Help in the NY, NJ, PA, MD area

[ryanshana]

So my MIL is taking my boys for the weekend A long awaited rest for me and DH. Well it's been so long we don't even know what to do. I told DH....we could go to the please touch museum or the aquarium, he said ummmm we WONT have the boys Who knows when this will happen again. So we'd like to make it great! However, this was a last minute offer from the MIL so we didn't get to save up for it. So we need it to be some what budgety. LOL That's where my lovely BBers friends come in.

We live right outside of Philadelphia. So Philly, NYC, NJ, and MD are all possibilities!

So far our ideas (nothing is set in stone)
Melting pot (fav restaurant of mine!)
Movie
Nothing
Picnic in a park
Check out the new casino in our area (don't know about this...def NOT budget friendly)

Then we also thought about NYC but honestly NYC scares me, budget wise. We could probably get tickets to this one play DH's friend from HS is in for free....but that's the extent of being budget wise. Shouldn't you figure like $20-30 pp for anything touristy like ice skating, empire state building, and statue of liberty, and then you still have cab rides, eating, and train to and from

So if you would be so kind help me w/ some ideas to make this a wonderful weekend, also we'd like to do stuff we normally wouldn't be able to do w/ a 2 and 3 yo. I really love the thought of NYC so if someone could help me w/ ideas to make it budget friendly I'd appreciate it!

 

[cmrules]

What about New Hope or Lancaster County. There are some nice places there that can be boring for kids.

Or like you said stay home, go on a date to the movies (how long has it been since you saw a grown up movie in theater?) and out to a nice dinner. Sleep in, do a little shopping without the kids. Go into King of Prussia.

Oh, I'm jealous.

 

[badblackpug]

Lancaster is nice and this time of year should be relatively inexpensive.

We love the Inner Harbor at Baltimore. Lots of fun things to do and great places to eat, and we have gotten great hotel deals off priceline.

There is always Atlantic City, but it may not be very budget. The room rates are higher on the weekend, and of course there is the gambling....

 

[mjkacmom]

What about New Hope or Lancaster County. There are some nice places there that can be boring for kids.

Or like you said stay home, go on a date to the movies (how long has it been since you saw a grown up movie in theater?) and out to a nice dinner. Sleep in, do a little shopping without the kids. Go into King of Prussia.

Oh, I'm jealous.

New Hope is our go-to when my parents will watch the kids. We found this great B&B, Porches, literally right in the heart of New Hope, easy walking distance to all the shopping and restaurants. There are also tons of free stuff to do in NYC - central park, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island Ferry, people watching, cheap eats. Looks like it's going to be a nice weekend, weatherwise!

 

[micheleq]

ryanshana! You gave me such great advice last year on Sesame Place, I'll try and do my best to help you out a little here

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF NYC! It's do-able on a budget, it just takes a little time and research.

First, if you can get free tix to a broadway or off-broadway show, then do it! Off broadway is something many people don't consider, but there are always very interesting plays "off" b'way, and many b'way productions start out there.

Parking is expensive in the City, but if you can take the train into NYC (commuter or Amtrak from Philly), and then rely on subway and cabs, you should be set. The subway is pretty easy to manage and not as scary as it can be made out to be in movies, tv, etc. That being said, I try not to take the the subway at, oh 2am alone (not that I am out that late anymore, but back in the day...).

There are a few museums that are pay-what-you-can/suggested donation like The Met. Central Park is free to wander around, as is Times Square. Also go downtown to Little Italy, Chinatown to walk about and see the restaurants, shops. You can go down to Ground Zero, walk around Wall Street, see Federal Hall (our first Congress met there before moving to Washington DC), the Tenement Museum...Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are accessed from Battery Park as well (via boat!).

As far as hotels are concerned, the further away you are from the "tourist" sections, the better the deal you'll get. But, don't wander to far off the beaten path. There are a few NYC hotel threads here and on the family board. I have family and friends in the City, so I've only stayed at a hotel there once years ago (Marriott East Side by Grand Central).

Restaurants are the same as hotels -- the "tourist" traps are overpriced and not worth it. I vividly remember a dinner at Sardi's with my DH and in laws, yuck yuck and yuck. My MIL years ago took our oldest niece to NYC for a weekend and insisted on eating at Tavern on the Green. Beautiful location, crappy, overpriced food (and now it's closed). There are many wonderful places to eat that are ultra-expensive, but also great spots hidden in more residental sections of the City. Just like at Disney, lunch in an upscale restaurant has the same selections at better prices. New York Magazine's website www.nymag.com has a great restuarant section and they do a cheap eats feature. Also, if you are open to ethnic foods, NYC has everything!

