Budget vacation idea - PA residents - Apx. $1000?

[aprilfoolwed]

Put on your thinking caps....

We are thinking about vacation this year. I have to choose a family vacation OR tuition for a college course that I need to take. I would much rather go on vacation. There's a lot involved with the decision (when I can finish my whole college program, money etc), but wouldn't it be lovely if we could do both?

I've been pricing a budget trip to FLorida, which is still a possibility, but also want some closer-to-home options.

We live an hour outside of Philadelphia, PA, and have a family of 5 (kids will be 10, 8, and 5 this summer).

Kids love amusement parks, but two youngest kids don't do coasters, so we're limited there. We're not super outdoorsy people, so no camping or roughing it!

We don't mind a drive - we've made it to Orlando and back twice now - so we could head just about anywhere.

Ideas of something that would be fun and possibly be in the $1000 range? Wouldn't have to be a week-long trip - it could just be a 3-4 day get-away too. Day trips ok as well!

 

[mommymeg]

We are a family of 5 also and 1hr away from Philly. Our kids are a little older at 14, 10 and 6. We go down the shore every year and always have a blast. That can easily run $1000. We just took a 10hr drive to Tennessee for a long weekend in Gatlinburg/Seiverville. Only had time to do Dollywood and some hiking but had a fabulouse time and rented a beautiful cabin which we split with another family. Hershey is always a blast and has so much more than Hershey Park to offer. I'd love to do a future trip to Baltimore inner harbor and Niagra Falls, both under a 7 hr drive. The one thing I like about PA is that there are lots of vacation options. It's definitally NOT the winter weather, that's for sure!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I think we are Hershey-ed out. We have done the Hershey/Lancaster thing so many times (although it's always fun).

We did Dollywood last year on the way home from Tampa. Had lots of fun there, and it's a good idea for us to check into that again this year. We only had 3 nights there - did Dollywood, some laundry and then headed back to PA. I may look into that again.

The kids and I were just talking about Baltimore - what else is there to do aside from the aquarium? We just went to the aquarium in Camden, NJ last year, so I wonder if they would like the one in Baltimore.

I haven't been to Niagra Falls for quite some time. When I went, we did the Canadian side, which I guess we'd need passports for now? I think my kids would think it's cool to go to a different country!

Thanks for the food for thought.

 

[HelenePA]

Knoebles would probably fit into your budget. I live very close to there so I dont know much about hotels in the area. I'm guessing Danville would be the closest. Maybe someone else can chime in. Hershey would probably not be so much fun with your kids not liking coasters. Knoebles has mostly the same rides except for the coasters and price tag to go with it! Free parking, free admission, such wonderful yummy food. God i can't wait for it to open. Baltimore is another idea for you. We go there for day trips, its not cheap for hotels in inner harbor. Neither is most of the stuff to do there.. if your going to do the aquarium I'd look into the family yearly pass. It might be cheaper than just a one day tix for your family of 5 and then you can go back as much as you want that week. The zoo down there is very nice and cheap compared to most others, free parking is nice! Again check into the membership it might be cheaper! You can always hit DC for a day if your staying in baltimore for a few days. You can do the museums, see the sights and maybe do that zoo. Parking is NOT free and it fills up quickly. The only thing good about that zoo is its free. I really dont like the layout. Its very very hilly. Last time we did Niagara falls you didn't need passports you will NOW to get back into the US. So take that into account if you wanna do the canada side. I'm not sure what else there is to do on the NY side.

ETA I'm in Schuylkill Co so I know a lot to do up my way. Out near pitt is a blank for me. also check out www.laketobias.com we LOVE it there I mean were else can you pet and feed zebras? along with all the other animals?

 

[karliebug]

How about Washington,DC?

 

[aprilfoolwed]

We love Knoebels! We haven't been there for 2 years or so. And they do have good food - much better than most parks!

Washington DC seems so intimidating to me. Guess I need to do some research and see more about exploring our capitol!

 

[HelenePA]

We love Knoebels! We haven't been there for 2 years or so. And they do have good food - much better than most parks!

