Although we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, there are ways to still enjoy the Delaware Valley for a short-term getaway whilst being safe and being mindful of restrictions. In fact, one of the great things about living where we live is that there are so many historical sites and destinations within a three-hour drive from the city we love so dearly.
Now that the leaves are changing, there are quite a few places in our area where you can go for a relaxing, cozy weekend trip. Wanna know some places we’d recommend you check out for a safe, socially distanced vacation in the fall?
PHILADELPHIA:
Take a day trip or spend a weekend in the city of brotherly love! As the leaves begin to fall from the trees and cover the cobblestone streets, take a stroll with a nice hot cup of a seasonal drink or La Colombe coffee and a Philly pretzel on your way to get a Philly cheesesteak wiz wit. Don’t forget your mask, though! You can read some of our Philadelphia-related posts here.
MEDIA:
Media, PA is a great place to go if you’re looking for a small town to explore outside of the city. Take a walk along the main street and grab a cup of coffee from one of the local shops along the way. There’s plenty of places to stay in the area and would make for a nice relaxing weekend if you are able to go.
THE DELAWARE WATER GAP:
The Delaware Water Gap is one of our favorite places to drive along during the fall. Can you imagine how beautiful it would be to wake up to the view of the Delaware River Gap outside of your window? Well, there are quite a few places along the Delaware River Gap where you can stay for a nice, socially distanced weekend inside.
NEW HOPE:
One of the towns along the water gap is the beautiful, quaint town of New Hope, PA. During the winter and the fall, the scenery is picturesque and worth a weekend stay. Take a socially distanced stroll along the bridge, grab a coffee at one of the shops along the main stretch, or grab some mulled wine to-go from the wine distribution place that features wine from a nearby winery.
WEST CHESTER:
West Chester is another town located a little bit outside of Philadelphia. Located in Chester County, it’s main street close to their college campus named after it, is lined with restaurants, coffee shops, and stores you can browse, safely and masked up. One of our favorite things to do while there is to take a stroll along the street with a cup of coffee in one hand as we point out some of the quirky store signs in the window.
WILMINGTON:
Wilmington is a small city in Delaware, but it packs a punch! Located in the first state, you can stay at one of the historic hotels in the region, while exploring downtown. You can stay inside of your hotel and order out, or venture into some of the places that have outdoor dining if you feel safe doing so. If that’s not enough, you can venture onto the grounds of some of the historic mansions in the area such as Winterthur or Nemours, and taking photographs of the various flowers you spot there. Oh, and you’ve GOT to get coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops, BrewHaha while there. You can read our Delaware posts here.
NEW CASTLE:
New Castle, particularly Old New Castle is a great place to visit to get nice views of the Delaware River. It’s one of our favorite places to go to take strolls with a cup of coffee after dining at Nora Lee’s (which has THE BEST New Orleans style food in DE in my opinion). During the fall, it’s even more scenic as you walk through the park or the cobblestoned streets. Take note of any restrictions if you go, but there are quite a few inns you can stay in nearby, safely for a nice getaway inside.
GREENVILLE:
Greenville, DE is more than just the home to Joe and Jill Biden. It’s a pretty affluent area where there are shops galore for a nice getaway full of retail therapy. If shopping isn’t your thing, there’s a new scenic drive you can take where you can pass some of the gated communities and mansions that exist along it.
CHESAPEAKE CITY:
Chesapeake City is located along the Delaware River and it’s a pretty cool place to visit! There are buildings in the area that although have been renovated, have the same historic charm it once had. There are bookstores you can browse while following guidelines and outdoor spaces you can walk to enjoy the fall foliage while social distancing.
CONOWINGO:
One of the coolest sights to see in Conowingo is the Conowingo Dam. It’s one of the few dams in the area that you can drive over and awards some pretty fascinating views. There’s also a few trails such as the Conowingo Park and Octoraro Creek Trail for a nice day outside and away from people.
VISIT ELK NECK:
Visit Elk Neck State Park for a weekend of camping or socially distanced hiking. You can either stay on a campground nearby or search to see what available AirBnbs or HomeAway are available for you to stay in. Spend the weekend when you’re not hiking, enjoying a nice evening in with takeout from a nearby restaurant.
LOGAN TOWNSHIP IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY:
If you’re hoping to do some winery hopping in the fall before they close, Logan Township has two in the vicinity you can go to! Be sure to check the websites for Salem Oak or Cedarville Winery to see what their restrictions are or if they’re offering takeout. If you’re uncomfortable dining in, you can get some wine to go and have a nice weekend at one of the local inns or hotels in the area.
BURLINGTON COUNTY:
Explore the historic Basto Village and take a stroll through the Pine Barrens. You can make it an entire day by bringing snacks, hiking gear, and talking a walk through the trails. Once you’re finished, treat yourself to a nice dinner back at the room or out if you feel comfortable doing so while minding the restrictions.
There are plenty more where that came from, but these are some of the experiences we’d recommend you partake in during the fall season. Whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend indoors or you’re hoping to get involved in some outdoor activities, you can do something safely and socially distanced.
We’d love to hear from you! What are some areas you’d recommend near you?
