If this summer you find yourself unoccupied at home because you were too broke to get away somewhere exotic, there's no need to fret; a fun time spent outside in the lovely summer weather might be only a driving distance away. Assuming you live in the tri-state area, here are some suggestions for cool and convenient getaways.
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
OK, so it's not even close to the real thing in Arizona, but there is a little taste of one of our nation's most astonishing natural wonders right here in Pennsylvania. Set in Pine Creek Gorge of Wellsboro and surrounded by Leonard Harrison and Colton Point state parks, it stretches 50 miles and reaches depths of 1,000 feet, providing some pretty spectacular views as well as opportunities for kayaking and fishing. You can take a covered wagon ride, hike or travel by horseback into Pine Creek Gorge.
Sandy Hook
Located in Highlands, N.J., Sandy Hook has 6 1/2 miles of white sandy beaches. It's a highly popular Jersey beach but with a few anomalies. It's part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, giving the area a federal park status. The upside to this is that the statewide alcohol ban can't be enforced, and unlike most beaches in this area, there is no fee for a daily badge, just a parking charge. An additional benefit for those who hate tan lines -- the beach has recently sanctioned a "clothing optional" area. If you're not a beach person, there are a plenty of other activities to partake in at Sandy Hook. It's the home of the longest running lighthouse and offers campgrounds, picnic areas, fishing, hiking and other recreational activities.
Cheltenham Township's Summer Concerts in the Park
Grab some lawn chairs and friends and head to Cheltenham Township, located on the border of Philadelphia in Wyncote. This summer, five outdoor concerts will be held at its 45-acre Curtis Arboretum area.
"We've had reggae, salsa; every year they have a committee that tries to have a variety of musical talent," Barbara Smith, secretary for the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department, said. "They've never had the same group twice."
Smith said the shows will feature Jeffrey Gaines, an acoustic soloist, the Little Red Rooster Blues Band, Travis Wetzel Trio, a bluegrass group, Animus, which includes belly dancing and "world fusion music," and jazz musicians Gerald Veasley and the Gerald Veasley Band.
"They are free to the public, you can bring a picnic dinner, they're open to everyone and you don't have to a resident," Smith said. "About 400 people come on a good day."
Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, Readington N.J.
"The Star Ledger said that it was the ultimate 'must-do' event in the summer in New Jersey," Howard Freeman, executive producer of the Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning, said.
If you're not doing anything July 28, 29 or 30, take a trip to Solberg Airport in Readington, N.J., where at least 125 hot-air balloons will take flight at five different times throughout the weekend. There are also opportunities to buy a hot-air balloon ride.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing to go up in a balloon," Freeman said.
The opening day, Friday, will end with a "Fireworks Extravaganza" hosted by Marriott Hotels. There will also be a "balloon glow" Saturday night, which Freeman described as "Christmas in July."
The weekend will also include helicopter rides, alligator wrestling, a dog show and a host of other features including three concerts featuring the Charlie Daniels Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Peter Frampton.
Musikfest 2006
With more than 300 performers from across the country and globe, nearly every musical style will be showcased in Bethlehem's annual Musikfest, which runs from Aug. 4 to 13.
Besides the large variety of lesser-known musical talents, more recognized artists, who will perform on various dates this year, include LL Cool J with Ne-Yo, Train, Carrie Underwood, Heart, KC's Boogie Blast: The Ultimate Dance Party, Melissa Etheridge, Styx and Kansas.
Jim Thorpe
Some may believe the Pocono Mountains are only good for skiing and snowboarding, but a visit to Jim Thorpe would quickly dispel those thoughts.
Jim Thorpe is a town that has been described by some as American's "Little Switzerland" because of its scenic location on the southern tip of the Pocono Mountains. Its location makes it a popular excursion for mountain biking and white-water rafting.
The Windmill Farm and Craft Market
Located in southwestern New York just outside of Penn Yan, about 8,000 to 10,000 people gather on any given weekend to shop at the flea market, which hosts several local vendors.
"This is different from any kind of flea market I've ever been to because it's got such a wide variety of things like food, crafts, and furniture and jewelry, glass art, and everything is made by the vendors," Ellen Arnold (freshman-biobehavioral health) said. "I always go for the jewelry."
Although prices are set, Arnold said bartering is an option because the vendors make their products.
Johnstown Inclined Plane
If you're not afraid of heights, Johnstown offers the steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world and is open to the public for the small cost of $4 roundtrip. The incline plane, originally used by a steel factory, is a large enclosed car that runs up the side of a mountain on what looks like train tracks. The car runs slowly, allowing riders to take in the scenery of Johnstown.
"You can take your cars up in it too if you want, because there's the town up top you can go to," Dani McIntyre (freshman-communication science and disorders), a resident of Johnstown, said. "There are always people up there walking their dogs, and there's this thing called 'the mound' -- it's this big grassy area and kids go up there and play all the time."