Washington DC seems so intimidating to me. Guess I need to do some research and see more about exploring our capitol!

Your not alone! I've only braved it for the zoo. The parking frightens me! I tried to ask where to park on the CB and was told to just take a train in and use the buses.. I live 2 hrs away and it would cost me so much more to do that than just drive... I'm too cheap. NYC is another place I'd like to do but again with the parking... I live in a small town. I am not use to parking laws and fighting for space!

 

[mlraabe]

We love DC and take 3-4 day trips there a couple of times a year. We stay right outside the city and use the metro for everything. We really enjoy the zoo and usually go 2x during our stay - we go in the early am and then leave to check out sites right in the city and then spend another eve there. It is not crowded at those times and the animals are out more. We take the metro from our hotel to the zoo. We enjoy the other usual sights- muesems, monuments, plus always try to add something new each time. Next trip we will be taking a day to visit Valley Forge (along with introducing our new daugher - see sig- to her nation's capital!). Last time we toured Ford's theater - our 9 year old loves lincoln. We even just enjoy eating a snack while sitting in the grass in the Mall and watching everyone. I am definately not a city person - live in the middle of no where - however, I think DC is very easy to get around. Unlike my trips to NYC - I can't understand the subway there at all. Hotels within a 5 min ride to the city are very reasonable as is the food in those areas. All Smithsonians and the zoo are free.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

We live in the Annapolis area and here's what we did last year. I bought us all Super Grover passes to Sesame Place. These are the Worlds of Discovery Platinum level passes. This year they are $146 until March 1st. That's $730, plus you have to pay $8 to have paper tickets sent to you.

Yes, we did go to Sesame Place a handful of times, and the passes would have been worth it for that alone. It appears as though you have a 4 y.o. and you live even closer- if you haven't already been, I'm sure he'd love this park.

For Spring Break, we spent 3 days at Busch Gardens. (This is why we had to have paper tickets- Sesame Place wasn't even open yet.) With our passes, preferred parking and admission was free, and we got a discount on food. Even though it was Spring Break, we were able to get Holiday Inn Express with indoor pool(so, breakfast included) for $69/night on Hotwire. Our biggest expense for this trip was the Sesame Street character meal in the castle. On our last day, we hit the Yankee Candle Flagship store, and they had a lot going on since it was Easter weekend. Even when there is nothing additional going on, it's good for a 1-2 hour diversion.

We had intended to go back to Williamsburg during the summer and going to Busch Gardens and Water Safari, but we never had a free weekend. We did go back one more time at the end of August with friends who only bought 1 day BG passes. Again, Hotwire for a hotel with indoor pool and free breakfast-we ended up with La Quinta that time.

Again, all of this would have been worth the price of the passes, but then I noticed the Yankees happened to be playing in Tampa Bay on DS's 11th birthday. DH and DS took a 5 day boys only trip to Tampa- and their hotel was only $40!!! I did a lot of research on that one as there are some shady areas in Tampa, apparently, but this was a hotel that got decent reviews- and had free breakfast!!! They spent the rest of their days at Busch Gardens Tampa, Sea World, Aquatica, and Wet and Wild. All included with the Super Grover, in addition to preferred parking, discounts on food, priority seating for shows, and the FL parks have ride again privledges. Airfare is killer here, and the rental car wasn't cheap either- if you aren't willing to drive, it could be a budget buster.

We go to WDW every other year and this is the year. I think we're still going to get the Super Grover passes as I have a little one that still loves Sesame Place, and then we'll at least take a day and do Seaworld.

 

[amylevan]

The kids and I were just talking about Baltimore - what else is there to do aside from the aquarium? We just went to the aquarium in Camden, NJ last year, so I wonder if they would like the one in Baltimore.

The aquarium in Baltimore is much cooler than Camden - definitely worth the trip. There is plenty to do in the Inner Harbor area. You can get a pass to 5 attractions for 4 days. It includes:

The Aquarium
Maryland Science Center
Sports Legends Museum
Port Discovery Children's Museum (or an art museum)
and an Observation Level above the Harbor

There are historic ships, GREAT seafood, shopping...

