{"id":49440,"date":"2014-12-27T10:07:14","date_gmt":"2014-12-27T14:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=49440"},"modified":"2025-09-02T00:15:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T04:15:35","slug":"places-to-visit-in-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/49440\/places-to-visit-in-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Great Places to Visit in 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, make a resolution to broaden your travel horizons. You don\u2019t need to go far and you don\u2019t need a car to enjoy a weekend adventure out of town.<\/p>\n

These five New England and Mid-Atlantic destinations will jump-start your wanderlust and tempt you to go off the beaten path in 2015.<\/p>\n

Manayunk, Philadelphia<\/h3>\n

\"bike

Why Go:<\/strong> Philadelphia is loaded with neighborhoods ripe for exploration. Topping the list of the quirkily named is Manayunk<\/a>. It\u2019s a Native American word meaning \u201cwhere we go to drink.” One glance at the number of bars and breweries packing perky Main Street and you\u2019ll see that this moniker is utterly appropriate. This hotspot is flooded with dozens of owner-operated boutiques, restaurants and galleries that offer a unique assortment of goods and highly personalized service. The neighborhood is garnering a reputation as a haven for bikers too. The Manayunk Wall, with its 17% incline, will challenge even serious cyclists. Those seeking to break a gentle sweat favor pedaling the level Canal Towpath.
\nWhere to Stay: <\/strong>There are no hotels in Manayunk proper, but getting to Philly is a snap. The new Radisson Blu Warwick Hotel\u2019s playful public spaces and primo location make it a crowd pleaser.
\nHow to get there: <\/strong>See our Philadelphia Transportation Guide<\/a>. Manayunk is 15 minutes from Philly\u2019s center. From Center City, take Septa<\/a> bus #35 or 61 or the Manayunk\/Norristown Regional Rail line.<\/p>\n

New Bedford, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n

\"New

Why Go:<\/strong> New Bedford’s waterfront is America’s number one commercial fishing port, so this town\u2019s appeal is in its gritty vitality as opposed to vintage charm. The New Bedford Whaling Museum<\/a> is devoted to the seafaring traditions of Massachusetts’ south coast region and you\u2019ll get a detailed look at the whaling industry\u2019s fundamental place in this area\u2019s history and development. Admirers of Moby-Dick will get an illuminating perspective on Melville\u2019s Great American novel thanks to meticulously accurate exhibits. The whaling industry attracted a multitude of immigrants, and as you explore the town\u2019s cobbled lanes, you’ll see that the modern face of New Bedford remains a dynamic melting pot. When hunger strikes, just-caught fish crowds local menus. The Black Whale<\/a> offers a fetching view of the working seaport along with a tantalizing raw bar loaded with briny tidbits just pulled from the sea.
\nWhere to Stay: <\/strong>The Fairfield Inn by Marriott<\/a> is clean, comfortable, and within walking distance from everything. The free buffet breakfast is included in the rate (from $109) and the small indoor pool is a nice diversion.
\nHow to get there: <\/strong>Take the Peter Pan bus from Port Authority to the New Bedford Ferry Dock via Providence. You can also ride Amtrak or Megabus to Providence and connect with Peter Pan. See our Providence Transportation Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Freeport, Maine<\/h3>\n

\"Harraseeket

Why go: <\/strong>Get an authentic taste of Yankee Maine while indulging in tip-top outlet shopping in Freeport<\/a>. This tidy coastal village sits on the shores of Casco Bay between popular Portland and the sleepy Midcoast Region. The town\u2019s over 200 shops range from familiar brands (J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein) to homegrown favorites like Wilbur\u2019s<\/a> of Maine, a mouth-watering mecca for old-world confections and hand-dipped chocolates. When the midnight urge to use your credit card calls, night owls can head to the L. L. Bean flagship store 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and purchase anything from a fishing rod to a cozy flannel shirt. Energetic visitors should book a class at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools<\/a>. Learn a sporty skill, from snowshoeing to stand-up paddleboard yoga, for only $20.
\nWhere to Stay: <\/strong>The Harraseeket Inn<\/a> offers civilized accommodations in the heart of town. Book one of the 93 rooms directly through the hotel and a lavish breakfast and handsome afternoon tea are included in the room rate.
\nHow to get there: <\/strong>Freeport is accessible without a car thanks to service on Amtrak\u2019s Downeaster<\/a>. The train departs Boston\u2019s North Station. See our Boston Transportation Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Salem, Massachusetts<\/h3>\n

