Best Cheap Long Weekend Trips Near Pittsburgh
You've saved your vacation days for what feels like an eternity, but you aren't ready to cash in the full shabang. Consider a long weekend (Friday to Monday or Thursday to Sunday) in one of these great, close-to-home retreats. Best of all, all are wallet-friendly and will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for your return to work.
Cook Forest State Park, PA
113 River Road
Cooksburg, PA 16217
(814) 744-8407
www.cookforeststatepark.pa.us
Grab your hiking boots and sign up for Cook Forest's August 14th Hellbender Hunt, a thoroughly drenching traipse through Tionesta Creek in search of the ever-elusive, rarely seen Allegheny Alligator. Or train for the Pittsburgh Marathon by signing up for the Cook Forest Half Marathon. Then, take the family on a walk through the Hearts Content Recreation Area in nearby Allegheny National Forest and be sure to swing by the Gateway Lodge, a rustic 1930s-style hotel with a massive stone fireplace. Picnicking, fishing, hunting and canoeing also await you - book your stay today.
Lancaster County, PA
www.lancastercounty.org
With oh-so-many things to see and do, you'll need to make an extra trip to Lancaster just to take it all in. Check out the historic Fulton Steamboat Inn, enjoy a delectable dinner at Good 'n Plenty (a unique family-style dining experience where you must ask your neighbors to "pass the peas") and take the kids to the super family-friendly Dutch Wonderland. Dutch Apple Theater is a great place to grab a bite during a live show, and Lancaster's Tanger Outlet Mall and Rockvale Square Outlets are your go-to for jaw-dropping deals on your favorite goods. Be sure to say hello to a few authentic Amish folk when you stop at the farmers' markets, and even bring a hand-crafted quilt home.
Cleveland, OH
www.cleveland.com
Go for the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, but stay for the Cleveland International Film Festival. Many filmmakers appear in person, with categories and programs that appeal to every palate. There's even a FilmSlam for aspiring high-school filmmakers. Check out Cedar Point for the kids, the Christmas Story House for your husband and play your hand at the Horseshoe Casino (which is not cheap, so check that item off your to-do list this time). Museums, national parks, markets and lush gardens abound - once you visit Cleveland, you'll be hooked for life.
Related: Best Day Trips For Under $100 In The Pittsburgh Area
Erie, PA
www.erie.pa.us
Presque Isle State Park has gorgeous beaches with gentle surf and a lovely shorefront promenade that visitors can leisurely stroll on, but that's not all that Erie has to offer. Waldameer Amusement Park is great if you have children traveling with you, and a trip to the Erie Zoo is always a cost-effective treat. The ExpERIEnce Children's Museum is also a fun attraction, and be sure to check out the Erie Maritime Museum, which houses Pennsylvania's famous Brig Niagra.
Cherry Springs State Park, PA
4639 Cherry Springs Road
Coudersport, PA 16915
(814) 435-5010
www.cherrystatepark.pa.us
Close in proximity to Coudersport, PA, but enough off the beaten path to offer a "dark sky" lies Cherry Springs State Park. A fantastic spot for astronomy buffs, its hilltop Astronomy Observation Field boasts a dazzling view of the Milky Way. Bring your telescope or tablet (as the field is outfitted with electric outlets) and pitch a campsite overnight. Small observatories are also for rent for a paltry $25 per night. Public "music and stars" and "star parties" shows with entertainment are held at a separate public area several times a year, so be sure to check out the calendar of events on the park's website. After your night stay, consider driving further east to Wellsboro, a friendly, quaint town, and be sure to pop by the delectable Wellsboro Diner.
Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.