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

[phamy76]

Really check more into Knoebels. They have many buy on get one days- and what we have found is we buy bands for the kids- and we pay as we go. (Generally are doing only coasters and train oh and the carousel.

For us it's really the cheapest park - no parking fee, the food is inexpensive and delicious.
So while it might be out for this weekend- keep it in mind for the future.

I'm going to watch this thread for ideas! We are going to start Geocaching- basically hiking with a little prize treat added in for interest for the kids. and it's FREE once you get the GPS.
http://www.geocaching.com/
great site with local places.

My kids really enjoy that little zoo- the Lehigh Valley Zoo- but what they really enjoy is the drive around the back of the zoo- over to the stream. The picnic we have and then the drive around to see the bison! And that is all free. You could skip the zoo and just do Picnic- and see the Bison.

We are huge letterboxers!

www.atlasquest.com:rolleyes1

 

[ranthony]

The P'burg RR looks fun...especially the mine train. Anyone know how to get discounts for train rides here? Also, not for this weekend but Day out with Thomas the Train is coming there in July.

I'm up near the Delaware Water Gap. There's the Lakota Wolf Preserve not too far from here. Has anyone been there? Also, hiking the Appalachin Trail.

If your kids are anything like my 3 they just love a picinic at the park. Pick somewhere with a fun playground and grill out or just pack sandwiches. It's something different for them and easy on the budget. If its going to be breezy you can take kites.

 

[mommymeg]

I'm loving this thread! Seems to be lots of us in the same general area! Keep the ideas coming!

I've been talking to the kids about letterboxing for a few months now.. Sounds like a fun and free activity...minus any gas and initial purchase of a rubber stamp and note pad... DD(10) and DS(5) are on board...DD(13) is not so interested...but she needs to stay home and clean her room anyway!!!!


From the looks of things there are tons of boxes in our area, some clues are easier than others so we're gonna start off easy...don't want to go and get ourselves lost!

Another fun free activity is Hershey...Chocolate world Tour is free..and there are cute little shops on the way up to the main gate...although I'd find it very hard to resist not wanting to purchase admission. Crystal Cave used to be a favorite also.. Family membership to Phily zoo was a good investment also... $100 for the year w/ unlimited visits and parking!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Ohh! yeah! I got a thing in the mail from the Phila zoo about discounted memberships! I think even if you don't get the discount, it's still a bargain!

It's like $100 and your family can go to the zoo all season! (I would do it in a heartbeat if I wouldn't be waddling around hugely pregnant, lol)

I'm amazed there are so many of us in the same general area! Neat!

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't live far from this beach - usually i hit pt. pleasant -

This looks like a nice beach - how are the waves? crazy high? and are their places to have lunch/dinner?

thanks

The waves have always been perfect, and their are lifeguards. Since it's a state park, it is handicapped accessable, with a plastic boardwalk that goes almost to the ocean, so it's an easy walk. There is a large covered pavilion with a really nice snack bar - burgers, dogs, sandwiches and wraps, salads, etc., with a lot of seating (we've always gotten a table at lunchtime). I shouldn't even be sharing this secret. You get off at 105, drive straight for 5 miles, and you are in the parking lot. It's pretty much all families.

 

[mjkacmom]

Not for this weekend but for future reference, how about Monmouth Park Racetrack. Starting on Memorial Day weekend Sundays are family fun days. They have face painting, pony rides and other activities. Adult admission is only $3, under 12 is free. You don't have to bet on the races or it is only $2 to place a bet. My daughter used to bring her plastic horse and have her own race. There is a picnic area and playground and you can bring in coolers if you want. It is a very pretty, family friendly racetrack.

LOL - you pass this a few miles before the beach I linked!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Well we ended up going to the Pioneer Coal mine and train ride and had a great time! We packed a picnic lunch and ate it on a blanket adjacent to the mine/train in the park. There is a Buy1Get1 free ticket coupon in the Lehigh Valley Kidstuff book so it only cost us $29.50 for the 5 of us!!!! It took us 1 1/2 hours to get there. All 3 of my kids really enjoyed it and they're 11, 7 and 3 y.o.

 

[labdogs42]

Well we ended up going to the Pioneer Coal mine and train ride and had a great time! We packed a picnic lunch and ate it on a blanket adjacent to the mine/train in the park. There is a Buy1Get1 free ticket coupon in the Lehigh Valley Kidstuff book so it only cost us $29.50 for the 5 of us!!!! It took us 1 1/2 hours to get there. All 3 of my kids really enjoyed it and they're 11, 7 and 3 y.o.

Yeah! Glad it was fun!

FYI -- for those in the Lehigh Valley -- Membership to the LV Zoo gives you 1/2 off at the Philly Zoo. Membership to the DaVinci Science Center gives you FREE admission to the Academy of Natural Sciences and Franklin INstitute in Philly. Great deals!

