Cape May Beach is one day trip you can take from Philly (Billy Penn file photo)

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Philly has seen a lot of events and chaos this summer – from the World Cup games to the All-Star Weekend to 250th celebrations – and you may be looking to escape the hustle and bustle!

There are plenty of options for a fun and quick trip outside of the city – and many of them don’t even require you to set aside a whole weekend. Here is our list of day trips you can take from Philly, with or without a car.

PA Suburbs & Towns

New Hope, PA/Lambertville, NJ

  • About: These two towns sit right across from each other on the Delaware River – separated by a bridge that you can walk or drive across. Both known for their arts and culture, these towns just outside the city have many activities you can partake in. 
  • What you can do: Catch a seasonal performance at the Bucks County Playhouse, walk along the New Hope section of the Delaware Canal State Park’s towpath, take a narrated train ride on the New Hope Railroad or go shopping at one of the many antique or vintage stores on New Hope’s Main Street. Right across the bridge (easily walkable on foot), Lambertville has similar fare. Enjoy art shops and boutiques, restaurants like Lambertville Station or visit the James Wilson Marshall House – a history museum chronicling one of the oldest families in New Jersey. 
  • How you can get there: New Hope and Lambertville are accessible via car. The drive is about an hour, depending on what part of the city you are leaving from. 
  • Events coming up: On September 26-27, New Hope will host its Arts & Crafts Festival – full of merchants selling everything from jewelry, watercolors and wood paintings – all accompanied by live music and food vendors. Otherwise, there are a number of regional and specific events happening throughout the year. 

Milford, PA

  • About: This Poconos town is a bit further away, but its combination of outdoor activities and adventures, history, and arts and culture makes for a great stop. 
  • What you can do: If you’re looking to explore the town’s history, you can visit the Grey Towers National Historic Site, home of the founder and first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, for a guided or self-guided tour. Explore different artifacts relevant to PA’s Pike County at the Columns Museum, or explore creations from local artists at the Artery Gallery. For hikers, there is the Raymondskill Falls Trail – which brings you to PA’s tallest waterfall. The Milford Knob Trail is another challenging hike – and you can add onto it with a number of other trail options throughout the park. If you’re looking for more adventure, you can raft, canoe, kayak or tube with a company like Kittatinny Canoes, or zipline with views of the Delaware River at the Kittatinny Adventure Center. You can also enjoy a number of restaurants, taverns and breweries in town on your trip!  
  • How to get there: The mountain town is roughly a 3-hour drive from the city. You can get there through public transit, but with travel times of nearly 5 hours and several transfers, it may be worth it to consider it as a weekend trip instead. 
  • Events coming up: Enjoy local food vendors and fun at the town’s Food Truck Festival on Saturday, August 15 from 12-5 p.m., or head up for Septemberfest, an annual celebration of live music and local artists on Saturday, September 12 at 12 p.m. 

Bethlehem, PA

  • About: This Eastern Pennsylvania city is famously nicknamed “Christmas City,” and is full of arts, culture and restaurants. 
  • What you can do: Bethlehem made its name as a steel town – and the now-renovated SteelStacks Campus is a repurposed music and arts community that sits on the site of what was once the second-largest steel manufacturer. Explore concerts, tour the facility, take a glass blowing class, see a comedy show and more at this venue. You can also learn more about the country’s industrial past at the National Museum of Industrial History. If you’re looking to stay overnight, Wind Creek Bethlehem is a casino, resort, spa and concert venue all in one. And if you love music and live events, the city’s Musikfest 2026 is coming up at the end of the month. Beyond this, you can enjoy the city’s escape rooms, breweries, shopping malls and more.
  • How you can get there: The city is about an hour and a half drive from the city. You can also take a series of buses – combining Flix Bus and city buses. This total trip time is about two hours and 30 minutes. 
  • Events coming up:  On the First Friday of every month, the city highlights galleries, boutiques and cuisine and provides live music, workshops and special events for all to enjoy. Musikfest, the country’s largest, non-gated free, outdoor music festival, will run from July 31 to August 9 this year and feature a variety of performers. And around the holidays, the city’s Christkindlmart is a top holiday market full of food, novelties and activities that tie in with the city’s Christmas spirit. For more specific events for when you’re planning your trip, search here. 

