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  • The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

    The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

    Happy Friday! Below are some of our favorite things to do in the Philadelphia area this weekend. We put out new Philly weekend plans for you every week, so you’ll always have something to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    You can always find our favorite activities of the weekend at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

    Blobfest

    (Community) This three day festival dedicated to the iconic film The Blob is like nothing you’ve experienced before. Head to Phoenixville to experience movie scene recreations, stage shows, competitions and more. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed to impress. Tickets are required, so grab yours in advance.

    ⌚️ July 10-12, 📍227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, Pa, 19460, 🌐 thecolonialtheatre.com 💵 $15-45

    Blueberry Festival

    (Community) Blueberry season is officially in full swing. Celebrate one of summer’s favorite fruits with berry picking, magic shows, a pie eating contest, delicious treats and so much more. Tickets are not required to attend the festival but are required for berry picking.

    ⌚️July 11, 8a.m. – 6p.m., 📍 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 www.linvilla.com, 💵 $11

    Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

    (Community) The Ben Franklin Bridge has connected millions of people across the Delaware River for a century. Join in the celebration of the impact of this iconic bridge with live music, food trucks, performances, carnival rides and so much more. This event is perfect for the entire family to enjoy.

    ⌚️July 11, 10a.m. – 2p.m., 📍 Benjamin Franklin Bridge Plaza, Camden, NJ 08102, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

    Free People Summer Social

    (Community) Grab a friend or two and head to this celebration of all things summer, hosted by Free People. Guests will get to enjoy tasty food trucks, lawn games, live a movie screening, free goodies and more. Children 15 and under get free admission.

    ⌚️July 11, 5-9p.m., 📍1 Crescent Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19112, 🌐 freepeoplesummersocial.splashthat.com/, : $5

    IRIS Music Festival

    (Music) This festival features some of Philadelphia’s best woman and femme-identifying artists, artisans and vendors. Enjoy live music performances, delicious food served up from local food trucks, shop local vendors and more. Performances include Poster Girl, DJ Queen Yaszy, BLCKCHLD and more.

    ⌚️July 12, 12:30-8p.m., 📍500 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19123, 🌐 events.ticketleap.com/, 💵 $31.60

    The Sound of America

    (Theater) Have you ever imagined a world where Ben Franklin became the nation’s first rock star? Jump into a world where that very thing is true in this rock musical rooted in American history. Each ticket includes a 45-minute walking tour led by Ben Franklin himself.

    ⌚️July 1- Aug. 1, 📍140 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 soundofamericamusical.com/, 💵 $76

    Philadelphia African Restaurant Week

    (Community) Celebrate the best of Philadelphia African, African American and Caribbean food scene. Enjoy amazing restaurants, discounted menus at participating businesses, prizes for sharing your bites and so much more.

    ⌚️July 2-12, 📍Various locations, 🌐 africanrestaurantweek.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Workshop of the World Exhibition

    (Community) The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition to showcase the region’s historic arts and crafts works, in honor of its 150th anniversary. The exhibit features 250 objects from ceramics and furniture to textiles and stained glass, that tell the story of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition.

    ⌚️July 5 – October 18, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org/, 💵 Free with museum admission

    FIFA Fan Festival

    (Community) Can’t get enough of the World Cup Buzz taking over the city? Don’t miss out on Fan Fest, a visitor experience unlike any others. On match days, come enjoy watch parties, great food and amazing activations. And on non-match days, will offer ticketed concerts.

    ⌚️Through July 19, 📍1 Lemon Hill Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 phillyfwc26.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

    (Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated lantern festival is returning and bringing the magic. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with dozens of detailed hand-crafted lanterns. You’ll even spot soccer themed displays honoring the countries coming to Philly for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

    ⌚️June 5- Aug. 16, 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16-32

    Roots of Resilience: The 2026 DRWC Flag Exhibition

    (Community) This exhibit celebrates Philadelphia’s rich immigrant history through bold flags designed by artists from around the world. The designs will be displayed all summer long at Spruce Street Harbor Park in honor of all of the people who have made Philly their home.

    ⌚️May 22 – Sept. 7, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com/, 💵 Free

    The best events for kids in Philly

    Blueberry Festival

    (Seasonal) At Linvilla Orchards in Delaware County, summer’s favorite berry gets the spotlight with pie-eating contests, live entertainment, blueberry treats, and pick-your-own fields. Save room for lemon-blueberry whoopie pies, ice cream topped with blueberry compote, and plenty of fresh-picked fruit. All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., rain date: July 12, 📍137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa. 19063, 🌐 linvilla.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

    (Community) Celebrate the centennial of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge by walking across the iconic span—closed to vehicle traffic for the occasion—to a festival in Camden. Prefer to skip the trek? You can always ride PATCO and join the festivities there. Ages 6 and up.

    ⌚ July 11, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 📍Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, and Camden, N.J. 08102, 🌐 drpa.org, 💵 Free

    Celebrate Mantua Day

    (Community) Miles Mack Playground in West Philadelphia comes alive with dance performances, lessons, drill teams, line dancing, PHILADANCO, food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and plenty of neighborhood pride during this all-day festival organized by DANCE IQUAIL! All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., 📍3601 Aspen St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 danceiquail.org, 💵 Free

    “Dragons Love Tacos”

    (Theater) The Players Club of Swarthmore brings the beloved children’s book to the stage, following a boy, his dog, and a taco-loving crew of dragons in a delightfully silly adventure that’s sure to entertain young audiences. Ages 3–10.

    ⌚ July 11–12 and July 18–19, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., 📍614 Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, Pa. 19081, 🌐 pcstheater.org, 💵 $10–$15

    Philly Phlotilla

    (Community) Watch—or join—more than 100 patriotic paddlers as they kayak from the Schuylkill River to Fort Mifflin. The celebration continues on land with tours, snacks, and historic cannon firings at one of Philadelphia’s oldest military sites. All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 1–7 p.m., 📍6400 Hog Island Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19153, 🌐 schuylkillriver.org, 💵 $10–$16

    RiverFest

    (Seasonal / community) At Glen Foerd on the Delaware, families can paddle canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, try archery, explore hands-on nature activities, watch sailboat races, and grab lunch from food trucks during this annual waterfront celebration. All ages.

    ⌚ July 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; rain date July 26, 📍5001 Grant Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19114, 🌐 glenfoerd.org, 💵 Free

    PrismaPhonik

    (Art / free) Spruce Street Harbor Park’s newest attraction is part art installation, part playground. Visitors wander through a maze that responds to movement with changing lights and music, creating an immersive, hands-on experience along the Delaware River waterfront. All ages.

