Quick Trips

&Quick Trips Staycations With the arrival of spring and summer, groups and individuals are signaling that they are ready to travel once again for both business and pleasure, though many are looking to stay close to home. Destinations throughout the region are offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy activities as part of a short stay or a working vacation with colleagues or family. Check out some of the available opportunities in the coming months for those looking to get away or add a little recreation to their upcoming business trip.

Ware Center, downtown Lancaster, PA (top) and Amish buggies for sale at local mud sales;

Chester County, PA

Peddler’s Village is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022. “This summer, experience larger-than-life sand sculptures created by award-winning master sand sculptors at Bucks County Beach Days: Sand Sculptures in the Village,” says Jenna Giuliani, business development and events manager, Visit Bucks County. “This free event, which begins June 1, will welcome four teams of world-renowned master sand sculptors who will bring sand to life, one grain at a time, paying homage to beautiful Bucks County, its landscapes, landmarks, and history.”

In addition, this spring, groups can check out the new TreeTrails Adventure Park at the Phoenix Sport Club in Trevose. The course is ideal for team building and consists of three different attractions: TreeTrails, Zip Racer, and Zip Trails.

Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great gardens and is home to the most significant fountain collection in North America. Its summer-long Festival of Fountains runs from May 5 through September 25. Then from June 30 until October 30, Thursday through Sunday evenings, the illuminated fountains will be paired with an art installation: Light: Installations by Bruce Munro that will feature 18,000 illuminated stemmed orbs lit by fiber optics along Longwood’s Large Lake, and there will be additional indoor and outdoor installations, as well.

“Longwood Gardens is a wonderful summer destination for groups, couples and families,” notes Courtney Babcock, director of sales for the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau. “Plan a getaway at brandywinevalley.com to experience the glow of the gardens at night with several Chester County accommodations offering untimed tickets to Longwood Gardens.”

Celebrate Independence Day this year at the Philly Balloon and Music Festival in Chester County, July 1-4, at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds. The county’s sky will come alive with 20-plus balloons daily. Activities include tethered balloon rides, live music, a beer garden and evenings featuring regional musicians and headlining bands.

Lake Placid, NY

This spring at the Olympic Jumping Complex, visitors can take a gondola ride to the top of the 120-meter ski jumping platform and experience what the jumpers see, which includes a panoramic view of the surrounding Adirondack High Peaks, and then afterward pay a visit to Big Slide Brewery.

In summer, Lake Placid offers access to two stunning lakes. Mirror Lake is in the heart of the village, which offers a beach and a safe haven for swimming and paddling (no motors allowed). There is a summer concert series on Tuesdays, as well, and an hour-long boat tour on Lake Placid Lake that features views of Whiteface Mountain from the water.

Enjoy a scenic ride to the top of the Cliffside Coaster and learn about the Olympic history of the Lake Placid Sliding Center. Riders have the ability to go as slow or as fast as they would like as they race alongside the 1980 bobsled track to the bottom of the Cliffside Coaster, the longest Mountain Coaster in the country, or guests can go ziplining at Experience Outdoors.

The 120m ski jumping platform offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Adirondack High Peaks;

photo courtesy: Lake Placid (ROOST), www.lakeplacid.com Lower Level of the Catacombs at Bube's Brewery; photo courtesy: Discover Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County, PA

Explore the sights, sounds, aromas and flavors of Lancaster Central Market downtown, America’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s market. Local culinary options range from distinctive cafés and craft breweries to famous PA Dutch dining and award-winning gourmet cuisine to a variety of ethnic eateries and homemade sweets and treats.

Adjacent to the Lancaster County Convention Center are two great options, Plough and The Exchange, at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. Also, in early 2022, nearby Southern Market began an exciting new chapter as a food hall and bar with area vendors.

Check out Lancaster City’s eclectic arts scene, with galleries located downtown, then go in search of a treasure or two in Adamstown, Antiques Capital USA, where there are thousands of antique dealers. Lancaster County also is home to outlets and boutique stores along Main Streets.

For so many who flock to Lancaster, watching as products are made locally has become a “must do” as part of their trip. Head to Kitchen Kettle Village to watch Pepper Lane Fudge & Sweets create tasty treats or visit the Jam & Relish Kitchen and see where they are made.

Theatrical venues feature first-class musical, dramatic, spiritual, and comedic offerings, from Sight and Sound to American Music Theatre to Prima, and from Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre to The Fulton to Bird-in-Hand Stage.

Take part in local, up-close, and authentic tours of Amish farmlands, participate in the Turkey Hill Experience, or visit the area’s unique Amish “mud sales” in March and April - community auctions that benefit local fire companies and provide opportunities for good buys and great eats.

@jonlloydjr

it’s Time to meet in Lancaster

Whether you’re looking to hold a small corporate retreat, a reunion, a convention, or any other event, Lancaster County offers a variety of fantastic meeting venues in a picturesque location that are perfect for any occasion. We have approximately 8,200 overnight rooms and 1,000,000 square feet of meeting space, state-of-the-art technology and all the amenities you’ll need for an on-the-road office.

Let us help you find the perfect venue. Contact cackerman@discoverlancaster.com

DiscoverLancaster.com

“We're hosting the U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club from June 21-26, 2022,” notes Alicia Quinn, CTA, vice president of marketing and strategic alliances for Discover Lehigh Valley. “The U.S. Senior Open is one of the five major championships in senior golf… recognized as a major championship by both the PGA Tour Champions and the European Senior Tour.”

