Does anyone else have the end-of-summer travel itch? Come Labor Day, we always want to get away for a long weekend, but sometimes we can’t think of anywhere fun to go that isn’t toooo far away. If we’re only going for the weekend, we don’t want to spend forever in the car! Here are 13 awesome weekend getaways that are all less than 5 hours of driving from Pittsburgh.
Under 2 Hours From Pittsburgh
Ohiopyle
Drive Time: ~1 hour, 15 minutes
Ohoipyle is perfect for a last-minute weekend – or even a day – trip when you see that perfect weather forecast. You can head to the park to bike, hike, or take a stroll along the Great Allegheny Passage (which goes the whole way from Pittsburgh to D.C.!). We recommend checking out the new visitor’s center and packing a picnic to eat along the river. If nature isn’t really your thing, don’t forget that Falling Water and Kentuck Knob, both designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, are in the area and offer tours, too. Just check online to buy your tickets ahead of time.
Nemacolin
Drive Time: ~1 hour, 15 minutes
Nemacolin is another great place to stay if you’re interested in touring Falling Water. You can also visit Fort Necessity and the Flight 93 Memorial. Or check out a nearby winery, distillery, or unique craft school that specializes in things like blacksmithing, ceramics, painting, and photography. Plus Nemacolin Woodlands Resort offers a casino, golf, a spa, amazing food, and lots of relaxation.
Oglebay, West Virginia
Drive Time: ~1 hour, 15 minutes
We could tell you about everything you can do at Oglebay, but we’d probably run out of breath. Think outdoorsy activities like horseback riding, tennis, and golf, plus winter sports once it gets a bit colder. Don’t forget the zoo, segway tours, museums, and gardens. Oh, and shopping and a spa for some quality R&R. You might have some trouble fitting everything in to just one weekend.
Bedford Springs
Drive Time: ~1 hour, 45 minutes
Did you know Bedford County is home to 14 covered bridges that are all over 100 years old? Visit all of them during your weekend at Bedford Springs. You can also count on activities like fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, and trap shooting for the outdoorsy folks. There’s also always wine tasting, Old Bedford Village, and the spa and shopping at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort!
2-3 Hours from Pittsburgh
Erie Wine Country
Drive Time: ~2 hours
If you haven’t been to Erie wine country, you’re missing out! There are 23 wineries along a 50 mile wine trail running from Harborcreek, PA to Silver Creek, NY. There are a surprising number of grapes that can be grown along Lake Erie, so many of the wines these wineries offer are completely local. We recommend booking a couple nights at a bed and breakfast instead of a hotel for a more homey, comfortable stay.
Deep Creek, Maryland
Drive Time: ~2 hours, 15 minutes
Call up some friends, book a house, and get away from it all at Deep Creek in Maryland. There are plenty of outdoor activities – like visiting the 3 state parks, fishing, hunting, and various tours with All Earth Eco Tours. If you hit a day of rain or prefer less nature, check out the local farms for lavender and cheese, get some wine, or walk through an artisan village. There are also museums and a theatre, plus things like an arcade, mini golf, and lots of regular golf.
Cleveland, Ohio
Drive Time: ~2 hours, 15 minutes
If you love Pittsburgh, we think you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in Cleveland. Especially when it comes to breweries and restaurants. Do a little research before you go, but we recommend the tour (offered Fridays and Saturdays) at Great Lakes Brewing Company – it’s $6 for the tour and includes four 5-ounce samples. And did you know Cleveland is home to Ohio City Galley, sister to Smallman Galley and Federal Galley? Plus tons of other good restaurants, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and everything else a city has to offer.
3-4 Hours from Pittsburgh
Gettysburg
Drive Time: ~3 hours, 30 minutes
Did you know the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, had the largest number of casualties in the entire Civil War? Take a weekend trip to Gettysburg to visit the battle ground, view the monuments, and check out the new visitor’s center. We also recommend a tour at Eisenhower National Historic Site, the former home and farm of Dwight D. Eisenhower. And you can’t go to Gettysburg without touring Jennie Wade’s house, the only civilian casualty during the battle. And don’t forget to take a ghost tour…
Lancaster
Drive Time: ~3 hours, 45 minutes
If your grandparents love Lancaster as much as ours, you might be raising an eyebrow at this one being on the list. Don’t knock it until you go! There’s more to do there than shop for Amish-made furniture (which is great quality and does that make us old?). There are lots of museums, Indian Echo Caverns, Underground Railroad tours, nearby Hershey Park, and lots of shopping – including some outlets. Plus downtown Lancaster has some great food and drink, including Central Market, which is the oldest continuously running public farmers’ market in the country (since 1730) featuring more than 60 vendors.
Niagara Falls (New York or Ontario, Canada)
Drive Time: ~3 hours, 45 minutes
Disclaimer: It can take longer than this to get to the Canadian side of the falls depending on the line at customs. But! Both sides are beautiful and offer plenty of ways to experience the Falls – like Maid of the Mist, a boat that takes you as close to the Falls as you can safely get. You can also go behind Niagara Falls on the Canadian side with Journey Behind the Falls, which is a fun way to get a different perspective.
4-5 Hours from Pittsburgh
Washington D.C.
Drive Time: ~4 hours
We often forget how close we are to Washington D.C., but it makes for a great weekend trip! If you don’t feel like driving, you can take the train or even ride your bike along the 330+ miles of trails thanks to the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Towpath. Although it might take you a bit longer than a weekend if you go by bike…
PS – Did you know Lauren has done this ride? She loves to talk about it, so leave a comment below if you have any questions or also just love to talk about your journey!
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Drive Time: ~4 hours, 15 minutes
Again, disclaimer: This drive can take longer if there’s a long line to get through customs. If you’ve visited Erie wine country a bunch and are looking for somewhere new, check out Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s like the Napa of Canada: there are roughly one million wineries (we love Marynissen Estates Winery!), tons of good restaurants, and a downtown area (Queen Street) with plenty of shopping. Book yourself a room at a B&B or check out a fancy hotel…either way, you’re going to have a great time.
Pocono Mountains
Drive Time: ~4 hours, 30 minutes
It might be a bit of a drive, but the Pocono Mountains are a beautiful place to spend a weekend. You can expect to do anything from hiking to relaxing on a beach, going to a performance or enjoying some amazing food. As with most of these other stops, don’t forget to check out the museums and shopping while you’re there. And did we mention the waterpark?
As far as FLW homes, FW and KK are the most well known, but also check out Polymath Park in Acme (just up the road from the others) Two more FLW homes, and two built by a protege of his. A few are available for overnight lodging, and there is a wonderful restaurant on the property – Treetops
(Reservations sugfested, and prob recommend no smaller children)
Dont miss these homes!!!