There is one hotel in the city proper of Princeton. That would be nice. Then you could just walk. There is Lambertville station in New Hope.

What is that resort that people go to? Woodlochen? Something like that might work. I can't remember the exact name.

Unless the weather is pretty nice, I don't know about Cape May. A lot of it is pretty run down.

Obvious easy choices are philly or Baltimore. But what about Annapolis?

Philadelphia

Baltimore might be fun. You could go to a spa, walk around Harbor East, go to MD Live Casino.

New Hope PA is supposed to be nice if you like art/antiques.

http://visitpa.com/cities/new-hope

There is a nice Westin near Princeton University @ Forrestal Village.. It has an indoor and outdoor pool. Shopping and restaurants nearby.
We stayed their a lot when our kid went to Princeton. You could take a train to Trenton and uber or get picked up from their.

I think Brandywine Valley could be ok if you both like gardens or Andrew Wyeth's art. But it's not really that super for restaurants or hotels. Cape May in the off season seems like a good choice. And Id reconsider Philadelphia--stay at a fun boutique hotel and eat at great restaurants and do the things you wouldn't do with kids on a field trip.

For Brandwine Valley, both Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum are nice. There's vineyards around there. It's been years, but I remember visiting the Chaddsford Winery.

Agree that Cape May is also a good option. I love doing the beach in the shoulder seasons and Cape May has many charming B&Bs.

This is OP. Good ideas here. Anyone done Brandywine Valley? Cape May is a possibility too. My friend wants to avoid NYC. She works in the city, so I can understand wanting to "get away."

Bethany beach? Atlantic City? Ocean City?

Cape May?

Brandywine Valley or Hershey. I’ve been to both with friends who live in NJ and they are about equidistance.

Don’t laugh, but I know two different groups of women who have done this in Atlantic City.

What about NYC? I know it's slightly outside of the range you want, but there is never a shortage of stuff to do there.

A dear friend and I are trying to plan a getaway (no spouses! no kids!) this spring. She lives in northern NJ and I live in Bethesda. She suggested Philadelphia, but between my 4 kids, I've been there too many times for field trips. Any other ideas? Interesting touristy stuff, shopping or spa stuff would all be fine.

Thanks.