    ⌚ June 26–Aug. 17, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free

    Chinese Lantern Festival

    (Culture) At Franklin Square on the edge of Chinatown, giant illuminated sculptures, live acrobatic performances, food vendors, and countless photo opportunities return for another summer of after-dark magic. All ages.

    ⌚ June 5–Aug. 16, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$32

    Spruce Street Harbor Park Opens

    (Seasonal / free) The Delaware River waterfront favorite is back with hammocks, oversized games, ice cream, and a few new additions this year, including swan boats, “glow” boats, and Sunday family fun days throughout the season. All ages.

    ⌚ May 22–September, dates TBA, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    Summerfest

    (Seasonal / free) Just north along the Delaware River Waterfront, Summerfest reopens with roller skating, mini golf, carnival rides, games, and indoor space to cool off once summer humidity fully kicks in. All ages.

    ⌚ May 22–Sept. 7, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    El Mercado Cultural

    (Community / free) At Cherry Street Pier along the Delaware River, this three-part market series — in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial — highlights Latino makers with food, music, art, and plenty to browse and buy. All ages.

    ⌚ April 18, May 30, July 11, noon–5 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    Parks on Tap

    (Community / free) The city’s roaming beer garden is back, offering drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around all summer long. All ages. Visit Parks on Tap’s website to find the location each week.

    ⌚ Though October 11, Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry

    “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition”

    (Movie-making) The Franklin Institute hosts a world premiere exhibit that turns movie magic into hands-on discovery, with behind-the-scenes looks at Universal’s biggest franchises — from Minions and Jurassic World to dragons, monsters, Mario, and Luigi — via immersive sets and interactive displays. Ages 5 and up.

    ⌚ Feb. 14–Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. plus extended hours, 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $25–$65

  • The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

    The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

    Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: From upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.

    You can always find our favorite activities of the week at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

    Yoga on the River

    (Community) Add a moment of calm and zen into your weekly schedule with some riverside yoga. All ages and abilities are encouraged to come, and no prior yoga experience is needed. The class is free, but donations are appreciated and make future programming possible.

    ⌚️July 7, 6-7p.m., 📍7801 State Rd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19136, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $0-10 donation

    The City Spoon Supper Club

    (Community) Looking for a chill meet up over a delicious meal? This supper club brings guests together to try amazing local restaurants and foster genuine connection. Enjoy an incredible 3-course Italian meal, complimentary welcome drink, and great conversation with other food lovers.

    ⌚️July 8, 7-9p.m., 📍1915 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $72

    Summer Candle Making Workshop

    (Community) Capture the sweet smells of summer at this cozy candle making class. You’ll get all of the materials you need to create a custom scented candle, and be led by an experienced instructor through the process. Get ready to impress all of your friends and family with this one-of-a-kind candle and fragrance.

    ⌚️July 9, 7-9p.m., 📍2840 Pine Rd., Huntingdon Valley, Pa, 19006, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $45

    Blobfest

    (Community) This three day festival dedicated to the iconic film The Blob is like nothing you’ve experienced before. Head to Phoenixville to experience movie scene recreations, stage shows, competitions and more. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed to impress. Tickets are required, so grab yours in advance.

    ⌚️ July 10-12, 📍227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, Pa, 19460, 🌐 thecolonialtheatre.com 💵 $15-45

    Blueberry Festival

    (Community) Blueberry season is officially in full swing. Celebrate one of summer’s favorite fruits with berry picking, magic shows, a pie eating contest, delicious treats and so much more. Tickets are not required to attend the festival but are required for berry picking.

    ⌚️July 11, 8a.m. – 6p.m., 📍 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 www.linvilla.com, 💵 $11

    Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

    (Community) The Ben Franklin Bridge has connected millions of people across the Delaware River for a century. Join in the celebration of the impact of this iconic bridge with live music, food trucks, performances, carnival rides and so much more. This event is perfect for the entire family to enjoy.

    ⌚️July 11, 10a.m. – 2p.m., 📍 Benjamin Franklin Bridge Plaza, Camden, NJ 08102, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

    Free People Summer Social

    (Community) Grab a friend or two and head to this celebration of all things summer, hosted by Free People. Guests will get to enjoy tasty food trucks, lawn games, live a movie screening, free goodies and more. Children 15 and under get free admission.

    ⌚️July 11, 5-9p.m., 📍1 Crescent Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19112, 🌐 freepeoplesummersocial.splashthat.com/, : $5

    IRIS Music Festival

    (Music) This festival features some of Philadelphia’s best woman and femme-identifying artists, artisans and vendors. Enjoy live music performances, delicious food served up from local food trucks, shop local vendors and more. Performances include Poster Girl, DJ Queen Yaszy, BLCKCHLD and more.

    ⌚️July 12, 12:30-8p.m., 📍500 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19123, 🌐 events.ticketleap.com/, 💵 $31.60

    The Sound of America

    (Theater) Have you ever imagined a world where Ben Franklin became the nation’s first rock star? Jump into a world where that very thing is true in this rock musical rooted in American history. Each ticket includes a 45-minute walking tour led by Ben Franklin himself.

    ⌚️July 1- Aug. 1, 📍140 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 soundofamericamusical.com/, 💵 $76

    Philadelphia African Restaurant Week

    (Community) Celebrate the best of Philadelphia African, African American and Caribbean food scene. Enjoy amazing restaurants, discounted menus at participating businesses, prizes for sharing your bites and so much more.

    ⌚️July 2-12, 📍Various locations, 🌐 africanrestaurantweek.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Workshop of the World Exhibition

    (Community) The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition to showcase the region’s historic arts and crafts works, in honor of its 150th anniversary. The exhibit features 250 objects from ceramics and furniture to textiles and stained glass, that tell the story of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition.

    ⌚️July 5 – October 18, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org/, 💵 Free with museum admission

    FIFA Fan Festival

    (Community) Can’t get enough of the World Cup Buzz taking over the city? Don’t miss out on Fan Fest, a visitor experience unlike any others. On match days, come enjoy watch parties, great food and amazing activations. And on non-match days, will offer ticketed concerts.

    ⌚️Through July 19, 📍1 Lemon Hill Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 phillyfwc26.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

    (Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated lantern festival is returning and bringing the magic. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with dozens of detailed hand-crafted lanterns. You’ll even spot soccer themed displays honoring the countries coming to Philly for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

    ⌚️June 5- Aug. 16, 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16-32

    Roots of Resilience: The 2026 DRWC Flag Exhibition

    (Community) This exhibit celebrates Philadelphia’s rich immigrant history through bold flags designed by artists from around the world. The designs will be displayed all summer long at Spruce Street Harbor Park in honor of all of the people who have made Philly their home.