While in the area for the Open, visitors can explore the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, featuring shopping, dining, nightlife and more. Surrounding the country club are the nearby communities of Bethlehem, Hellertown and Center Valley, which bridge the gap between small-town feel and urban sprawl.

Tie in an afternoon of wine tasting at Black River Farms, outdoor dining at MELT, and stop by Wind Creek® Bethlehem for gaming excitement and its variety of shopping and dining options.

Starting June 4, Gran Fondo Hincapie is a multi-day cycling celebration with a scenic ride, live music, and family festival of fun, food and brew. Join thousands of cycling pros and first-time riders and choose between a 15-, 50-, and 80-mile ride on one of the scenic routes mapped and tested by George Hincapie.

The music and pageantry of Drum Corps International - Eastern Classic returns to J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown on August 5-6, 2022 as one of three major regional competitions for the organization and the last big contest before drum and bugle corps from around the country descend on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN for the World Championships, August 11-13, 2022.

Pocono Organics; photo courtesy: Pocono Mountains CVB

Pocono Mountains, PA

Pocono Whitewater Adventures "Big Day Out!" starts with a hearty breakfast followed by a 23-mile mountain bike ride along the trail in the Lehigh Gorge State Park/D&L Trail, then a hike to an abandoned railroad tunnel at the Lehigh River, explains Brian Bossuyt, executive vice president and CMO for the Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Finally, the day ends with a whitewater rafting trip, a bonfire and dinner. These excursions are planned for weekends, including April 30, May 21, June 4 and 18, as well as every weekend in July and for three weekends in August.”

Skirmish Paintball is a popular activity among those visiting the Poconos, too - the world’s largest paintball field with more than 50 fields of play. Also, there are guided tours every weekend of Pocono Organics, North America’s largest regenerative organic farm, where guests can tour greenhouses, learn about agriculture, and enjoy a meal in the market and cafe.

Lastly, train and trolley rides are plentiful in many of the great small towns of the Pocono Mountains, such as Jim Thorpe, Honesdale and Delaware Water Gap. Honesdale even hosts the free Roots & Rhythm Music and Arts Festival on Father’s Day weekend this June.

Sullivan County, NY

“This spring will be an exciting time here in the Sullivan Catskills,” observes Roberta ByronLockwood, president and CEO for the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association. In its 23rd year, the Tap NY Craft Beer & Food Festival will be held for the first time at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, May 21-22, 2022. “This two-day festival will feature 100 breweries from across New York State, unlimited sampling from more than 200 carefully-crafted beers, a delectable food court and live music. It has been voted as one of the best beer festivals in the country by USA Today.”

Check out the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail, too, which originally was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock festival, and since has cemented its place as a legacy trail as more dove sculptures are continuously added to it. The current collection of 60 sculptures includes doves perched permanently in villages, towns and at several tourism businesses, each hand-painted by a professional local artist and inspired by the festival.

An Extraordinary & Unique Venue Nestled in the Beautiful Main Line Countryside.

Completely Renovated Conference Center & Sleeping Rooms Refresh of the Stately Montrose Mansion New & Upgraded Technology Daily Package Pricing

601 County Line Rd • Radnor, PA 19087 • 610-519-8000

Get outside and enjoy the fresh air while exploring the destination’s local flavors, colors and creations, including its farmers market, farm-to-table cuisine, the burgeoning art scene centered in Virginia Beach’s ViBe District, and its growing brewery and distillery scene.

Another fun activity is a visit to The Adventure Park, which features over 258 adventure challenges and 27 ziplines.

In addition, Virginia Beach’s Town Center is home to Muse Paint Bar and APEX Entertainment, both of which offer some great group activities that can be combined with a visit to YNot Wednesdays in the park in front of Sandler Performing Arts Center - a free concert series that features local artists and more from July through September.

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Wildwoods, NJ

The Wildwoods are bursting with attractions from the beach and boardwalk to amusement parks, special events and festivals, bike paths, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and one-of-a-kind restaurants. The island community also boasts a unique visual flare, overflowing with authentic retro scenery, attractive landscapes, colorful neon lights and iconic buildings.

Stretching for five-miles across North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, wide and spacious beaches are free to enjoy with no beach tags required for relaxing in the sun or adventurous activities on the water, such as surfing, fishing, boating, jetskiing, whale watching and more.

In addition, there are 38-blocks of outdoor boardwalk fun and thrills with over 100 amusement rides and attractions and three beachfront waterparks, as well as unique shopping, carnival games and arcades, plus more than 300 eateries offering oneof-a-kind dining experiences. Visitors can take advantage of the Wildwoods’ scenic 12-mile round-trip bike path, too, as there are places along the boardwalk and throughout the island for renting bicycles.

Be sure to snap a picture together at one of the many “Instagrammable” locations found here. The term “Instagrammable” is used to describe an image or video worthy of sharing on Instagram, the popular social media platform. The Instagrammable possibilities are virtually endless in the Wildwoods!

A trip to the Wildwoods would not be complete without a ride along the boardwalk on the iconic Tramcar. Next, check out the Doo Wop Experience Museum, which is adorned with vintage neon signs from the Wildwoods and ‘50s style bicycles. It includes The Jukebox Cafe and the Neon Garden, too - a showcase for the famous neon signs of the era.

Meet in an extraordinary Village.

• Ample meeting space • Elegant 66-room inn • 60+ shops • Multiple restaurants & eateries • Beverage tasting rooms • 14-passenger shuttle • Indoor entertainment center

For inquiries, contact Brian Shields at 215-794-4062 or bshields@peddlersvillage.com PeddlersVillage.com