Five Spring Break Day Trips That Won't Break The Bank

For college students, teachers and families, Spring Break has been the perfect excuse to head south for warmer weather. But with rising gas prices and decreasing vacation budgets, trips to Florida and the Carolinas have become a rarity. But don’t write off Spring Break just yet.

Patch has compiled a list of five nearby destinations to visit during your time off. Each one is only a few hours away, and each one is going to be way cheaper than paying your way to Cabo, which means more money to spend at the Chocolate Spa, the King of Prussia Mall and cake decorating classes.

1. Scranton
http://www.visitnepa.org/

Pennsylvania’s crown jewel of the coal region has become a part of pop culture as the home to fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin on NBC’s hit show "The Office." But most Pennsylvanians have yet to explore all that the area has to offer. The city celebrates First Friday Scranton every month, which translates to dining and shopping specials at local businesses. A bonus? You can ride the trolley to and from each location, which means less money spent on gas. Much like the Lehigh Valley, Scranton is home to multiple breweries and wineries, too, so even if you can’t make the first Friday of the month, there are still spots to visit on the other three.

Scranton offers day-trippers the unique experience to go back in time to the region’s coal mining days. Starting April 1, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour will resume for the 2011 season, sending visitors into the depths of the remaining coal mines. Until then, stop by the Lackawanna Historical Society or the Scranton Cultural Center for more information.

2. Hershey
www.hersheypa.com

Recognized nationwide as the sweetest place on the globe, Hershey is only a two-hour drive from the Lehigh Valley, and boasts an impressive list of things to do even in the park’s off-season. For a girlfriend getaway, visit the Chocolate Spa inside the Hotel Hershey, where you can find treatments like the Chocolate Sugar Scrub and Cocoa Massage for a sweet indulgence without the calories.

Families can visit their favorite furry friends at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, open year round. Animals are more willing to show off during the chillier months, so catch them before summer comes around. After you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue to sign up for one of their Chocolate Lab classes, where you’ll hear more about where chocolate comes from and walk away with a sweet souvenir.

3. Valley Forge
http://www.valleyforge.org/

Valley Forge is an area that most people probably recognize as being right out of their second grade history book, but don’t overlook all that this Philadelphia suburb has to offer. Valley Forge National Historic Park, where Washington’s troops fought in 1777, features restored log cabins and Washington’s original stone headquarters. In the summer, locals take advantage of walking and biking paths that wind through the gorgeous landscape.

If you’re not a history buff, there’s still plenty to see. Nearby Longwood Gardens offers more than 1,000 acres of majestic gardens and fountains themed and decorated for the season. Shopaholics can find their solace at the King of Prussia Mall, the nation’s second-largest shopping mall.   

4. Lehigh Valley
http://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/

Before you roll your eyes at the idea because it won’t even take you out of the Lehigh Valley, consider all that the area has to offer. Easton is home to the Crayola Factory, which hosts children’s events Tuesday-Sunday. For a mini-tour of museums, head over to the National Canal Museum, also in Easton, which features four galleries with kid-friendly hands-on exhibits.

The Civic Theatre in Allentown is one of the few area theaters showing the popular indie film "Blue Valentine." If you’ve been itching to see the movie with a friend, head over to Allentown to purchase tickets for the film, featuring Oscar-nominated actors Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Stop by one of the downtown restaurants for lunch or dinner before the show.

5. Poconos
http://www.800poconos.com/

The Poconos is already well-known locally for its winter weather activities, but the area is also home to unique events that would surprise even the local community. Chef Alice Cooking in Long Pond offers cooking classes regularly, ranging from regional cooking lessons to cake decorating. Gather a group of friends to take the class together, or divide and conquer; that way you’ll all learn something new.

If you’re set on experiencing the slopes in the Poconos, check out one of their more unique offerings. Not only do area resorts offer skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and snowmobiling, but they also have snowshoeing and dog sledding.