There aren’t many places that are just 90 minutes away and that offer exhilarating white-water rafting excursions, adventurous-sounding (but actually quite easy) mountain-bike journeys down a gorge (the key word being down), scenic rides on a historic train, and a cute Main-Street-America shopping district with bars, restaurants, and eclectic boutiques and indie bookstores. Come to think of it: There’s only one! Read More »
We locals spill much ink over summertime escapes down the A.C. Expressway. But take a straight shot up 95, and you’ll see a very different New Jersey — one full of art, history, shopping and natural thrills. Revel in Revolutionary history at Princeton Battlefield State Park, pick your own berries at Terhune Orchards, or take a kayak tour at Mercer County Park. You’ll find shopping and dining in Palmer Square, just outside the eponymous university’s gates — favorites include Princeton Record Exchange, Small World Coffee, toy store JaZams, and farm-to-table Agricola. Read More »
Finally, we don’t have to drive out of the city to get to a good zip-line course. Treetop Quest is a cluster of soaring American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle courses linked by zip lines. They range from the Chick Pea route (up to age six) to more daring options that are 60 feet high. It’s never been more fun to get off the ground. Read More »
51 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA | 267-901-4145 | Website
This outfit, part of a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Pine Barrens, offers guided and self-guided tours of New Jersey’s largest state forest from the water, via your choice of a four-hour sojourn down the Batsto River or an overnight kayak trip along the Mullica – with not a strip mall in sight. Read More »
1005 Atsion Road, Shamong, NJ | 609-268-0189 | Website
The Bucks County borough boasts a respectable dining scene (see: Honey, Hickory Kitchen, Boccadito, Spuntino), a handful of good bars (Chambers 19 Bistro & Bar and Stephanie’s for the college set, 86 West and Slate Bleu for the martini crowd, the Amber Inn for smokers), an incredible old-school movie theater (the County), an impressive music venue (Puck) and a castle (Fonthill). A castle, people! Read More »
, Doylestown, PA | 215-348-9915 | Website
This quaint but increasingly sophisticated Main Street town offers a taste of Lancaster County without the Amish tourist-trappiness. Be sure to grab tomato pie (literal tomato pie, not the saucy pizza-like stuff we get around here) and a pear-and-blue-cheese salad at the aptly named Tomato Pie Caf (23 North Broad Street, 717-627-1762). Throw back a few craft beers (and even craft sodas!) at Appalachian Brewing Company (55 North Water Street, 717-625-0300). And poke your head in at the numerous shops and boutiques selling everything from vintage guitar amps and local art to hand-made stationery and rare books. If you decide to make a night of it, the new upscale Rock Suites at the General Sutter Inn (14 East Main Street, 717-626-2115) are inspired by rock bands (and are totally cool). Read More »