Autumn

Want to experience a taste of what the Fall Season has to offer? Head to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This city and some of the surrounding towns provide an array of things to do, from taking the kids on a hayride, to visiting historic haunted houses and other spooky sites.

If you are looking for family friendly things to do in Philadelphia, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of attractions that cater to children, including the Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Zoo, where on October 25th and 26th you can take your kids to “Boo at the Zoo.” For sights to see just outside of the city, head to the popular Linvilla Orchards - here you can sip cider, pick pumpkins, get lost in a maze or go on a moonlit hayride. Other local events in October include the Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place in Langhorn and the Great Pumpkin Carve from October 23-25th at the Barns-Briton House in historic Chadds Ford.

Looking for an attraction that’s sure to leave you breathless? Head to the Eastern State Penitentiary now through November 2nd to participate in Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted nighttime tour of one of the most famous prisons in the United States. The prison was closed in 1970 and has been turned into a popular landmark, especially in the fall. For more historical activities in Philadelphia, be sure to head to Edgar Allen Poe’s house on 7th street to remember his famously haunting tales or visit the Dracula Festival at the Rosenbach Museum and Library.

To plan your trip, visit:
Philadelphia Hotels
www.linvilla.com/
www.easternstate.org/halloween/
www.nps.gov/edal/planyourvisit/index.htm

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Saugerties and Hudson Valley by Carrie K

New York City provides enough excitement to make you want to throw away your passport, plane ticket, etc. and vow to never leave. However, there are plenty of great destinations near New York that are well worth exploring, some even provide quiet escapes so you can reflect upon the fun you just had in the big apple. Here are a few ideas for weekend getaways that are great for anytime of year:

Outdoor Adventures
The winters tend to be a bit brisk along the northern stretch of the east coast, but there’s still time to go hiking before the snow covers up the trails and makes snow shoes necessary - hurry there soon and you can even watch the last leaves change from green to orange and gold. Great places to take a hike include the stunning Adirondacks, Finger Lakes and Catskills regions of New York State, as well as Pennsylvania’s notoriously romantic Poconos. When snow finally does fall, those destinations also have popular ski resorts so you can explore by ski, snowboard, sled or snowshoe. If you can’t make their until spring, you’ll find other ways to enjoy the landscape, from camping, canoeing and kayaking, to swimming and rock climbing.

Useful Resources:
Visit Adirondacks
Finger Lakes Tourism
Poconos Mountains Official Site
Official Tourism Guide of the Catskills

Visit cozy small towns
Want to stay at quaint bed and breakfasts, explore antique shops and cafes? Head to the charming town of New Hope, nestled in a historic area of Bucks County Pennsylvania near the Delaware River. Especially festive during the winter holidays, the streets of New Hope are filled with gift shops, art galleries, book stores, little cafes and great restaurants. Nearby Peddlers Village in Lahaska is also great for the winter holidays, with light displays, colorful decorations, and plenty of shops - when you get tired of shopping, head to a great restaurant, sip hot chocolate at a cafe or relax at the spa!

Useful Resources:
New Hope Hotels
Peddlers Village
Visit PA

Head to another great city
New York City is so centrally located that its easy to hop on a train and explore another great city. Philadelphia is under 2 hours away local train and even faster if you take an express. Filled with historical sites, great shopping, restaurants, museums and nightlife, Philly is a fun city to explore. Also easily accessible by train or car is Boston and Washington DC.

Useful Resources:
Philadelphia Travel Guide
Boston Travel Guide
Washington DC

For more ideas visit on weekend getaways from New York City, visit:
Fall Foliage Guide
New York Top Spots
Pennsylvania Travel Guide
Road Trips In Pennsylvania
New York Getaway Guide - for great ideas on exploring Long Island and the Hudson Valley

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