Doylestown, PA 

Phoenixville, PA

Lancaster, PA

Hershey, PA

  • About: Hershey is way more than just a chocolate and amusement park destination.
  • What you can do: Hersheypark has 15 rollercoasters, a full-scale waterpark, and Chocolatetown (with a chocolate-themed coaster and chocolate-inspired restaurant). If amusement parks aren’t your thing, you can check out vintage cars at the Hershey Antique Auto Museum, explore North American wildlife at ZooAmerica or enjoy seasonal and permanent garden exhibits at Hershey Gardens.  
  • How you can get there: The drive to Hershey is just over two hours. There are bus routes that connect in Harrisburg, but with overnight travel and multiple connections involved, driving is the best option if you’re able.  
  • Events coming up:  There is lots coming up in Hershey – with Guns N’ Roses performing at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday, August 1, musical events at Hershey Gardens on select Thursdays, an upcoming Bluey performance and more. 

Media, PA

  • About: This Delco town gives a great mix of nearby, outdoor attractions and a lively shopping and restaurant scene. With easy accessibility to Philly, this is a great spot to spend a day. 
  • What you can do: If you’re looking for a day full of nature or hiking, Ridley Creek State Park offers biking and walking trails, while Tyler Arboretum offer scenic views and a look into nearby nature. Along the town’s State Street, you can also visit a brewery like Sterling Pig, paint and sip at Painting With a Twist, or indulge in more history at the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum. 
  • How you can get there: Media is about a 40-minute drive from Center City. You can also take the Regional Rail Media/Wawa line, which is about a 40 minute ride from Jefferson Station. 
  • Events coming up:  When weather permits, Media’s weekly Dining Under the Stars event closes down State Street for you to enjoy dining in the street from 5-10 p.m. on Wednesdays. And other events like movie nights and business activities happen almost every week. You can find more info and stay up-to-date here. 

Ardmore, PA

  • About: This Main Line Philly suburb is the perfect spot for shopping, walkability and community events – all close to the city.
  • What you can do: Suburban Square is one of the city’s main attractions. The outdoor mall has everything from clothing stores and spas to dining and a seasonal farmer’s market. Ardmore Music Hall is another great spot – offering concerts, events and shows throughout the year. Other spots include pucciManuli, a whimsical children’s toy store or Wallace Dry Goods, a supplier and tasting room for low and non-alcoholic beverages. 
  • How you can get there: Ardmore is just over a 30-minute drive from Center City. You can also take the 30-minute train ride on the Regional Rail Paoli/Thorndale Line from Jefferson or Suburban Station. You can also take the L Westbound to 69th Street Transit Center, then take the Norristown High Speed Line to Ardmore Ave. This is also about 30 minutes. 
  • Events coming up:  You can keep up to date with Ardmore events here. The next one coming up is the Ardmore Rock n’ Ride on Saturday, August 9. The family-friendly bike race and music event is also a community fundraising event. 

Bryn Athyn Historic District (PA)

Jim Thorpe, PA

The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway takes tourists on a 70-minute ride through along the Lehigh River, through Glen Onoko, and into the Lehigh Gorge State Park. (Mark Eichmann/Billy Penn)
  • How you can get there: It is just about a 2-hour drive from Center City to Jim Thorpe. There is a series of bus routes you can take to get there, but with travel times of about six hours, it may be better to consider a weekend trip instead of a day trip. 
  • Events coming up:  From musical events to flower festivals, there’s always something going on in the region. You can keep up-to-date with events here. 

Harrisburg, PA

  • About: Explore the history, arts and culture of Pennsylvania’s State Capitol on a day trip to Harrisburg. 
  • What you can do: You can start your visit with a tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol to you see where legislators make laws and pass bills. Walk-ins are welcome if there is availability, but pre-scheduling tours is recommended. Beyond this, there’s much more to explore. See live music and events at the combined music hall and brewery, Capital City Music Hall, explore art at the Susquehanna Art Museum, see the minor league Harrisburg Senators baseball team play a game or enjoy a variety of shopping and restaurants in the city.  
  • How you can get there: Harrisburg is about a 2-hour drive from Center City. You can also take an Amtrak there from 30th Street Station – which is about an hour and 45-minute ride. 
  • Events coming up:  From baseball games to music and theatre shows, there’s a lot to choose from in Harrisburg. You can find out more here. 

