's Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope

Ridley Creek State Park and Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation

Three people walk through the trees of Ridley Creek State Park with a dog.

Delaware County’s Ridley Creek State Park is a 2,600-acre oasis of wooded trails and rolling hills perfect for nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy hiking and horseback riding trails, a creek stocked with trout, park space for archery and deer hunting, and picnic areas. History buffs can explore the former workers’ cottages, mill dam and historic buildings in the 18th-century milling village known as Sycamore Mills and visit the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation , the 112-acre Pratt family farm that operated from 1720 to 1820 that’s now a living history site.

Where: Ridley Creek State Park and Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, 1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media

Sesame Place

We’ll tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Place , the only Sesame Street -themed amusement park east of California. Fans can meet their furry friends like Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Elmo and many more lovable costumed characters along with experiencing kid-level thrills on 35 rides and water attractions. The 14-acre park also features carnival games, plenty of refreshments and concessions, daily (and nightly) parades, and special festivities like character birthdays and the popular A Very Furry Christmas celebration. Sesame Place is open seasonally from spring through the holiday season.

Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

Valley Forge National Historical Park

People looking at huts at Valley Forge National Historical Park

The difficult 1777-1778 winter the Continental Army spent at at Valley Forge went down as one of the Revolutionary War’s most trying periods. Today, Valley Forge National Historical Park honors those who encamped here with monuments, statues and buildings throughout the grounds, along with replicated huts, General Washington’s original headquarters, the National Memorial Arch , and a recently renovated visitor center that features artifacts and a lifesize statue of the future first President. The 3,500-acre park also includes scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and miles of recreational trails where runners and cyclists can cruise the park.

Where: Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia

Historical Sites

Brandywine battlefield park.

long weekend trips from philadelphia

What is now known as Brandywine Battlefield Park was the site of the longest single-day battle for George Washington and his Continental Army in the entire Revolutionary War. Stop by the visitor venter to explore the on-site museum and exhibition, take a self-guided tour or explore two onsite historic homes : the Benjamin Ring House, a reconstruction of the home that Washington used as battlefield headquarters, and the Gideon Gilpin House where the Marquis de Lafayette stayed before the battle, complete with an 18th-century cookware collection.

Where: Brandywine Battlefield Park, 1491 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford

Glencairn Museum and Bryn Athyn Historic District

The Glencairn Museum in Montgomery County ’s Bryn Athyn Historic District is one of the nation’s largest museums dedicated to religious art and history, containing nearly 8,000 works from across ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, medieval Europe and Asia, early Islamic and Indigenous nations, and more. The gallery also features a large collection of Nativity art, including stained-glass windows, sculptures, manuscripts and paintings. Also in the historic district: the 26,000-square-foot Gilded Age-era Cairnwood Estate historic home and gardens, as well as the picturesque Early Gothic-style Swedenborgian Bryn Athyn Cathedral .

Where: Glencairn Museum and Bryn Athyn Historic District, 1005 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn

VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (2)

Cairnwood Estate, 1005 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn

Bryn Athyn Cathedral, 900 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Tucked into the expanse of French Creek State Park in rural Chester County , historic Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is home to 14 now-restored structures that were part of a colonial-era iron-producing village that relied on free labor and the work of enslaved people. Nature lovers enjoy birding and photography opportunities, and visitors can participate in demonstrations of crafts, agriculture and other 19th-century activities.

Where: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson

Pearl S. Buck International

Bucks County ’s Pearl S. Buck International — the early 18th-century Perkasie estate and farmhouse of the Nobel Prize-winning author — is home to a museum featuring a plethora of The Good Earth writer’s personal belongings on display, including the typewriter she used to pen the classic historical fiction novel. Visitors to the site, often referred to as Green Hill Farms, can tour her former home, the stunning gardens and Buck’s nearby gravesite.

