Summer is the best sentence to be in Philly , pass down . It’sbeer garden season , appropriate ice - cream - eating atmospheric condition , and you canwatch the newStar Warsoutdoors four separate fourth dimension . But if you ’re itching to get out ( as we all inescapably will be ) without expend your life savings on airfare alone , we ’ve pick out some not - too - far spots to visit with super - reasonable wagon train , bus , and plane slate that ’ll still give you the respite you merit .

New Hope, PA

space from Philly : 40.5 milesTravel cost : It ’s easy to drive , but you’re able to also take the SEPTA Paoli / Thorndale Line to Doylestown for no more than $ 12 and cabriolet to the township ( Uber estimates start at $ 28 ) about 20 minutes off .

It ’s intemperate to conceive such an idyllic river town is so close to Philly . If you ’re looking for offbeat time of origin shops , artisan festivals , and winery after wine maker , this is your place . pass a slothful summertime day outside tube down the Delaware River with your Friend . you’re able to also say that you ’ve been two places at once after walking the bridge to Lambertville , NJ , where the mete between Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the Delaware River is clearly marked .

Atlantic City, NJ

length from Philly : 65.5 milesTravel cost : One - way SEPTA fare is as low as $ 10.50

Yes , it may entreat images of a small , grittier Vegas , but AC has tons of low-cost ways to have a luxuriousness weekend . The originalDock ’s Oyster House , the AC outlets ofBuddakanand Cuba Libre , and new seafood concepts from Jose Garces are the solid food destinations to strike , while the newfangled pool at the Borgata might be a sweet alternative to rough out it on the actual beach . And last yr , The Chelsea insert Saturday poolside daytime party to keep you busy until night prison term .

New York, NY

Distance from Philly : 96.5 milesTravel price : $ 50 round stumble by NJ Transit , starting at $ 44 one - fashion on Amtrak

As much as we detest to acknowledge the New York vs. Philly argument , you ca n’t deny New York maybe has some nice things to offer , such as bar that delay open until 4am , diner for after the stripe close , distaff chefs who are killing it , morehistorical landmarksthan you ’ll love what to do with , and a functioning public transit organisation ( justdon’t be " that person"when you ’re using it ) . Say goodbye to those plastic baggies of SEPTA coins ; you ’re in New York now . If you do n’t bear in mind catch a bus , Bolt and Megabus propose the tinny pick ( starting at $ 10 ) , and sometimes the quickest ( two hours , as long as you stay out of bill dealings time of day ) .

Washington, DC

Distance from Philly : 140 milesTravel cost : Amtrak one - way starts at $ 54 , Megabus start up as abject as $ 5

If you ask us , Philly and DC are two pea : both filled with first - class chef atfantastic restaurants , both known for their major roles in American story , and both trim down with confutable bodies of water ( we have the Schuylkill , they have the Potomac ) . arrive at up The Wonderland Ballroom in Cleveland Park for a bathetic dance party after a day of visitingthe many destitute museums . Try the Pretty Bitchin ’ cupcake fromBaked & Wired . Also , try all of the other cupcakes there .

Mystic, CT

space from Philly : 230 milesTravel monetary value : Amtrak one - fashion starts at $ 57

We all have sex the Jersey Shore , but if you ’re look for a little more New England charm for your seaboard travels , hop on the train to this coastal town in Connecticut . Explore lighthouses by ocean , or opt for the Connecticut Beer Trail , where you ’ll sample all the best beers of the region . Mystic Pizza is n’t just a movie where Julia Roberts pretended to be Puerto Rican ( anything goes in the ' eighty , apparently … ) ; it ’s a real eating house , too . In fact , the pizza of the field is so good , there ’s a enlistment for all the local stick .

Pittsburgh, PA

Distance from Philly : 304 milesTravel cost : commence at $ 47 one - fashion on Amtrak , flights as depressed as $ 149 rhythm trip

As with New York , Philadelphians may have a little intimate rivalry with that other major PA city . And despite theinfinite reasons why Philly > ‘ Burgh , the city still makes for a fun and easy weekend , specially if you take advantage ofall the loose thing to do . Pittsburgh is having its own food Renascence ( no , we ’re not talking about the child on the sandwich affair ) , so definitely check off out at least a few of thebest barsandrestaurantsthat give the ease of PA a good name .

Charlotte, NC

aloofness from Philly : 544.7 milesTravel cost : Round - trip flights as low as $ 189

Charlotte may be the heftiest distance to locomote on here , but the good news ( aside from quick flight of steps average out around 90 minutes ) is that there are plenty of cheesy , fun matter to do once you ’re in townspeople . While making it during the annual Oktoberfest is ideal , summertime travelers can expect outdoor festivals , celebrating everything from the Rubik ’s Cube to a good old - fashioned crawfish boil . Get a deduction when you register for the Charlotte Brews Cruise , a behind - the - tantrum look into some of Charlotte ’s favourite slyness breweries .

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A train leaves Philadelphia

Flickr/Tyler Sprague

The Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City

The Chelsea Hotel Atlantic City

Tourists in Central Park

Flickr/Chrissy Hunt

Sunset over the Washington Monument

Flickr/Nicolas Raymond

Mystic Seaport in Connecticut

Flickr/J J

Pittsburgh cityscape

Flickr/Don Burkett

Charlotte, NC skyline

Flickr/James Willamor