City Trips outside of PA

Princeton, NJ

  • About: This New Jersey city is widely known for its Ivy League Princeton University. But beyond the academics, there’s lots of Revolutionary history, art and dining to explore. 
  • What you can do: Take a tour of Princeton University, or visit its art museum and its chapel. Around town, you can visit NJ’s first governor’s mansion at Morven Museum & Garden, enjoy artisanal ice cream at The Bent Spoon or explore art-filled gardens and galleries at Grounds for Sculpture.  
  • How you can get there: If you drive, it takes about an hour. You can get there by train – but you’ll have to take Amtrak to Trenton Transit Center, take an NJ Transit Northeast Corridor Line train to Princeton Junction, and take a NJ Transit Princeton Dinky train to Princeton. The total time between all connections takes at least two hours. 
  • Events coming up:  There’s lots to explore in the city – whether you’re looking for outdoor yoga, cooking classes or more.   

Wilmington, DE

  • About: Delaware’s biggest city is just about 30 minutes outside of Philly – and it boasts lots of history, restaurants and culture. 
  • What you can do: If you’re looking for something indoors, you can explore the Delaware Art Museum, bring your kiddo to the Delaware Children’s Museum or catch a music, comedy or Broadway performance at The Grand Opera House.  Outdoors, Riverfront Market showcases different food vendors, Brandywine Zoo showcases various animals and Riverwalk Mini Golf lets you showcase your putting skills. End off your day with one of the city’s riverfront dining and drinking options ranging from casual to upscale.  
  • How you can get there: Wilmington is about a 30-minute Amtrak ride from 30th Street Station or about 45 minutes on SEPTA’s Wilmington/Newark Line. By car, traffic-dependent, it’s about a 40-50 minute ride. 
  • Events coming up: You can find anything from upcoming farmer’s markets to music festivals here.  

New York City

  • About: The Big Apple is a quick Amtrak ride or drive away from the city.
  • What you can do: It’s hard to encompass everything you can do in NYC – but touristy favorites include Central Park, Times Square, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty.
  • How you can get there: The city is just under a 2-hour drive from Center City. Amtrak trains are also available all day out of 30th Street Station – and the ride takes about 2 hours as well. Buses like Flixbus and Megabus can also get you there in 2-3 hours. 

Washington, DC

  • About: Our nation’s capital has a lot to offer, from free museums to artsy neighborhoods, there’s a lot to explore. 
  • What you can do: You can visit any number of the Smithsonian museums right in the heart of D.C. for free. You can learn about history, air and space, art and more. Landmarks like the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are also iconic stopping points for your trip. D.C. is also a city of neighborhoods – with some focused on nightlife and art and others that are perfect for history buffs and foodies. For more guidance to decide how to spend your trip, visit Washington D.C.’s activity website. 
  • How you can get there: Buses from Center City Philadelphia to D.C. take about three hours (without traffic). The Amtrak ride from 30th Street Station is about two hours – and will get you right into the city’s Union Station. Finally, you can drive – but it’s about a three-hour ride.

Baltimore, Maryland  

Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware Beaches 

There are lots of beaches you can enjoy all throughout the Northeast this summer. We’ll give you a listing of some of the more popular beach towns – but we’d be remiss to not include an accessible, unique option to get to the beaches! 

The Jitney Yellow Line is offering three different weekend trip options to various beaches throughout the Jersey Shore. A $5 ticket gets you transit to and from various beaches (either as a day or weekend trip) and includes a swag-bag and boozy “pre-hang” with other passengers.

Otherwise, here are some other ways to get to the Shore this summer. 

