Cool Airbnbs Near Philly To Book This Winter

Brb packing a bag

By allie volpe

Published on 09/01/2021 at 05:00 AM

If the past year has taught us anything, it’s to appreciate the hidden gems in our own backyards. It’s never been a more apt time to plan a nearby getaway to a cozy cottage or bungalow retreat complete with pristine views and cozy environs from which to work remotely. Whether you’re skipping town with buds or looking for a romantic getaway, there are plenty of options for local, stylish lodging. From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore, here’s where to book your stay for a nearby getaway.

Quaker Woodward House

Wilmington, Delaware
15 guests, $245 per night
Distance from Philly: 40 minutes
Want to feel like you’re sleeping in a museum? Built circa 1745 by a Quaker from West Chester, this home is on the National Register of Historic Places and features original paneling, moldings, and fireplaces. For your outdoor lounging needs, there’s a brick patio and a garden on the premises.
What guests say: “We had a really nice stay here. The house can accommodate a lot of people and is in close proximity to the main strip. I love how historic the house is (built in approximately 1745) and has so much charm. I haven’t stayed in any place quite like this-there is an aesthetic you won’t find anywhere else.”

Poplar Cottage

Cape May, New Jersey
8 guests, $160 per night
Distance from Philly: One hour, 20 minutes
Homey on the outside and modern on the inside, this Cape May house is close to the Stone Harbor beaches, zoo, and a handful of wineries-ideal for any-time-of-year activities. Fun details like pale pink chairs, patterned wallpaper, a retro fridge, and a claw-foot tub add to the charm of this cottage.
What guests say: “This cottage is an unexpected oasis. Cute but unassuming on the outside, you walk in and immediately know you’re home. The kitchen, dining room, living room, each have their unique charms, as the bedrooms. High-end design touches throughout, balanced with reclaimed and eco-friendly objects.”

Unique Spanish Villa

Seaside Park, New Jersey
6 guests, $228 per night
Distance from Philly: One hour, 30 minutes
For a getaway that feels more like Spain than the Jersey Shore, this villa comes with the exotic vibe of an overseas vacation. Colorful walls and art abound inside, while the veranda and back patio offer a calming outside experience. Between the full gym, hot tub, and pet pig that lives on the property, you might not make it to the beach-which is conveniently one block away.
What guests say: “‘One-of-a-kind’ is the only way to describe this hidden gem. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, with a short walk to the beach, is where you will find this unique getaway. It is cozy, colorful and comfortable as well as stocked with essentials you may need such as towels, sheets, blankets, various cookware, cleaning supplies and a coffee maker. Also comes with an essential you may not realize you needed, a 200lb+ pig! Mr. Richard Parker, or Rich for short, literally comes with the house.”

Vine Street Retreat

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
10 guests, $265 per night
Distance from Philly: One hour, 30 minutes
With exposed brick , wooden beams, and rustic hardwood floors plus new appliances and olive green accents, this downtown Lancaster home pairs old school with new. Close to restaurants, cafes, and shops, this Airbnb is perfect for downtown explorers who want a tasteful and spacious place to crash.
What guests say: “This is an absolutely beautiful home with thoughtful touches and charming decor! We could have spent the whole weekend inside the house because it was so nice. We had a great time and would love to come back for another weekend stay in Lancaster, highly recommended for any group trip! This house is very walkable to Central Market, Passenger, and the other great spots downtown.”

Oak Cabin at Pocono Mountains

Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania
6 guests, $196 per night
Distance from Philly: Two hours
Fur area rugs, wood paneling throughout, white furniture and appliances-this cabin is the full winter aesthetic under one roof. You’ll feel cozy inside and out with a fireplace and hanging chair indoors and a deck and firepit outside. Plus, the house is near plenty of hiking trails, slopes, and more.
What guests say: “The place is exactly like the picture, I feel like we walked into a showroom. It was truly beautiful and cozy. The host had turned on the heat to warm up [the] entire house before our arrival. From swing chairs, interesting board games, puzzles, color pencils, chalks, chocolate candies to organic tea bags. Every detail was very thoughtful. Our family [of] four have enjoyed our stay. We will come back.”

The Alpine A-Frame

Henryville, Pennsylvania
6 guests, $371 per night
Distance from Philly: Two hours
Everyone loves an A-frame, right? This photogenic cabin has surprising features like a spiral staircase, a catwalk with a net lounge on the second floor, octagonal tile accents, and, oh yeah, a hot tub. Not far from Pocono Brewing Company and Camelback Mountain, this place allows you to relax in the hot tub, by the fire in the indoor wood stove, or in the backyard after a day of adventuring.
What guests say: “This place was lovely and incredibly unique. I loved reading in the skynet, having coffee in the hot tub each morning, taking nearby hikes, and lounging in front of the fire (both indoors and out!).”