    ⌚️May 22 – Sept. 7, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com/, 💵 Free

    The best events for kids in Philly

    Blueberry Festival

    (Seasonal) At Linvilla Orchards in Delaware County, summer’s favorite berry gets the spotlight with pie-eating contests, live entertainment, blueberry treats, and pick-your-own fields. Save room for lemon-blueberry whoopie pies, ice cream topped with blueberry compote, and plenty of fresh-picked fruit. All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., rain date: July 12, 📍137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa. 19063, 🌐 linvilla.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

    (Community) Celebrate the centennial of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge by walking across the iconic span—closed to vehicle traffic for the occasion—to a festival in Camden. Prefer to skip the trek? You can always ride PATCO and join the festivities there. Ages 6 and up.

    ⌚ July 11, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 📍Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, and Camden, N.J. 08102, 🌐 drpa.org, 💵 Free

    Celebrate Mantua Day

    (Community) Miles Mack Playground in West Philadelphia comes alive with dance performances, lessons, drill teams, line dancing, PHILADANCO, food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and plenty of neighborhood pride during this all-day festival organized by DANCE IQUAIL! All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., 📍3601 Aspen St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 danceiquail.org, 💵 Free

    “Dragons Love Tacos”

    (Theater) The Players Club of Swarthmore brings the beloved children’s book to the stage, following a boy, his dog, and a taco-loving crew of dragons in a delightfully silly adventure that’s sure to entertain young audiences. Ages 3–10.

    ⌚ July 11–12 and July 18–19, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., 📍614 Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, Pa. 19081, 🌐 pcstheater.org, 💵 $10–$15

    Philly Phlotilla

    (Community) Watch—or join—more than 100 patriotic paddlers as they kayak from the Schuylkill River to Fort Mifflin. The celebration continues on land with tours, snacks, and historic cannon firings at one of Philadelphia’s oldest military sites. All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 1–7 p.m., 📍6400 Hog Island Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19153, 🌐 schuylkillriver.org, 💵 $10–$16

    RiverFest

    (Seasonal / community) At Glen Foerd on the Delaware, families can paddle canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, try archery, explore hands-on nature activities, watch sailboat races, and grab lunch from food trucks during this annual waterfront celebration. All ages.

    ⌚ July 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; rain date July 26, 📍5001 Grant Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19114, 🌐 glenfoerd.org, 💵 Free

    PrismaPhonik

    (Art / free) Spruce Street Harbor Park’s newest attraction is part art installation, part playground. Visitors wander through a maze that responds to movement with changing lights and music, creating an immersive, hands-on experience along the Delaware River waterfront. All ages.

    ⌚ June 26–Aug. 17, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free

    Chinese Lantern Festival

    (Culture) At Franklin Square on the edge of Chinatown, giant illuminated sculptures, live acrobatic performances, food vendors, and countless photo opportunities return for another summer of after-dark magic. All ages.

    ⌚ June 5–Aug. 16, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$32

    Spruce Street Harbor Park

    (Seasonal / free) The Delaware River waterfront favorite is back with hammocks, oversized games, ice cream, and a few new additions this year, including swan boats, “glow” boats, and Sunday family fun days throughout the season. All ages.

    ⌚ May 22–September, dates TBA, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    Summerfest

    (Seasonal / free) Just north along the Delaware River Waterfront, Summerfest reopens with roller skating, mini golf, carnival rides, games, and indoor space to cool off once summer humidity fully kicks in. All ages.

    ⌚ May 22–Sept. 7, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    El Mercado Cultural

    (Community / free) At Cherry Street Pier along the Delaware River, this three-part market series — in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial — highlights Latino makers with food, music, art, and plenty to browse and buy. All ages.

    ⌚ April 18, May 30, July 11, noon–5 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    Parks on Tap

    (Community / free) The city’s roaming beer garden is back, offering drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around all summer long. All ages. Visit Parks on Tap’s website to find the location each week.

    ⌚ Though October 11, Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry

    “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition”

    (Movie-making) The Franklin Institute hosts a world premiere exhibit that turns movie magic into hands-on discovery, with behind-the-scenes looks at Universal’s biggest franchises — from Minions and Jurassic World to dragons, monsters, Mario, and Luigi — via immersive sets and interactive displays. Ages 5 and up.

    ⌚ Feb. 14–Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. plus extended hours, 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $25–$65

  • A summer weekend in Bethlehem | Field Trip

    A summer weekend in Bethlehem | Field Trip

    O little town of Bethlehem, how we see thee as just a place to visit during the holidays.

    It’s true that the former steel city, tucked between Allentown and Easton along the Lehigh River, leans into — and has built a whole tourism industry around — its Christmas-themed name and roots, but there’s much more to Bethlehem than carols and holly.

    The forest and river beckon in summer, and the city’s position along the Delaware and Lehigh Trail, which parallels the Lehigh Canal, puts visitors within easy access of both.

    There’s an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a grand historic hotel, a blueberry festival, even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And if you really, really need a dose of holiday spirit, Christmas in July is right around the corner.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Hotel Bethlehem

    Bethlehem’s main street (literally, Main Street) twists up from the Lehigh River and stretches like taffy into a long straightaway lined in shops and cafes. At the foot of this drag is Hotel Bethlehem, built atop the 1741 foundation of the First House of Bethlehem and later the 1823 Golden Eagle Hotel. It has operated as Hotel Bethlehem — through periods of both glamour and neglect — for more than a century. Today, its crimson neon sign glows above the brick facade, while its rooms blend industrial touches with classic historic design. Across the street, a collection of modern suites houses the hotel’s spa. The property has been named the nation’s best historic hotel by USA Today, for five years running.

    📍 437 Main St., Bethlehem, Pa. 18018

    Eat: Cafe the Lodge

    Cross the river to the South Side Historic District for breakfast — think vanilla-cinnamon French toast or loaded home fries bowls — or lunch, with options like a Cuban sandwich or cheddar-jalapeño burger. Cafe the Lodge is more than a charming cafe with a courtyard garden and art gallery. Since opening in 2012, it has provided transitional employment and housing opportunities for adults living with mental health diagnoses.

    📍 427 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem, Pa. 18015

    See: Moravian Church Settlements

    Long before the Protestant Reformation, the Moravians were establishing a religious movement in Central Europe. Fast-forward a few centuries, and the Moravian church established an American foothold in Bethlehem whose well-preserved 18th-century buildings, cemetery, and museum now form part of the only transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site in the U.S. (sister settlements in Ireland, Denmark, and Germany comprise the collective). The Moravian Church Settlements tour explores this fascinating history, whether you’re interested in religion or simply great storytelling.