Where: Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie

Washington Crossing Historic Park

Both a preserved historic site and nature area, Washington Crossing Historic Park offers visitors a chance to see where General George Washington and his troops covertly crossed the Delaware River in the dark of Christmas night 1776 on their way to key victories at Trenton and Princeton. The park, open daily, features a bevy of historic sites including Thompson-Neely House & Grist Mill and Bowman’s Hill Tower plus a visitor center, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing areas and boat launches. Come back Christmas Day to view the annual reenactment of the famous crossing.

Where: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing

Delaware Canal State Park

A 60-mile linear park along the Delaware River from Easton to Bristol, Delaware Canal State Park calls to joggers and cyclists, as well as nature enthusiasts who enjoy the wildlife that thrives along the river shoreline and nearly a dozen river islands. There’s plenty of fun on the water, too, as the river and canal the path follows offer ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Where: Multiple points of entry including 603 Jefferson Avenue, Bristol

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

Established in 1972, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is a 1,000-acre park just outside Philadelphia International Airport built to protect the largest freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. The refuge, which lies mostly in Delaware County , is an urban enclave for outdoor recreation featuring 10 miles of low-lying trails for hiking and biking and four-and-a-half miles of tidal creek and boat ramps for canoeing, kayaking and fishing access. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy spotting the over 300 varieties of resident and migratory birds, rare plants and numerous land animals, including several endangered species.

Where: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard

Nockamixon State Park

Southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest lake — located inside the 5,000-acre Nockamixon State Park — is a great spot for boaters and fishers of all types. Visitors can find more than 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, picnic sites, and four public launching areas for boats. Park rentals include motorboats, paddleboats and canoes, and the seven-mile-long Lake Nockamixon welcomes fishers of bass, pickerel, catfish and beyond.

Where: Nockamixon State Park, 1542 Mountain View Drive, Quakertown

Ringing Rocks County Park

Bring your own hammer (no joke!) to Ringing Rocks Park , a seven-acre field of hulking round stones that respond to strategic whacks and thumps with the sound of ringing bells. Climb onto the field and start banging away on the primordial igneous diabase boulders to experience an unexpected and unforgettable melodic geological sound created by a combination of melting permafrost, weathering and rock shape. Once through the boulder field, visitors can continue on into the 123-acre park, a dense forest for hikers, bikers and picnickers which also features High Falls, Bucks County ’s highest waterfall.

Where: Ringing Rocks County Park, 1924 Ringing Rocks Road, Upper Black Eddy

Art Museums

George nakashima woodworkers.

The Nakashima family incorporates its samurai roots, as well as experiences in construction and art, to its museum-like George Nakashima Woodworkers furniture studio. The grounds double as the family’s private residence, and visitors are welcome by appointment into the showroom, finishing room, chair shop and Conoid Studio. The hand-crafted wood pieces are designed with art and utility in mind.

Where: George Nakashima Woodworkers, 1847 Aquetong Road, New Hope

James A. Michener Art Museum

Visitors walk through the gallery at the Michener Art Museum.

Pennsylvania impressionist paintings take center stage at the James A. Michener Art Museum , named for the Pulitzer Prize-awarded and Doylestown native writer of classics like Centennial , The Source , Chesapeake and the novel that inspired the Broadway musical South Pacific . The museum, built from a historic 19th-century prison, also features other historical and contemporary works, photography exhibits, a reading room inspired by the sleek woodwork of nearby furniture maker George Nakashima Woodworkers (see above), an outdoor sculpture garden and a terrace built in the original prison yard.

Where: James A. Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

A blue bird rests on a branch with pink blossoms at John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove outside Philadelphia

Opened in 2019, the immersive John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove museum and nature facility occupies the site of famed ornithologist and environmentalist John James Audubon’s historic 18th-century home. Visitors can explore galleries and exhibits on conservation and art, an outdoor birdwatching area and an interactive exhibit that allows individuals to experience the earliest stages of a bird’s life from egg to first flight. The center rests beside the existing historic house, barn and nature trails located on the farm where an 18-year-old Audubon lived when he first arrived in America in 1803.

