Sometimes you don't need a plane ticket to feel like you've gotten away.

A change of scenery, a different pace, a couple of days away from your normal routine—sometimes that's enough. And if you live in or around Pennsylvania, the Poconos can make that kind of getaway surprisingly easy.

The Poconos aren't just about one type of vacation. You can spend time outside, wander through a small downtown, explore local wineries and breweries, enjoy fall activities, or simply find a comfortable place to stay and slow down for a couple of days.

A Change of Scenery Can Go a Long Way

There's something nice about getting out of your normal surroundings without having to spend half a day getting there. The Poconos give you mountains, forests, lakes, winding roads and small towns that can make you feel like you've gone farther than you actually have.

You can leave home in the morning and, before long, find yourself somewhere that feels different enough to break you out of your usual routine. And because you aren't spending hours getting to your destination, you have more time to actually enjoy being there.

That's one of the things that makes a Poconos getaway appealing. It doesn't have to be a major vacation to still feel like a real break.

There's Plenty to Do Outside

If getting outside is part of what makes a getaway feel like a getaway, you have plenty of options in the Poconos.

Bushkill Falls is one example. You can take a shorter walk to see the main waterfall or spend more time exploring the trails and seeing all eight falls. For something more expansive, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers trails, waterfalls, river views and plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors.

Then there's Lake Wallenpaupack, which gives you a completely different way to enjoy the area. Depending on the season, you can spend time boating, kayaking or fishing, or simply enjoy the lake and surrounding scenery.

You don't have to be an experienced hiker or spend an entire day on a trail to enjoy being outside here. There are plenty of ways to make the outdoors part of your getaway without making it the entire focus.

Don't Skip the Downtowns

It's easy to think about the Poconos in terms of mountains, lakes and outdoor activities, but the towns themselves are worth exploring too.

Places like Stroudsburg, Jim Thorpe, Milford and Honesdale give you an opportunity to slow down and wander a little. Browse local shops, stop for coffee, find a restaurant or pub, look around some of the local businesses and see where the afternoon takes you.

You don't necessarily need a detailed plan. Sometimes wandering through a downtown with nowhere you have to be next is exactly what makes a weekend feel different from your normal life.

Fall Gives You Another Reason to Get Away

Fall is an especially fun time to spend a few days in the Poconos, and it's about more than just the changing leaves.

There are pumpkin patches, apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes and other harvest activities that can turn an ordinary weekend into something a little more seasonal. You can make an afternoon out of visiting a farm or fall attraction, then head somewhere for dinner or drinks afterward.

You don't have to build an elaborate itinerary around every fall activity. Sometimes one or two seasonal stops are enough to make the weekend feel like something you wouldn't normally do at home.

There's More to Explore Than You Might Expect

One of the things I think people sometimes overlook about the Poconos is the local food-and-drink scene. There are wineries, breweries and distilleries scattered throughout the area, which means you can build an entire afternoon or even a weekend around finding a few places to visit.

And they aren't all the same experience. Mountain View Vineyard gives you wine, beer and spirits along with food and vineyard views, while Galen Glen offers a quieter, more traditional winery experience. Radical Wine Company in Lehighton has a more casual, urban feel, and breweries like Hairy Guys Brewing in Jim Thorpe, Revere Brewery and Stoker's Brewing Company in Tamaqua each bring their own personality to the local craft-beverage scene.

There's also something especially nice about enjoying a glass of wine or a local beer outside while the weather is still comfortable and the fall colors are starting to appear.

The Local Food Scene Has Personality

Food is another part of a getaway that can make a place feel less like a tourist destination and more like somewhere you're actually visiting.

The Poconos have plenty of locally owned restaurants, pubs and cafés where you can settle in for a meal rather than simply looking for the closest place to eat. Bonnie & Clyde Pub & Grill and Joey B's are a couple of examples, along with the many local spots you'll find in and around the area's downtowns.

Sometimes finding a good place to eat, discovering a local business or spending an hour wandering around town is enough to make the trip feel different.

You Don't Have to Go Far to Get Away

We sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves to make a vacation count that we overlook the possibility of taking a shorter, simpler getaway.

The Poconos won't necessarily replace the big trip you've been dreaming about. But if what you need is a change of scenery, some time outside, good food, something fun to do and a break from your normal routine, you may not have to go nearly as far as you think.

You can spend a morning exploring, find somewhere interesting for lunch, stop for a tasting or a flight in the afternoon, wander through a downtown and settle in for dinner without feeling like you have to fill every minute. You don't have to spend the entire weekend hiking or checking things off a list for it to feel like a getaway.

Sometimes getting away isn't about how many miles you put between yourself and home. It's about giving yourself a couple of days where you're somewhere else, doing something different, and not thinking about the usual list of things waiting for you.

If you're looking for a getaway but aren't sure where to start, I'd be happy to help you find something that fits the time you have and the kind of break you're looking for. Sometimes getting away is easier than you think.