Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia (2024)

Philadelphia families know the big state of Pennsylvania offers many possible weekend getaways. But have you considered the big city life, sand beaches and roller coasters nearby in New York, Maryland and Virginia?

Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia (1)

It’s truly one of America’s oldest cities and a magnet for any family interested in American history. So yes, Philadelphia itself is one of our favorite all-time destinations. Catch our New York-based team driving or training often to Philly for weekend getaways. We spend short school breaks sharing all the educational attractions — there’s so much to see and do.

But sometimes the weight of hosting the Betsy Ross legend and the noise of the Liberty Bell can be too much.

The Top Family Weekend Getaways from the Philadelphia Metro Region

Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia (2)

That’s when local Philadelphia area families and their suburban neighbors look for a change.

Whether your family is looking for a short break holiday, a cheap vacation package, or a fun last-minute excursion to break up a road trip, there are lots of options within a 200-mile radius of Philadelphia. In fact, many are much closer than that.

The following weekend getaway roundup includes some of our family’s favorite kids’ destinations. There are, of course, many other choices for spending your time and money on a short break. In this roundup, we’ll just highlight some of the top local attractions, kid-friendly festivals and events that suit all ages. We welcome you to submit your own favorite mid-Atlantic weekend getaways.

Want to see Philadlephia and New York on the cheap? Get up to 40% discounts on attractions with CITYPass.

Big City Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia

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New York City Family Attractions
Easily accessed by trains, planes and automobiles — not to forget cheap buses — you’ll need our comprehensive by-the-age sightseeing guide to appreciate the great city of New York.

Baltimore, Maryland Family Attractions
Baltimore families love the mid-Atlantic port city’s historic, educational and fun places, from the aquarium to Camden Yards.

Washington DC Top Family Attractions
There are several reasons to visit the nation’s capital, but you can always use fresh ideas if you are visiting with kids of different ages.

Sustainably Fun Family Attractions In Pittsburgh
Explore galleries, theatres, museums, local cuisine and more with a family guide to fine arts and fun attractions in the newly eco-friendly city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Why Joe Biden and Families Love Wilmington Delaware
Quiet Wilmington, Delaware is more than a bargain — it’s a friendly town with stunning gardens, museums, and monuments to American history.

Explore Richmond
Named a “Best City for Families” byParentingmagazine, historic Richmond, Virginia has developed many fun tourist attractions since the Civil War.

Short Breaks & Weekend Getaways from Philadelphia

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Hershey Pennsylania’s Family Adventures
What to do when you’ve had enough candy in the surprisingly entertaining chocolate capital of the world: Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Apple Farms
Families will find many u-pick apple farms and pumpkin patches easily accessible to Philadelphia, Wilmington and New Jersey families.

American History Road Trip: Philadelphia, The Amish, Gettysburg
Leave Philly on your American history road trip and explore the regions of Lancaster and Gettysburg together.

Free Travel Fun in Gettysburg
While some may think battlefield, others look forward to dropping by Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum, one of the many free attractions around Gettysburg.

Connecticut Family Attractions
There’s so much to do in Connecticut, from the oldest themepark to Mystic Seaport and an aquarium full of whales.

Family Beach Weekends Beyond Philadelphia

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Cape May, New Jersey
What we don’t know about the Jersey Shore: an insider’s guide to a peaceful family beach getaway vacation in historic Cape May.

A Weekend at the Jersey Shore
Check out two different family beach scenes, minutes from each other on the Jersey shore, for a weekend, mini-vacation or daytrip.

Rehoboth Beach Promises Family Fun
Explore the east coast Atlantic shoreline, where the pristine sands of Rehoboth, Delaware provide ingredients for the ultimate family beach getaway.

Ocean City Attractions
From adventures on the sea and land, to rides and games, there’s “shore” to be something fun for everyone in Maryland’s beach town of Ocean City.

Favorite Family Resorts for Philadelphia Weekend Getaways

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The friendly mountain region that has welcomed outdoorsmen and honeymooners for generations is setting its sights on the family market.


Choose between country inns, farm stays, resorts and motels as you tour the classic Amish country surrounding pretty Lancaster.

Skytop Lodge Family Weekend
Visit a surprisingly fun resort in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains where time and tradition stand still.

Woodloch Pines for Family Reunions
FTF’s annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights Woodloch Pines as one of our best places to host your family’s next reunion.


Offering a great Kids Club and entertaining nearby attractions, this Farmington, Pennsylvania resort pampers families with an amazing spa getaway.

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2 Replies to “Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia”

  • February 19, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    You are so right Banfos, thanks for the heads up. Mystic CT is quite remarkable and has much to see besides the aquarium. We have made the change.

    Reply

  • Banfos

    February 19, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Mystic Seaport is a world-renowned maritime history museum. It is not an aquarium as stated in your article.

    Reply

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Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia (2024)

FAQs

What islands are 4 hours from Philadelphia? ›

Direct Flights from Philadelphia to the Caribbean:

Dominican Republic (Punta Cana): 4 hours. Jamaica (Montego Bay): 3.5 hours. Puerto Rico (San Juan): 4 hours. Turks and Caicos (Providenciales): 3.5 hours.