    📍 66 W. Church St., Bethlehem, Pa. 18018

    Celebrate: Bethlehem Blueberry Festival

    You gotta love a small-town summer fruit festival, and Bethlehem goes all in on blueberries every July. The 39th annual Bethlehem Blueberry Festival returns to Burnside Plantation the weekend of July 18 with blueberry pie, ice cream, coffee cake, lemonade, doughnuts, strudel, and just about every other indigo-colored treat imaginable. There are also live musicians, blacksmithing demonstrations, baby-goat snuggling and, naturally, a pie-eating contest. Resist the urge to yell, “Violet, you’re turning violet, Violet.”

    📍 1461 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem, Pa. 18018

    Move: Historic Bethlehem River Tours

    There’s no need to decide between a paddle down the Lehigh River or bike along the Delaware and Lehigh Trail with Historic Bethlehem River Tours. Their Glendon Dam Discovery package, which launches from the Nagy’s Landing trailhead just east of downtown, pairs a peaceful two-mile downstream paddle with a six-mile bike ride to the dam’s overlook. It’s beginner-friendly and unguided, meaning you can go at your own pace, with HBRT providing all the equipment (and a shuttle back if you’re feeling lazy).

    📍 Wilson Avenue trailhead, Bethlehem, Pa. 18020

    Dine: Bolete

    Named after a wild mushroom, Bolete isn’t just one of Bethlehem’s best restaurants. It’s one of Pennsylvania’s best restaurants. Chef-owner Lee Chizmar serves an exactingly prepared, terroir-driven menu in a stone-walled former country inn dressed with maximalist wallpaper and antique lighting. Depending on the season, you might find smoked pork chop with cherries and shiitakes, or foie gras paired with funnel cake, blueberries, and Valley Milkhouse fromage blanc.

    📍 1740 Seidersville Rd., Bethlehem, Pa. 18015

    Indulge: The Bethlehem Dairy Store

    If a town has a historic ice cream stand, and it’s summer, you should proceed immediately there for dessert. Bethlehem’s is the Bethlehem Dairy Store, a low-slung diner with neon sundaes and hot dogs in the windows that’s giving Nifty Fiftys. But “The Cup,” as locals call it, far predates Nifty, opening way back in 1927. Hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, frozen yogurt, and sherbet comprise the roster of frosty treats, coming in flavors like dulce de leche, lemon cookie crunch, chocolate raspberry truffle, and mint Oreo.

    📍 1430 Linden St., Bethlehem, Pa. 18018

  • Waterfalls, wineries, and Ithaca: A Finger Lakes weekend getaway | Field Trip

    Waterfalls, wineries, and Ithaca: A Finger Lakes weekend getaway | Field Trip

    Eleven long, skinny bodies of water comprise New York’s Finger Lakes, a wine region and resort destination for two centuries. Collectively they cover a wide swath of northern New York, with the easternmost and westernmost lakes over 90 miles apart.

    Since it takes more than four hours to get here from Philly, this itinerary focuses on just one finger, Cayuga Lake, at the southern end of which sits the Ivy League town of Ithaca, home to Cornell University. The trip also detours to Seneca Lake next door for some exciting natural wines.

    Expect waterfalls, eagle-spotting, ice cream, and plenty of outdoors. Start the car.

    Stay: Inn at Gothic Eves

    Check into the Inn at Gothic Eves (10 out of 10, no notes on the dramatic name), located 15 minutes from downtown Ithaca on the western shore of Cayuga Lake. Divided between two buildings linked by a two-acre landscaped patio, the resort’s eight suites take their names from the lakes they sit between — Cayuga and Seneca — and various grape varietals and wine regions. There’s a cozy spa with rock-walled treatment rooms and two hot tubs, nightly s’mores by the firepit, and epic breakfasts with house-made jams and locally sourced bacon.

    📍 112 E. Main St., Trumansburg, N.Y. 14886

    Hike: Cascadilla Gorge Trail

    The barrier between downtown Ithaca and nature is barely there. The head of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail begins right off a residential neighborhood, tucked between a church and dentist’s office. This 1.3-mile trail, stewarded by Cornell since 1909, connects downtown with the university’s Botanical Gardens and travels through ancient bedrock ravines and past six waterfalls.

    📍 Cascadilla Gorge Trail, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

    Snack: Mama Said Hand Pies

    On Press Bay Alley, a pedestrian micro-mall built from a row of former storage units, Mama Said Hand Pies (another 10 out of 10 name) folds fillings like spiced peaches and Oaxaca cheese with mushrooms into flaky half-moon pastries. Drop in for a snack, and, if you’re lucky, some live music. As if you need another reason to like the place, a member of a recent bluegrass quintet can be seen on Mama’s Instagram performing in a Phillies shirt.

    📍 118 W. Green St., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

    Sip: Osmote

    About 30 minutes west of Ithaca, near the shores of Seneca Lake, a simple wooden pavilion overlooks the water. This is where Osmote hosts picturesque tastings of its low-intervention wines. Four pours cost just $20 and may include bottles like the fizzy Cayuga White pét-nat or Marquette, whose tasting notes include “crunchy blackberry” and “cherry Pop-Tart.” The wines are made with locally sourced grapes while Osmote’s own vineyards, planted in 2024, mature.

    📍 3879 Marcia Ln., Burdett, N.Y. 14818

    Paddle: Paddle-N-More

    On summer Saturday nights, about an hour before sunset, single and tandem kayaks launch from Myers Park, on the east shore of Cayuga Lake. Join the two-hour guided eco-themed trip by Paddle-N-More, a popular outfitter with locations all around the lake. They provide the gear and the expertise, you provide the manpower (not that much) to cruise along the lakeshore, spotting bald eagles and herons.

    📍 1 Lansing Park Rd., Lansing, N.Y. 14882

    Dine: Moosewood Restaurant

    A national pioneer of vegetarian cooking and the local-organic movement, Moosewood Restaurant opened in 1972 and, impressively, continues to this day. While the restaurant is no longer worker-owned — Danica Wilcox, daughter of one of the founding members, took over in 2022 — the ethos that earned Moosewood three James Beard Awards and inspired a shelf full of cookbooks remains intact. Order the New York cheeseboard, oyster mushroom scampi, and, for dessert, the famous fudge brownie that Wilcox’s mother once baked for the restaurant.

