10+ Easy Road Trips from Philadelphia for the Whole Family
Living in Philadelphia and looking for some great road trips? Known for its rich history and vibrant culture, Philadelphia is a great starting point for road trip adventures, especially to other exciting destinations on the East Coast.
There are tons of great opportunities for every type of traveler. From nature lovers, beach lovers, history lovers, those with young kids, and more, you’re sure to find a destination that excites you.
We’ve done many of these road trips ourselves, but we asked our friend Lola for some extra help. She’s an expert on East Coast travel, especially the DMV area.
Amazing Road Trips from Philadelphia
Gettysburg and Michaux State Forest, PA
They are both located about 3 hours away from Philadelphia and make a good day trip experience, especially for adults. You can learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War.
The museum houses a huge collection of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and displays that help visitors get some insight into the Civil War and its impact on the nation.
Just adjacent to the battlefield is the home and farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. They provide insights into Eisenhower’s life and military career.
For some outdoor fun, visit Michaux State Forest. It is located not too far from Gettysburg and features several hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy walks to challenging hikes. The Appalachian Trail travels through Michaux, and the midpoint of the trail can be found nearby in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Washington DC
About 3 hours from Philadelphia, DC makes a great road trip opportunity for everyone. DC is known for its monuments and iconic landmarks.
One of the most popular places to explore is the National Mall which is an open area with a lot of iconic monuments and museums. Some of the landmarks include the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and World War II Memorial, although there are many more.
The National Mall is also home to several Smithsonian museums, like the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History.
The Smithsonian museums are great to visit especially if you are looking for free or budget-friendly options. Entrance to most of these museums is free. Some museums, although free, require advanced reservations so be sure to check well ahead of time.
Besides the National Mall, explore the White House, which offers public tours. Although the tours require advance booking and can be hard to come by, you can still view the exterior of the White House and the South Lawn if you don’t secure a ticket.
Washington DC is a beautiful city with lots of things to explore even at night time. You can watch the sunset from the Washington Monument, ride the capital wheel, take evening tours, or catch a sporting event. The options are nearly endless!
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore is an amazing stop on a road trip from Philadelphia. There is so much to do for kids, families, and friends. One of the most popular places to visit in Baltimore is the Inner Harbor. It is a tourist destination and is a great way to experience the city’s rich history, culture, and waterfront charm.
You can check out the National Aquarium, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Inner Harbor. It houses a diverse range of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, and tropical fish. The aquarium even offers an immersive experience for visitors. Be sure to check out the times for the dolphin show. It’s worth the wait!
If you are traveling with kids, it’s important to note that strollers are not allowed inside the building. There is a space to park strollers before beginning the tour.
The Maryland Science Center, located on the southern side of the Inner Harbor, is another family-friendly destination with interactive exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium. It’s a great place for hands-on learning and entertainment and is one of the best things to do in Baltimore with kids.
If you have a couple of days here, explore the historic ships at the Inner Harbor, including the USS Constellation, USS Torsk, and the USCGC Taney. These vessels offer some learning opportunities about maritime history.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
You might know Hershey, PA because of the Hershey Chocolate Company. It is about 2 hours from Philadelphia. Located here is Hershey Park, a major attraction, featuring roller coasters, water rides, family-friendly attractions, and some live entertainment.
Especially if you have kids, this getaway is sure to be a hit with them.
Another great location in Hershey is ZooAmerica which is located adjacent to Hersheypark. It is a wildlife park that offers a close-up look at over 200 animals native to the North American continent.
After a day of thrilling adventure at Hershey Park, spend some time relaxing at the Hershey Gardens. It is such a beautiful botanical garden and offers a relaxing and calm environment, perfect for decompressing after a busy day at the amusement park. The garden also has a Butterfly Atrium where you can stroll among hundreds of butterflies.
If you are just looking for hiking opportunities, you can explore the region through hiking trails.
Ocean City, MD
Ocean City, MD is one of the most popular tourist places to visit on the East Coast, especially during the summertime. It is about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Philadelphia.
The iconic boardwalk is about 3 miles long and is lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions.
For seafood lovers, there are a lot of seafood restaurants in OCMD to suit your cravings!
If you visit with kids, there is a lot for them to explore. Visit the Jolly Roger Amusement Park for classic rides, try out some mini-golf, or enjoy water activities. Trimper’s Rides and Amusements is another historic amusement park on the boardwalk for kids and families.
Ocean City, MD has a lot of opportunities to engage in watersports like jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. You do not need to have your own equipment, as you can rent equipment from local shops.
Ocean City is a perfect beach vacation from Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is about 5 hours and 30 minutes from Philadelphia. Check out the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, especially if you have family or friends who love history.
The art museum features a diverse collection of European and American paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and contemporary works from notable artists like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, and more.
The Natural History Museum houses exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, and gems from around the world.
If museums are not your thing, you can visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which is a great place to relax and connect with nature. It’s beautiful year-round. There are also over a dozen state parks near Pittsburgh where you can enjoy the outdoors.
If you happen to be in town in June, check out the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Festival, featuring live performances, art installations, and a lot of creative works.
