Getaway Guide: Escape The Crowds During The Papal Visit

There is something truly inspiring about the arrival of a Pope in Philadelphia to celebrate an open air mass. The last time it occurred, in1979, over a million people crowded the Parkway, filled hotels and jammed area transportation. Being there became the memory of a lifetime. On September 26th and 27th, the popular Pope Francis will bring his own message to Center City, City Avenue and the Northeast, along with an estimated two million people. Locals and visitors from around the globe will be elbow to elbow, hoping for a glimpse of the Pontiff. For those who would prefer to avoid the crowds in the city and overflow into suburban locations, there are a few getaway destinations close enough for a weekend but far enough away to avoid spillover crowds. Where? Follow me; I'll be at one of them. – Jay Lloyd

CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY

Cape May looks like a good crowd avoidance bet, especially for people living south of Philadelphia. Using the Commodore Barry Bridge and Route 55, you can avoid the anticipated heavy traffic on that last weekend in September. Rooms are still available and prices remain "off-season" reasonable. Cape May stays live and lively right through October and then again in December. The Cape May tourism people are hoping to attract some of the visitors for the days prior to and following the Papal event, but so far, rooms can still be booked for that weekend. John Cook, operator of the Victorian Motel, recommends early reservations.

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

Keep an eye on Atlantic City hotels. Conventional wisdom suggests that they would fill up fast with visitors who are unable to find lodging closer to Philadelphia. It could become a prime spot, because there is rail service to Philly. However, as of this writing, rooms are still available. Those at the casinos are highest, ranging from the $200's to $300's per night. Peripheral hotels are less. Comps? Don't know. Don't bet, don't get. If you pick A.C. for crowd avoidance and plan to use the trains, be aware that schedules are likely to change and you can expect a lot of fellow passengers.

MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

I've always liked Chestertown and Rock Hall on the Eastern Shore for crowd-free getaways and water-related activities, including charter fishing and sailing, kayaking and crabbing. But for the weekend of September 25th through 27th, the two larger Chestertown hotels are sold out and so are some of the Rock Hall B&Bs. If you're hoping to find a bed here, it may have to be on a friend's boat. Call a favorite inn then hope for the best. The shortage of rooms could be a lingering effect from the Pope's visit to Washington just prior to his anticipated arrival in Philadelphia.

BALTIMORE, MD

If you can't find a spot on the Eastern Shore, look to the west. The city of Baltimore, including the Inner Harbor area, has hotel availabilities at reasonable autumn prices. Sorry, the Orioles are playing "away" games that weekend, but there's still plenty to do and see at the Inner Harbor including historic ship tours, sailing and dinner cruises along with visits to Fort McHenry and Federal Hill. Little Italy's restaurants never disappoint, either!

POCONO MOUNTAINS

The best bet for a getaway within two hours of home during the Papal weekend here is the nearby Pocono Mountains. Hotel and resort accommodations are available across the Poconos, from Split Rock in the west to the Shawnee Inn on the Delaware River at very reasonable rates. Fall foliage season will be underway and you'll find a range of activities, from golf and horseback riding to water parks and casinos. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is spectacular in late September, too.

HERSHEY, PA

The kid that lives within all of us has a way of being attracted to Hershey. The surrounding rural area provides an eye-filling environment for country drives, while the heart of Hershey throbs with living memories of childhood amusement parks. The weekend of September 26 and 27 will be the last weekend of the season for Hershey Park. So, if you needed an excuse, try that one! A fun stop is Hershey's Chocolate World. The kids will love riding through the history of the world's best known candies; you won't get away without a kiss. Rooms are available for that weekend at the Hotel Hershey from the high $200's to high $300's per night. For more reasonable accommodations, I've recently stayed at the Best Western Premier, which is convenient to Harrisburg and 10 miles from Hershey. It's a clean, well-run hotel with a full restaurant and bar service. It's also kid-friendly. Rooms here for the last weekend in September come in under $150.

A few tips: Pick your go-to place and book early. Stay until Monday. Traffic and activity in and around Philadelphia on Sunday night will be hectic -- the Pope's mass on the parkway doesn't begin until 4 p.m. on Sunday. If you plan on using public transportation for a getaway, be aware that schedules and stops can and will likely change. Keep up with event schedules at your destination that may be connected to the Papal visit. For instance, one of the items discussed at meetings in Cape May County is a Jumbotron viewing of the Parkway mass at a public place. If you plan a Friday night or Saturday morning departure from home, think about picking a destination in the direction of your nearest exit point. In other words, if you live in the Northeast, head north. If you live south and west of the city, pick a spot south or west. That way you avoid arriving traffic.

Now get out there and enjoy yourself!