\"Peabody

Why Go: <\/strong>Salem<\/a> packs them in each October as the unofficial epicenter of all things Halloween. Its grizzly history of witch trials may be Salem\u2019s most obvious calling card, but this town is a magnet for art lovers year-round. The Peabody Essex Museum\u2019s<\/a> permanent collection showcases an outstanding spectrum of American art, enhanced by the play of light that the atrium setting provides. The museum\u2019s vast holdings include Asian, Oceanic, Native American and African works. The leafy campus encompasses parks, gardens and 22 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, the only example of Chinese domestic architecture on view in the U.S.
\nWhere to Stay: <\/strong>The historic Hawthorne Hotel\u2019s<\/a> traditional setting, gracious d\u00e9cor and polished service make it a restorative place to spend a night or weekend.
\nHow to get there: <\/strong>See our Boston Transportation Guide<\/a>. From Boston\u2019s North Station ride the MBTA<\/a> Commuter Rail. You\u2019ll arrive in 30 minutes. In season, you can hop aboard the high-speed Salem Ferry<\/a> from Boston\u2019s Long Wharf.<\/p>\n

Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware<\/h3>\n

\"Brewpub\"

Why go: <\/strong>Coastal Delaware<\/a> is a summertime classic, but beer lovers award this region iconic status in all seasons as home to the revered Dogfish Head Craft Brewery<\/a>. The Dogfish Head Brewpub<\/a> in Rehoboth features its signature off-centered ales and small-batch spirits. The beers are brewed, bottled and kegged in nearby Milton, but founder Sam Calagione calls the pub the soul of the company and the perfect place to experience the intoxicating magic of Dogfish.
\nWhere to Stay: <\/strong>Dogfish recently opened a 16-room, beer-centric hotel. The Dogfish Inn<\/a> in nearby Lewes gives beer-crazed visitors a 360-degree ale experience. Rooms are decorated with Dogfish memorabilia and equipped with top-notch barware, so you can enjoy the beers you bring back from the brewpub in style. The Dogfish Head Brewpub can be reached in about 35 minutes via flat bike trail, or call a taxi. Bring the pooch, as eight of the hotel\u2019s rooms are pet-friendly.
\nHow to get here: <\/strong>Committed car-free travelers can get here with perseverance and patience. In summer, take Amtrak to Wilmington and connect with seasonal DART bus 305. You can take the wind-swept Cape May-Lewes Ferry<\/a> anytime of the year.  To get to Cape May<\/a>, take NJ Transit from Port Authority. Upon arrival in Lewes, hop a taxi to the Dogfish Inn.<\/p>\n

Photos: Dogfish Inn, megabeth<\/a><\/em>, Harraseeket Inn,<\/em> Lorianne DiSabato<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year, make a resolution to broaden your travel horizons. You don\u2019t need to go far and you don\u2019t need a car to enjoy a weekend adventure out of town. These five New England and Mid-Atlantic destinations will jump-start your wanderlust and tempt you to go off the beaten path in 2015. Manayunk, Philadelphia Why […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":49460,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1508,1150,364,322,907,316],"tags":[238,116,40,31,381,293,143,280,145,120,254,110,299,18,133,282,84],"class_list":{"0":"post-49440","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-amtrak-getaways","8":"category-delaware","9":"category-maine","10":"category-massachussetts","11":"category-pennsylvania-2","12":"category-weekend-getaways","13":"tag-adventure","14":"tag-amtrak","15":"tag-art","16":"tag-bar","17":"tag-biking","18":"tag-budget-friendly","19":"tag-bus","20":"tag-cultural-getaway","21":"tag-dining","22":"tag-family-fun","23":"tag-free","24":"tag-historical-sites","25":"tag-locally-sourced","26":"tag-museum","27":"tag-outdoors","28":"tag-romantic","29":"tag-shopping"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":49460,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/DFH_INN_Web_Lobby-e1465313943201-300x169.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49440\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}