 

[loveysbydesign]

I just wanted to add that we have a membership to the Boonshoft Museum in Ohio and we get in free to the Lehigh Valley Zoo, Liberty Science Center, Franklin Institute, Academy of Natural Sciences and DaVinci Science Center. Also discounts at the Philly Zoo and NJ aquarium. Boonshoft is a member for recipricol privileges through AZA and ASTCI(sp)

 

[labdogs42]

This would be about 2 hours from you, and would cost you $7 per adult - your kids would be free. I find a day at the beach gets you a big bang for your buck, because the kids LOVE it! This is one of the most family-friendly beaches I know of. http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/Page.aspx?ID=2535

I may try this on Saturday. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous!

 

[java]

We had a great time here a couple weekends ago
http://www.peec.org/
Fun day of hiking (waterfall!) and the best part FREE!!It's about 5 minutes past Bushkill Falls. And to us- better because it's free. And way less crowded.

 

[momof5boys]

I was just wracking my brain about this yest! Looked into the Lehigh Valley Zoo and Philly zoo. Looks like membership to the Philly Zoo is better, costs $10 more than LV Zoo and you get 50% off many other zoos. Since it is more expensive to get into the Philly Zoo I will save the most that way! Also was looking at the Philadelphia CityPass. Looks interesting 5 places to visit for $60 per adult $40 per child. Only problem is once you activate it you have 9 days to visit them all! Kind of hard for me since I work 3 12 hour nightshifts per week. Keep the ideas coming!

 

[MeggerasMa]

Up the NE Extension of the Turnpike - Hickory Run State Park. Free. There is a small beach and life guarded swimming area. Picnic areas. And probably coolest of all - Boulder Field. A huge area of boulders that were left when the last glacier melted. It's been awhile since I've been there, but your kids are just the right ages to still think such an awesome display of nature and history is pretty amazing. Close by is the Francis Walter dam that was built by the Army Corp of Engineers. You can walk along the breast of the dam and at times, drive to the base. This is the place they open to let water into the Lehigh River and thus create some terrific white water rafting! The small community of Jim Thorpe is also nearby. They are home to the final resting place of Jim Thorpe, famous Olympic athlete and also have some interesting activities in the heart of the town on weekends. The steel magnate Asa Packer's mansion is there and usually open for touring, as well as, "the old jail" which is said to contain a handprint of a wrongly accused prisoner. The hand print never disappears, no matter how many coats of paint they put over it. I think there is a train ride on some weekends too. Lots of stuff to do close to Allentown. Have fun!

 

[badblackpug]

Camelbeach @ Camelback Mt?

www.camelbeach.com

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Another Lehigh Valley resident here. Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone! We have 3 kids and area always looking for something fun to do!

We have a DaVinci Center membership and plan on using our reciprocal admission when we are in the Tampa area this summer.

Has anyone gone berry picking at any of the local Pick-Your-Own places? We have a nice garden in our yard, but our berries are done for the season. I think my kids would love to go berry picking once school lets out!

 

[kacaju]

http://www.indianechocaverns.com/

 

[kacaju]

My husband and I were having the same conversation this am, but we are looking for 2 hrs of South Jersey. The weather looks good so we are hoping for outdoors. We were considering walking around historic philadelphia. the historical attractions are mostly free and you can have lunch in the area. I also am going to read more about Menlo Park in Edison. Not sure if that is too much inside for a nice day. What about Bushkill Park in the Poconos. Would be a nice weekend to walk the trails.

What are you looking to do in Menlo Park??? Are you looking at the Mall? I live right near Edison, and there is nothing here I'd travel from South Jersey to see, unless I am missing something....

 

[lovesmurfs]

About an hour from you in Flemington. My kids loved Northlandz - http://www.northlandz.com/ The website's a bit messed up, but it's a great day trip. Model train railroad museum (I think there's a doll area as well).

 

[labdogs42]

I was just wracking my brain about this yest! Looked into the Lehigh Valley Zoo and Philly zoo. Looks like membership to the Philly Zoo is better, costs $10 more than LV Zoo and you get 50% off many other zoos. Since it is more expensive to get into the Philly Zoo I will save the most that way! Also was looking at the Philadelphia CityPass. Looks interesting 5 places to visit for $60 per adult $40 per child. Only problem is once you activate it you have 9 days to visit them all! Kind of hard for me since I work 3 12 hour nightshifts per week. Keep the ideas coming!

LV Zoo has a huge reciprocal list, too. It is pretty extensive.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Has anyone gone berry picking at any of the local Pick-Your-Own places? We have a nice garden in our yard, but our berries are done for the season. I think my kids would love to go berry picking once school lets out!

I've gone to Schmidt's many times and can recommend it. I think any of the farms are good though! I think Strawberry Acres is another one and I may have been to that one a few times as well.

http://www.schmidtberryfarm.com/home

http://www.strawberryacres.com/