Nearby, off-the-beaten-path B&Bs to try

By Alice Shapin

There are times I need to get away but don’t want to spend weeks planning a trip or having to fly. I just want a change of scenery, good food and some interesting activities. A quick getaway, maybe a day or two, is all I need.

So, I decided to look into B&Bs within a couple hours’ drive of our area.

The fun thing about B&Bs is that no two are alike. And even within one B&B, no two rooms are the same.

Of course, all serve a gourmet breakfast, often have coffee and home-baked goodies available all day, and a few even host a cocktail hour. Most have a communal dining table or smaller tables if you prefer not to socialize. Many innkeepers mingle with the guests and happily help you plan your day.

Some B&Bs are housed in historic homes or estates with beautiful antiques, four-poster beds, fine linens, comfy common rooms and fireplaces, while others look more like grandma’s house.

So, anytime I book a getaway, I check the website and the reviews first. A few negative reviews never bother me, but if there are many, that’s a definite red flag and a deal-breaker.

Inn at White Oak, Gettysburg, PA

For my first foray into B&Bs, I chose the Inn at White Oak in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And it didn’t disappoint. Actually, it was beyond our expectations.

It’s nestled on 30 private acres with ponds, woodlands, waterfalls and, in season, beautiful gardens. Yet it’s just minutes from historic Gettysburg.

Upon arrival, my husband and I were greeted by innkeepers Shiree and her husband, Craig, who gave us a tour of the bil-