Trips Keep Gas Costs Low and Stress Lower

July 18, 2008— -- For urbanites and suburbanites aching to escape busy, car-choked streets, affordable relaxation is less than a tank of gas away.

Skim your toes across a lake's surface, hike in dense forests or watch the sun set over majestic mountains in these picturesque summer destinations, all less than three hours away from major U.S. cities.

Washington, D.C.

Escape: Annapolis, Md.

Distance: Approximately an hour

Annapolis provides a welcome respite from urban D.C. area with shops, theaters and bayside vistas. Aside from its charming brick-lined streets and burgeoning boutique scene, Annapolis is home to the U.S. Naval Academy and overlooks Chesapeake Bay. A drive to Annapolis can be an ideal day trip or weekend escape, said Sherri Dalphonse, senior travel editor for Washingtonian magazine.

"It's an especially good place to visit if you want to just get out in the water," Dalphonse said. "There are several good restaurants where you can get a crab cake and there's a lot of good shopping and history. You can stroll through the Naval Academy and the town itself is quaint, interesting to walk through, so it's got a bit of everything."

Dalphonse's favorite stops in Annapolis? Eatery McGarvey's and jewelry store, Lilac Bijoux.

Detroit

Escape: South Haven, Mich.

Distance: Approximately three-and-a-half hours

South Haven is the perfect escape from Detroit's hustle and bustle. Situated on the Lake Michigan shoreline, the town has plenty of maritime activity, shopping and outdoor fun. South Haven features a wide range of bed and breakfasts, cottages and hotels for every type of traveler. Visitors can take out a jet ski, attend a wine tasting or go horseback riding.

"It's a pretty town with fantastic beaches, a lighthouse, good shopping for arts and gifts, and it's reasonably priced," said Detroit Free Press travel writer Ellen Creager. "Plus, it's the blueberry capital of Michigan, so you can pick your own on a farm or visit a farm market."

Boston

Escape: Landgrove, Vt.

Distance: About three hours

Landgrove's small population — 144 according to the last census — doesn't detract from its appeal for city-weary Bostonians. The Boston Globe describes the village's Landgrove Inn as a true "old-fashioned inn" built into a 19th century farmhouse, with nooks and crannies to boot. Vermont's Green Mountains provide a serene backdrop for visitors to take in nature. Visitors to the inn can swim, play tennis or explore the town's winding, unpaved roads.

Dallas

Escape: Daingerfield, Texas

Distance: About two hours

A Dallas Morning News roundup of one-tank getaways netted a gem – The Greer Farm in Daingerfield. Greer Farm features an 11-acre private lake surrounded by private cabins and a working, u-pick farm. Two spots nearby – Daingerfield State Park and Lake O' the Pines – make the Daingerfield area a worthwhile spot for fishing, camping, boating and swimming.

Check out more Dallas area "one-tank getaways" HERE.

Chicago

Escape: Lake Geneva, Wis.

Distance: An hour and 45 minutes

Chicago Tribune travel writer Lauren Viera suggested a trip to Lake Geneva as a way to cool off as the summer's temperatures climb. Antiques stories, art galleries and jewelry shops add to the destination's appeal. In the Tribune's profile of the city, the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa is suggested as a luxurious spot to take in all that Lake Geneva has to offer.

Atlanta, Ga.

Escape: The Georgia Wine Country

Distance: An hour or more

It's Georgia's – and Atlanta's – best-kept secret. The state's budding wine country is home to several celebrated vineyards. Jennifer Senator, dining and travel editor at Atlanta Magazine, said there are several Georgian wineries that are being recognized nationally, including the Chateau Elan Winery.

"The Georgia wine country is really picking up," Senator said. "There are more than 20 vineyards and you can do the 'vineyard stroll' and stay at vineyard cottages."

She added that when exploring destinations outside city limits "you can also discover something about your state that you didn't know."

New York City

Escape: Greenport, N.Y.

Distance: About two hours

Donald Bennet, Jr., executive administrator of Campground Owners of New York, suggested Greenport as an ideal destination for New Yorkers who want to get away from taxis and crowded streets. The seaside village has shops, fine dining and a vibrant nightlife scene. Bed and breakfasts and world-class hotels offer visitors the option to choose between different lodging options. The village's popular harbor allows for fishing, touring and water sports.Greenport Campground lets visitors get in touch with nature, Bennett said.

"It's a beautiful park, they have quite a few camp sites and there area lot of opportunities on Long Island with touring wineries during the night," he said.

Seattle

Escape: San Juan Islands

Distance: An hour-and-a-half, plus a ferry ride

Virgina Smith, managing editor of Seattle Magazine, said the San Juan Islands are a popular city escape for Seattle's urbanites. Situated between Seattle and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and only reachable by ferry, the San Juan Islands are actually an archipelago with the largest islands Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw. Smith said visitors will typically go to the Islands for a weekend, but added that she has done a bike ride there for a day and others will spend a day there. One of the islands' major draws: whale watching.

"They're really a bucolic destination — there's limited driving once you get there," she said. "Whale watching is really popular, kayaking is very popular — camping, biking. Orchas Island is very popular, San Juan Island is a bit larger and Lopez Island is probably the most laid back. Each island has a slightly different flavor and different amenities."

Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minn.

Escape: Lake Pepin, Wis.

Distance: About an hour-and-a-half

"I think one of the most appealing options is following the Mississippi river because there's one beautiful town after another and state parks along the river," said travel writer and photographer Chris Welsch of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

One of the most popular destinations in the Twin Cities area is Lake Pepin, which was formed by a naturally occurring dam on the Mississippi between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lake is a popular and serene spot for houseboats and sailboats, but also has "interesting little backwaters and slews" that are popular with kayakers, Welsch said.

The majestic cliffs of the neighboring Frontenac State Park are ideal for hikers. Nearby towns and villages including Pepin, Wisc., are dotted with homey bed and breakfasts perfect for weekend travelers looking to get away.

San Francisco, Calif.

Escape: Sonoma, Calif.

Distance: About an hour

While California has plenty of escapes for stressed city dwellers, Sonoma has something for everyone. With vineyards, parks and a beautiful coast, Sonoma County is a great place to unwind a short drive north of San Francisco.

"You have so many diverse options for day and weekend trips outside the city that you can escape to on a tank of gas," said Caroline Beteta, chief executive officer of the California Travel and Tourism Commission. "Whether it is beach or mountain retreats, wine country adventures or world class attractions, no other state offers travelers so many choices."

Bed and breakfasts with coastal views are a perfect place for weekenders to stay between rounds of golf, trips to spas and Sonoma Valley hikes.