I hope this helps! I know it's not too specific, but maybe a start for you. There are several NYers on the board that will offer great advice!!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Since you mentioned the statue of liberty...I heard it is suppossed to be 50 degrees on Sunday, and I know because I looked it up recently, that boat tickets to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island are about $13.00 per adult ($3.00 more for crown tickets). So you could pack a lunch, drive to Liberty state park & have a lovely day out for about $30.00.

If you have never been to Ellis Island, it is definately something you should do. But then again, I don't know the ages of your boys, you may actually want to do that with them rather than without them.

Have fun, whatever you decide.....

 

[tmccullough]

I second the inner harbor in Baltimore. Whatever you do, don't miss the Fudgery... yummm!! If you've never been to The Fudgery, they have their cooks making the fudge with an audience standing there watching and they perform a really cute barbershop type singing experience. They give everyone a free sample and then usually a deal like buy 3 get 1 free but it can be pretty expensive IMHO. It's a beautiful place to just walk around and sightsee. They have ferry boats that aren't too pricey that will take you around the harbor as well. HTH!

 

[disneyfan55]

Gettysburg, PA is a great town to visit. We stayed at a bed and breakfast (the Dobbins House Tavern) It was really nice. It's right in town and near the National Historic Park. We love the National Parks sites and most are free or very inexpensive (you can get an annual pass for 80! for your family) Let us know some of your intererts! I live in Central NJ and there are many historical sites here as well!

 

[dblr]

I would 2nd Lancaster Pa. the rates should be down right now, I am there now in my rv and things are slow,I am sure will pick up on the weekend. Three Dog Night is @ the Mucic theater this weekend.
Inner Harbor would also be good not sure about the rates,the beaches in De. have been advertising alot not sure how there rates are.

 

[Windjammer]

A nice short trip would be to Chaddsford, PA. It would only be a short drive or there are affordable hotels in the area. Places we like to visit include the Chaddsford Winery, the Brandywine River Museum and Longwood Gardens. There are plenty of nice restaurants and shops as well.
The winery is part of the "Barrels on the Brandywine" promotion this weekend in which you buy a pass for $25 and can visit 8 different wineries in the area.

Also, from Chaddsford, Lancaster is not a long drive.

Steve

 

[Ava]

So if you would be so kind help me w/ some ideas to make this a wonderful weekend, also we'd like to do stuff we normally wouldn't be able to do w/ a 2 and 3 yo. I really love the thought of NYC so if someone could help me w/ ideas to make it budget friendly I'd appreciate it!

You can definitely make NYC budget-friendly. Use Priceline for a hotel - since it's so close to your date & just the two of you (and a slow season tourist-wise) you should be able to get a good deal.

If you can score free tickets to a Broadway show, do it! That fills one evening with free entertainment. If you do get tickets to the show, have dinner that night somewhere on 9th Avenue. You'll find better food at better prices just by going a couple blocks over from Times Square. If you are in Times Square and want a good cheap lunch, check out the Edison Cafe in the Edison Hotel on 46th St. A bowl of their matzoh ball soup is really filling, plus it's a fun place to go if you enjoy theater; a lot of Broadway actors eat there (I saw Debra Monk in there once!) and the walls are covered in old theater posters.

For other things to do, I personally enjoy just walking around & exploring different neighborhoods. You can have a really romantic evening just strolling through the Village & looking at all the beautiful buildings.

To get around, just take the subway. It's perfectly safe, especially in Manhattan, and a lot cheaper than cabs.

 

[Karenj2]

A nice short trip would be to Chaddsford, PA. It would only be a short drive or there are affordable hotels in the area. Places we like to visit include the Chaddsford Winery, the Brandywine River Museum and Longwood Gardens. There are plenty of nice restaurants and shops as well.
The winery is part of the "Barrels on the Brandywine" promotion this weekend in which you buy a pass for $25 and can visit 8 different wineries in the area.

Also, from Chaddsford, Lancaster is not a long drive.

Steve

OH!! I live out here, and I LOVE this area!! Longwood is beautiful, the hotels are inexpensive, I can give you some Kennett Square area restaurants (some are not-so budget friendly, but VERY good food).

As for other places, we've been kid-free for 12 years of our married life, so I can tell you where we've gone...