Where: John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon

The TileWorks

Moravian Pottery and Tile Works

Doylestown’s “working history” TileWorks museum (formerly known as Moravian Pottery and TileWorks) is a National Historic Landmark that continues to create handmade tiles in a manner similar to the method established at founder and ceramicist Henry Chapman Mercer’s workshop that produced hand-crafted ceramic tiles during the American Arts & Crafts Movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. Visitors can tour the site to see original displays and get a glimpse of the production process. Pair a visit with stops at the artist’s Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle (see below).

Where: The TileWorks, 130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown

Wharton Esherick Museum

The Wharton Esherick Museum in the woods of Chester County

Deep in the Chester County woods and atop a mountain adjacent to Valley Forge National Historic Park lived wood sculptor Wharton Esherick, “Dean of American Craftsmen,” whose work can be seen at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upon his death in 1970, his magnificent hand-built, 12-acre rural modernist home, farmhouse and studio was turned into the Wharton Esherick Museum , an immersive, interactive National Historic Landmark for Architecture featuring 200 of his pieces including works made in collaboration with Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn. Guided tours are available when scheduled in advance.

Where: Wharton Esherick Museum, 1520 Horse Shoe Trail, Malvern

Cultural Museums

American helicopter museum & education center.

Nearly three dozen helicopters, autogiros, convertiplanes and other spiral wing aircraft are on display at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center . The nation’s premier rotary flight aviation museum features displays including a model helicopter room with over 400 pieces and an exhibit dedicated to the Whirly-Girls , a pioneering group of women helicopter pilots. Several times a year, guests of all ages have a chance to ride in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye-view of the countryside. If you own your own helicopter (!), you can arrive in rotary style utilizing the adjacent helipad, ramp and runway.

Where: American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, 1220 American Boulevard, West Chester

American Treasure Tour Museum

The American Treasure Tour in Oaks is the region’s kitschiest museum. The 100,000-square-foot collection features over 1 million pieces of American pop culture memorabilia including neon road signs, self-playing orchestras, life-sized cartoon characters, decades of movie posters, herds of stuffed animals and fleets of antique autos … all accessed via an indoor electric tram. The museum is part of The Factory in Oaks complex, which includes Arnold’s Family Fun Center (think go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars and the like), a trampoline park, a rock climbing gym, a bowling center and more.

Where: American Treasure Tour Museum, One American Treasure Way, Oaks

Mercer Museum

Old wagons, boats and other pre-mechanical materials fill the Mercer Museum

The towering castle that houses the Mercer Museum is full of themed rooms dedicated to the tools and crafts of American life before mechanization. Archaeologist, collector and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer founded the museum in 1916 to display his incredible 40,000-piece collection of pre-industrial tools, early manual technologies and crafts related to American life before mechanization including a whaling boat and a Conestoga wagon. Permanent exhibits include the kid-oriented and interactive Animals on the Loose gallery , as well as shoe- and hat-making stations.

Where: Mercer Museum, 84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown

Pennsbury Manor

Fall foliage at Pennsbury Manor

The statue of William Penn atop Philadelphia’s City Hall gazes down toward the city founder’s landing site at Penn Treaty Park . But it was 22 miles north and 20 years later where Penn resided at the turn of the 18th century in his bucolic Pennsbury Manor country estate on the Delaware River he built for his Quaker family. Visitors to the manor, reconstructed in 1939 and the only museum dedicated to Penn, can check out period furnishings, historical objects, an award-winning exhibit about Penn and his legacy, plus hands-on activities and open hearth cooking demos.

Where: Pennsbury Manor, 400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville

Botanical Gardens

Bowman’s hill wildflower preserve.