    📍 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

    Indulge: Cayuga Lake Creamery

    Conveniently situated in the same building as Moosewood, Cayuga Lake Creamery is how you should end an Ithaca evening. This location opened in 2020 — the flagship, dating to 2004, is further up the lake in Interlake — and gives Cornell’s famous Dairy Bar a run for its money. Twenty to 30 house-made flavors rotate through the case, including tiramisu, Seneca Salt Caramel, and dark cherry sorbet dosed with Finger Lakes merlot.

    📍 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

  • A perfect summer weekend on Seven Mile Island | Field Trip

    A perfect summer weekend on Seven Mile Island | Field Trip

    Yes, Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer, but there’s a pleasant lull down the Shore between then and when kids get out of school. These are the final moments to enjoy the excellent weather and relative serenity of the microseason, and Seven Mile Island — home to the bougie siblings of Stone Harbor and Avalon — has rolled out the white-sand carpet.

    These towns contain some of the most expensive real estate at the Jersey Shore, and in the height of the summer, staying anywhere nice is prohibitively expensive for anyone who is not on a Comcast C-suite salary or whose grandparents didn’t buy a house in 1975. This is another benefit of visiting before July 4. Rates are lower, reservations are easier, and the line at Springer’s is only slightly less insane.

    Start the car.

    Stay: ICONA Avalon

    Situated right in the center of Seven Mile, at the southern end of Avalon, beachfront ICONA has the location edge over the island’s other luxury hideout, the Reeds at Shelter Haven, which is convenient to Stone Harbor’s 96th Street shopping district. Both properties are expensive, but you can still find some lingering June rates under $400 a night. ICONA’s beach is beautiful and peaceful, with a breezy bar and lounge between the property and the shoreline, and Avalon Brew Pub is a popular canteen for locals and Shoobies alike.

    📍 7849 Dune Dr., Avalon, N.J. 08202

    Shop: Pete Smith’s Surf Shop

    The origins of Pete Smith’s Surf Shop lie in Virginia Beach, but the boutique has been part of the Jersey Shore for decades. The Stone Harbor location, spread across two storefronts, stocks men’s and women’s swimwear, woolly shackets for chilly nights, and enough Sun Bum for the entire summer. Pick up a branded T-shirt; Pete’s releases a new design every Christmas.

    📍 285 96th St., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Learn: The Wetlands Institute

    Whether you’re visiting the Shore with kids or simply marine-curious, the Wetlands Institute, located just before crossing the bridge into Stone Harbor, makes a perfect stop. Learn about the local terrapin turtles, pet a sea star in the touch tank, or walk along the marsh trail and elevated boardwalk for views of an integral Jersey ecosystem that most of us rarely see up close.

    📍 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Surf: Avalon Surf Camp

    Don’t be dissuaded by the multitude of kids on Avalon Surf Camp’s website. Their instructors teach wannabe surfers of all ages and experience levels through group and private lessons on 12th Street beach at the north end of Avalon. The camp provides everything you need: boards, wetsuits, and a working knowledge of the ocean’s mercurial temperament before ever getting in the water. With a little luck and a little wind, you’ll be up on a board by noon.

    📍 12th Street Beach, Avalon, N.J. 08202

    Relax: 7 Mile Island Massage

    Because surfing is a workout, and because you’re a good person who deserves nice things, book a treatment with 7 Mile Island Massage. This isn’t a spa but a mobile studio that comes to you. Owner and therapist Nik Pattantyus, who’s also a registered nurse and avid stand-up paddleboarder, will set up in your hotel suite, on the back porch of your rental house, or wherever else you happen to be staying. In addition to deep-tissue, reflexology, and other massage styles, he’s recently added manual lymphatic drainage to the menu.

    The fire wood grill cooking various meats at La Portena in Stone Harbor, N.J., on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

    Dine: La Porteña

    Lucas Manteca has been cooking down the Shore for two decades, and La Porteña, a few blocks from his Quahog’s seafood tavern, is his most personal project yet. The menu and family-style format draw from the chef’s Argentine heritage. Every table receives a spread of snacks and salads to share, including Manteca’s famous empanadas, followed by each diner’s choice of entrée: New York strip, short ribs, Iberico pork secreto, and more. At the time of this writing, dessert is dulce de leche rice pudding with compressed rhubarb. Make reservations.

    📍 9426 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Indulge: Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream

    The line stretching from the white-sided front porch of Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream down Third Avenue is legendary. You might run into your college lacrosse coach, the kids you babysat who are now disconcertingly grown and lifeguarding on 88th Street, or the local girl you spent that one magical summer with in 10th grade. Springer’s has been scooping since the early 1900s, and the nostalgia it inspires is as much a part of the appeal as flavors like banana fudge, the slightly salty butterscotch brickle, and Cookies in My Coffee, crushed Oreos veined through dark coffee ice cream. Worth the wait, always.

    📍 9420 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

  • Big pizza, skyline views, and waterfront strolls in Jersey City, N.J. | Field Trip

    Big pizza, skyline views, and waterfront strolls in Jersey City, N.J. | Field Trip

    Most Philadelphians’ experience with Jersey City begins and ends at the mouth of the Holland Tunnel on the way into Lower Manhattan. Except for those who know food.

    Jersey City is one of the state’s best towns for eating and drinking, supported by long-standing immigration and cross-river relocation from New York. Between meals, you’ll find a city that’s at turns gritty and lovely, neighborly and human-scale in a way that makes it feel, to Philadelphians, as warm and familiar as a Champion sweatsuit. (It also has a really nice waterfront from which we could learn a thing or two.)

    It’s only 90 miles and about 90 minutes away, depending on traffic. And if you must, you can easily pair it with a visit to New York.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Hyatt House Jersey City

    A hotel with a story to tell — whether it’s luxurious or eccentric or charming — is always ideal for a weekend getaway. But when corporate keys are what’s available, you can do much worse than Hyatt’s Hyatt House sub-brand. Jersey City’s Hyatt House is relatively new and reliably clean, with great beds, a rooftop deck, and a modicum of style. What more could you ask for? How about a skyline view? Upgraded rooms facing Manhattan are bookable in April for under $300.

    📍 1 Exchange Pl., Jersey City, N.J. 07302

    Snack: Bread and Salt

    “Bakery” is a limiting descriptor for what Rick Easton does at Bread and Salt on Palisade Avenue, opposite the Hoboken border. Sugared bomboloni, esoteric Italian cookies and crostadas, suppli, thin-crusted pizzas, cups of stewy beans begging for a heel of crusty bread, curly punatarelle salad, Lent-friendly fish specials on Fridays. It’s an inspiring operation. Get more than you think you need. Then get more to bring home.

