If youre heading that way, and youre a theater fan, check out Bucks County Playhouse, which opened in a former gristmill in 1939 and has put on performances ever since. Its a popular tourist destination for its boardwalks and amusement parks. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 16. There are 10 intercity buses per day from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Its a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia to Boardwalk Plaza Hotel. The best part? Longwood Gardens is located in the Brandywine region in an area called Kennett Square. Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May are only a short drive away. All listings featured on Cond Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. Note that I didnt even bother to list New York City, which is just 98 miles away and, some might argue, the ultimate weekend getaway for Philadelphians. It houses whats considered the premier collection of American furniture and decor as well as a superb garden that Henry du Pont designed himself. Brooklyn is the perfect destination for a holistic experience. So, head through New Jersey and the Lincoln Tunnel, and spend a day (or two) wandering Central Park, visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, taking in a Broadway show, wining and dining, and so much more. New York City, NY 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. Island getaways: The beachfront. Set on an island in Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is the largest city of Quebec province. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. 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. Its a popular tourist spot for its beautiful beaches and bustling main street. Book a long weekend in one of the newly designed Ashburn suites, with harbor views and soaking tubs, and make time to cruise Carters Creek in one of the hotel's electric Duffy boats, or borrow a stand-up paddleboard to venture out solo. The buildings once housed workers from nearby DuPont powder mills. The site of former country mansions of the du Ponts and other wealthy families, it offers a pastoral, chteau country-like scene. Fall is filled with autumn colors and leaf peeping opportunities. You wont get enough of the outdoor gardens, with their plant designs ranging from formal to naturalistic. What to do in Annapolis and 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. Easy Road Trips in and Near Lancaster, PA [ SHARE ] Looking to hit the road this fall? Dont look any further for places to go for a weekend trip near you. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. 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. The Delaware Water Gap is home to incredible hiking, cute small towns, and the tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania, making it a worthwhile day trip from Philly if you love the outdoors. This shore encompasses 141 miles of oceanfront across Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, May, and Atlantic counties. The 30-mile from downtown Philadelphia drive usually takes less than 45 minutes. Often called "The Gateway to the Battlefield," Gettysburg National Military Park Museum is a must-see. Just cross to the other side of the hotel. Editors note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Its home to known skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and Central Park. 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 autumn hikes. If youre searching for the best family getaway, Philadelphia and its vicinity offer a wide array of options. Day Trips From Philadelphia for History Buffs 1. The cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia is January. Its Beaux-Arts architecture will blow you away. If thats not enough Hershey for you, theres also Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical park that, yes, has a tad of Hershey theming, too. At the bottom, youll find beautiful wildflowers and ferns surrounding the resulting stream. More Hershey indoctrination awaits at nearby Hersheys Chocolate World, site of a famed ride telling the story of chocolate, a 4D chocolate-themed show and other diversions. Youll enjoy its small-town and beachy feel perfect for relaxation. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) You can also take Amtrak from Philadelphia to downtown Lancaster if youd rather travel by train. Baltimore, MD Aquarium, Museum In addition to whats listed here, Philadelphians might also want to make the trip out to see the Flyers minor league hockey affiliate and the Phillies AAA baseball team. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Where to stay: Sure, you could stay at one of the chain motels in the area. Dont miss out on Washington if youre an architecture enthusiast. For instance, the Nick and Nora room has a modern touch. As an added bonus, you dont even have to own or rent a car to get there! Consider booking your tickets to Charleston, WV from cities including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. This US capital is on the Potomac River, bordering Virginia and Maryland. It has everything youre looking for in the big city. 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. Things to do in Philadelphia on your day trip from New York. 