A pond at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

Head to Bucks County’s historic Pidcock Creek Valley to unwind among 134 acres of 2,000 native plant species and the wildlife that depend on them. Bowman’s Hill Wildlife Preserve ’s grounds span forests, a meadow, hillsides, a creek, two ponds and extensive wetlands. The preserve also offers varied programming for children and adults , including specialty walks like “mornings in the meadow” and forest bathing. Pro tip: View the preserve from above atop the nearby 12-story-tall Bowman’s Hill Tower .

Where: Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope

Chanticleer

People exploring the grounds of Chanticleer.

The gardeners at 35-acre Chanticleer pleasure botanical garden are also artists, incorporating wood, metal and stone into the lush landscape. The exquisite locale on the grounds of the century-old Rosengarten manor displays over 5,000 plants across a dozen collections from perennials to agricultural crops, tended by in-house landscape artists who design their own installations. Make time for the Teacup Garden, brimming with tropical plants carefully arranged to create a colorful, sensory experience, and the Minder Ruin Garden, a folly built on the main cottage’s foundation resembling ancient ruins overtaken by the elements, including a 24-foot sarcophagus-shaped reflecting pool.

Where: Chanticleer, 786 Church Road, Wayne

Tyler Arboretum

Fall foliage at Tyler Arbroetum

The 650 acres of Tyler Arboretum ’s woodlands, meadows and flora are part of a property that English Quaker Thomas Minshall purchased from William Penn in 1681. With 17 miles of trails, 80-foot-tall trees and delicate wildflowers, it’s one of the region’s oldest and largest public gardens. Adventurers relish solving the seven-ringed Meadow Maze labyrinth, children learn about nature at Discovery Stations, those with decreased vision enjoy the aromatic Fragrant Garden (one of the first designed primarily for people who are blind) and history-lovers can tour several sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

Where: Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road, Media

Family Attractions

Elmwood park zoo.

At the 16-acre Elmwood Park Zoo , guests can meet over 100 species, including bison, zebras, jaguars, red pandas, otters and more — including Liana the two-toed sloth, Penny the American alligator and Noah the bald eagle, the mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles. Families can pet the goats, sheep and donkeys in the barn, feed the giant giraffes (ticket required), ride the zoo-themed carousel or zip line 50 feet above the grounds. Adults can picnic with BYO snacks or grab a craft beer at the Zoo Brew Bar & Beer Garden.

Where: Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown

Herr’s Snack Factory Tour

Children on Herr's Factory Tour with Herr's mascot, Chipper.

You can make Herr’s yours, as the slogan goes, with the tasty Herr’s Snack Factory Tour , a guided firsthand learning experience with a behind-the-scenes look at the production floor and factory warehouse where Herr’s Foods’ beloved pretzels, tortillas, popcorn, cheese curls and potato chips are created and packaged. The one-hour tour also includes fresh warm samples, a visit to the gallery in the gift shop, lunch at Chipper’s Café and a myriad of little-known snack facts. Tours run Monday through Wednesday for both folks with reservations and walk-ins.

Where: Herr’s Snack Factory Tour, 271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham

New Hope Railroad

Passengers aboard the 150-year-old New Hope Railroad can enjoy narrated train tours of scenic Bucks County on classic rail cars pulled by either a 1925 steam locomotive or one of two diesel engines that date back to the early 1960s. Coast through the county’s hills and valleys past sprawling farms, historic bridges and other countryside features on one of several trips, including the 45-minute standard tour, 21-plus excursions for wine and cocktail lovers, or one of the seasonal holiday trains from Valentine’s to Christmas.

Where: New Hope Railroad, 32 W. Bridge Street, New Hope

Baldwin’s Book Barn

First established in Delaware in 1934, Baldwin’s Book Barn has been offering used, rare, and fine books along with hundreds of manuscripts, maps and prints at the more “recent” West Chester location since 1946. The friendly-family bookstore is located inside a 200-year-old five-story stone barn housing a collection of over 300,000 items packed into every corner, cranny and hideaway. Named one of the World’s Most Beloved Independent Bookstores by Architectural Digest , everything in the bookshop is available for purchase or for leafing through while lounging in a cozy nook or discussing around the wood-burning stove.

