Chicago, Niagara, Hershey, Sandusky...help

[dr&momto2boys]

We're planning a driving trip from Chicago to Niagara Falls and back. We'll take about 2 weeks and want to stop at fun places along the way.

I need some suggestions on attractions and restaurants. Help me find the best deals!!! Also please give me tips on places to visit or avoid.

We are a family of 6 (kids ages 7, 6, 3, and 1.)

Please give me input and tips! Thanks!!!

Here's the plan (so far...) Edit: UPDATED plan 7/14 to reflect that we're driving a motorhome instead of staying in hotels

Day 1
Drive from Chicago to Warren Dunes MI (2 1/2 hours)
Spend the day at the dunes
Camp nearby

Day 2
Drive from Stevensville MI to Dearborn MI (3 hours)
Henry Ford Museum
Camp nearby

Day 3
Greenfield Village
IMAX
Factory Tour
camp nearby

Day 4 and 5
Drive to Niagara Falls
Stop at Pelee Point along the way (where we got engaged 18 yrs ago)
Maid of the Mist
Journey behind the falls
Clifton Hill
Mini golf
Oh Canada Eh! Dinner Show

Day 6
Drive from Niagara Falls to Hershey PA (6.5 hours)
Camp nearby

Day 7
Dutch Wonderland

Day 8
Amish Country

Day 9
Amish Country

Day 10
Amish Country
Drive to Ligonier PA

Day 11
Idlewild Amusement Park

Day 12-14
Drive to Sandusky OH
Cedar Point

Day 15
Drive home

 

[bmoncher]

For the Hershey Portion - do you want to stay close to Hershey or in Hershey?
My family and I rent a Guesthouse in Mount Joy - it is about a 20 minute drive to Hershey from there. It is a home on a Dairy Farm - with cows and chicken - they even let the kids collect eggs and feed the baby cows.

It is www.meadowviewkfarm.com It is about 179 a night I think and it has a large private kitchen - swing set in the yard and a washer and dryer in the basement... It sleeps 10 ( only has one bathroom tho...)

 

[luv2sewtjr]

Since you are visiting both HersheyPark and Cedar Point, I would probably skip Idlewild. I've been to all three and Idlewild is a small, family-friendly park.

We like city attractions as well as parks. Have you considered the incline in Pittsburgh?

http://duquesneincline.org/

The Carnegie Museums are great as well.

http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/

They have a submarine docked there, too. We toured a submarine last summer and ALL of my children (ranging from 6-18 at the time) loved it.

Sounds like a fun trip! For our big family, we also look for Residence Inns because they have some with 2 bedrooms and the free breakfast.

 

[bear_mom]

Days 2 & 3 - I would keep them open for switching based on weather. We have done both and they take about the same amount of time to get through. Also depending on when you are going, Greenfield Village might have something going on one of those days - we have seen the cooking demonstrations which are neat.

Emily

 

[mrudman]

My first thought as I was reading through your post... You're fitting a LOT in to 12 days. With 4 young kids, your list makes me tired just to look at it, lol.

I've been to most of the places you've mentioned, and it's definitely do-able, but you won't have much down time.

But sure sounds like a fun trip!!

One thing that did kind of pop out at me though is that you'll be coming into Sandusky, staying at the Great Wolf Lodge, but planning on doing Cedar Point both of those 2 days. Might want to just think about staying at a regular hotel in the area, rather than GWL, might save some money there.

Also, just my opinions, for what they're worth, lol..

But with children ranging from 7 to 1, I would be tempted to wait on Gettysburg, and possibly drive into Ligonier on Day 8, and just spend an extra day there (do Idlewild, Storybook Forest, Kennywood, Caddie Shak, or just have a mid-week relaxation day)

And instead of spending 2 days at Cedar Point (unless you're planning on a day at the water park portion), maybe do a side trip on the 2nd day, such as taking the ferry over to Put-in-bay or Kelley's Island, going to the African Safari Park, etc.

Have fun!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For the Niagara Falls portion........

- Consider adding the Cave of the Winds to your itinerary (its on the US side). Best Falls attraction there is, IMHO, and definitely right up there with the Maid of the Mist. While you are on the US side of the Falls, walk out on the Observation Tower for some great views and excellent photo opportunities (just be prepared, it can be pretty windy). Awesome ice cream at Twist of the Mist, right by the border crossing. You can't miss it (its shaped like a soft ice cream cone). They have a delectable peanut butter sundae .