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. You can also find great places to stay on. Some can be done as day trips, but all make for wonderful long weekend escapes, too. Come back in warmer weather to take one of the propertys beach cruisers for the mile-long spin to the ocean (theyll also give you towels, umbrellas, and all the other essentials for a perfect day at the beach). If youre using a car from Philadelphia, you can get to Rehoboth Beach in 2 hours and 6 minutes. New York City, NY Philadelphia, PA Washington, DC. Best hotels near Longwood Gardens: The Inn at Westwynd Farm, Brandywine River Hotel, and Hotel Du Pont. Youll feel like youre floating on the sea, with the porchs bright blue floors reminiscent of the ocean. I recommend trying to see a bunch of these coastal Maryland towns during your weekend trip from Philadelphia. Best hotels near Cape May: ICONA Cape May, The Virginia and Cottages, Sand Piper Beach Club, The Mason Cottage Downtown. Less than five hours by car from Philadelphia, The Tides Inn (from $199 per night) has a distinctly retro-seaside resort feel, with tennis courts, lawn games, and dockside crabbinga perfectly peaceful spot to refresh and feast on local seafood. Best hotels near Rehoboth Beach: The Bellmoor Inn and Spa and Ocean Glass Inn. Visit the Cayman Turtle Centre to swim with sea turtles (and learn about local marine life). Theres a reason Annapolis has been touted as Americas Sailing Capital. Last year, D.C. earned the number two slot in the Trust for Public Lands ranking of park access in the 100 largest U.S. cities. The travel time from Philadelphia to Pine Creek Gorge is 3 hours and 17 minutes by car. hilton.com. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Best hotels near Valley Forge: Springhill Suites by Marriott, Element Valley Forge, Tru by Hilton. Explore the Crystal & Fantasy caves here, complete with gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites. Visit the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick or National Civil War Museum, grab a bite to eat at Broad Street Market, or join in a city scavenger hunt to explore deeper! With the Garden State in your rearview, there are so many places to explore, many of which are only a short car ride away. Given that the town is named after Jesus birth town, Pennsylvanias Bethlehem is most popular around Christmas. Source: Jon Bilous / shutterstock. After all, Pine Creek Gorge is a natural beauty. Montreal is 452 miles away from Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved. Youll agree this is one of the best weekend getaways from Philadelphia that deserve a repeat. Built in 1768, it has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990. Stay for the night, and youll see the beautiful Milky Way if you look up. You can also just head to the fitness room and use any of the treadmills and other equipment there. Add Rehoboth Beachs beautiful beaches and award-winning boardwalk to your weekend getaway plans for a sandy getaway sans alcohol (yep, this beach spot prohibits booze on the beach, boardwalk or public streets). A short 55 minute drive from the city will get you to lovely Kennett Square. The Bellevue Philadelphia. Today, its a great spot for those wanting to get away and enjoy small-town charms and natural beauty. (one-and-a-half hour drive from Philadelphia), About 100 miles north of Philadelphia, the Poconos have been a sanctuary for city dwellers since the early 19th century, when the regions first hotel opened. Flash Sale Spirit of America. Owned by the Hershey chocolate company, Hersheypark is definitely the coolest chocolate-themed amusement park in the world. Light and airy guest rooms are imbued with character thanks to plenty of artwork, but perhaps none mirrors the neighborhoods dynamic and design-minded vibe more than the Mural Rooms. Weekend trips (3-5 hours each way) If you have the time to head out a bit further, there are plenty of drives that are worth getting up early for, or even turning into an overnight break. There is also a vibrant downtown filled with shops and great spots to eat. Where to stay: The 2,000-room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is the place for a Las Vegas vibe. Not quite ready to book that overseas escape? Harpers Ferry in West Virginia is the perfect weekend getaway for families who love history and hiking. 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. 2023 Cond Nast. You can do many things in this gorgeous place without breaking the bank. 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 summers worth of weekends. Situated in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania, Philly gives you access to other must-see places outside the city. On average, its a 47-minute drive from Philadelphia to New Hope. Airlines. 14. Related: TPG beginners guide Everything you need to know about points, miles, airlines and credit cards, Distance from Philadelphia: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Wildwood Park. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. (four-hour drive from Philadelphia), Set on the Northern Neck peninsula between the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay is the tiny town of Irvington, right in the midst of Virginias Oyster Trail. 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. 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