Heidi’s Lodge

Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania
11 guests, $314 per night
Distance from Philly: One hour, 45 minutes
This modern chalet features floor-to-ceiling glass, which allows natural light to flood the open-concept living and kitchen area. The cabin is equipped with thoughtful touches like extra blankets and a bar cart, plus plenty of entertainment in the game room, like Nintendo DS, old-school Pac-Man arcade game, and foosball. And FYI, there’s a hot tub, too.
What guests say: “This place is just the best & exceeded our expectations! My husband & I had a fun time with the Wii, Pac-Man & Dig Dug, hung out in the hot tub, and (thanks to some recommendations from Jessica) went on 2 lovely hikes. The house itself is stylishly furnished with care, has a fully stocked kitchen, & the wood burning fireplace really made it cozy.”

Octagonal Lake House

Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania
4 guests, $218 per night
Distance from Philly: Two hours, 30 minutes
Giving the A-frame a run for its money, this lakefront octagonal cabin boasts midcentury details like a fondue maker and geometric patterned rugs, and more eclectic ones like rainbow spiral stairs. The floor-to-ceiling windows fill the ground floor with plenty of light plus there’s a wraparound porch with lots of outdoor seating. You’ll also have access to the beach, gym, pool, and other community amenities.
What guests say: “This place is AMAZING. Such a unique spot and felt just like home when we walked in the door. Everything is super clean and comfortable. The cowboy tub was awesome! I would highly recommend staying here, my boyfriend and I did not want to leave.”

Log Cabin In The Endless Mountains

Williamsport, Pennsylvania
8 guests, $374 per night
Distance from Philly: Three hours
The epitome of cottagecore, there are few places where you can wake up to the garbling of a creek and then warm up around an indoor wood stove. Reclaimed church doors and the exposed beams give the cabin an authentically rustic feel. Nearby are plenty of trails for hiking and in the summer, there’s a private beach on the shore of the creek for some sunbathing, swimming, fishing, tubing and kayaking.
What guests say: “The cabin was charming, clean, and cozy. The view was beautiful from the back porch and the rocking chairs were the perfect spot to enjoy it. We loved the location-peaceful and private, and the kids loved exploring all around the cabin. We did lots of hiking in Worlds End State Park, which was an easy drive from the cabin.”Sign up here for our daily Philly email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.

Allie Volpe is a writer based in Philadelphia. She hasn’t slept in days. Follow her on Twitter: @allieevolpe.

Philadelphia

Museum Exhibits in Philly to Check Out Before They Disappear

Get in some culture (and selfies) at the best art exhibits in Philadelphia.

By allie volpe

Published on 06/03/2023 at 07:22

From the historical to the artistic, Philadelphia is jam packed with museums. Art aficionados of all ages can get lost inside the likes of tourist-friendly museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of the American Revolution or feast their eyes on unique exhibitions at institutions like the Fabric Workshop and Museum and the Museum for Art In Wood.

Between big-ticket exhibitions honouring the House of Mouse to collections showcasing the legacy of a prominent Black family in early America, there’s plenty of material to dig into. After you’ve planned a date night and rounded up friends to explore the city, here are the most exciting museum exhibits in Philly right now-before they’re gone for good.

The Franklin Institute

Exhibition: Disney 100: The Exhibition
Mickey Mouse, you look good for your age. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Disney is a retrospective exhibition, which got its world premiere right here in Philly. Between rarely-seen artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and interactive installations where you can listen to hit Disney songs, the exhibit is a Disney lover’s wish-upon-a-star-come-true.
Dates: Until August 27, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Monday through Sunday. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Academy of Natural Sciences

Exhibition: Conversations With Birds
No, not an allusion to the Eagles, this exhibition is dedicated to actual birds, their migration patterns, and humans’ relationship with avian creatures. Expect avian photography and video by local birders and wildlife photographers along with an interactive exhibit showing five migratory birds that pass through the Philadelphia region on their seasonal passage between North and South America.
Dates: Until May 21, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are available online or at the door.

The Barnes Foundation

Exhibition: Sue Williamson & Lebohang Kganye: Tell Me What You Remember
The work of two contemporary South African artists-Sue Williamson and Lebohang Kganye-are shown side by side, offering a cross-generational dialogue. Both artists utilize video installations, photographs, sculptural installations, and textiles “to consider how the stories our elders tell us shape family narratives and personal identities.”
Dates: Until May 21, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Thursday through Monday. Advanced tickets are recommended.