It's a great place to visit. We had a good time and not too far of a drive (we're in the Lehigh Valley...).

 

[kacaju]

I know you said you are not outdoorsy...but would you go rafting or tubing?? We tubed on the Delaware River last summer.
http://www.rivercountry.net/
We had a wonderful afternoon and even saw 2 bald eagles flying over head.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

It's a great place to visit. We had a good time and not too far of a drive (we're in the Lehigh Valley...).

We're in the Lehigh Valley too!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Yes, we did go to Sesame Place a handful of times, and the passes would have been worth it for that alone. It appears as though you have a 4 y.o. and you live even closer- if you haven't already been, I'm sure he'd love this park.

Is there stuff for older kids to do at Sesame Place?

We used to love going to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA, and even though my little guy would LOVE it, there is nothing for my older ones to do there now.

We have never been to Sesame Place - I guess that's about an hour away from us. I didn't know you could use the passes at BG. We were thinking about Williamsburg (that's where I honeymooned!)

 

[HelenePA]

Is there stuff for older kids to do at Sesame Place?

We used to love going to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA, and even though my little guy would LOVE it, there is nothing for my older ones to do there now.

We have never been to Sesame Place - I guess that's about an hour away from us. I didn't know you could use the passes at BG. We were thinking about Williamsburg (that's where I honeymooned!)

IMO No. Not really stuff for older kids. I think my 8, and 10 yr old would spend most of the time in the pool area and to pay 780$ for that is out of the question! We did go when they were younger but now would be a waste of that kind of cash.. the shows are cute! but not for tweens! Maybe for a day definately not longer than a weekend.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Is there stuff for older kids to do at Sesame Place?

We used to love going to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA, and even though my little guy would LOVE it, there is nothing for my older ones to do there now.

We have never been to Sesame Place - I guess that's about an hour away from us. I didn't know you could use the passes at BG. We were thinking about Williamsburg (that's where I honeymooned!)

I think the older kids would like the water slides. My 2 y.o. wasn't even tall enough to do most of the slides. My older kids actually didn't ever both go at the same time, so they mostly just hung out with us. They didn't hate it, but it was definitely not somewhere they'd choose to go at their ages.

You can only use the passes at the other parks if you buy the highest one- not just the regular season passes.

 

[dolfinjuls]

We purchased the super grover pass two years ago. We used it for Sesame Place several times, went to BG Tampa and Sea World with our Disney trip, and also went to BG Williamsburg and their water park for a weekend trip. Definitely a good value!

I'm really enjoying some of these ideas!

 

[pal-mickey]

One good thing about Washington dc is that all the museums are free. We went there a few years ago when money was tight. We stayed outside the city and used the metro to get around. The metro can be expensive, but easier than driving/parking there. And the metro was easy to use and the stations were clean

 

[gibsontrio]

aww you guys all live in my "home" We're mililtary and just moved (last yr) from Jim Thorpe, I'm originally from outside PA (abington) I miss the Lehigh Vally SO MUCH , there is really nothing like it. Small town and lots to do

Anyway I LOVE knobels! But how about Chincotegue VA ? My parents used to take us there every summer, lots to do for families of a budget (wild ponies, bike riding, beach, hiking, etc) You can rent a house there for a week or two for around 1000. There are also several "dude ranches" in the area , I know there's one in Bushkill. Most are all inclusive, something different to do.

 

[marlynnp]

I would see about combining a few things in the Poconos area.
I've been considering this myself.

Jim Thorpe - white water rafting
Tannersville - Camelbeach Waterpark
Elysburg - Knoebels Amusement Park

 

[pal-mickey]

Kneobels is at least 1 1/2hrs from tannersville. I live in bushkill which is about 45 min from tannersville and it takes us about 2 1/2hrs to get to kneobels. Camelbeach is a lot of fun. There are also the crossings outlet near there