What cities are 2 hours away from Philadelphia? ›

Driving times to Philadelphia, from:
Allentown, Pennsylvania (Dorney Park)1 hour - 62 miles (99 kilometers)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania2.3 hours - 142 miles (227 kilometers)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania2 hours - 106 miles (171 kilometers)
Hershey, Pennsylvania2 hours - 94 miles (150 kilometers)
12 more rows

Where to drive from Philly? ›

27 Drivable Weekend Getaways From the Philadelphia Suburbs
  • Inn at Stonington • Stonington, Connecticut.
  • The Blue Water House • Lewes, Delaware.
  • Boardwalk Plaza Hotel • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
  • Atlantic Hotel • Berlin, Maryland.
  • Inn BoonsBoro • BoonsBoro, Maryland.
Mar 11, 2024

How do I plan a small trip? ›

12 Tips to Make Weekend Travel Count
  1. Stay in the center of the action. ...
  2. Go where the (last-minute) deals are. ...
  3. Make reservations in advance. ...
  4. Know what's open when. ...
  5. Fly carry-on only. ...
  6. Extend business trips. ...
  7. Think about timing. ...
  8. Travel in a shoulder season.
May 8, 2024

How far is the flight from Philadelphia to Turks and Caicos? ›

The total flight duration from Philadelphia, PA to Turks and Caicos is 3 hours, 2 minutes.

How far is Aruba flight from Philadelphia? ›

All flight schedules from Philadelphia International Airport , Pennsylvania , USA to Reina Beatrix International, Aruba. This route is operated by 1 airline(s), and the flight time is 4 hours and 42 minutes. The distance is 1928 miles.

What is the closest beach to Philadelphia by car? ›

1. Atlantic City. The closest beach to Philadelphia by distance, first on the list is Atlantic City. One of the largest coastal cities in New Jersey, Atlantic City is significantly bigger in size than the majority of beach towns in the area.

Which place is very close to Philadelphia? ›

Q: Which cities are close to Philadelphia? A: Camden, NJ, is maybe the nearest city to Pennsylvania — it's just about 5 miles or a 10-minute drive from Philadelphia. A commuter's dream, to be sure! Close behind are Gloucester City, Collingswood, and Pennsauken — all about a 15-minute drive away.

What town is halfway between nyc and Philadelphia? ›

The halfway point between New York City, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is: Hightstown, NJ. Find a place to meet halfway. These locations are 95 miles apart and the exact midpoint is I-95, Hightstown, NJ 08520, USA.

What is the most beautiful drive in Pennsylvania? ›

Pennsylvania Route 6

Named “One of America's most scenic drives” by National Geographic, Pennsylvania's Route 6 is a magical journey through the northern tier of the state. You'll experience history and heritage, small towns, and wondrous sights along this 427-mile route.

What is the number one tourist destination in Philadelphia? ›

The Independence National Historical Park is the top tourist attraction in Philadelphia. It's America's most historic square mile, home to Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States of America. This iconic hall hosted the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

What is the halfway point between Philadelphia Pennsylvania and Florida? ›

For a flight, the straight line geographic midpoint coordinates are 33° 56' 9" N and 78° 40' 29" W. The city at the geographic halfway point from Philadelphia, PA to Florida is Worthams Ferry, South Carolina.

How do I plan a vacation with little money? ›

How to Plan A Budget-Friendly Vacation
  1. Tip #1: Set Your Total Vacation Budget. ...
  2. Tip #2: Plan in Advance. ...
  3. Tip #3: Meal Plan To Avoid Dining Out For Every Meal. ...
  4. Tip #4: Embrace Flexibility. ...
  5. Tip #5: Look for Hidden Fees. ...
  6. Tip #6: Be Careful but Wise. ...
  7. Tip #7: Research Your Destinations. ...
  8. Tip #8: Pre-Plan Your Activities.

How to plan a weekend trip on a budget? ›

Budget Travel Tips for Weekend Getaways
  1. Book off-season trips.
  2. Book your trip well in advance.
  3. Start a hotel points membership.
  4. Split the costs between fellow travelers.
  5. Pack light to avoid paying for extra bags of luggage.
  6. Put your vacation spending on a prepaid debit card.
May 28, 2024

How long is the flight from turks and caicos to Philadelphia? ›

All flight schedules from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands to Philadelphia International Airport , Pennsylvania , USA. This route is operated by 1 airline(s), and the flight time is 3 hours and 35 minutes.

What is the easiest Caribbean island to get to by plane? ›

The closest Caribbean and easiest Caribbean territory to fly to from the U.S. is The Bahamas. This is part of the reason this island chain has been so popular with U.S. visitors over the years.

How far is a flight from philly to st lucia? ›

4 hr 48 min is the shortest flight time from Philadelphia to Saint Lucia.

What Caribbean islands does American fly direct to from Philadelphia? ›

American Airlines:
  • San Juan: 3 hours, 39 minutes (PHL-SJU)
  • Punta Cana: 3 hours, 45 minutes (PHL-PUJ)
  • Aruba: 4 hours, 22 minutes (PHL-AUA)
  • Saint Thomas: 3 hours, 45 minutes (PHL-STT)
  • Providenciales: 3 hours, 5 minutes (PHL-PLS)
  • Grand Cayman: 3 hours, 40 minutes (PHL-GCM)
  • Montego Bay: 3 hours, 41-42 minutes (PHL- MBJ)
Feb 29, 2024

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