- Take the short drive to Lewiston, NY for lunch at the Silo. Beautiful scenery, fantastic food (the signature steak sandwich, "the haystack", was featured on the show Man v. Food), and very affordable. Nice area to relax on a two-seater swing with a gorgeous view of the Niagara River. http://www.lewistonsilo.com/

- On the Canadian side, just a five minute drive away from the Falls, is an awesome family restaurant called Mick & Angelos. If you like Italian, this is your place . http://www.mickandangelos.ca/ Avoid any US chains (like TGI Fridays) as they will be a disappointment. Neither price nor food quality/quantity will equal their American counterparts.

- If you must eat right in the tourist district on the Canadian side of the Falls, Zappi's is a good choice (also Italian). Highly recommend the pizza burger (it looks and sounds weird but oooooh, its yummy). http://www.zappispizza.com/

- Also on the Canadian side and well worth visiting are the Niagara Skywheel and Bird Kingdom/Niagara Aviary. Great for the WHOLE family.

http://www.cliftonhill.com/attractions/niagara-skywheel
http://www.birdkingdom.ca/visitus/general/

- The Whirlpool Jet Boats may seem expensive, but they are awesome. So much fun! http://www.whirlpooljet.com/

- Consider purchasing a multi-attraction pass for Clifton Hill to save some money:

http://www.cliftonhill.com/tickets

- Dinosaur mini golf (at the top of Clifton Hill) is an excellent course, if your family are fans of mini golfing. Its better than the glow-in-the-dark golf, if you have to pick between the two.

- Tussauds is a better choice for wax musuems than Movieland.

- Marineland will be a disappointment if you have ever been to Seaworld.

- Americana Niagara has a small indoor waterpark that is perfect for children the ages of your kiddos. You can sit in one spot and see the whole place.

Here's some idea of the stuff you can do in Niagara:

Family fun:
http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-020f-9b00-5cca?ln

Bird Kingdom/Niagara Aviary:
http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-01ff-fcfe-38c4?ln

Niagara Falls State Park:
http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-020c-fae4-3d2d?ln

 

[elaine amj]

And instead of spending 2 days at Cedar Point (unless you're planning on a day at the water park portion), maybe do a side trip on the 2nd day, such as taking the ferry over to Put-in-bay or Kelley's Island, going to the African Safari Park, etc.

Have fun!

Depending on whather or not you have coaster fanatics - Cedar Point really does take 2 days to do properly. But a one-day commando trip is certainly doable! I did the Dino Island they are opening there this summer at Kings Island last summer. It's fun - especially if you have dino fans in the family. I was hemming and hawing, but in the end, it was worth the $5 each. Ymmv.

I agree with a PP that Great Wolf Lodge AND CP would be a little much to do together. Great Wolf takes at least a day to enjoy (for the premium price you are paying). Personally, I would stay at GWL: one day and then move to a cheaper motel after that. We have stayed at the Comfort Inn abt 20 mins from Cedar Point - it was cheaper and still an easy drive. (That said, we have also stayed in Cleveland 1 hr away and commuted each day....at that time, our cost savings made it worth it).

Best prices for 1 day tix in CP is through local credit unions (just Google credit union CP tickets). 2nd best price would be at the Meijer right close to the park. The 2-day tix for $60 odd (last year anyway) was a pretty decent deal.

I would also consider since u are doing an amusement park heavy trip...to consider a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass and stick to the Cedar Fair parks. It would be a substantial cost savings in tickets (but not sure if this would appeal to you and your trip).

Have fun!!

 

[nd5056]

...
Day 1
Drive from Chicago to Warren Dunes MI (2 1/2 hours)
Spend the day at the dunes
Stay at Comfort Suites in Stevensville MI (free breakfast)
...

We do Warren Dunes few times a year, even just for one day. Drive early in the morning, stay whole day at the beach and have a dinner early on the way somewhere, get home at night.

First of all, I’d never consider this to be my first stop on the way to Niagara Falls. And if I did, that would be my last stop so if I run short of time, I can come back anytime. Beside, the sun is brutal with all that sand around, wouldn’t want to do all that driving with a lobster skin on…

I always try to maximize the time at my final destination, allowing free time to explore and enjoy things we discover without being aware of it. I hate going commando style without stopping to smell the roses.

When we went to Niagara Falls, we planned short stop in Toronto. Turned out that Ontario Place (now closed… ) had so much going on, Air & Water Show, Chinese Lantern Festival, etc., we ended staying there ‘till late hours. We easily found room (for 5) by the airport, the Midway Hotel by Holiday Inn (?), turned out American Air show crew was staying there. It was fun for the kids to have breakfast (kids eat free) the next morning being surrounded by those guys, one of them was the pilot of F-22 Raptor in an orange suit.

My 1.5 year old son even got a souvenir from a emergency fireman/rescuer from the Raptor team…

You could easily find a good deal like this one HERE: to stay one more night in Falls. Personally, I love the charming city just to walk around, dine and explore.

