Cool Day Trips For Your Next Day Off

MLK day is past and you spent the day eating extra-cheese pizza off your belly. In fact, that’s what you did for the last few days off, exchanging pizza for burgers or sushi. (I don’t want to know where you kept the wasabi.) All because you couldn’t figure out what to do with this blessing from HR. So you don’t end up eating Spaghetti-O’s off your chest for President’s Day, here’s a couple of ideas for your next day off which will take less than three hours to get there, so you’re back home in time to let your dog lick your stomach.

Ok, yes, it has a bad name because of Wayne’s World, but there’s always Delaware. It is only about two hours from Manhattan, which means there are plenty of large cities on the east coast well within driving distance. Why Delaware? Well, in the summer, there are the beaches, which are well known to the folks familiar with the east coast (which obviously you aren’t as you would eat Spaghetti-O’s, cretin), but for this time of year, not highly recommended unless you are part penguin. So, head to Newark, DE, home of the University of Delaware and a fantastic college town. For a quick bite, go to Capriotti’s for a Bobbie, which is a fantastic sandwich with pulled turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo, all served on a fresh roll. For a bigger meal, try the Deer Park which was cursed by Edgar Allen Poe and where Mason and Dixon stayed. Big fan of the burgers and the nachos – plus it’s tough to curse those with anything but deliciousness.

What if instead of the beach, you want to get away from the beach? (This is for the folks living in Los Angeles and are tired of black socks pulled up to people’s knees.) Head up the road to Ojai. Only 83 miles away, but in LA traffic could get you for just over two hours. Once there, grab a bite or stock up on supplies and head up route 33 into the Los Padres National Forest. (If you’re really thinking ahead, grab a couple of cheesesteaks from Philly Time in Burbank and imagine that you’re on the east coast except that it’s warm.) There’s plenty of spots to pull over for a hike, camping or just to eat as you look out over the beautiful landscape.

What if you just want a city change of scenery? Well, only ninety-three miles from downtown Chicago is Milwaukee. Yes, you can probably find the same beers and sausages in Chicago. Yes, both are on Lake Michigan. But, if you don’t want to be a front-runner with the president and want to see a team that has been to the World Series in the last thirty years, Milwaukee is a place that even the Chicago traffic can’t keep you from in two hours. Just wait until at least April. Baseball in Milwaukee in February is only fun for the majestic narwhal. You know, no one gets the narwhal except his woman.

So, use a little imagination and start thinking about getting out of town on your next break. No matter where you are, there is always someplace cool within a short drive.