OT-Cheap, fun place to go with the kids 2 hours from Allentown, PA

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Not sure how far you want to travel but Steamtown National Park in Scranton has a few "free" weekends coming up...not sure the dates but if you google the site, I'm sure that you could call them for the free weekend dates. You would have to be into railroading to enjoy this though.

We also have the coal mine tour at McDade park. Used to go there tons of times when my daughter was little but haven't been there in years.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Not sure how far you want to travel but Steamtown National Park in Scranton has a few "free" weekends coming up...not sure the dates but if you google the site, I'm sure that you could call them for the free weekend dates. You would have to be into railroading to enjoy this though.

We also have the coal mine tour at McDade park. Used to go there tons of times when my daughter was little but haven't been there in years.

Thanks for the info! Darn we just missed a weekend...found info. here! We're gonna try and go in August I guess!

http://www.nps.gov/stea/parknews/steamtown-nhs-2010-fee-free-days.htm

 

[jam217]

For blueberries and raspberries, I go to Prydenjoy Farm, 2141 Pirma Ave., Allentown. I used to go the Schmidt's but they restrict you to certain areas/bushes. At Prydenjoy you can pick wherever you want. They are only open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

 

[karliebug]

How about the drive-in? beckysdi.com
They play family friendly double features, are inexpensive and have a great food stand with reasonable prices. Old fashioned family fun.

 

[CarlisleMom]

Please keep the ideas coming! We are doing some remodeling so it's a stayvacation for us this year. I did promise my DD8 some day trips.

For anyone living in the Hershey/Harisburg Area. Hershey Park will have next year 2011 season passes on sale in August. $120 per person - ($200 to include the rest of 2010. We invested last year for this year knowing that we would be staying home. It includes unlimited admission to Hershey Park with free VIP parking (near the gate - $20 a pop), Hershey Zoo. Yes, includes Springtime in the Park, In the Dark, and Christmas! For our family of 3, 3 visits and we made our money back!

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Not sure if the OP is in the Allentown area since I am not familiar with that town but we are in Scranton (thus the hint about Steamtown NPS) but one hour north of us on I-81 is Binghamton, NY which has a ton of free carousels and the Ross Park Zoo and Discovery Center. Also the Robson Science Museum is nice--not sure of the prices of these since it was year's since we've been there (daughter is now 20!!) but I know that Robson has reciprocal agreements with other museums. I think that Broome County has 6 or 7 free Carousels provided to the community by Endicott Johnson (shoe company) for all to enjoy free (if a family couldn't afford a ticket) Just a thought but again, not sure where many are coming from.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Bumping to add that we went to Mauch Chunk Lake in Jim Thorpe this past Sat. and it was cheap, beautiful and so relaxing! Cost $16 for the 5 of us...that's cheaper than going to our local pool for the day! You can tent or rent cabins there as well.
www.mclpark.com