Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

Trips

One of the great things about Philadelphia is its proximity to some amazing getaways. In fact, if you plan your trip well, you can leave in the morning and be back at home in the evening. Some of these getaways are just an hour or two away from the city. Here are some of the places you can visit.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Are you a history fanatic? You may want to consider traveling to this national park where the Battle of Gettysburg occurred. There, you will find many monuments and memorials spread across the battlefield. You will also see the Cemetery where many soldiers were laid to rest. If you’re taking a flight from Philly, you will land in Altoona and then take a car to the national park. Don’t forget to get your Philadelphia parking coupons to reduce those parking fees, especially if you aren’t coming back the same day. You can also travel by train or take a road trip if you don’t mind being behind the wheel.

The Pocono Mountains

This is the ideal place for travelers who love the woods. This region holds festivals all the time, keeping guests entertained. Don’t forget to take walks through trails and bridges that connect with river beaches, waterfalls, and water parks. Poconos is two hours away from Philly, and there’s so much to see. You may want to make this a weekend trip.

Winterthur

If you’re looking for a trip outside Philly that won’t take long, this is the place to go. Winterthur Mansion is located 34 miles outside Philadelphia, and your trip will take about 40 minutes. This museum was initially the home to Henry Francis du Pont and all the treasures his family collected. The 175-room mansion has breathtaking furniture, glassware, ceramics, paintings, textile arts, prints, and metalwork. Outside the mansion, you can enjoy the acres of gardens with plants from all over the world. You can also do yoga here to relax.   

Asbury Park, New Jersey

Asbury Park is a beach town outside Philly. This eclectic town is popular for its eye-popping architecture, sandy shores, and beachfront lined with cafes, arcades, and shops. There’s so much you can do in Asbury, such as going to the concerts they occasionally have or visiting their amazing restaurants. The Park is about 1hr 25 mins from Philly. You may want to start your trip early if you’re planning to be away for only a day.

Bucks County

This lovely district is about 43 miles from Philadelphia, meaning your trip should take about an hour. Bucks County has a few delightful small towns, like Bristol, New Hope, and Doylestown and tons of cafes, wineries, restaurants, and breweries where you can grab a drink or something to eat. And if you’re traveling with your kids, you’ll be happy to know that the district has many kid-friendly attraction sites. Surprisingly, Bucks County is home to five castles that operate as historical museums.

Philadelphia has some nice places you can visit. But for those days when you want to take a short trip outside town, the places mentioned above could be a great place to start.