Budget last minute trip in MD, PA, Northern VA??

[Dancemom03]

My mom drives me absolutely crazy. She insisted we should go to Williamsburg when she knows we prefer WDW > then when we say Okay, suddenly that's too far but what about Hershey > okay, I rearrange schedules with less than two weeks left before school starts to go, even offer to drive, now suddenly THAT's too far as well. Geez mom, it's the same place it was before, haven't moved it since I was a kid, I'm sure...

Now she's pushing for Strasburg Railroad, the DDs and I have absolutely no interest in riding the train - unless it's Amtrak into NYC! She knows this, but is complaining b/c we "never want to go anywhere with them".

The zoo is "too hilly", we're Aquarium members already so that's out, DC "takes too much walking". Gettysburg battlefields/museums are routine b/c they're so close, they'd like to do "something different with DD8 that she'll remember".

So... I throw myself on the mercy of my budget board buddies. I need somewhere within an hour or two of Baltimore. Preferrably somewhere reasonably priced with a nice pool or waterpark that might also be acceptable to seniors. A day trip would work too. It doesn't even have to be overnight. Where have you been??

 

[QVCshopper]

There's the Boyds Bear Country Store; Dutch Wonderland; lots of museums in Philly; Longwood Gardens and anything around the Brandywine Valley (Winterthur, Hagley, Nemours). Just a few ideas...

 

[MDTerrapin]

Chesapeake Beach has a nice water park. I live in Ellicott City and it is about an hour away. There are also some nice restraunts in the area to go to.

What about Assateague State park? We love to go there,even for the day.
My kids have also gone to Cunningham Falls this summer and loved the trails and swimming in the falls.
HTH!

Karen

 

[Abbie]

Chesapeake Beach has a nice water park. I live in Ellicott City and it is about an hour away. There are also some nice restraunts in the area to go to.

What about Assateague State park? We love to go there,even for the day.
My kids have also gone to Cunningham Falls this summer and loved the trails and swimming in the falls.
HTH!

Karen

Small world, I grew up in Ellicott City!

Chesapeake Beach is a lot of fun, and there is also a good waterpark in Manassas. Strasburg Railroad is actually pretty neat.....but it doesn't take long unless you're doing one of the Murder Mysteries or something. You'd have time left over for the Sight and Sound theater, which my kids loved when they were younger. There's also the American Music Theater there in Lancaster. Right now they have a show called Broadway's Best, which is awesome! I've been a couple of times and am always amazed at the talent. It's as close to a real Broadway show as you can get without actually facing NYC traffic! You could easily do the railroad during the day, go to the show at night, and still squeeze in some outlet shopping for back-to-school deals.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Travelzoo top 20 came out today with this

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/631086

 

[Dancemom03]

I saw the travelzoo Rocky Gap resort deal today too and clicked into the resort's website to check it out. Looks like they have quite a few activities for kids. Has anyone been there to offer an opinion, by chance?

Assateague is too far, we'd love that but dad has issues with his hip so walking too much or sitting too long is painful. That's why initially I thought Great Wolf in Williamsburg was a perfect solution as DD8 loves it there and we'd be happy just spending time together at the hotel, thereby minimizing walking. They decided it's too far though so that's no longer an option.
Mom suggested Hershey instead but now that's too far too so I'm feeling limited. Oddly, Strasburg is not much closer. I suspect the minute we'd gather enthusiasm for that option and I call for more details, that'll be too far as well.

I thought about Dutch Wonderland - or just finding a nice resort up that way without any parks. Haven't been there since I was a kid but heard DW park is geared for young children. Is the water area inside DW just sprinklers and things like in Universal Studios or are there things in that area the over-12 crowd might enjoy also?

Chesapeake Beach looks like a really neat destination. Even nicer that grandparents get in the waterpark free on Tuesdays. Not sure my folks would be willing, but maybe I'll take the DDs up there for a day out next week before swim season ends and school starts. I love that idea.

 

[java]

Dutch Wonderland is geared towards the younger crowd definately.

Hershey is VERY VERY hilly so if walking is an issue this isn't where you want to be.

Strassburg- eh unless your big train freaks I say that's a pass.

There is Willow Valley Resort. You could do all the Amish Country stuff but I think that's more weekend type of stuff vs. a whole week. (although you could outlet shop too!)

In PA there is Knoebels amusement park that is very fun and is pay as you go (so grandma won't have to spend any $$ unless she wants to ride rides)

Camelbeach is a waterpark (again though very hilly)

Oh Split Rock is a place we were wanting to try-
http://www.splitrockresort.com/history.php

We've also stayed at Woodloch Pines(but that books up early usually) fun on a lake indoor pool nightly entertainment. My kids loved it and I thought my parents would have enjoyed it too.

 

[2BigKIdz]

What about Kings Dominion? It's about 2-2.5 hours from Baltimore. I know you said your dad can't walk far, Kings Dominion is relatively flat, no hills to speak of but some small inclines. They have a nice water park included in the ticket price that people of all ages could enjoy. There are also other things to do in Richmond that your parents may enjoy.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60893-Activities-Richmond_Virginia.html

 

[PlutoPony]

I saw the travelzoo Rocky Gap resort deal today too and clicked into the resort's website to check it out. Looks like they have quite a few activities for kids. Has anyone been there to offer an opinion, by chance?

We drive by there several times a year and finally stopped last summer to have lunch and check it out. It's a nice setting, right on the lake with mountains rising all around. Looks like quite a bit to do - water sports, biking, golf course there, pool, great hiking there and right nearby. You're close to Cumberland with a few nice things to do. I can see this being a very nice "get away" place, especially if you get a deal.

If you go, let us know what you think. We've thought about stopping for a day or two (it's on the way to visit family) but just never get around to it...

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I know there is a hotel in Lancaster along route 30 that has an indoor water park. You can see the tubes slides from the outside. This is all I could come up with. (But after reading the reviews on TripAdvisor, I am not sure I would want to stay there.) There are lots of other things to do in Lancaster too.

 

[bluesaturn]

Chesapeake Beach looks like a really neat destination. Even nicer that grandparents get in the waterpark free on Tuesdays. Not sure my folks would be willing, but maybe I'll take the DDs up there for a day out next week before swim season ends and school starts. I love that idea.

Chesapeake Beach is really a super day trip for anyone in the area. It's about an hour and a half from Baltimore city I would say, but a really pleasant drive. There's a water park and the beach. There's also a wooden boardwalk for walking and some cute little stores. There's some good restaurants and a great ice cream place. And slot machines, a lot of those. PM me if you want any details/recommendations.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Gettysburg. Learn a LOT of interesting stuff. And you can rent a private guide that drives your car for a two hour tour (almost no walking involved) for only $60 for the car-ful. The visitor center is large and beautiful. Lots to see and do there, too.

 

[PaulaSue]

Hp is not much farther than most of what you mentioned for PA. HHP gets my vote but we are there every week. Got to love the chocolate~

 

[mikehn]

Sandy Point state park, right at the bay bridge. There is a big beach there, swimming, fishing, crabbing, boat rentals. If you go across the bridge, on to kent island, there are plenty of waterfront restaurants, Fishermans crab deck, Harris crab house, Fishermans Inn, etc. A couple miles further, there is the outlet mall at Queenstown.

 

[summy32]

I have never been here, but my brother just took his family with kids ages 4,8,& 14 to Jellystone camp resort near Hagerstown, MD. They stayed in a cabin an said they had a great time and would go back. They have mini golf, laser tag, water slides and pools and other activities. They said when they went all activities were included, but that may just be at certain times or dates, I would check before assuming that. The website is jellystonemaryland.com