- Baltimore's Inner Harbor, we really enjoyed. We went during the summer and did the "Ride the Ducks" tour, and just walked around enjoying the area. (We walked to Fells Point for dinner - I can't remember the name of the places, but it was a Tapas restaurant and the food was great!) We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel(?), the one right behind the shops and above the mall at the Inner Harbor.
- Washington, DC - we did the ride the ducks tour there, too (it wasn't as good as Baltimore), and then visited some of the museums. (We stayed with my sister & her soon to be ex in the DC suburbs.)
- Philly - we just had a "babymoon" weekend there for Valentine's Day weekend. Because of the snow, me being hugely pregnant (with a head cold), etc., we actually didn't do much - we just slept in, took a cab to the Constitution Center, and did that and the Independence Hall tour. We ate at McCormicks and Schmicks the first night, and the hotel the second night. (We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott right at City Hall)
- Years back, we've also gone to Williamsburg, VA and Cape May, NJ and enjoyed those trips immensly!!

 

[solfan68]

Just did an overnight at Inner Harbor a weekend ago. $99 for Hilton Homewood Suites off Orbitz. Just about two blocks from the Inner Harbor. Hit the "tall ship" Constitution. Great walking tour, complete with reinactors. $10/pp. Whatever you do, enjoy that weekend !

 

[MandM-Mom]

We often do nyc without spending a ton of money this is me and dh's typical activites for the a date day to the city. The staten island ferry across and back to view the statue of liberty without paying the $$$, a trip to chelsea market for some browsing and get cupcakes, then from their we will go to central park for a stroll and stop at a nice spot and eat our treats we purchased at the market and just relax and chat a while(something that does not happen often, we laugh we have to spend 4 hours in the car to have a conversation). Then off to check out times square and other places along the way with a stop at american girl to pick up a treat for our girls, from there and grab some dinner before we go, not romantic but my dh always wants bubba gumps, nothing special about it he just loves the place(who knows why its quite average I think)!
Although I do love the Melting Pot too!
Whatever you decide have a great time and enjoy the peace and quiet together

 

[moongirl]

I have a totally free idea: Stay home with your spouse and enjoy the quiet!!

When my two kids were little, I was so happy when my parents took them to their house for the weekend. My husband and I slept in(!), rented movies that we had wanted to see, ordered take out, and lounged around in our pajamas. It was fantastic! We did go out to a favorite restaurant one evening. It was a cheap, relaxing and fun weekend!

 

[dislal]

I have a totally free idea: Stay home with your spouse and enjoy the quiet!!

When my two kids were little, I was so happy when my parents took them to their house for the weekend. My husband and I slept in(!), rented movies that we had wanted to see, ordered take out, and lounged around in our pajamas. It was fantastic! We did go out to a favorite restaurant one evening. It was a cheap, relaxing and fun weekend!

This is what DH and I like to do, it is very rare now that we have all three kids out of the house at the same time. I need to plan a sleepover at my DM's house for the kids, but my DD15 would rather stay home.

 

[pauly's girl]

I live about a half hour from Lancaster and my husband and I go there often without the kids. It's supposed to be a nice weekend! There are the Dutch Apple and Rainbow Dinner theater and also the Sight and Sound. In lititz not too much further there is a choc factory and pretzel factory that cost a few dollars to tour...also there is lots of scenery and shopping(outlets). There is something for everyone! Good luck deciding and have a great time!!

 

[leslie826]

I grew up in Bensalem and still spend a good bit of time visiting your neck of the woods. Unfortunately every suggestion I would have given you has already been posted, so I will not be much help! But one thing to add - If you decide on NYC, take the train from Trenton. Have fun!

 

[mollay]

That's so funny you mentioned The Melting Pot... my mom just went there last night for her birthday and absolutely loved it


I know what you mean about a trip to NYC. At the very least, make sure you aren't taking Amtrak. NJ transit is a much cheaper ticket than taking the train from Philly.

Baltimore is also nice... but that seems more like a kid trip to me! Well, there is Little Italy but the Inner Harbor itself just seems more suited for a family vacation, what with the aquarium, ESPNZone, etc.

 

[gillenkl]

I would 2nd Lancaster Pa. the rates should be down right now, I am there now in my rv and things are slow,I am sure will pick up on the weekend. Three Dog Night is @ the Mucic theater this weekend.
Inner Harbor would also be good not sure about the rates,the beaches in De. have been advertising alot not sure how there rates are.

For Valentines Weekend we went to Lancaster and stayed at the Fulton Steamboat Inn. I always thought it was cheesy but I had read excellent reviews online. Lovely indoor ambiance as well. The room was nice and spotless, indoor pool, bar and restaurant. Highly recommend this. They have special rates if you book online.