Budget April Vacation Ideas?

[happily single]

I'm thinking of taking the kids (dd12; ds11 and ds5) somewhere for 2-3 days during April vacation. Since airfare is soo high and it is April vacation I'm looking at a drive vacation; ideally 3-4 hours or less from RI.

I've thought of Boston, but it will still be chilly. We've done Coco Key, but I seriously don't want to be with huge crowds

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Dani4girls]

Well, I can think of a few things that my kids have enjoyed...
1. The Armory Museum in Worcester, MA
2. Sturbridge Village
3. Six Flags New England...a bit expensive, though.
4. There's a dinosaur museum that we have been to in CT., but I don't remember the name...
Do you have a AAA Tourbook for that area? Maybe you can find some ideas there?

 

[Bren's Mom]

It's going to be chilly anywhere within a 3-4 hour radius of Rhode Island unfortunately.

But I'd suggest the Mystic area.

Some things to do there, or nearby:

http://www.mystic.org/

Mystic Aquarium
http://www.mysticaquarium.org/
Mystic Seaport
http://www.mysticseaport.org/
Shops/Restaurants in the shopping area near the Aquarium
http://www.oldmysticvillage.com/
The Dinosaur Place
http://www.thedinosaurplace.com/
Children's Museum of Southeastern CT
http://www.childrensmuseumsect.org/
Boat Ride
http://www.voyagermystic.com/Argia_Cruises.asp
http://www.mystic.org/sailing-and-charters.asp
Nature Center
http://www.dpnc.org/
Mystic Pizza, maybe the older kids can see the movie first
http://www.mysticpizza.com/restaurants.aspx

 

[swilshire]

I've thought of Boston, but it will still be chilly.

Boston is fun regardless of the weather. I spent a January blizzard there and still had a great time.

My kids loved the Science Museum.

Maybe you could find a show they'd enjoy.

Sheila

 

[HeatherC]

How about North Conway? They have the Red Jacket Resort that has the Kahuna Laguna waterpark thing? We've also stayed at Nordic Village in Jackson near there. They have a nice indoor pool area with condos. You can price them at luxurymountaingetaways.com.

If you decide on Boston, check out the Marriott Copley. They have an indoor pool area and it is connected to Copley Place Mall so you don't have to go outside if the weather is really crummy.

NYC? We did this last year with the kids and visited Ellis Island. They loved it. Check out travelzoo.com for any hotel specials there. Also if you don't want to drive to the city, you can take the train from White Plains, NY and leave your car. It is very affordable and that way you don't have to pay parking. Times Square is fun and you don't have to spend a fortune there. Also the Museum of Natural History is pay what you want so that doesn't have to be a fortune either. When we go we stay at the Marriott Courtyard Manhattan Midtown East. Great location and the rooms are huge by NY standards. Ours had 2 queens and a pull out double sofa bed.

Another idea is the Great Escape Lodge in Lake George? Another waterpark.

Ogunquit Maine?
Cape Cod? (Baysideresort.com is great).

Hope this helps! Have a great trip! We are actually heading to Williamsburg for the week.

 

[jackie101]

we are from mass and have stayed here http://www.baysideresort.com/ twice over school vacations. It is very affordable & they have tons of activites.

 

[Darcy03231]

www.rockinghorseranch.com

We've gone in the summer and had a great time, but I believe they're open year round.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Hi we are from RI come with us this April Vacation

Sun 18th- driving early am to NYC to see Museum of Natural History and play in Central Park

Then that eve- driving to Phily- got Embassy Suites at the airport on Hotwire.com for $63 a night!

Staying 3 nights- plan the liberty bell, betsy ross house, duck tours, Franklin Institute, constitution museum, etc- some of this is free because it is run by National Park service.

Driving home Wed am- but first going to the NJ location to take the ferry to Statue of Liberty.

I figure entire trip to cost about $750 or less. Embassy suites has 2 room suites with kitchenette and full free breakfast.
My Roger Williams Zoo membership is up- so instead I am getting a Boston Museum of Science membership which is recipricol with RW Zoo and the Franklin Institute.
Check out a restaurant called City Tavern in Philly.


It is more like a 3-5 hour drive but it sends you south instead of north and hopefully warmer weather! My kids do the drive to Phily very easily.

 

[4mickey2]

i am not sure where this is compared to you but, check out assataugue national seashore. i would love to go back there.

 

[happily single]

Proud Mommy of Two (From RI). Your plan sounds like exactly what I was looking for, unfortunately I don't think the boys would be interested in "all that history". I'm leaning towards NYC, but my heart belongs in North Conway area of NH (when we're not in Disney)

But, how long of a drive is NYC to Philly? Have you been to Philly before?

 

[ProudMommyof2]

My husband grew up right outside of Phily. We have made that drive many, many times. From NYC to Phily depending on traffic is 2- 21/2 hours (hence making that drive on a Sunday eve).

