Trip - Any good day trips in the philadelphia area?

Any good day trips in the philadelphia area?

My family and I, instead of spending the week down the shore for vacation, are trying to cut down on costs by planning a week of day trips around the philadelphia area. Any one have some good ideas that don't have anything to do with venturing into center city to look at the tourist traps we've seen a million times already?

We've got one day planned, haha hopefully heading towards Six Flags.

Any interesting ideas would be amazing and much appreciated!

Public Comments

lol go see rocky!!!
amusement park Hershey park
You and your family could go to a Phillies game one day. Their stadium is very nice and upper level tickets aren't that much. You guys could also go to the Philidelphia Zoo. There's also several great diners and restaurants in Philly for a nice philly cheese steak. One place I went to last time I was in Philly was the Mutter Museum, which is a science museum that shows medical wonders and oddities, and some history of the medical profession. There's also an old historic jail right around the museum. There's also a few things you can see in Philidelphia that were used on Boy Meets World and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. You could also possibly check out Temple University. There's also great artwork inside the tunnels. Just watch out for the bad areas of Phillies and stay together.
We used to love to go to Valley Forge National Park. They have alot of historic areas plus trails and playgrounds. They also have activities throughout the summer...like historic reinactments.

There is also the King of Prussia Mall...very nice. You could go there to cool off or something.

Out towards Lancaster is Amish country and outlet shopping. There are alot of interesting things to see and do in that area.

Of course there is Harrisburg and all of that history.

The Pocono Mt area has alot of nature/ hiking type of things.(Beautiful)

Take a tour of the Hershey Plant. You get free chocolate at the end and all of the chocolate they sell there on site is FRESH!
You could try a little bit of time in Camden, where there's the Aquarium and the RiverSharks stadium. The games are cheaper than a Phillies game and it's walking distance (safe as well) to the aquarium. You don't even need to park in Jersey...you can take the PATCO high speed line across the Ben Franklin Bridge.
If your looking for something maybe historic you can go on a tour of Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and City Hall. I think it is a trolley you can take with the tours. If that doesn't work take the family to Dorney Park. Allentown is only a hour away. I hope this helps enjoy your trip.
Gotta go to Hershey Park! That's a blast! (And good for all ages.) You also want to go to Lancaster and see how the Amish live. If you are talking historical, check it out -- you may not want to miss things in that area! Bon voyage!
Head down to South street, or even Penn's landing.

Camden has the Riversharks and the aquarium, but only go there during the day and not after 5pm.

Outlet shopping in Delaware is always a fun idea...

Or driving up to the King of Prussia mall. That's a day trip all in it's own!

If you like football, you can catch Eagles training camp up at Lehigh University.

Hershey Park, as many people have mentioned. They have the gardens, the chocolate factory tour AND the amusement park-fun!

Amish country is a lot of fun to go to.

Stroudsburg (Sp?) Railroad is up there as well. You get to ride a train and all sorts of fun stuff!

Dorney Park in Allentown. (ALso, if you go to Allentown the first weekend, there's all sorts of marching band competitions going on! go to www.yea.org for more details)

Catch a game at the new Citizen's Bank Park (Beautiful park, and every seat is a good seat!)

Go to the Philadelphia Zoo!!

Venture over to Jersey. I'm 15 minutes from Philly and there is so much to do over here! Everything from Paintballing (Mantua, NJ) to a cute amusement park in Clementon Lake Park (Clementon, NJ)-give us a try!
Go tubing up past New Hope, and spend the day in New Hope.

Go crabbing.
Franklin Institute