Where: Baldwin's Book Barn, 865 Lenape Road, West Chester

Philadelphia Premium Outlets

Philadelphia Premium Outlets

Home to more than 135 designer and brand-name factory stores from Coach and Kate Spade to Nike and Swarovski, outdoor shopping plaza Philadelphia Premium Outlets offers 553,000 square feet of deals as big as 70% — all just 35 miles outside of Center City . When all those discounts make you hungry, grab lunch at one of a half-dozen restaurants or the convenient food court — with plenty of outside seating during warmer months.

Where: Philadelphia Premium Outlets, 18 W. Lightcap Road, Pottstown

Suburban Square

Pedestrian-friendly Suburban Square in Ardmore is an upscale outdoor shopping plaza that serves as one of the Main Line’s premier retail and dining destinations. Among the nation’s oldest planned shopping centers (and the first with a department store), the square dates back to the late 1920s. Brands like Apple and Free People have set up here, and visitors can also find affordable silver and gemstones at Dandelion, work up a sweat at SoulCycle, and grab a meal at eateries like Lola’s Garden, DanDan or Sweetgreen. The six-square-block development — which is adjacent to Amtrak and SEPTA’s Ardmore Station — also features a daily farmers market.

Where: Suburban Square, 602 Coulter Avenue, Ardmore

Performing Arts

Bucks county playhouse.

Take in a show at historic Bucks County Playhouse (founded 1751), a theater on the Delaware River in New Hope that presents both local and touring productions that has seen the likes of Grace Kelly, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Redford, Liza Minnelli and more grace the stage converted from a gristmill in 1939. Since a reboot in 2012, the 500-seat theater has hosted several world premieres and has returned to its roots as an incubator for soon-to-be Broadway hits.

Where: Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main Street, New Hope

Hedgerow Theatre

Delaware County’s Hedgerow Theatre , founded in 1923, is a repertory theater and company that has attracted prominent performers to its stage including Keanu Reeves, Paul Robeson and Ann Harding (who purchased and donated the theater to the company in 1931). Hedgerow has also operated as a proving ground for writers like Eugene O’Neill, Langston Hughes and George Bernard Shaw, and features furniture and staircase designs by Wharton Esherick (see above). In addition to general audience productions in the 144-seat playhouse, the “Mother of All Philadelphia Theaters” offers an outdoor children’s theater and innovative sensory-friendly performances.

Where: Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media

Philadelphia Union and Subaru Park

Pre-match activities on the field at Philadelphia Union's soccer stadium in Chester, PA

The Philadelphia Union , the region’s Major League Soccer club, has been thrilling association football fans decked out in navy and gold since 2010 — including capturing the 2020 Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best regular season record, three U.S. Open Cup finals appearances and a run to the MLS championship match in 2022. Beautiful soccer-specific Subaru Park stadium in Chester hosts the Union’s lively home games, led by the friendly-but-rowdy 5,000-member strong Sons of Ben supporters’ group. Bonus: Spectators can enjoy impressive views of the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge which soars above the site.

Where: Subaru Park, 1 Stadium Drive, Chester

  • Museums & Attractions
  • Bucks County
  • Chester County
  • Delaware County
  • Kennett Square
  • Montgomery County
  • West Chester

long weekend trips from philadelphia

Come for Philadelphia. Stay (Over) for Philly.

The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.

Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Which will you choose?

Related Articles

Morris Arboretum

13 Places You Won't Believe Are in Greater Philadelphia

Visitors outside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Best Museums & Attractions in Greater Philadelphia

Couple drinking wine at a round table on the deck at River House at Odette's. View is overlooking Delaware River during fall.

