Looking for ideas for 2-3 day trip...

[mrudman]

between Christmas and New year's. Brainstorming trip ideas for a Christmas present for my mom. Would like to take her on a short trip (along with my soon-to-be 16 yo and 14 yo dd's). Hoping to keep it around 3-4 hour's drive at most from where we live in northeast Ohio. And with it most likely being very cold during that period, trying to come up with an idea that there would be some indoor stuff to see. Ideally I'd like somewhere in PA or SE Ohio since all of us have seen so much of the other parts of Ohio already. Had also thought about Niagara Falls due to the good U.S. Dollar rate right now and we do have passports... But not sure if there would be enough to see at that time of year. Any ideas on somewhere I could take her? Thanks,

 

[TwoMisfits]

How about the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling WV? They apparently have an amazing light show, an indoor spa, and indoor glass museum and mansion museum, some outdoor fun, etc. I think a spa weekend where you fit in the light show and some of the indoor fun could be a really nice trip for all ages...http://www.oglebay-resort.com/index.html

 

[mrudman]

Great idea! I'll have to look in to that and see how much it would cost. Trying to stick to around $200 for 2-nights. Thanks! My mom has stayed here though (I haven't).. so gonna keep looking for other ideas too. Hoping to find some place neither of us has stayed at yet,
Any other ideas?

 

[LoriWV]

If rooms at Oglebay are too expensive/not available, you might want to see how a room at the Hampton Inn or SpringHill Suites on National Road. This puts you close to Oglebay at a slightly lower rate. The "Festival of Lights" is spectacular, but the car lines can be incredibly long. I haven't been in that week between Christmas and New Year, so I'm not exactly sure what the crowds are like at that time. I spent four years in Wheeling when I was in college and absolutely love the area. There is so much to do and see. I need to get back there soon!

 

[kymom99]

Cincinnati has lots to do. You could stay downtown with a view of fountain square. There is a skating rink outdoors. The zoo has Festival of Lights going on. Across the river in Newport is an aquarium. Kings island is bringing back the winter fest.

If cost to stay in the city is too much, there are hotels in Newport and Covington that are nice and much more reasonable.

 

[southerngrce]

Frankenmuth, Michigan is one of our relative's favorite weekend spot within a short drive.

There are locations with indoor water parks like Wilderness in the Smokies in TN.

We recently stayed at a Great Wolf Lodge (indoor water park resort) but for my teens the waterpark was geared toward younger kids. But they do have awesome flash sales with 25% off and they do 20% military discounts.

Looking at the map for Ohio, you have a lot of options within a 4-hour drive.

I know a lot of folks like Hersey, PA. I haven't been there yet, but it is on our list.

 

[kymom99]

Cincinnati has lots to do. You could stay downtown with a view of fountain square. There is a skating rink outdoors. The zoo has Festival of Lights going on. Across the river in Newport is an aquarium. Kings island is bringing back the winter fest.

If cost to stay in the city is too much, there are hotels in Newport and Covington that are nice and much more reasonable.

I'll also add there is playhouse in the park which does A Christmas Carol every holiday season. It's really good. Also krohn conservatory has beautiful Christmas flowers over the holidays

 

[mrudman]

Thanks for the continued ideas! Will definitely look into these, and see if anything would fit in to my budget. Would love some more ideas as well,

 

[dberger820]

I"m in NE Ohio as well, and we make it a point to head to Kalahari for at least one-two nights each winter. There is just something about coming in out of the snow into an 85 degree waterpark. It's by far the nicest indoor waterpark and they have some great deals over the winter as it is their slow season. Sign up for their emails for the best specials!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

In Ohio you will want to head south to avoid having to deal with potential snow. I say to go Cincinnati. There is a ton to do there. Although your $200 budget for a hotel might be hard to come by. Unless you want to chance staying some where that has bedbugs.

 

[AndreaDM]

Check Travelzoo, there are often local, last-minute deals to be had. I've never had a problem finding a hotel at a reasonable price...even without bed bugs. I'm also in NE Ohio BTW.