Need Ideas for Short Christmas getaway on a Budget

[GMU MOM]

On Christmas Day, after the kids open their presents, I would love to pack up the car and go on a short 1 or 2 night trip from the DC area. Preferably somewhere with Christmas events/activities and not too expensive.
The only thing I'm coming up with so far is Hershey, PA which is a 3 hour drive and will cost around $600 for 2nts/3 days or $800 for 3nts/4 days (includes hotel, food, tickets and gas). We spent a lot of time at Busch Gardens this last summer so I'm not sure the kids would want to do that again. I'm really open to any ideas within 3-4 hour drive from the DC area.

** I don't want to spend too much because if DCL releases any discounts the beginning of the year I would like to book a cruise for early 2014 and we've already been on 2 big Disney trips (DL and WDW) this year.**

 

[Egdisney]

Are you near a great wolf lodge? I was thinking about doing that over Christmas but decided to wait until my younger kids are a bit older. They have a story time where it snows in the lobby, and a gingerbread house restaurant as well as other decor. It certainly isn't cheap, I think it would have been $250 per night for the 6 of us, which includes hotel and waterpark admission.

 

[dizzi]

Isn't there somewhere close to yout that's an indoor water park and hotel combined. I always thought that would be fun with my younger kids

Williamsburg

Inner harbor

A 3 night Disney. Cruise,

 

[Alexle2007]

Hershey is beautiful at Christmas! We are going there the weekend of 12/14-15. There is a Comfort Suites in Hummelstown (about 15 min from the park) that we always stay at. Although my son really wants to stay at The Hotel Hershey, which is a small fortune. Did you look at the Gaylord at National Harbor? Maybe it's too close. Great Wolf in Williamsburg is nice but it is probably pricey right after Christmas.

 

[Swimalie]

The Salamander Resort in Middleburg is gorgeous! We were there a few weeks ago and loved it and I bet at Christmas, it's even more beautiful. Lots of things for kids and adults to do together, too.

 

[GMU MOM]

Are you near a great wolf lodge? I was thinking about doing that over Christmas but decided to wait until my younger kids are a bit older. They have a story time where it snows in the lobby, and a gingerbread house restaurant as well as other decor. It certainly isn't cheap, I think it would have been $250 per night for the 6 of us, which includes hotel and waterpark admission.

We've always wanted to do Great Wolf Lodge but the price for Christmas day check in is crazy (over $300 for 1 night) and I know groupon always has deals for it several times a year.

Hershey is beautiful at Christmas! We are going there the weekend of 12/14-15. There is a Comfort Suites in Hummelstown (about 15 min from the park) that we always stay at. Although my son really wants to stay at The Hotel Hershey, which is a small fortune. Did you look at the Gaylord at National Harbor? Maybe it's too close. Great Wolf in Williamsburg is nice but it is probably pricey right after Christmas.

National Harbor is about a 25 minute drive from us. They currently have ICE at the Gaylord which looks like a lot of fun so if we decide not to do a getaway, we might just spend the day at the Gaylord and try ICE.

The Salamander Resort in Middleburg is gorgeous! We were there a few weeks ago and loved it and I bet at Christmas, it's even more beautiful. Lots of things for kids and adults to do together, too.

What a beautiful resort. I hadn't heard of it before.

Thank you everyone.
Keep the ideas coming!

 

[Swimalie]

What a beautiful resort. I hadn't heard of it before.

Thank you everyone.
Keep the ideas coming!

Salamander Resort opened only a few months ago. We took a day trip to Middleburg and decided to check out the resort and were blown away. It felt like we had gone back in time with family things to do and relaxation and little time for electronics The restaurants smelled great and the rooms, which there is a sample of at the Salamander shop in town, were amazing looking with Italian tile and really nice bedding.

 

[sweetdana]

Frankenmuth, Mi has a German Dinner, and Christmas store the size of a small mall. It is beautiful.

There are 1 indoor water pool/park resorts.

Bavarian Inn is a lot less $$, and it is really a big pool, with a water extra.

there is also Zenders which is an actual indoor water park.

Both are across the street. It is a nice weekend trip.

We have plans for sat before Christmas get there early, enjoy the resort, have the German dinner then the next AM head over to the Christmas shoppe.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Salamander Resort oks nice but $325 for a weekend night in the middle of January. Ugh!