OFF TOPIC: Where to fly from PHL?

[CleveRocks]

Here's a non-Disney question ....

My wife and I are looking for a 3 or 4 day getaway for our 15th anniversary in June. Since it's so short, we don't want to spend too much time in transit, whether than be by car or plane. No, as much as we'd LOVE to go to WDW we would feel terribly guilty the entire time that our kids won't be with us, so it's simply not an option. As great a time as we'd have, it'd be overshadowed by guilt.

From my home airport, we can basically only fly to Florida. I checked all that out, but am looking for other interesting ideas. Ideally no more than 3-4 hours drive from Atlantic City or no more than a 2-3 hour flight from PHL.

Any creative ideas from those who know the general area? THANKS!

 

[MAKmom]

How about the Inner Harbor In Baltimore it very nice & romantic.

 

[Philadisney]

williamsburg VA is only a one hour flight from PHL! both colonial williamsburg and busch gardens are right there, it's beautiful!

 

[luvmyeor]

From PHL: Nashville or Memphis

Drive from AC: a Poconos resort
Mystic, CT (I can't remember how long of a drive it is)

 

[Philadisney]

also the poconos mountains are less than a 2 hour drive from philadelphia, we went there for new years weekend and stayed at this place:
www.lakeviewbb.com
it was a wonderful time if you are looking for something peaceful

 

[travlnman1]

Bermuda!!
Quick flight and you'll be out of the states.
It's perfect for a quick getaway.

 

[joksten2000]

Niagra Falls, or a stay in NYC, expensive diner and catch a couple of plays. AN evening Diner cruise around Manhattan. Radio City

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Flight is a bit longer but we always found Las Vegas to be a great "adults only", Fri to Mon getaway.

Also, Miami or Key West (although I'm not certain about Key West recovery since hurricanes).

Can you tell I like it warm?

 

[CleveRocks]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Bermuda seems interesting and different. Some are great but I can't use. We go to Baltimore every year to see the Phillies play the Orioles, and stay a few nights at the Inner Harbor. NYC -- love it, but there a lot and dtay at BIL's place at 63rd and CPW. Vegas -- great place, but too far for this trip. Williamsburg -- the only place on the list I wouldn't even consider (sorry); being a Philly native, I hated walking around "fake" buildings when I'd grown up walking through the actual Independence Hall, etc.

Nashville? Memphis? Why? I'm curious. Please convince me!

But a bigger question -- other than Southwest, are there any other discount airlines that fly out of PHL but DON'T appear on Travelocity and the like? If I see a very cheap flight somewhere I might just take it just for the "Why not?" factor. For instance, I looked on the Spirit Airlines website (flying out of ACY) and between flight times and prices the only places that looked good were MCO and Tampa. So I looked into beachy places around Tampa, such as Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, etc. Anyone know if these are nice places to stay?

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

[Philadisney]

But a bigger question -- other than Southwest, are there any other discount airlines that fly out of PHL but DON'T appear on Travelocity and the like?

I'll answer even though you REJECTED my idea of williamsburg ( just kidding - to each their own!) - I have noticed that Air Tran often will have a sale on their site that does not show up on travelocity/expedia/etc. for example, last night they had round trips to orlando for around $160, but on expedia they were coming up as $210. also i have never seen USA3000 on an expedia-type site - don't know much about them though, i believe they are relatively new to PHL

 

[luvmyeor]

I suggested Nashville or Memphis because they fit your criteria.

You could stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. I think that would be a great place to stay for an anniversary. If you like country music there are plenty of things to do in Nashvile: take in a show at the Grand Old Opry, tour the Country Music Hall of Fame, visit the Wildhorse Saloon, etc.

Memphis: you could stay at the Peabody Hotel, plenty of entertainment on Beale Street, and of course they have the best ribs

What about Myrtle Beach? or maybe Lake George, NY?

I'll keep thinking of other places. I take special needs adults from PA and NJ on vacations year round so I've been to many places that are within your driving/flying time.

 

[joksten2000]

Isn't new, it's almost impossible to get a flight as they are booked pretty solid by Apple Vacations. I've been trying for about a year to book them

 

[mrf777]

How about Cleveland!...Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Science Center, Cedar Point, Museums, and the theater district!...only 1hr away via air.

 

[Anniegirl]

How about this....WDW without the theme parks. If you stay away from the theme parks there will be less of a guilt factor involved. At that time of year you could easily fill your time hitting the water parks, miniature golf, leisurely browsing downtown Disney without dragging the kids through the stores. You could rent water sprite, enjoys a spa treatment, resort hop, etc... The list is endless. Just think of all the things you can do that you can't with your children...like relax and enjoy the resorts with the GO GO GO factor. Just a thought.....

 

[CleveRocks]

How about Cleveland!...Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Science Center, Cedar Point, Museums, and the theater district!...only 1hr away via air.

Were you thinking that my screenname "CleveRocks" was just a coincidence???

I love Cleveland!!!​

I lived in Cleveland Heights 1995-98. We still have friends there, and yes, we continue to maintain our annual membership at the Rock Hall, even though we haven't been there since 1999. Cedar Point, America's Roller Coast, one of my favorite places on the planet.

Problem is, the flights are more expensive than I want to spend, plus we won't be able to relax too much between seeing friends and eating at as many of our favorite East Side eateries as we can. We'd also sneak over to the West Side for Luchita's and, of course, The Flats.

I highly recommend Cleveland as a tourist attraction, but it's not going to be our destination in June.

 

[CleveRocks]

How about this....WDW without the theme parks. If you stay away from the theme parks there will be less of a guilt factor involved. At that time of year you could easily fill your time hitting the water parks, miniature golf, leisurely browsing downtown Disney without dragging the kids through the stores. You could rent water sprite, enjoys a spa treatment, resort hop, etc... The list is endless. Just think of all the things you can do that you can't with your children...like relax and enjoy the resorts with the GO GO GO factor. Just a thought.....

Very interesting idea. I've read about people doing this. It would certainly reduce the guilt factor. The only problem is, I just couldn't do it. It would sort of be like going to Idaho and eating carrots. Or going to Maine and eating crabs. Or going to eastern Maryland and eating lobster. [I have another rather crude analogy, but I don't have the nerve to post it here]. Overall, going to WDW without the theme parks just wouldn't feel right. Something would be missing.

Enticing idea, but I just couldn't do it. Thank you for the thought, though.