The Fort Pitt Bridge, the Squirrel Hill Tunnels, and Interstate 376 are all options to get TO the city of Pittsburgh. But, what about the roads that could take you away? Trying to find tickets to paradise?
Actually, Eddie Money won’t be needed for these trips. There are plenty of vacation spots within a day drive of the Steel City.
Beach trip? Easy. Outdoor Adventure? Say no more. Weekend Getaway? No problem.
Of course, Pittsburgh has its own opportunities for fun, but sometimes an escape is necessary.
Families can start and finish a road trip AND have a vacation to remember on short notice thanks to these six locations.
Ocean City, Maryland
Around six and a half hours east of the city of bridges, there’s one word to describe this beach, Variety! With a total length of ten miles, whatever type of fun is desired can be found. The southern end of the shores has a tendency to be a more noisy, chaotic atmosphere. While on the northern end, you guessed it, calm and peaceful. Especially during these times, the extra space is favorable for just family time. There’s less of a chance for commotion and interruption between your toes and the sand. One common theme between the two is cleanliness. Tourists rave over how little trash there is for the amount of space shared by so many.
Everybody knows the fun doesn’t stop when the tide goes down with the sun! With the OC Boardwalk being the main attraction outside of the Atlantic Ocean, shopping, golf courses, and amusement parks can all be found. Although, there’s a reason why the Boardwalk is a big draw. Stretching three miles, the walkway offers plenty of time-fillers. A Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Life-Saving Station Museum, and Trimper’s Rides just to name a few. The best part is, just walking around is free! Of course, the attractions have costs, but taking in the environment of enjoyment does not.
Not to mention, restaurants, shopping outlets, and golf courses are plenty to avoid bouncing between these two big attractions. Although, no one would blame you if you did for five to seven days! There’s a reason why Ocean City has been a household name for an east coast beach trip. Three paragraphs aren’t going to show why. Getting in the car and going will!
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
This one will put a few more miles on the family vehicle, but it’s worth it! With an 11-hour drive, Hilton Head Island, just off the coast of the Palmetto State, the island is about 70 miles long with 40,000 residents. While Ocean City has destinations and activities for both families and friend groups, this destination offers the same.
We’ll get back to the sand of the beach in a bit, but the activity ramps up the further south you go. A neighborhood with something for everyone is Harbor town. Local shops, diverse restaurants, and even a wooden playground through the trees can be found. Not to mention, Harbor Town Golf Links is a public course right on the dock that has been seen on Professional Golf League tours. The Yacht Basin is also a sight to behold. Seeing that many fancy boats would make Bill Gates jealous! There’s a reason why the Basin can be found on so many postcards. There is one more element to Harbor Town, and it’s hard to miss. The Lighthouse creates gorgeous views and calorie loss to get there! After ascending to the top, the lookout balcony is complemented with a gift shop full of jewelry, clothes, and other Knick knacks related to the attraction.
One of the most popular activities while on the island is a Guided Kayak Tour! With streams running throughout the land, the kayaks allow tourists to see more than they would on the roads, get closer to nature, and have fun with the family! And of course, the beaches are beautiful. With condos and resorts as far as the eye can see beyond the sand, there are plenty of great locations for a day in the Atlantic.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Right up there with Ocean City when it comes to household names, Myrtle Beach is just a nine-hour drive away. If you’re looking for things to do, this place has more than any on this list. A big part of that is how long the area runs. With popular neighborhoods like Murrells Inlet, North Myrtle Beach, and the main Myrtle Beach Drag, there’s a reason why most people know someone who chose Myrtle for their summer vacation.
While Ocean city may have most of its family attractions on the boardwalk, Myrtle likes to spread it out like big ben going with five wide receivers. No matter where you drive. Fun centers, water parks, mini golf courses, and restaurants can be found/ The aforementioned Main Drag contains Ripley's Believe It or Not, Volleyball courts, customized clothing stores, and a ferris wheel! Watch out as you cross the streets though. The locals love to show off their customized cars and trucks that make some noise.
While the Main Drag is livelier and wilder, a place like Murrells Inlet is the contrast. A dock setting, the cool breeze off the water makes for a refreshing change of scenery. More highly touted food joints are aplenty, as well as some wildlife. Yes, at certain points, guests can see seagulls, fish, and goats. The goats help control the grass growth outside the harbor. While this isn’t as much of a spectacle as the last and next spot, Murrell’s Inlet is worth checking out.
