BySarah Etinas Hours

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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 Philadelphia’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.

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
Source: Unsplash, Tyler Rutherford

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 autumn hikes. While many locals make this a day trip from Philadelphia, this privately owned waterfall haven is absolutely picture-perfect for a 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!

roller coaster at sunset
Source: Unsplash, Meg Boulden

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).

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.

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.

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.

Things 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.

couple riding a boat with other families

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).

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!

sitting in an old row boat
charming town center with brick streets and coastal houses

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.

New York City, NY

It goes without saying that NYC is a fantastic weekend trip to take from Philly. 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.

  • Distance from Philadelphia: 2 hours
  • 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.

Enjoy!

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