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

[Plum Pirate]

Would you consider Pittsburgh?

There are two amusement parks nearby. Kennywood, which is is historic and entertaining, has a couple of big coasters as well as plenty of other rides. Idewild is about an hour east of the city, and is a smaller, lovely park in a forest setting. It is great for younger kids (the only coaster is an old wooden one that my DH took our DD on when she was only 2 years old - much to my horror). Idewild has a pool/water park section, but that water is COLD. Near Kennywood is Sandcastle Water Park. All of these will cost you about $30 per person per day, but there are sometimes discounts available.

The city also has a really nice zoo, children's museum, aviary and science center (which is lots of fun). I would definitely use a GPS if traveling in the city, however, as there are a lot of one-way streets and it can be confusing to make your way around. The Southside has a lot of great places to eat.

We love our city in the spring, summer and fall! (Although I hate it in the winter when I dream of retiring and moving to Florida.)

 

[Darcy03231]

I highly recommend:

http://www.rockinghorseranch.com/

My kids loved going there when they were about the same ages as yours are now.

 

[Jaden'smommy]

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!)

We love Sesame Place! we try to go there every summer since my son was 3. he's now almost 8 and still loves it. my 11 year old niece had a blast too

 

[tiggspring]

Idlewild in Ligonier pa (hour from Pittsbugh ) is a great family park voted 2nd best childrens park in the world(behind leggo land) by an amusement mag. Great for kids under twelve with some milder costers. All in a wooded setting . Extra large kiddy section. A small wild West area and historic midway. Includes water park admissions. Historic fort Ligonier and several smaller museums in town as well has a historic downtown shopping area with about 50 shops. Its close to ohippyle which has great outdoor activities and Pittsburgh which has its sister park Kennywood.
Pittsburgh has many fabulous museums, zoo, duck boats, inclines that kids will find interesting. I'm origonally from RI/Ma and was stunned how clean it is and how fabulous the dinosaur exhibits are at the Carnegie are. The President had the G20 summit here for a reason.
Rt 30 which connects E Pa with W Pa is supposed to have many old roadside attraction (think house in shape of a shoe) a book was written about it . Lincoln hiway association could help with that.

I adore DC too.

Have fun planning!

 

[gibsontrio]

I highly recommend:

http://www.rockinghorseranch.com/

My kids loved going there when they were about the same ages as yours are now.

We used to live near here also (did I mention we are military ..lol) Its REALLY nice, but you most likely will end up spending more than 1000 if you stay more then a couple days, worth the money though (all inclusive as well) I went to a bbq at someone's house who lived around the lake that is used for that place and everyone looked like they were having so much fun!

 

[racechick8293]

If you went to Knoebel's, I would suggest a day at Rickett's Glen State Park. The waterfalls are beautiful. The only problem with Knoebel's as more than a day trip is that there's not too much else around Elysburg/Danville.

 

[PA Princess]

Lot's of great suggestions in this thread. As others have said, I love how accessible our state is to so many other places!

Williamsburg is a really buget friendly trip we found last summer (family of 6 - kids ages 15 to 5). Hotel, food, and park tickets could easily be done for $1000 for a 5 to 7 day trip.

Washington DC is also a great trip and one we do every few years. So much to do there is free. Lodging and food can be pricey, so you have to shop carefully. The best way to visit for us is to stay at a hotel close to a metro and then use that to get around...we always kid that it is sort like doing disney transportation.

You mentioned Lancaster/Hershey area, but have you done Philadelphia? Historic section, Franklin Institute, Consititution Center, the zoo?

One of our favorite things to do is to travel off season to places...th beach in the winter, the Poconos in the summer. You can get some great deals.

 

[PADISFAM]

NW PA is a wonderful place to vacation & we live cheap over here (Erie)

We have http://www.presqueisle.org/ a wonderful beach & you can't beat free! (& one of the greatest places in the country for fishing)

A little nite life at the casinos (NOT free! Probably wouldn't work with the little ones ) http://www.presqueisledowns.com/

A fantastic zoo http://www.eriezoo.org/

A very fun amusement park (very cheap by today's standards--& admission is free to just walk aroun) http://www.waldameer.com/

An indoor h20 park (as our weather can kinda be crappy ) http://www.splashlagoon.com/

The water park has several hotels attached right to it & several more in the area.

We are not big campers either but I thought I would throw this in --(my parents are though & they have stayed here) this camp ground is about 10 minutes from all but Waldameer--that's about 20minutes away (little gas you will need) http://www.sparrowpond.com/

A very fun (& inexpensive) family park w/ everything from inflatables to rock climbing, go-karts, indoor & outdoor mini golf & a golf dome http://www.familyfirstsportspark.com/

Ya can't forget shopping.......http://www.millcreekmall.net/

Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Niagara Fall (American Side no passport is needed) & Cleveland are all within 1 1/2 to 2 hours away.http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/v.../niagarafalls/

This park is know for its roller coaster but it also has things for the little ones. This park is about 2 &1/2 hrs from Erie in Sandusky OH. http://www.cedarpoint.com/

www.eriechildrensmuseum.org cute hands on childrens museum

www.erieevents.com various basketball, hockey, baseball & shows

Everything is located within just a very short distance.

