Top 3 Weekend Escape Ideas in Eastern Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has wonderful places, including historical cities and towns, beautiful rural landscapes, scenic mountains and woods - providing a perfect mix of city, suburbs, and rural areas, which makes this state a wonderful place to explore, whether you're already a resident or live in a nearby state and are looking for an exciting weekend trip. Here are my top 3 choices of weekend escape ideas in the lovely state of Pennsylvania.

New Hope, Pennsylvania

New Hope is a quaint and picturesque town located in Bucks County, located about an hour north of central Philadelphia. New Hope is a shopper's dream! This small town boasts plenty of unique, independent shops and boutiques, along with some wonderful restaurants to take a break at during your shopping and exploring filled weekend. The Visitor's Center can be found at 1 Mechanic Street. for any assistance you may need during your visit to New Hope. You can also explore this scenic location by taking a trip on the Ivyland Railroad on their antique coaches, or try out the Bucks County Carriage for another delightful form of transportation through the area. You can also try out Coreyell's Ferry for a narrated paddle boat ride.

You can also explore historic buildings, such as the Perry Mansion owned by the New Hope Historical Society, or for all of the art lovers, there are several beautiful art galleries that can be found on North Main Street. The vast variety of shops to be found in New Hope is quite stunning, making this a perfect weekend escape for any shopper. There's shops for animal lovers (Bow-Wow, and Meow, Meow), chocolate lovers (County Fair Chocolates), and vintage clothing lovers (Night Owl). There is sure to be a shop or boutique to delight any visitor in the pleasant town of New Hope, and if you want even more to explore, feel free to stop by Peddler's Village in Lahaska, just a few miles away. For lodging in New Hope, Pennsylvania, consider the very convenient Logan Inn, Porches Bed and Breakfast, Cordials Bed and Breakfast, or Maplewood Farm Bed and Breakfast.

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

The Greater Lehigh Valley area, including the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, is home to everything one could want in a weekend escape, including outdoor attractions, family friendly activities, shopping, and unique restaurants. If you're on a romantic weekend getaway with your partner, consider checking out nine local vineyards on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. If you prefer to golf the weekend away, look into the Center Valley Club and the Club at Morgan Hill. If your in search of more exploration of the great outdoors, check out Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Crystal Cave, Lost River Caverns, or the Trexler Nature Preserve, which are all child friendly, as well! The Crayola Factory in Easton, Pennsylvania is another very popular kid friendly location in the Lehigh Valley area. If you aren't bringing any children with you on this Pennsylvania weekend escape, consider going to the new Sands Casino Resort which also boasts several incredible restaurants, including Emeril's Chop House.

There is a multitude of lodging options for your stay in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Look here for a variety of inns, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. If you haven't set a date yet for your weekend escape to the Lehigh Valley, consider planning it during one of the popular events taking place throughout the year, such as Musikfest in Bethlehem (August), the Great Allentown Fair (August-September), or the Celtic Classic festival in Bethlehem (September).

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you want to visit a big city for your weekend escape, consider Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This historic city is full of activities to delight anyone. The Visitor's Center can be found at Market and 6th Streets for any local information you may need during your weekend getaway. For the history enthusiast, consider visiting Philadelphia locations such as the Liberty Bell Center or Independence National and Historical Park. If art is your passion, check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and the many galleries scattered throughout the city. If you're bringing children along on your weekend escape to Philadelphia, take them to the Please Touch Museum, which boasts plenty of interactive exhibits for kids to explore and enjoy. For classic entertainment options, consider the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Ballet. The variety of options available in Philadelphia makes this Eastern Pennsylvania destination perfect for your weekend escape!

Lodging options in Philadelphia include the convenient Omni Hotel, Sheraton University City, the Inn at Penn,
the Marriot Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown, the Hilton Garden, and everything else from the economical Holiday Inn Express to the gorgeous and luxurious Sofitel. You can be sure to find whatever type of lodging you desire in this beautiful city for your weekend escape.

Enjoy your weekend escape in Eastern Pennsylvania!

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Sources:

http://www.escapemaker.com/destination.php?state=PA®ion=philadelphia&destination=newhope§ion=intro
http://www.escapemaker.com/destination.php?state=PA®ion=philadelphia&destination=glv§ion=intro
http://www.escapemaker.com/destination.php?state=PA®ion=philadelphia&destination=philadelphia§ion=intro