18 Romantic Date Ideas in Philadelphia

View oftrees and a river from the Bowman's Hill Tower

Stay in Touch

IMAGES

  1. 12 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (less than 4 hours away) in

    long weekend trips from philadelphia

  2. Top 10 Day Trips and Road Trips From Philadelphia Pennsylvania

    long weekend trips from philadelphia

  3. Itineraries: A 3-Day Weekend Getaway in Philadelphia

    long weekend trips from philadelphia

  4. The ultimate weekend guide to Philadelphia

    long weekend trips from philadelphia

  5. The 15 Best Day Trips from Philadelphia

    long weekend trips from philadelphia

  6. 12 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (less than 4 hours away

    long weekend trips from philadelphia

COMMENTS

  1. 20 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia, PA

    10. Annapolis, MD. Sunset over Annapolis. Maryland's historic, cobblestone-street-filled capital city, located on the Chesapeake Bay, is just a two-hour drive from Philadelphia. An Annapolis getaway means you can explore the city's history, including the United States Naval Academy and the city's many museums.

  2. Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia

    Maurice River, New Jersey. Philadelphians searching for a restorative getaway should look no further than the Lokal A-Frame (from $300 per night), located less than an hour from Philly by car in ...

  3. 12 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (less than 4 hours away)

    Whether you're looking for last-minute weekend getaways from Philadelphia, a shore getaway, or any fun driving vacation - here are 12 of the best weekend trips from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.. This list is comprised of vacations that are a 4-hour drive from Philadelphia (in fact, most are under 3 hours), and is organized by: (1) weekend getaways near Philly in the state of Pennsylvania ...

  4. 27 Drivable Weekend Getaways From the Philadelphia Suburbs

    Just a few short miles from the Chestertown waterfront, local businesses sell river cruises, fishing and bird-watching trips for guests looking to get out on the water. 25227 Chestertown Rd., Chestertown, Maryland, (410) 778-1860. Photo courtesy of Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, Maryland.

  5. The Best Long Weekend Trips to Take From Philadelphia in 2024

    Drop your bags at Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (rooms from $250 a night), for a plush home base in the center of the supremely walkable city. Hit up Brauð & Co. for the ...

  6. Top 11 Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

    The Lake Placid area of New York is also a great place to get away for the weekend if you live in or are visiting Philadelphia for a while. Explore the large Adirondack Park, which has hosted Olympic Games events, and stay in warm and cozy accommodations at the Lake Placid Lodge. The drive to get to Lake Placid from Philadelphia is just a ...

  7. 25 Best Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

    10. Annapolis. Annapolis is Maryland's capital city. It stretches for 5,190 acres in the Chesapeake Bay and is home to the United States Naval Academy. It's a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia to Annapolis. This is one of the best Philadelphia area weekend getaways for travelers seeking the coastal experience.

  8. The 14 Best Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

    The Underground Spa, fitness center and indoor pool round out the weekend-ready experience. hilton.com. The Bellevue Philadelphia. Built in 1904, this luxe hotel retains the splendor of a bygone Philadelphia with all the modern amenities imaginable. Equipped with a two-tier Grand Ballroom, the Artur Kirsh Salon & Spa and a parking garage with ...

  9. 19 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (within a 4 hour flight)

    19 Best Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia (within a 4 hour flight). Miami, Orlando, Poconos, Hamptons, Asheville, Nashville, and more.

  10. 7 Amazing Weekend Getaways Near Philadelphia

    Cape May, New Jersey. 1 hour and 50 minutes by car from Philadelphia. The Jersey shore may have developed a (rowdy) reputation over the last decade, but the resort town of Cape May is unlike anything you've seen on MTV. When it comes to stays, you have to go with the Virginia Hotel — a 24-room landmark that's been in the heart of the ...

  11. Top 16 Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Then check out this list of the top weekend getaways from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Destinations. All Destinations. North & Central America. US. Canada. Mexico. Puerto Rico. Dominican Republic. South America. Brazil. ... 12 Best Weekend Getaways From Long Island, New York - Updated 2024. Kavita.

