A weekend road trip is one of the most ideal ways to spend a weekend for me. While not for everyone, I love exploring new places that aren’t far from home. I shared the first part of this blog series on road trips from the central PA area here which included 6 trips to places like the Poconos, Bedford, Shenandoah National Park, Ocean City Maryland, State College, and Benezette.
Something I appreciate most about living in Pennsylvania is getting to multiple states in just a few hours. You can get to New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Connecticut in under 4 or so hours (which includes all of the trips below!). It makes being able to take a weekend road trip full of possibilities.
#1 – Catskills, NY
First up is the Catskills. I took my first trip here last year and it was one of my favorite weekend trips to date (even if it started out a bit oddly). We loved our Airbnb for the weekend and enjoyed visiting little towns like Roscoe and New Paltz as well as our trip to visit Awosting Falls in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This is a great trip for someone looking for a relaxing weekend and who enjoys visiting small towns and having some outdoor adventures.
#2 – Ohiopyle, PA
The second recommendation is to visit the Ohiopyle area in western Pennsylvania. Teddy and I made this a stop on a weekend roadtrip through PA over the winter. You can read about our whole trip here but the true highlights were the beautiful cabin at Oak Lodge as well as Ohiopyle State Park and Laurel State Park. This was a great winter trip and was both relaxing yet adventurous.
#3 – Jim Thorpe, PA
This victorian town founded in 1818 is one of the treasures of the Pocono Mountains. It’s about 2 hours from Lancaster and is a great basecamp for a Pocono Mountain weekend. Some favorite things to do in the area include a ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, a visit to Bushkill Falls, walking around the shops downtown, or doing some hiking or biking on the trails. This one is a great trip if you’re looking for mountain scenery and a lot to do in the area. The Poconos are vast, so if you’re willing to drive, you can get to so many parks, trails, waterfalls, and other outdoor adventures.
#4 – Harpers Ferry, WV
About 2 hours from central PA is Harpers Ferry. It’s most known for the John Brown’s Raid that happened during the Civil War. It is also where the Potomac and Shenandoah River meet as well as one of the towns along the Appalachian Trail. First settled in the 1730s, the buildings in Harpers Ferry are old and they’re beautiful. In the area are quite a few historical sights as well as hiking trails and biking trails. This would be a nice weekend for anyone that enjoys history or hiking and wants to have a low key weekend.
#5 – Finger Lakes, NY
The Finger Lakes are all about wineries (and breweries!) and just over 4 hours away. We enjoyed our stay in yet another little cabin with great views, spent time hiking outside to waterfalls, visiting Watkins Glen State Park and taking in the fall foliage since the leaves were turning when we visited. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for lots of winery and brewery options, outdoor adventures, or just a place to go and relax.
Stay tuned for the next blog in this series which will include a few more mountain towns, hidden gems, and relaxing stays for a weekend.