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Exhibition: The Future Will Follow the Past: An Exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz
Exploring the rapid change of societal issues in America since 2020-antisemitism, racial violence, immigration, women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights-Jonathan Horowitz designed installations inspired by recent occurrences. His works explore specific events like the infamous far-right rally from white supremacists in Charlottesville as well as recent themes in American history, like attacks on those within the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Dates: Until July 4, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Friday through Sunday. Admission is available online and at the door.

The Museum for Art In Wood

Exhibition: The Mashrabiya Project
The newly renamed Museum for Art in Wood (formerly The Center for Art In Wood) celebrates the rebrand with a brand new project. Focusing on mashrabiya, the traditional Islamic architectural design, The Mashrabiya Project is a first of its kind effort in the U.S. to examine this aesthetic. As a part of the larger mission, a new exhibition Seeing Through Space features newly-commissioned, never-before-seen works by six female-identifying artists.
Dates: Until July 23, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are not required.

Fabric Workshop and Museum

Exhibition: Henry Taylor: Nothing Change, Nothing Strange
Combining painting and sculpture, Henry Taylor utilized recycled objects in this exhibition, the product of an 18-month residency. The entire second floor of the museum houses the large scale assemblages, tapestries, and textiles. Think: 30-foot billowing canvases and towering totems created from compressed blocks of paint buckets, vinyl home siding, and black plastic planters.
Dates: Until July 23, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Walk up admission is available but advanced registration is encouraged.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Exhibition: Judith Joy Ross
More than 200 photographs from renowned portrait photographer Judith Joy Ross will be on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, chronicling her career from the 1980s to today. Her black-and-white portraits are intimate reflections of everyday Americans, and this show features work from all her major projects, plus, never-before-seen images.
Dates: April 24 to August 6, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Thursday through Monday. Advanced tickets are recommended.

American Swedish Historical Museum

Exhibition: Radically Marimekko
Famous for their bright and bold fabrics, Finnish textiles, clothing, and home furnishings, the company Marimekko is showcased at this special exhibit. Drawing attention to Finnish design, the collection traces the brand’s path from industrial art house to fashion icon.
Dates: March 30 to September 24, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Walk up admission is available.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and African American Museum in Philadelphia

Exhibition: Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America
A collaboration between the African American Museum in Philadelphia and PAFA, Rising Sun showcases new work from 20 artists examining the question of Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy? With pieces shown in both museums, visitors can reflect on, challenge, and expand their view of democracy through art.
Dates: March 23 to October 8, 2023
How to visit: The African American Museum in Philadelphia is open Thursday through Sunday; admission is available online and at the door. PAFA is open Thursday through Sunday; admission can be purchased in advance or at the door.

Museum of the American Revolution

Exhibition: Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia
James Forten may not be a familiar name within early American history, but this new exhibit at the Museum of the American Revolution is looking to change that. Telling the story of Forten and his family through 100 historical artifacts, Black Founders explores the Forten family’s roles in the Revolutionary War, business in Philadelphia, and the abolitionist movement.
Dates: Until November 26, 2023
How to visit: The museum is open daily. Admission is available online and at the door.

National Constitution Center

Exhibition: The 19th Amendment: How Women Won The Vote
That lofty document known as the Constitution and its values, interpretations, and amendments are explored in great detail at the National Constitution Center, naturally. This semi-permanent exhibit examines the 19th Amendment-the one which granted women the right to vote-and the road to its ratification. Out of the near 100 artifacts, expect to see a rare printing of the Declaration of Sentiments from the first women’s convention at Seneca Falls, a ballot box used to collect women’s votes in the late 1800s, Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment, and various “Votes for Women” ephemera.
Dates: Semi-permanent, no end date announced
How to visit: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Advanced tickets are recommended.

Mütter Museum

Exhibition: Spit Spreads Death
Eerily topical, the Mütter’s latest special exhibit, Spit Spreads Death, an exhibit about the 1918 flu pandemic, opened in the fall of 2019, less than six months before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The exhibit traces the disease’s spread throughout Philadelphia neighbourhoods a century ago and how the pandemic impacted the city with artifacts like photos, newspaper clippings, and more.
Dates: Now through 2024
How to visit: The museum is open Wednesday through Monday. Advanced tickets are required.

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Allie Volpe is a writer based in Philadelphia. She hasn’t slept in days. Follow her on Twitter: @allieevolpe.