.

 

[bear_mom]

My first thought as I was reading through your post... You're fitting a LOT in to 12 days. With 4 young kids, your list makes me tired just to look at it, lol.

I've been to most of the places you've mentioned, and it's definitely do-able, but you won't have much down time.

But sure sounds like a fun trip!!

One thing that did kind of pop out at me though is that you'll be coming into Sandusky, staying at the Great Wolf Lodge, but planning on doing Cedar Point both of those 2 days. Might want to just think about staying at a regular hotel in the area, rather than GWL, might save some money there.

Also, just my opinions, for what they're worth, lol..

But with children ranging from 7 to 1, I would be tempted to wait on Gettysburg, and possibly drive into Ligonier on Day 8, and just spend an extra day there (do Idlewild, Storybook Forest, Kennywood, Caddie Shak, or just have a mid-week relaxation day)

And instead of spending 2 days at Cedar Point (unless you're planning on a day at the water park portion), maybe do a side trip on the 2nd day, such as taking the ferry over to Put-in-bay or Kelley's Island, going to the African Safari Park, etc.

Have fun!

Depending on whather or not you have coaster fanatics - Cedar Point really does take 2 days to do properly. But a one-day commando trip is certainly doable! I did the Dino Island they are opening there this summer at Kings Island last summer. It's fun - especially if you have dino fans in the family. I was hemming and hawing, but in the end, it was worth the $5 each. Ymmv.

I agree with a PP that Great Wolf Lodge AND CP would be a little much to do together. Great Wolf takes at least a day to enjoy (for the premium price you are paying). Personally, I would stay at GWL: one day and then move to a cheaper motel after that. We have stayed at the Comfort Inn abt 20 mins from Cedar Point - it was cheaper and still an easy drive. (That said, we have also stayed in Cleveland 1 hr away and commuted each day....at that time, our cost savings made it worth it).

Best prices for 1 day tix in CP is through local credit unions (just Google credit union CP tickets). 2nd best price would be at the Meijer right close to the park. The 2-day tix for $60 odd (last year anyway) was a pretty decent deal.

I would also consider since u are doing an amusement park heavy trip...to consider a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass and stick to the Cedar Fair parks. It would be a substantial cost savings in tickets (but not sure if this would appeal to you and your trip).

Have fun!!

Last summer we did 2 days at Cedar Point and stayed at GWL and it was great. We got up early and did CP from opening until dinner time and then we back to the hotel and played in the water park. It was more than enough time for both and after 2-3 hours dds were satisfied with the time spent at GWL.

That is with 2 dds who are old enough/tall enough for all the big rides at CP, with little ones it might not take as much time to get through as the lines shouldn't be as long so you might have more time to spend at GWL.

Beware: rope at Disney is nothing compared to being at CP when they drop the rope. There was flat out running and pushing involved.

Emily

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Here is the current promo for July at Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky. It only good for the next 43 hours.

http://www.greatwolf.com/sandusky/deals/48hour?gclid=CPuD8-22hbACFUMTNAodeyUwjA

 

[woodkins]

Just got back from a weekend in Hershey on Monday. Don't know if you have been, but it is alot of really big roller coasters. There is also a water park (it was closed when we were there, so I can't comment on that).

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Harrisburg, it is about 20 mins outside of Hershey, but it was very nice and near a shopping center with a Target, Supermarket etc.

With the ages of your children you might be better off doing a park in the are like Dutch Wonderland over Hershey park.

 

[dismom301930]

We love Hershey and go every summer, but with kids your age I would suggest Dutch Wonderland instead of Hershey. It is in Lancaster, so not too far from Hershey. Hershey is not terrible for little kids (I could always find enough stuff for the youngest to do while the older ones ride the coasters) but I think Dutch Wonderland is perfect for someone with kids ages 7 and younger. There is a small (but fun!) water section there as well.

Have a great trip!

 

[2dogmom]

We went to CP last summer and loved staying at one of their resorts. It was walking distance and I think we were able to get in an hour early. It was a nice option to go back to our room and cool off for a couple hours. As a PP said, tickets are cheapest at Meijer, which are all around the Chicago area.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Wow!

You guys are awesome! What great advice and links!

We know we're a little crazy and definately vacation commando style. Our kids are used to it and have fun. DH and like rollercoasters and trade off while the other entertains the kids.

We're thinking about adding a couple of days to spend a third night at Niagara Falls and spend a day or two in there that are less busy.

We have to look into Gettysburg. Is there a museum there? The kids enjoyed Williamsburg a lot last fall. I told DH we should explore Amish country more instead of Gettysburg, but I don't really know what there is to explore. I just want the kids to see a different way of life. Any ideas? Never been there.