    📍 435 Palisade Ave., Jersey City, N.J. 07307

    Stroll: Liberty State Park

    Hemmed in by the NJ Turnpike extension and the Hudson River, Liberty State Park encompasses 1,200 acres of greenspace (about half under ongoing revitalization) and miles of scenic waterfront trails perfect for spring strolling. Pause at the 9/11 Empty Sky Memorial. If you’re traveling with kids (or adult dinosaur fans), check out the immersive T. Rex Experience at Liberty Science Center, whose planetarium dome you’ve probably seen from the Turnpike driving home from New York.

    📍 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, N.J. 07305

    Visit: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

    Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are typically associated with New York, not New Jersey, but the sites actually fall under an unusual joint-custody arrangement. It’s also much less of a headache to visit from Jersey City; no downtown traffic to get through, way thinner crowds. The ferry departs right from the Liberty State Park and visits both islands in a single ticketed experience.

    📍 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, N.J. 07305

    Drink: San Patricios

    No one: You know what we really need in Jersey City? An Irish-Mexican cocktail bar. The acclaimed Dead Rabbit crew: Bienvenidos a San Patricios. Open last year, the cantina/pub celebrates the little-known 19th-century brotherhood between Ireland and Mexico. Stop in before dinner for something thematic: a palmona spiked with Irish moonshine, frozen horchata café con leche with Lost Irish Whiskey, or the Countess, a rum-and-Guinness hibiscus mule.

    📍 8 Erie St. A, Jersey City, N.J. 07302

    Dine: Razza

    At Razza, Dan Richer makes some of the best pizzas in the county, a mix of reliables (the fermented chile-flamed Calabrese; the yellow-and-red tomato pie dusted in 36-month-old Parm-Reg) and hyperseasonal creations like last spring’s mosaic of mozzarella, asparagus, nettles, spinach, and ramp pesto. Bread and butter might seem redundant when you’re having pizza for dinner, but you cannot miss the tawny, crusty sourdough, served with tangy house-cultured butter made from grass-fed Pennsylvania cows.

    📍 275 Grove St., Jersey City, N.J. 07302

    Indulge: Torico Ice Cream

    Family-owned and spanning three generations, Torico Ice Cream is the charming scoop shop every neighborhood wishes it had. Towering atop house-made waffle cones, you’ll find classics like chocolate-marshmallow, mint-chip, and a notably excellent strawberry, but Torico’s secret sauce is the tropical ice creams and sorbet like passionfruit, guava, and soursop that nod to the Berrios clan’s native Puerto Rico.

    📍 20 Erie St., Jersey City, N.J. 07302

  • Whiskey history, covered bridges, and mountain luxury in Bedford, Pa. | Field Trip

    Whiskey history, covered bridges, and mountain luxury in Bedford, Pa. | Field Trip

    In the 1790s, a coterie of Western Pennsylvanians rose up against a federal tax on whiskey. Unlike the Boston Tea Party, these protesters had representation in our young nation, but they still didn’t appreciate the taxation on the valuable product made from their excess grain. President George Washington rode in and staged a 13,000-strong militia outside Bedford — a settlement that had already played a vital role in the French and Indian War and was in its infancy as a tourism destination thanks to its salubrious mineral springs — and squashed what became known as the Whiskey Rebellion.

    For such a small town (less than 3,000 residents), Bedford casts an outsize historical shadow in Pennsylvania. Add one of America’s oldest luxury resorts still in operation, robust trout fishing, and pristine wilderness, and you’ve got an ideal spring road trip, about three and a half hours west of Philly.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa

    Bedford is a one-horse town when it comes to hotels, but that’s no diss on Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa. A bucolic compound of Greek Revival and Victorian buildings, this National Historic Landmark got its start in the late 1700s, when local doctor John Anderson bought the land and began building accommodations around its mineral-rich springs. (Thomas Jefferson was a fan.) Today, it’s a sprawling resort with more than 200 rooms, a botanical-inspired spa, two pools — the indoor one ranks among the oldest in the country — and grand lawns studded with firepits where families gather with s’mores and mountain pies.

    📍 2198 Sweet Root Rd., Bedford, Pa. 15522

    Fish: Yellow Creek

    Dozens of streams and creeks slice through the woods of Bedford County, making it a hugely popular fly-fishing spot in the spring. Yellow Creek, a trout-stocked limestone tributary of the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, runs 10 miles through Loysburg and Hopewell, just northeast of Bedford. If you’ve got your own gear, you can fish independently, but for more of a guided experience, book a tour with local outfitter Trout Yeah.

    📍Yellow Creek, Bedford County, Pa.

    Cross: Hall’s Mill Covered Bridge

    Historic covered bridges crisscross the waterways of Bedford, and you can visit nine of them in the county’s Covered Bridge Driving Tour. Not officially on the tour but near Yellow Creek, the circa-1884 Hall’s Mill Covered Bridge spans the water in a charming white-and-red Burr Truss design that looks like it could’ve taken out the Maitlands in Beetlejuice.

    📍 196 St. Paul’s Church Rd., Hopewell, Pa. 16650

    Explore: Coral Caverns

    Hundreds of millions of years ago, an inland sea covered this land. When the water receded, it left behind the Coral Caverns, a subterranean limestone labyrinth under the town of Manns Choice, just west of Bedford. The fossil-rich complex includes a little museum on the site’s history and artifacts uncovered in the cave. Tours are private and available by appointment only.

    📞 Call or text 814-977-9570 to book.

    📍 Coral Caverns Private Driveway, Manns Choice, Pa. 15550

    Visit: Fort Bedford Museum

    Opened in 1958 and modernized into an impressive institution between 2015 and 2025, the Fort Bedford Museum presents the history of the titular 1758 fortification (a key site in the French and Indian War), and offers context on the area of Bedford and beyond. A quick walk from the museum takes you to the actual footprints of the original fort, tucked between the historic Anderson House and the river.

    📍 110 Fort Bedford Dr., Bedford, Pa. 15522

    Drink: Whiskey River Pub

    Before dinner, cosplay a thirsty member of the Whiskey Rebellion at the Whiskey River Pub, a low-slung, family-owned tavern that sits right on the water. Locals and tourists sit on swiveling barstools at the long bar, and a mural of whiskey barrels covers one wall. There’s a pool table, live music, and a deep cocktail menu that includes the Whiskey Rebellion Smash, Smoked Old Fashioned, and Bedford Blackberry Whiskey Sour. For a snack, don’t miss the house-made potato chips covered in blue cheese and balsamic.

