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Top Weekend Getaways In The Philadelphia Area

No need to break the bank on airfare to enjoy some time away this summer. Enjoy a weekend getaway for just the two of you, or take the kids along, at one of the many summer-fun destinations within a three-hour drive of Philadelphia. Check out some of these options for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city...all you have to do is pack your bags and go!
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
202 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 547-1200
www.marriott.com

The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel is situated just across from the Inner Harbor and a short distance from many of Baltimore's major attractions. With a fitness center and family-friendly indoor pool, you'll be able to unwind no matter what the weather is outdoors. Baltimore is an ideal waterfront destination for a romantic getaway or family weekend adventure with its state-of-the-art aquarium, one of the city's most popular attractions. Catch a baseball game at Camden Yards and visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. Paddle around the Inner Harbor in a paddleboat or one of the many other small boats available for rent, and add to your weekend of fun with a visit to Port Discovery, the kid-powered children's museum, or the Baltimore Zoo.

Great Wolf Lodge Poconos
1 Great Wolf Drive
Scotrun, PA 18355
(570) 688-9899
www.greatwolf.com

Families will love this 79,000-square-foot indoor water park and its year-round water temperature of 84 degrees. The rides, slides, pools and lazy rivers make this destination a family favorite. From spray features and activity pools to wave pools and thrilling water slides, there are attractions for everyone in the family. When you're not splashing the day away, you'll enjoy shopping, fun dining options and plenty of entertainment options including an arcade, game room, mini golf and many other family activities. Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, Great Wolf Lodge offers hiking, antiquing, shopping, golf and whitewater rafting nearby.

The Hay-Adams
800 16th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 638-6600
www.hayadams.com

The Hay-Adams hotel, which overlooks the White House and Lafayette Square, offers two- and three-night family packages, as well as the option to create your own perfect package. A trip to Washington, D.C. offers enough activities to keep your family entertained for a month of weekends. In addition to the treasure trove of history and science at the Smithsonian, the FBI building and the U.S. Treasury are also great destinations. The landmark memorials and monuments of the mall are the perfect backdrop for photos, and the zoo is an experience in and of itself. And don't forget to take time to stop by the Capitol building or the White House!

Related: Ask The Expert: Top Ways To Prepare For A Spring Break Staycation In Philadelphia

The Hotel Hershey
100 Hotel Road
Hershey, PA 17033
(717) 533-2171
www.thehotelhershey.com

The Hotel Hershey offers something for everyone, from fun packages for the entire family to decadent spa or bed and breakfast experiences for singles and couples. Enjoy hiking, golf, family activities and programs, indoor and outdoor pool complexes and Segway tours. Love to skate? Try The Hotel Hershey's year-round, all-weather, synthetic skating facility. For the full Hershey experience, opt for one of the packages that includes famous Hershey attractions such as Hershey Gardens, the Hershey Museum and the sweetest of the bunch, Hersheypark theme park.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort
101 Doe Mountain Lane
Macungie, PA 18062
(866) 754-2822
www.bcmountainresort.com

Resort activities include hiking and mountain biking seven miles of trails through the wooded grounds surrounding this resort. If you'd rather pass your time on the water, enjoy paddling around the five-acre lake in a four-person paddle boat, a single or tandem kayak or -- for more adventurous spirits – a stand-up paddle board. Other activities include golf, disk golf and geocaching. Double the fun with a Dorney Deals Package, and enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast included and two days at Dorney Park, a theme park with over 100 rides and attractions, and Wildwater Kingdom water park.

Related: Top Places For Outdoor Winter Activities In Philadelphia

 Head to Philadelphia's Best Of pages for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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