Here are some top vacation getaways for Pittsburgh area travelers this summer
After covid-19 forced many people to spend most of their time at home over the past year, eager travelers finally might be ready to get out and enjoy a vacation this summer.
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, 63% of people plan to leave their homes for more than two days to enjoy a summer getaway, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Cooper Tires.
Here are some popular vacation destinations, ranging from Erie to the Outer Banks.
Erie
About 130 miles north of Pittsburgh, Erie is a popular getaway spot — particularly for families, said Christine Temple, director of communications for VisitErie.
Families often are drawn to Erie because of its “affordability and large number of family-friendly attractions,” Temple said, highlighting the Erie Zoo, Waldameer Amusement Park and Splash Lagoon Water Park as popular stops.
Erie’s main attraction, she said, is Presque Isle State Park, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Presque Isle, which encompasses 13 miles of beaches and trails, boasts outdoor activities ranging from surfing and scuba diving to picnicking and swimming.
For fishermen, Lake Erie recently was ranked No. 3 in a list of best bass lakes of the decade.
Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted throughout Pennsylvania, including in Erie, with the exception of the mask mandate. Masks still are required for unvaccinated people, although the mandate will be lifted by June 28.
Deep Creek
Deep Creek Lake, about 115 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, is the most popular attraction in Garrett County, Md., said Sarah Duck, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of tourism and marketing.
“With all of our outdoor activities, we do appeal to many outdoor enthusiasts who will find golf at four area courses, horseback riding, ziplines, flatwater or whitewater kayaking or rafting on area rivers and lakes — and, of course, hiking and biking at our state parks and forests, which is great for social distancing,” Duck said.
Deep Creek Lake has 65 miles of shoreline and offers everything from boating and jet skiing to fishing and water tubing. The area boasts 40 hiking and biking trails.
Its eight state parks and three state forests have been “particularly popular” over the past year, Duck said.
One of the area’s most popular outdoor attractions is Muddy Creek Falls — Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall, measuring 53 feet — at Swallow Falls State Park, Duck said.
Most covid-19 mitigation measures have been lifted in Maryland, as all businesses are operating at full capacity and masks are required only in certain settings such as public transportation.
Rehoboth Beach
About 350 miles from Pittsburgh on the Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach, Del., offers a 2-mile stretch of beach and a 1-mile historic boardwalk with the beach on one side and an array of eateries, arcades, shops and hotels on the other.
“The beauty of Rehoboth Beach is that it’s appealing and welcoming to so many demographics,” said Lynne Coan, communications specialist for City of Rehoboth Beach. “We do see lots of families — and many, many families who have been coming here for generations.”
For outdoor adventurers, Rehoboth has walking and biking trails, plus water sports. The city is in the process of opening a new dock on the canal, Coan said, from which visitors can launch or rent kayaks, take a water taxi or load passengers on their private boat.
Rehoboth Beach is home to 144 eateries and about 150 independent small businesses.
Most covid-19 mitigation measures have been lifted in Rehoboth Beach. Vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks in most settings, and masks are not required on the beach or boardwalk, Coan said.
Outer Banks
North Carolina’s Outer Banks is about 550 miles from Pittsburgh and serves as a popular getaway destination for just about anyone, said Aaron Tuell, public relations manager for Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
“I think most people are coming for their best beach vacation, and, no matter what age you are, the Outer Banks checks off a lot of boxes, particularly if you like the outdoors and our expansive three national park sites, several national wildlife refuges and state parks,” Tuell said. “It’s amazing that we have so much soft adventure and recreation opportunities across our four islands that are about a mile wide each that provide access to nature at its finest pristine condition.”
With more than 100 miles of beaches, Tuell called it a perfect spot to “take a break from city life, slow down and set your watch to island time.”
Tuell touted the area’s lighthouses, parks such as Nags Head Woods and Buxton Woods and the Wright Brothers National Memorial, complete with a recently revamped visitor center museum, as key attractions.
Most covid-19 mitigation measures are lifted, and Tuell said the Outer Banks “is getting back to normal more and more every day.” Masks are not mandated by the state — though some businesses may require them — and restaurants are open, many with enhanced outdoor seating and takeout options.
Julia Felton is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jfelton@triblive.com.
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