    📍 537 E. Pitt St., Bedford, Pa. 15522

    Dine: Horn O Plenty

    Horn O Plenty calls itself a “freshtaurant,” which would be incredibly concerning if this old-timey, log-and-stone cabin on the outskirts of downtown were not so dedicated to local sourcing and from-scratch cooking. Many of the menu’s items have a “house” in front of them: house-made sodas (Italian vanilla cream, orange rosemary), house-blended teas, house-fermented kimchi. The beef for the burgers and steaks is pasture-raised. The restaurant uses its own eggs, grows stone fruit, and forages for wild goodies.

    📍 220 Wolfsburg Rd., Bedford, PA 15522

  • Spring blossoms, biscuits, and Blue Ridge views in Charlottesville, Va. | Field Trip

    Spring blossoms, biscuits, and Blue Ridge views in Charlottesville, Va. | Field Trip

    Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is ready for spring. The season there comes a little earlier than ours — cherry blossoms popping, birds trilling — so those planning a March getaway should consider the Virginian city, where the weather is often mild enough to spend serious time outside. Rails and walking paths wind like shoelaces through downtown and into the surrounding countryside. As a university town, C’ville is also packed with arts, music, shopping, and dining, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate sits just on the outskirts of town, high on a hill.

    Get your history, get your biscuits. Start the car.

    Fuel: Oakhurst Cafe

    The first stop in town, Oakhurst Cafe, announces you’ve arrived in the South with a house-baked buttermilk biscuits layered with country ham, apple butter and mustard. There’s also strawberry shortcake French toast, sweet potato hash with chorizo and fresh-fried beignets, served in a sunny room whose generous windows make the tangerine walls and hardwood floors gleam.

    📍 1616 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, Va. 22903

    Stay: Graduate Charlottesville

    Charlottesville is a college town, with the University of Virginia’s idyllic and historic campus right downtown. Lean into it and stay at the Graduate, a newer property from the collegiate-themed brand under the Hilton umbrella. Opened in 2015, the hotel is still super fresh, with a game room, scenic rooftop, and rooms dressed in soothing blue walls, Cavalier-print curtains, and bolster pillows embroidered with “Wah-hoo-wa,” the university’s sports cheer.

    📍 1309 W. Main St., Charlottesville, Va. 22903

    Stroll: Downtown Mall

    A short walk from the Graduate, Charlottesville’s pedestrian Downtown Mall offers a solid orientation to the city’s commercial core. Visit shops like C’Ville Arts, a co-op gallery representing over 50 Virginia artists, or catch a show at the historic Paramount Theater, which opened in 1931, closed in 1974, and reopened after a $17-million restoration in 2004. When the biscuit craving returns, hit Miller’s Downtown for lunch. It’s famous for the Charlottesville Nasty chicken biscuit, but the pimento-cheese BLT is the actual move.

    📍 East Main Street, between Second Street NW and Ninth Street NE, Charlottesville, Va.

    Visit: Monticello

    Whether you think history is a snooze or can quote Hamilton from memory — “Thomas Jefferson’s coming home!”— Monticello is must-visit. Set on 2,500 bucolic acres, the estate features multiple exhibits inside, outside, and even beneath the mansion, with thoughtful attention paid to the enslaved people who worked Jefferson’s plantation, including Sally Hemings, with whom he fathered six children.

    📍 1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, Va. 22902

    Walk: Saunders-Monticello Trail

    Beyond the landscaped gardens of Monticello proper, the fairytale woods and meadows of the estate beg for exploring. The Saunders-Monticello Trail is an easy lift for all activity levels, with a maximum 5% incline and two miles of wheelchair-accessible paved paths and boardwalks winding through forest and over ravines. Stop at Carter Overlook for panoramic views of Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    📍 Parking: 503 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Charlottesville, Va. 22902

    Drink: Blenheim Vineyards

    Dave Matthews Band got its start in Charlottesville, gigging at Miller’s on the mall and other stages around town. Though the singer now lives in Seattle, he maintains a strong connection to Virginia. One touchpoint is his winery, Blenheim Vineyards, situated on 32 acres of rolling chartreuse hills stitched with sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and albarino vines. Giant windows in the wood-clad A-frame frame the landscape during guided tastings of five wines (just $25). Consider this your predinner drinks.

    📍 31 Blenheim Farm, Charlottesville, Va. 22902

    Dine: Smyrna

    Back downtown, Smyrna’s oysters with ramp mignonette, hamachi crudo with anise-compressed melon, and manti dumplings dabbed with garlic yogurt earned chef Tarik Sengul a semifinalist nod from the James Beard Foundation this year. You’ll have to wait till April to find out if he advances to the finalist round of the awards — making right now an ideal time to check this sharp Aegean restaurant out for yourself.

    📍 707 W. Main St., Charlottesville, Va. 22903

  • Industrial bones and big flavors in Easton, Pa. | Field Trip

    Industrial bones and big flavors in Easton, Pa. | Field Trip

    Nestled in the crook of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers, Easton’s manufacturing might was powered by its waterways during the Industrial Revolution in the early 20th century. Tanneries, flour and silk mills, distilleries, breweries — these were the big businesses in town.

    Now, those old industrial shells and the former mansions of tycoons house cafés and galleries, boutique hotels, and French-inspired markets.

    Easton sits just 90 minutes from Philly, making it an easy weekend getaway. Take the Turnpike north, hook a right at Allentown, and head toward the river.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Townley House Hotel

    In dining, shopping, and arts, Easton way overdelivers. Hotels are still catching up. Fortunately, the popular Gusto Hospitality Group (see Dine, below) opened the Townley House Hotel several years ago, and the 16-room boutique remains the best place to stay in town. An original mahogany staircase links the levels of this restored brick townhouse on Easton’s historic Millionaire’s Row. There’s a sun-dappled courtyard, Mercer-tiled fireplaces, maximalist wallpapers and custom headboards — a different one for each room.

    📍 130 N. 3rd St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Stroll: Karl Stirner Arts Trail

    Running nearly two miles along scenic Bushkill Creek to Lafayette College’s William Visual Arts Building, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail weaves through 27 works of public art. The trail is named for the German-born sculptor and metalsmith largely credited for making Easton an arts destination in the 1980s. You’ll find his untitled steel arch, painted an unmissable scarlet, about two-thirds of the way down the path.

    📍 Parking at 521 N. 13th St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Snack: Pie + Tart

    In this world, there are people who love pie, and then there are monsters. Don’t be a monster. On Northampton Street, Easton’s main drag, Pie + Tart is charming spot with exposed brick walls and Shaker-style chairs from bakers Lisa Yelagin and Anne Gerr. Savory pies (coq au vin) and sweet ones (Mexican chocolate chess, cherry cheesecake) rotate weekly, alongside soups, quiches, and other cozy blackboard specials.