  12. 11 easy must-do weekend trips from Philadelphia

    Cherry Springs State Park. 82 acres of beautiful black cherry trees are only a few hours away from Philadelphia at Potter County's Cherry Springs State Park. Hiking and other activities are popular draws to this beautiful stretch of land. It's an ideal weekend getaway for couples looking for a romantic experience away from the big city.

  13. 25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia, PA

    Sand Castle Bed and Breakfast, 710 Bayview Ave, Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island, NJ 08006, P609 494 6555 More ideas for couples: Anniversary Vacations, From Kansas City, North Dakota, Colorado, From Chicago. ... 25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia, PA & Fun things to do near me today: 1. Twin Pine Manor Bed & Breakfast - 1 ...

  14. 7 easy Philadelphia escapes you can get to in 3 hours or less

    Distance from Philadelphia: 50 minutes. What to do: Located just 41 miles north of Philadelphia, this historic riverfront town is the place to go when you're on the hunt for cool furniture and decor. Along with its cross-river twin New Hope, Pennsylvania, it's loaded with small craft, vintage, art and antique shops.

  15. Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia

    Philadelphia; Travel; Weekend Getaways; 12 Perfect Weekend Getaways for Escaping Philly This Summer ... like the month-long Honey & Blueberry Festival at Equestrian House, ...

  16. 15 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

    5. Baltimore, MD. Approximately 100 miles and less than 2 hours from Philadelphia. Baltimore, Maryland, is the perfect town for a weekend getaway from Philly! The Inner Harbor offers tons of family-friendly attractions, including the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center .

  17. 9 Easy, Breezy Island Getaways to Take from Philadelphia

    9 Easy, Breezy Island Trips to Take from Philadelphia. Let the last two years of frustration and complications drift away at these beachy island getaways. Island getaways: The beachfront infinity ...

  18. 3 Amazing Weekend Trips From Philadelphia

    Wolf Swamp and Deep Lake Trails Loop - Moderately difficult, 5.8 miles. Big Pocono South and North Trail Loop - Moderately difficult, 3.5 miles. The nice thing about hiking in the Camelback Mountains is that while most of the trails are around the same level of difficulty, they vary in distance.

  19. 5 Totally Drivable Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

    The back dock at Wylder Tilghman Island. Photograph Courtesy Hotel Wylder. Of all the quaint small towns dotting Maryland's Eastern Shore, St. Michaels gets the most attention. Fewer folks know ...

  20. Vacation Packages from Philadelphia

    4 night stay. To Cancunfrom Philadelphia. 5/12/2024 - 5/16/2024. from. $356*. per person based on 2-person occupancy. Updated:11hoursago. 4 night stay. To Las Vegasfrom Philadelphia.

  21. Escape the Chill: 21 Winter Getaways Near Philadelphia (& Day Trips

    Awesome Day Trips & Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia in the Winter 1. Camelback Resort. Camelback Resort in the Poconos is a one-stop-shop for winter fun and is a top thing to do in the area.. Whether you want to stay warm inside and enjoy the fantastic Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark or get outside in the snow and go tubing or skiing, it is the perfect winter getaway from Philadelphia.

  22. 20 Family Road Trips Under 10 Hours Away from Philly

    Great Road Trips from Philly for Families Niagara Falls, NY 415 miles (approximately 6-7 hours) This is a must-see for kids and adults alike!Take a ferry boat right into the action or walk right up on a Cave of the Winds Tour.Check out nearby attractions in Buffalo, or bring your passport to duck across the border to Canada!

  23. 40 Great Day Trips from Philadelphia

    Art, history and the great outdoors — all in Philly's backyard... Chanticleer. SHARE. Explore these historic sites, art museums, parks and more, all located within a one-hour drive of Center City Philadelphia.