Key to Escape: What to Pack For Your Weekend

Photo Credit: Ford

Whether you’re planning your escape from the city as part of a solo retreat, weekend bachelorette fete or first getaway with a special someone, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve outlined the best local shops to pick up your camping gear, fresh produce, cocktail ingredients and party dresses for big weekends away. All you have to do is pick this stuff up, pack it in your car and leave the city where it all came from. With the right amount of cargo space featured in the Ford Escape, you’ll have room for everything you need to live out your dreams of becoming a creek side yogi, an expert mountaineer, or the best maid-of-honor you could be. Go forth. We believe in you.

For your big bash bachelorette

Packing your ladies (and their gear) into a small space can be difficult, it’s not impossible. With Ford Escape’s extended armrest and a large storage bin underneath, you have extra pockets of hidden room for road trip snacks and iPhones. As far as packing goes, visit one of our favorite boutique shops, all in or around Philly, and gather enough breezy linen caftans and luxe vintage finds to outfit your whole squad all weekend. Opt for pieces with staying power that can go from wine tour by day to dancing by night. If the big bash weekend includes a cozy night of cooking dinner together, stop by Riverwards Produce and stock up on fresh ingredients, pasta and premium sauces. Brides-to-be looking for the perfect gift for your bridesmaids, visit Town Home in Rittenhouse for some gorgeous gilded charm necklaces and statement pieces.

For your first mini-vacation with someone special

Find yourself dating someone with an adventurous streak? Tap into that. Pack your bags and think about the steps you’re about to take (literally). Are you a proficient hiker? Kayaker? Camper? If you really want to impress, visit United by Blue, an outdoors retailer and coffee shop based in Old City, to pick up an Aeropress to-go coffee maker, a bespoke blanket, pocket knife and lantern. You will look like you were born for the stylish but great outdoors.

For your solo social media detox

Looking to break free from your digital chains? Put your phone on “do not disturb” mode, set your internal away message, hop in your vehicle and drive. Of course, you should have a destination in mind; we’d suggest renting a creekside cabin in the woods (think Catskills or the Poconos Mountains). You’ll need a plethora of pens and a notebook (visit Papyrus in Rittenhouse for Moleskin journals in every hue under the sun). Yowie – one of our Best of Philly boutique winners — has a carefully curated collection of bright, bold towels and blankets that make for a perfect landing place for silent outdoor meditation. If camping is more your thing, visit Fireside Camp Supply for the tools you need. While the South street retailer no longer rents gear for weekend getaways, they have a handy “Car Camping Checklist” and enough trendy product to go along with it that you’ll look like an expert (not that you’re going to Instagram your kit or anything).

For more ways to escape, visit buyfordnow.com.