    📍 349 Northampton St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Create: Crayola Experience

    If you’re bringing kids — or you simply have strong feelings about Burnt Sienna and Tickle-Me-Pink — meet the Crayola Experience. The king of crayons was born — and still manufactured — right here in Easton. The four-floor experience mixes analog crafts and digital diversions, including an 85-foot water table and a photo booth that generates a coloring-book selfie. Great opportunity to see what you’d look like as a Mango Tango redhead.

    📍 30 Centre Square, Easton, Pa. 18042

    Shop: Belleville Market

    Men’s shearling-lined shackets, watercolor paint-by-numbers journals, irreverent incense (“Chai-Scented Laziness,” “Burn Away the BS”), and more fill Belleville Market, a three-level department store inspired by the marketplaces the owners fell for in France. Keep an eye on their events page to see whether your Easton trip lines up with the shop’s happenings, like the upcoming Moka pot demonstration and tasting and floral-filled spring open house.

    📍 20 S. 3rd St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Drink: Kabinett

    We don’t need to tell you: The PLCB does not make sourcing great wine easy. Which makes Kabinett, a Bavarian-inspired refuge furnished with warm woods, wishbone chairs, and framed botanical prints all the more impressive. A grandly antlered stag skull presides over the bar. The Wine Spectator-recognized list ranges from whole-cluster Santa Barbara Sangiovese and South Australian Riesling from 175-year-old vines. It’s deep but playful, organized under headings like:“Reds ~ OK, Boomer. Safe Cabernet & oak space for full-throttle bottles.”

    📍 125 Northampton St., Easton, Pa. 18042

    Dine: Albanesi Restaurant & Bar

    Italian restaurants run by Albanians form their own industry sub-genre. At Albanesi Restaurant & Bar, Gusto Group’s Mick Gjevukaj, who grew up in the war-torn former Yugoslavia, is putting his heritage center stage with dishes like harissa-spiced rib-eye qofte (kofte), veal goulash, and braised lamb shoulder lacquered in pomegranate. Climb into one of the camel-colored clamshell banquettes, order some samuna bread and hummus swirled with ajvar, a Balkan condiment of roasted peppers and tomatoes, and settle in for culinary geography lesson. Who knew you’d learn it in Easton?

    📍 235 Ferry St., Easton, Pa. 18042

  • A snowy New England escape in Manchester, Vt. | Field Trip

    A snowy New England escape in Manchester, Vt. | Field Trip

    A tiny state, more than a third of which represents conserved land, Vermont has done things its own way since the colonial era. Its Green Mountain Boys militia once fended off land claims from New York and New Hampshire, and for a brief moment, Vermont even functioned as its own republic. That don’t-tread-on-me energy still lingers today, blended with a deep respect for the arts, outdoors, history, and small business. In southern Vermont, less than five hours from Philly, the village of Manchester is a microcosm of that personality. Slung between the Green Mountains, the glowing town looks like something straight out of a Hallmark movie — especially in winter, when snow this time of year is nearly guaranteed.

    Start the car.

    Stay: Kimpton Taconic

    Stone fireplaces, leather chairs, plaid wallpaper, draft-blocking drapes, a grand front porch … Kimpton Taconic hits the winter-in-New-England vibes hard. The 86-room boutique hotel sits right on Main Street, close to everything in town, and has a solid on-site tavern, the Copper Grouse (think cider-brined chicken and maple crème brulée). The hotel also offers seamless equipment rentals through a Ski Butlers partnership. Bookings also include two free adult tickets to Hildene.

    📍 3835 Main St., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    Visit: Hildene

    Just south of town, surrounded by woods and snow, Hildene was built at the turn of the 20th century by Mary and Robert Lincoln, the only son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Run as a museum nonprofit since 1978, the Georgian Revival estate, gardens, and 12 miles of trails are open to visitors, making it a must-stop whether you’re into history, architecture, design, or horticulture. Train buffs will love Sunbeam, the restored Pullman carriage from Robert Lincoln’s tenure as president of the Pullman Co. from 1897 to 1911.

    📍 1005 Hildene Rd., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    View: Southern Vermont Arts Center

    Take a short detour off Main Street into the forest and you’ll find Southern Vermont Arts Center. This estate includes classrooms, museum galleries, performance space, a yoga studio, and a café. Originally built in 1917 as a summer estate for an Ohio socialite and philanthropist, the property was acquired by the arts center in 1950. Grab a coffee at the café and walk — or snowshoe, or cross-country ski — through their epic sculpture park.

    📍 860 Southern Vermont Arts Center Dr., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    Shop: Northshire Bookstore

    Northshire Bookstore is almost a caricature of Vermont: a rambling country house riddled with cozy alcoves. Opened in 1976 and now run by three sisters who grew up shopping there, the store leans hard into its indie roots — staff bios list genre specialties and years of service. They’ve got the bestsellers, sure, but it’s their rare-books collection that’s really special. A signed Jimmy Carter autobiography, for example, or an alternatively illustrated British edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

    📍 4869 Main St., Manchester Center, Vt. 05255

    Ski: Bromley Mountain

    Located only 10 minutes from town, Bromley Mountain’s 47 trails represent a solid mix of expertise levels. If you’re skiing experience begins and ends with the Poconos, maybe start with a few runs on the family-friendly Chase-It trail before leveling up to the Lord’s Prayer, the Plunge, and Havoc.

    📍 124 Bromley Lodge Rd., Peru, Vt. 05152

    Relax: Spa at the Equinox

    After a day on the slopes, soothe those boot-bound feet and sore hammies at the Spa at the Equinox. Deep-tissue massage, Ayurveda treatments, cupping therapy, maple sugar scrubs — get one, get them all. You won’t want to leave the spa. It’s got cozy relaxation lounges, a huge indoor pool stretching out beneath an open-beam ceiling, and an outdoor hot tub perpetually cloaked in steam.

    📍 3567 Main St., Manchester, Vt. 05254

    Dine: The Reluctant Panther

    Points for the name alone. The Reluctant Panther, whose moniker nods to Vermont’s resistance to outside rule in the late 1700s, has been operating as a bed-and-breakfast since the 1960s — but its restaurant is open to the public. The food is exactly what you want to eat in the winter here: a Vermont cheese board, thick pork chops with German potato salad and smoked maple gastrique, venison osso buco, all served in a fireplace-warmed dining room. The wine list has earned Wine Spectator recognition four years straight. Meow.

    📍 39 West Rd., Manchester, Vt. 05254