Asbury Park,  NJ

  • About: This small New Jersey beach town is known for its boardwalk, live music venues, and retro arcade. Bruce Springsteen was one of the famous regulars who often played at The Stone Pony, a live music club in the city. 
  • What you can do: You have a lot of options in this beach town depending on your vibe. You can visit one of the town’s renowned live music venues – like the iconic Stone Pony, the combined bowling alley, dinner and concert venue Asbury Lanes or the dog-friendly Wonder Bar. The city is also home to the Silverball Retro Arcade – which houses over 150 games, pinball machines, video games and more. Beyond this, Cookman Avenue offers a wide selection of shops, restaurants and experiences. 
  • How you can get there: This town is about an hour and a half drive from the city. It’s also accessible via bus or train. The NJ Transit 317 bus is the most direct route – but still takes about 3 hours and 37 minutes. 
  • Events coming up:  There is always something happening in Asbury Park. You can find upcoming events and live music listings for the boardwalk here, and find other citywide events (ranging from wood-burning workshops and author events) here.  


Chesapeake City, MD

  • About: This small town sits along a canal and boasts history, waterfront dining and on-the-water fun! 
  • What you can do: You can start your visit with a trip to the C&D Canal Museum, where you can learn more about the canal connecting the Chesapeake and Delaware bays. From there, you can ride on the canal on the Chesapeake City Ferry, or take on a party boat vibe with Chesapeake Water Tours. You can also experience a number of other shops, restaurants or wineries in and around town. 
  • How you can get there: The town is about an hour and twenty minute drive. There aren’t transit options to get there. 
  • Events coming up:  Because Chesapeake City is small, there aren’t a ton of events – but one to put on the calendar is the Chesapeake City Lion’s Car Show on Saturday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.! 

Cape May, New Jersey 

  • About: This seaside town mixes charming Victorian architecture with restaurants, shopping, and, of course, the beach! 
  • What you can do: Beyond the beach, you can head over to the Cape May County Park and Zoo, learn more about Cape May history at The Colonial House Museum or learn more about the history of aviation at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. You can also explore a mix of world-class dining and casual fare at one of the city’s restaurants, or enjoy the city’s outdoor shopping mall or wineries. 
  • How you can get there: Cape May is about a two-hour drive from Center City. It is also accessible on transit – you can catch the NJ Transit 316 bus toward Sg Wilwood Cape May Gloucester Outlets (it picks up on multiple spots down Market Street). The bus is about a 3-hour ride. 
  • Events coming up:  Cape May’s Nighttime on the Beach event lets you go ghost crab chasing – learn more about ghost crabs and their habitat through this weekly event! This event runs on Thursdays throughout the summer from 8-9 p.m. 

Attractions and Parks 

If you’re looking to plan your day around a specific spot, here are our recommendations based on crowdsourcing, Reddit and suggestions from our readers. 

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Kent County, Delaware

  • About: This tidal salt marsh is a popular spot for wildlife watching and photography, fishing, hunting and short walking trails. Whether you’re looking to unplug from the stress of daily life or take part in one of the park’s nature-related activities, this is a great spot to try. 
  • How you can get there: The spot is about an hour and forty minute drive from Center City. It is not accessible via public transit. 

Susquehanna State Park in Havre de Grace, Maryland 

  • About: Whether you’re looking to camp, hike, mountain bike or enjoy the views – Susquehanna State Park is a great natural escape. You can rent a cabin or camp on the premises, enjoy a picnic on one of the Sand Islands or try one of their hikes as a biker or walker. 
  • How you can get there: The park is about an hour and a half drive from Center City. It is not accessible via public transit. 

Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA 

Nockamixon State Park in Quakertown, PA 

  • About: This Southeastern PA park is perfect for outdoor lovers of all interests and activity levels! You can swim in their pool or disc golf, or maybe opt for fishing, boating or picnicking instead. You can also join in on one of their events – from boat tours to nature watching events. 
  • How you can get there: It is about an hour and a half drive, but is not accessible via public transit. 

Marsh Creek State Park in Downingtown, PA 

  • About: This Chester County park is a great spot for wildlife, fishing, sailing and recreation. Go mountain biking, try boating or experience horseback riding – all within about an hour of Philly. 
  • How you can get there: It is a little over an hour drive to get here, and it is not accessible via public transit. 

Herr’s Snack Factory Tour in Nottingham, PA

Violet Comber-Wilen is Billy Penn's general assignment reporter. She covers everything from Philly's book scene to the city's public schools and nonprofit organizations. She previously reported for Indiana...