Various hotels: Holiday Inn Express, Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn, Marriot, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn to name a few that come to mind. The zip code is 16509 to help in your seach.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

NW PA is a wonderful place to vacation & we live cheap over here (Erie)

I really had no idea there was so much in Erie! I have never been to that part of the state!

 

[PADISFAM]

I really had no idea there was so much in Erie! I have never been to that part of the state!

poor Erie -- we tend to be the forgotten part of the state
We're about 6 hours from you.

 

[brymolmom]

Not in the amusement park arena, but a close idea for you. We have gone to a family resort in the Poconos. The one where we go is very inexpensive, but a bit more than your estimate for a full week - but 2 meals per day are included. That's vacation for me - don't have to worry about what's for breakfast and dinner - just head to the dining room and order. LOVE THAT! This type of vacation is definitely 'make your own fun' - gotta want to get involved - in the bocce tournaments, happy hours, tennis, walks down the river, family bingo every night, and lounge singers for entertainment in the evenings.

My sister's family goes with us, our kids are 9,8,7,6 and 5 all together, and they love it -just getting up in the morning and heading to the pool or tennis courts with their cousins. They like it just as much as WDW!

 

[Suz D]

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!

We went to NYC and rode the train from Pittsburgh (goes right through Philly). We walked to our hotel (Residence Inn just off Times Square-$161/nt for a special rate) from the train station so no parking issues. It was a wonderful trip and if you didn't do any shows but just did the "free" things it could be a wonderful trip.

 

[kelly1218]

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!)

There are only a few slides at Sesame that really interest the older kids. (Sky Splash, the speed slides, Bert & Ernie tube slides, and one other tube slide that I can't remember the name of....maybe the rambling river~ lazy river)

Up until last year We had the platinum passes to Busch Garden (we live less than 5 miles from sesame) My kids 12 &14 outgrew the park about 4-5 years ago....but we would still go about 1-2 times a year for them to do about an hour of the water slides. After an hour they were done. I don't think we did a show in the last 3 years...and even then was only because we went with friends that had younger kids.

We would try to hit BG Williamsburg at least once a year though. Usually in early June for a long weekend...and then again in October on Columbus day weekend. (which suprisingly had great hotel deals that weekend)

 

[1Mouse2RulethemAll]

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!

Have you considered Dorney Park? I remember going when I was a kid and from my understanding they have stuff for all ages now.

 

[quentina]

Great wolf lodge in the Pocono's....with code, you can get a rate of under 200 for all of you. Also, Williamsburg, 4.5 hour drive....lots to do, many of it free. Bounce passes for Busch gardens and water country are reasonable. If you do a time share presentation, you can get the room for almost free (well, 2 hours of your time).

 

[Kycha]

When DH and I were first married we didn't have a lot of money. We did a budget amusement park road trip vacation. We lived in Lancaster at the time. So one day we hit Hershey Park(day trip). The next day Dorney Park(stayed at a B&B). A day at Six Flags & the wildlife safari(another B&B). A day in Atlantic City(camping) Then the remainder of our vacation was spent in DC(camping). The campground was close to a metro station. Back then, you could get a metro pass for $5. This would give you unlimited daily use on the metro and bus in DC. That was 15 years ago. I'm sure the fares have gone up since then. I would never suggest driving in DC when the metro system is soooo easy to use.

http://www.wmata.com/

 

[labdogs42]

How about Chincoteague, VA? We camped there two summers ago and we loved it. You don't have to camp, though, there are nice hotels, too! We're also in the Lehigh Valley, so I'm checking this thread for ideas, too!

Oh yeah, Acadia Nat'l park up in Maine is awesome, too!

 

[labdogs42]

Not in the amusement park arena, but a close idea for you. We have gone to a family resort in the Poconos. The one where we go is very inexpensive, but a bit more than your estimate for a full week - but 2 meals per day are included. That's vacation for me - don't have to worry about what's for breakfast and dinner - just head to the dining room and order. LOVE THAT! This type of vacation is definitely 'make your own fun' - gotta want to get involved - in the bocce tournaments, happy hours, tennis, walks down the river, family bingo every night, and lounge singers for entertainment in the evenings.

My sister's family goes with us, our kids are 9,8,7,6 and 5 all together, and they love it -just getting up in the morning and heading to the pool or tennis courts with their cousins. They like it just as much as WDW!

Care to share the name of the resort? Sounds fun!

 

[brymolmom]

Care to share the name of the resort? Sounds fun!

It is a TON of fun....but it is very, shall we say - rustic? Not 4 star - very basic. But like I said - inexpensive and a ton of fun!

It is Daniels Family Resort. Here:
http://www.danielsresort.com/

I grew up there myself....had my first kiss there. One of my BFF's I met there when we were 12 - he and his wife and family and me and my husband and kids get together each summer still today - 25 years later.

Think a 'budget' version of Kellerman's (for those Dirty Dancing fans out there) - I even had my share of partying with the waiters!

 

[pigletof4]

poor Erie -- we tend to be the forgotten part of the state
We're about 6 hours from you.

Hello neighbor! I am from Erie, also!