We LOVE themeparks! We threw Idlewood in there because we heard it is so great for children. We feel like we have to do EVERYTHING on this trip because we probably won't repeat it. We want to see the whole US with our kids--while they're still kids and go over seas as well. We travel a lot!!! (The baby has been to 9 states and 3 foreign countries already. This trip will make it 14 states and 4 foreign countries! ( can't remember the bigger kids' tally.)

I know Great Wolf Lodge isn't the best deal for accomodations, but I thought it would be nice to spend a few hours on the day we get there and after the theme park. We usually go early and leave early. Also it will accomodate us all in 1 room and has free buffets for the kids. I already read that it's not as great as the one in Wisconsin Dells, so we're treating more of just a cool hotel pool than a massive waterpark adventure.

I'll update my plans as we go and please keep giving me advice on attractions and such! You guys are great!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

For the Hershey Portion - do you want to stay close to Hershey or in Hershey?
My family and I rent a Guesthouse in Mount Joy - it is about a 20 minute drive to Hershey from there. It is a home on a Dairy Farm - with cows and chicken - they even let the kids collect eggs and feed the baby cows.

It is www.meadowviewkfarm.com It is about 179 a night I think and it has a large private kitchen - swing set in the yard and a washer and dryer in the basement... It sleeps 10 ( only has one bathroom tho...)

Thank you! This looks very interesting! Were the beds comfortable? How well kept/clean is it? I think the kids would love it. DH might not. Can you buy the eggs?

Their website has great links for activitie in Amish Country too. Just what I was looking for!

Thanks again!

 

[Aristocath]

We went to Gettysburg last summer. There is a visitors center and museum there but the main thing is to drive around the battlefield to see where certain events happened. We bought the audio tour but many people hire a guide. It is an all day thing or more. My kids enjoyed it but my youngest started to get bored by the end. He was 8 at the time. I can't imagine taking kids younger than that.

We also did Hershey and Niagara Falls on that trip as well as Boston and Williamsburg. Gettysburg is nothing like Williamsburg.

 

[cjnix29]

there are several waterpark hotels in the Sandusky area. Kalahari comes to mind. Maybe check that one too for a good price. I see it sometimes on travelzoo. We did Gettysburg with my son when he was 6. We hired a guide that drove our car around. Our son was pretty good during the tour, but can't say it was his favorite. We liked Hershey. But we stayed at our timeshare next to the outlet mall. So I can't help you with hotels around there. We took the trolley tour of Hershey, which we enjoyed. We have done Greenfield Village too, and I think I found decent ticket prices either with AAA, or I googled it. If I remember correctly, it was a pretty good discount. Have fun!!

 

[Fire14]

Just some tips/ideas
Meijer sells Cedar point Tixs and they are cheapest I've seen. I have stayed at several hotels in Cedar point area on milian rd all are fairly close and some can sleep 6. There is a meijer right on Milan rd. Also might want to request fun guide from website there is usually coupons in there for discounts on hotels and tixs.
For falls trip check AAA for combo pass that gets you maid of mist, and few other things for good price.
I also had bought a combo pass for Clifton hill area fun that wasn't badly priced.

 

[MinnieForMe]

My kids LOVED Williamsburg last summer too! My oldest, 14, just returned from a whirlwind Washington, DC and Gettysburg trip. He says "don't try it with little ones, they will be bored." My son's a huge history buff but was disappointed with Gettysburg, althought, they only had 3 hours off the bus to explore and did not take the tour.

As a child, I adored PA Dutch Country. Look for a child's museum in Lancaster about the PA Dutch (don't know if it's still there). You should be able to find plenty to do in that area and save Gettysburg for when they are preteens and will be interested in either a bike/bus/car tour.

 

[java]

On Sandusky I would suggest staying at Lighthouse Point vs. Great wolf lodge. We rented a "cabin" which was nothing fancy- but kind of cute right on the water. We walked to the parks every day and got early admission for being onsite. Fun fun fun.

Instead of going all the way down to Hershey what about hitting up Knoebels?
http://www.knoebels.com/

It's off I 80 probably save you some time driving. And it's way cheaper than Hershey. No parking fee- no admission fee- you pay as you go or buy POP stickers(offered on various days works out great if you have a non- rider in your group- they are free for the day) The food here is better than any I have had at any park. And it's inexpensive! Our family of 6 can have a full great day snacks, meals, drinks, rides and usually spend right around $100.

Also along that route is GWL near Tannersville PA. But even more fun right nearby is
http://www.camelbeach.com/Tickets-and-Passes/2012-Season-Passes.aspx