Pack up the snacks, gas up the car and fire up the GPS: It’s time to get away for the weekend. Whether you’re traveling with your gaggle of gal pals, your significant other, your kids or none of the above (hello, YOU time!), there are plenty of destinations worth your consideration that are within driving distance. Some are right here in the Lehigh Valley, others are a few hours (and one catchy playlist) away. So read on, and get planning your next well-deserved jaunt!
Girls Night(s) Out
Press your Luck
Sure, you can stay local and press your luck at the Wind Creek (formerly Sands) casino in Bethlehem, but why not pile into the car for a short road trip up I-80 to the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono? Options abound, off and on the casino floor. When you and your crew are done crushing it at the craps table, you can toss back a cocktail or two at Get Wet, the indoor/outdoor pool and bar, sign up for manis and pedis at the spa or put your plastic to good use at the nearby The Crossings Premium Outlets.
Robed in Chocolate
Even if you’re swearing off eating sweets for the new year, who’s to say you can’t wear them? The Spa at the Hotel Hershey offers packages like the Peppermint Twist Sugar Scrub and the Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry (a strawberry parfait scrub with a chocolate fondue wrap) that are sure to do wonders for your skin and for your peace of mind. Splurge for the Heavenly Hershey package for four days and three nights of luxury pampering. Photo courtesy of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
6 More Weeks Of...
There’ll be no lounging poolside or sipping pink cocktails during a visit to Punxsutawney if your goal is checking in on the world’s most famous groundhog on his headline- making weekend. There will be a very early wake-up call, plenty of standing around in the freezing morning air and lots of moments spent wondering when you’ll feel your fingers and toes again. But, boy, is it fun. Thousands of people flock to Gobbler’s Knob every February 2 to hear Phil’s prognostication for the year ahead, and the whole town gets in on the fun.
Wine Together
Let the organized one in your group take charge in planning a DIY tour of the Bucks County Wine Trail. The trail recommends downloading the official map on its website and plotting your route ahead of time. It may take more than a day to hit all eight wineries; luckily, Bucks County is chock-full of dozens of charming inns and B&Bs where you can get some shut-eye after a day of tasting and toasting, and then wake up refreshed to do it all over again. Another tip: Hire a local company like Tastings & Tours to do the driving, so no one has to play DD.
Bonding with Your Better Half
Relaxing Retreat
‘Tis the season for skiing and snowboarding, but Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie aims to please all year long. Hiking, biking, disc golf, axe throwing and archery target shooting are offered in the warmer months. Guests can also go the R & R route by kicking back at the spa, or at any of the several pools, hot tubs or restaurants on the premises. The Romance Package further ups the ante for anyone looking to impress a special someone.
City Life
If you find immersing yourself in city life to be more appealing than spending time in nature, La Reserve Bed & Breakfast could be just the ticket. Located only three blocks from Rittenhouse Square, it bills itself as the Grand Dame of Philadelphia Bed and Breakfasts. The home is decorated and maintained by owner Beverly Ensor, who named the place after a chic hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, that she fancied.
Romantic Getaway
Stay for dinner or stay the night at the Glasbern Inn. The property in Fogelsville dates all the way back to 1787, when it was a working farm. Beth and Al Granger purchased the place in 1985 and set about transforming it into the rustic, inviting, 150-acre spread that it is today. Romantic getaways happen to be one of Glasbern’s specialties—just ask Yahoo Travel, which included the inn on its list of top-tier honeymoon spots around the world. Even if tying the knot isn’t part of the immediate plan, couples can get cozy in the secluded Garden Cottage Suite, which features two fireplaces and a private deck.
The French Manor, PA
The Art of Mushing
Think a weekend stay in the Poconos means shag carpeting and heart-shaped bathtubs? Think again. The French Manor Inn and Spa in South Sterling is a stone chateau with 19 luxury rooms and suites in six different styles. Once you’re done drinking in the stunning views of the northern Pocono Mountains, you and your honey can take a dip in the indoor saltwater pool and hot tub, or, if you’re feeling even more adventuresome, venture off the grounds to learn the art of mushing at Arctic Paws Dog Sledding. Tours are a go even when there’s no snow on the ground. Photo by Jumping Rocks
Sweet, Sweet Solitude
Photo by Michael Perez, courtesy of the Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation
State of the Art
It’s tough to squeeze in a visit to the Louvre in a weekend. Luckily, one of the world’s most impressive collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modernist paintings is just a car ride away. The Barnes Foundation moved to its current home on the Ben Franklin Parkway in 2012. And when it comes to museums in Philadelphia, it’s in good company. The Rodin Museum, the National Museum of American Jewish History and The Franklin Institute are just a few of the many spots where you can lose yourself—and learn a thing or two—in the City of Brotherly Love.
Grand Canyon (PA)
Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon may not be able to compete with its Colorado counterpart, but it’s still worth exploring, especially for anyone ea-ger to recharge and reset in one of the most beau-tiful settings in the state. Known officially as Pine Creek Gorge, the canyon stretches for more than 45 miles in the Tioga State Forest. When you’re done drinking in the views, head north to Wellsboro for a taste of small-town charm. The weekend of February 16 celebrates the Mt. Tom Challenge, where participants can scramble or stagger up 1,100 feet of vertical trail.
Wanderlust
New Hope in Bucks County bills itself as a small town with a big-city feel. It’s the perfect place to wander around for a weekend of shopping, exploring and relaxing. Brunch at the Logan Inn will get you started; from there, browse the shops on Main Street, and refuel at SkyRoast Coffee at the Ferry Market. Nighttime means showtime at the Bucks County Playhouse. Later, it’s lights out at any one of the region’s B&Bs, like the Fox and Hound, a restored 1840s stone farmhouse.
QT with Your Kiddos
Outdoor Adventuring
Ninety minutes outside Pittsburgh, there’s a 2,000-acre playground called the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. From off-road driving to animal safaris to zip lines to fine dining and spa treatments, it seems there’s never a dull moment on these sprawling, picturesque grounds. Winter sports enthusiasts can get their fill of snowshoeing, snow tubing and downhill and cross-country skiing. Kids can try their hand at various art classes or bounce off the walls (almost quite literally) at the gymnasium. Also, on-site child care options mean a blissful breather is possible for mom and dad.
Splish Splash
Swimsuit season is every season at Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Manor, which features the largest indoor water park in America. Pick your thrill level and get busy inside 220,000 square feet of wet and wild fun. Whether you’re swirling through the Kenya Korkscrew or taking it easy on the Lazy River, odds are good you won’t miss being on dry land. Little swimmers will love transforming into a mermaid or shark via one of Kalahari’s add-on experiences. For the grown-ups, opportunities for adult beverages abound at various swim-up bars.
Farm Hands
A trip to Lancaster County usually means a stopover in Amish Country, but there’s enough family-friendly fare to keep your brood entertained all weekend long. Introduce your kids to science and technology through creative play at the Snapology Discovery Center, get in a few rounds of laser tag and mini-bowling at Go ‘N Bananas Family Fun Center and stop for sustenance at the Lancaster Central Market, the oldest continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. Those who want a truly rustic lodging experience can stay at the Verdant View Farm Bed & Breakfast in Paradise, where guests are invited to interact with the farm animals. Want to milk a cow or feed a calf? No problem—it’s all part of the experience. Photo by AnneMarie Hamant
snapology.com | gonbananas.com | centralmarketlancaster.com | verdantview.com