New York, NY
New York is not left out in all the fun. It is a very popular state and for good reason.
One top thing to do here is check out Times Square. It is a spot full of vibrant energy, entertainment, shops, and flashing billboards.
If you have some time, catch a Broadway show in the Theater District. There are lots of great world-class theater productions you can enjoy with your family. We loved seeing both Lion King and Aladdin.
If you have more time in NYC, take a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You can explore the museums and learn about the history of immigration to the United States. Get a ticket to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty. There are a lot of tight, spiral stairs, but the views are awesome!
Finally, if you would rather take in the beautiful view of NYC from Manhattan, you can visit the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center, which is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
There are so many things to do in NYC that we couldn’t possibly list them all!
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis is a nice charming town in Maryland known for its maritime heritage. It does not lag behind when it comes to fun things to do while on a road trip from Philadelphia.
One of the must-visit places to check out is the United States Naval Academy. It is a prestigious institution with beautiful architecture. You can take a guided tour of the campus.
You can also visit the Maryland State House, which is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use.
Annapolis is full of many restaurants, especially for brunch. A few great ones include Miss Shirleys, Boatyard Bar and Grill, and Iron Rooster. They usually have long wait times on weekends, so plan accordingly.
The Poconos, Pennsylvania
About an hour and a half from Philadelphia, the Pocono Mountains, often known as “the Poconos” is a great outdoor experience. There are lots of hiking trails, especially in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which has lots of beautiful views.
A sight you have to see is the Bushkill Falls. Known as the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” it has eight waterfalls hidden around. Of course, it’s not as huge as Niagara Falls, but if you can’t make it to Niagara Falls, this is a great alternative. There is an entrance fee to visit the Bushkill Falls area.
We also loved Raymondskill Falls and Dingmans Falls. Both are accessed via short hikes, but there are some stairs to navigate.
You can also enjoy water activities on lakes such as Lake Wallenpaupack which provides opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and jet skiing.
If you head to the Poconos in the wintertime, there are lots of ski resorts like Camelback Mountain Resort, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, and more which offer skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Jack Frost Big Boulder is another great snow tubing location, and one of the closer ones to DC.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Located about an hour and 20 minutes from Philadelphia is Atlantic City in New Jersey. It is the place to go, especially for family road trips. It is a popular tourist attraction known for its boardwalk, casinos, entertainment, and seaside attractions.
The boardwalk has lots of shops, restaurants, and amusements. You can also simply relax on the beach, especially during summertime, swim, or enjoy some water sports.
The aquarium is a popular spot as well with tons of marine life and exhibits on local marine species, such as sharks, turtles, and more.
In the winter months, Atlantic City has recently opened the Island Waterpark at Showboat, which is an indoor waterpark with several slides, swimming pools, shops, and restaurants.
The Showboat Resort hotel where it’s located has a huge amount of arcade games, bumper cars, and more if you choose to reserve a stay with them.
Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia is about 4 hours away from Philadelphia.
While on a road trip here, there are lots of opportunities for history, culture, and outdoor activities.
Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to experience a diverse collection of artworks from around the world and from various time periods and styles.
If you are doing a road trip with kids, visit the Children’s Museum of Richmond. It contains interactive exhibits, art activities, and imaginative play areas. Inside the museum, there is a carousel for kids to ride on while enjoying a bunch of imaginative areas.
Next to the Children’s Museum is the Science Museum of Virginia where your kids can engage in interactive exhibits, watch live science demonstrations, and do a ton of hands-on activities.
Since Richmond is known for its culinary scene, it is also worth taking a food tour to enjoy some of the local cuisine.
Williamsburg, Virginia
If you are looking for a colonial town getaway, then Williamsburg, VA is about 5 hours away and will make a great road trip.
Visit the Governor’s Palace and learn about the lives of Virginia’s colonial governors. There is a short tour, which lasts about 30 minutes but is very informative. Make sure you go inside, tour the outside, and explore the storage cellars.
For kids and adventure lovers, Busch Gardens is an amusement park with lots of roller coasters, live entertainment, and themed attractions.
Also located here is Water Country USA, a water park with a variety of water slides, lazy rivers, and family-friendly attractions.
Adults might enjoy a stop at Williamsburg Winery which is a nice hidden gem with opportunities to take some photos in the beautiful vineyard. The staff usually gives some information on the winemaking process before the wine tasting and then afterward, they give you a wine glass to take home for free.
Boston, MA
Although it is located about 6 hours from Philadelphia, it’s still worth the road trip.
A top highlight is the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile-long trail that guides you through about 16 historically significant sites, including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s House, and the Old North Church.
You can check out the Boston Common, which is the oldest public park in the United States, and then stroll through the adjacent Public Garden, famous for its Swan Boats and colorful flowerbeds.
For outdoor activities, take a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands to go hiking, enjoy a picnic, and explore the historic sites.
Conclusion on Road Trips from Philadelphia
As you can see, road trips from Philadelphia can be adventure-filled with unique experiences. Each of these destinations offers its own history, culture, cuisine, and adventures.
No matter what type of traveler you are, you are bound to find the perfect Philadelphia road trip.
