Philadelphia is an amazing city with so much to see, do, and explore. But sometimes you just need to get away and spend some time away with the one you love. There are lots of great places in road-tripping distance from Philadelphia that are quaint, charming, remote, and peaceful. Here are some of the best towns for getting away from Philly and switching things up for a weekend with your sweetheart.
Jim Thorpe
One of the most charming towns in Pennsylvania, Jim Thorpe is a historic town with a unique name in the Pocono Mountains. This is an ideal place to explore for the weekend because it’s packed with inns, shops, restaurants, and scenic views. Make sure to visit the Asa Packer Mansion Museum, take a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, and check out the Old Jail Museum while you’re in town. Romantic ideas include stopping at the Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary, the Mauch Chunk Opera House, and maybe even a whitewater rafting adventure if that’s what you’re into. Nice B&B options here are the Parsonage Bed and Breakfast, Hill Home Forge, and Angel of the Morning Bed and Breakfast. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Jim Thorpe from Philadelphia.
Ephrata
A Lancaster County destination to consider for your weekend getaway is Ephrata. This is a small town with a performing arts center, an 800-seat movie house in a historic building, community theater, farmers’ market, and community park. It’s about an hour and a half from Philadelphia and nearly straight west of the city. Check out the Ephrata Cloister, Weaver Nut Sweets & Snacks, and St. Boniface Craft Brewing Company when you’re in town. The Weathered Vineyards Wine Tasting Room is also worth a stop on your romantic weekend. The Glenwood Bed and Breakfast and the Scottish Inn Ephrata are nice B&Bs to stay at in the area, and there’s also a highly rated Hampton Inn & Suites here if you prefer a hotel.
Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge is often called the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and is one of the most stunning natural areas in the state. It’s a little over three hours from Philadelphia, so make sure to plan enough time for the drive. Near Wellsboro, the gorge is about 50 miles long and over 1,000 feet deep, and it’s an ideal place to visit in the fall with the colorful fall foliage on display. The canyon is part of the Tioga State Forest. One of the most popular routes to see this area is the Pine Creek Rail Trail, which is a converted railroad path that travels along the gorge at the canyon floor. This trail is perfect for a relaxing weekend of hiking or biking together among the mountains, trees, and wildlife.
Fogelsville
You’ll only need to drive a little over an hour from Philadelphia to reach Fogelsville, a Lehigh County village that’s close to the city. Book your stay at the Glasbern Inn for a romantic weekend away from the hassles of daily life. The setting is a rustic 19th-century farm with spacious rooms and suites, oversized in-room tubs, farm walking trails, and an onsite spa. Nearby you can head over to the Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery, the Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Weathered Vineyards, or the Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery. There’s certainly no shortage of amazing wineries when you visit this romantic part of Pennsylvania! It’s also fun to check out the Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theater, take a walk around the Allentown Rose Gardens, and walk around a nearby nature preserve when you’re in this area.
Bethlehem
In about an hour and a half, you can also reach Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from Philadelphia for your weekend getaway. The two of you can check out the SteelStacks art gallery, the Hoover Mason Trestle historic site, or try your luck at the Sands Casino in town. This place really comes alive during the winter holiday season with its Christkindlmarkt and all its decorations and goodies for sale. When you visit Bethlehem, recommended places to stay are the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, Hyatt Place Bethlehem, or at the Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Lancaster
Lancaster is best known for its Pennsylvania Dutch communities, and this unique destination is only about an hour and a half from Philadelphia. You can also take the Keystone public transit service and get here in about the same amount of time or even faster. Aside from the Amish, this is a great place to visit for theater-loving couples because the Fulton Theatre and the American Music Theatre are located here. It’s always fun to browse the Lancaster Central Market and maybe even take a hot air balloon ride to admire the peaceful countryside. Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square and Lancaster Arts Hotel are all good options for accommodations in this area.
Chadds Ford
If you’re pressed for time or just have time for a day trip, consider Chadds Ford for your romantic getaway. This town is only about 45 minutes from Philadelphia, so it’s easy to squeeze into your busy schedule. The Brandywine River Museum of Art is lovely to walk around, and there are lots of wineries in the area. The Penns Woods Winery and Chaddsford Winery are two popular ones. The two of you can also learn something on this little getaway, especially if you visit the Brandywine Battlefield Brandywine Museum and other museums in the area. Antique shoppers can also find some lovely treasures here.
New Hope
New Hope is another quaint and romantic town in Pennsylvania, and you can drive here on a weekend in under an hour. Try to catch a performance at the local Bucks County Playhouse and take a stroll hand-in-hand at the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. At this popular destination in Pennsylvania, you can also take a romantic and nostalgic ride on the scenic New Hope & Ivyland Railroad and shop for farm-fresh produce at Solebury Orchards. Finish your day with a wine tasting at New Hope Winery, and consider staying at a local B&B like the Mansion Inn or the Logan Inn.
Easton
It takes about an hour and a half to reach Easton from Philadelphia, and this is also a fun place to visit for couples. Indulge in some local brews at the Weyerbacher Brewing Company and then some ice cream at the Klein Farms Dairy and Creamery. You can watch a performance at the State Theatre Center for the Arts and visit the local farmers’ market too. A romantic option for accommodations here is the Lafayette Inn in Easton.