The last place to visit while in Myrtle is Broadway at the Beach. Sadly, Jodie Foster or Lin Manuel-Miranda probably won’t be there, but a lot is! With an aquarium, zip-line, another Ferris wheel, other carnival rides, and carp feeding stations, there’s a ton! Oh, by the way, there’s also an upside-down mansion. If you don’t believe it, go see it. With the area as a whole creating one big square of things to explore, if you have a few nights out, spend one at Broadway at the Beach. Let’s just say you’ll find a few things to keep yourself busy.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Let’s go one state over and take the Country Roads to one of Mother Nature’s best creations. For all the campers out there, this is for you. While this may not be a week-long possibility, the park still has a lot to offer.
New River Gorge National Park in the Mountain state is just a four-hour drive away from the Steel City. The must-see structure is certainly the New River Gorge. Capped with the New River Gorge Bridge, the valley shows the true beauty of the location. The river is a perfect blend of a current strong enough to raft, kayak, and swim. The gorge elevates so high, there’s also the chance to bungee jump off of it! If setting up a campsite, there may be a few neighbors nearby! Foxes, Falcons, and Bald Eagles are among other species that could cross your path during your stay. Overall, this is more of a spot for a weekend, but come sunny summertime, it’ll be hard to find one prettier.
Stonewall Resort, West Virginia
One word that could encapsulate the positive experience in Roanoke, West Virginia is privacy. The 1,900-acre resort is only two hours away. With one of the shortest drives on this list, Stonewall acts just as much as a weekend trip as it does for seven days.
There happens to be Western PA ties to Stonewall. Arnold Palmer designed the resort’s golf course that encourages golfers with any skill set. The King’s Course overlaps with the main set of holes to allow beginners to enjoy the pristine shape the grounds are kept in. Aptly named The Palmer Course at Stonewall, these eighteen holes are kept in mint condition for the residents every day. So, other than the Latrobe connection, what makes this course stick out? How about Fling Golf. What’s that? It’s a type of club that allows golfers to hit multiple shots. What started on the hit TV show Shark Tank has found its way to one of the most beautiful courses in the Wild and Wonderful State.
The Marina makes for some incredible fun on the water. Located behind the resort, boats can be rented for fishing, swimming, or just a day on the lake! This is as close to a “must-do” as it gets when it comes to activities offered by the resort. The waters stretch all throughout the resort, adding some real beauty to other parts such as the Palmer Course.
Have no fear, there’s a more melo slate of options inside the walls of Stonewall too. Between the Spa, Pool, Recreational Areas, and other attractions nearby, there’s plenty of room in a day to hit most of the spots and enjoy them to the fullest. Other notable sites include the Clay Shooting Range, Clarksburg Amphitheater, and Lambert’s Vintage Winery. All of those are within a half-hour drive from Stonewall.
Amish Country, Ohio
The first trip to the Buckeye state takes us out to the norm. The other spots on this list provide things that most people have done before in their lives. The opportunity to swim, golf, go to the spa, ride a boat. However, Amish Country truly opens up brand new doors that once opened, may just have to be revisited.
Lodging isn’t quite what one would think. Yes, it’s mostly either a hotel or cabin of some sorts. There aren’t many (if any) options to stay with the Amish while visiting their culture. So, while room service is still an option, don’t let it take away from an experience really unlike any other! Also, Amish Country spans into a few areas throughout Ohio. However, the main location that is mentioned in this article is just over a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh.
Are you tired of rising gas prices? Well, a horse and buggy transportation system is the way of choice around these parts. These animals can show you to markets such as Yoder’s Bargain Store. A shopping center like this is where the Amish go frequently not just for essentials, but trinkets, Knick knacks, and accessories! The best part, the currency allows for more shopping, as Amish valuables tend to go for less than the American dollar.
To have a better understanding of where you're exploring, the Victorian House Museum can do just that. Located in Holmes County, 28 rooms will show visitors how the area became Ohio’s biggest Amish settlement. Like most showcases of history, different types of clothes, furniture, and other items take tourists back to how the Amish living style used to be and what it is today. While this list is being released just in time for summer, the few things to do mentioned in this piece are all year-round attractions.
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Are these the only six spots to take the loved ones to for a getaway? Of course not! That’s what our friends at AAA Travel are for. They can help find you exactly what you’re looking for in terms of drive time, activities, and everything in between. Be sure to tune in every Saturday morning on NewsRadio KDKA for AAA’s Talking Travel for more advice on locations that could make this summer one to remember!