You do not have to do all the history- NYC can be a lot of fun for the day just hanging around Times Square/Rockefeller Ctr. Check out M&M world, Toys r US time square, the Hard Rock, Top of the Rock- soo much to do! We have done that recently, so this time, the kids want to see where "Night at the Museum" was filmed!

Phily also has tons. You can see if the Philies are playing in town, Duck Tour is just fun and Franklin Institute is a science museum if that makes a difference. Valley Forge National Park is close by and if you take your bikes you could spend a day cruising the bike trails in the park!

If you have the $ you could take the train- Prov to NYC then to Phily. If you are only interested in NYC-drive to New HAven and take the Metro North Commuter train- off peak hours the kids are only $1.50!!!

We planned our trip to save $ on hotels- Phily being cheaper than NYC and we could have a pool at the hotel. We also have been to the Phily area so many times w/o doing all the tourist/history stuff. Last year, we realized we had been doing the same thing with Boston. We took the T in one day, took a Duck Tour, toured Fenway PArk, went to Fanueil Hall and went to the top of the Pru- Great DAY!!


Good luck and let me know if you have any other question!

 

[happily single]

Really stupid question; but if I park in New Haven, CT, what "train" do I take to get to NYC? I priced out Amtrak and it's about $70 per person, ONE WAY.

I was thinking of staying in the New Haven area and taking the train into NYC one or two days?

If not I'm thinking of trying my luck with Hotwire or Orbitz, to get a decent hotel in Boston and just go there

Thanks for all the help!

The Cape hotel looked fun for the summer, but my kids would be trying to get onto the beach in this weather (heck I probably would too)

The horse ranch in NY seemed like fun, but I was having trouble with their site and trying to get a price

 

[ProudMommyof2]

If you drive to New Haven you want to take the Metro North http://as0.mta.info/mnr/schedules/sched_form.cfm is the link- check family fares. Stamford is closer to New York but farther drive from here.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I also just checked the Great Wolf lodge in the Poconos, PA and if you use the code "scout" you can get a room for $189 that includes the water park!

 

[Ka' eo]

How much are you willing to spend? There have been some ridiculous cheapo last minute deals for the islands and mexico. Go to travelzoo. They have local stuff too (like NE). Boston would be nice in April. (I used to live in Newport)

 

[HeatherC]

Not sure where you are in RI? But...if you can get on Route 84 through Hartford and take that to Rt. 684, you can take the commuter rail very cheaply from White Plains NY station. I think kids are actually free on it. It's a 30 minute trip I believe into the city. Definitely cheaper than the $70 Amtrak train. I think it's under $10.

 

[jackie101]

Hi we are from RI come with us this April Vacation

Sun 18th- driving early am to NYC to see Museum of Natural History and play in Central Park

Then that eve- driving to Phily- got Embassy Suites at the airport on Hotwire.com for $63 a night!

Staying 3 nights- plan the liberty bell, betsy ross house, duck tours, Franklin Institute, constitution museum, etc- some of this is free because it is run by National Park service.

Driving home Wed am- but first going to the NJ location to take the ferry to Statue of Liberty.

I figure entire trip to cost about $750 or less. Embassy suites has 2 room suites with kitchenette and full free breakfast.
My Roger Williams Zoo membership is up- so instead I am getting a Boston Museum of Science membership which is recipricol with RW Zoo and the Franklin Institute.
Check out a restaurant called City Tavern in Philly.


It is more like a 3-5 hour drive but it sends you south instead of north and hopefully warmer weather! My kids do the drive to Phily very easily.

This looks lke fun. How far is Philly to the hotel?

 

[bamor]

I agree with NYC. (We live in Warwick).
Park in Westport (free) and take the Metro North. Kids are $1.00 r/t with the family fare. This will bring you right into Grand Central.
Check travelzoo for hotel deals or have a look at www.radiocityapartments and there is always hotwire.
Central Park
Walk Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Botanic Garden (free on Sats 10-12)
NY Public Library and Bryant Park
Am Museum of Natural History
Met Museum of Art (both are pay what you wish)
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
See a show at the New Victory Theater ($12.00 balcony seats)
Enjoy great pizza and Chinese food
The weather last April vacation was spectacular last yr....maybe you'll get lucky!

 

[happily single]

Ahh, decisions, decisions. I thought of the water park in NY. My girlfriend just got back from the Six Flags One, can't remember the name and loved it. My concern is that it will be over-run with kids.


I knew I could get a pretty decent rate for an island, which my 5 year old wants to do (ha ha) but the airfare would be so expensive, and we don't have passports.

I'm thinking NYC, parking out of the city (westport or NJ) and taking the metro into the city.

Thanks everyone

 

[stefplus3]

My son plays lacrosse and we have to go to NY from Mass in the summer for tournaments and we take the car ferry from CT to Long Island. Not sure how long the drive would be into the city but the boat ride is fun! You drive your right right on and then relax for an hour or so while the boat does the work. There's an arcade on board and a snack bar too.

Might make NY more appealing if you're not driving the entire time!