OT-Fun, not too expensive vacation?

[JacobsMommy11002]

Looking for ideas for a fun, not overly expensive expensive road trip vacation. We live in Maine, and I'd rather not drive over 11 hours or so...that could get as far as Montreal, Pennsylvania, or Maryland. I'd prefer to skip NYC....thoughts?

 

[Perditamarie]

What about Maine?!! What about camping in Bar Harbr - one of the most beautiful places I have seen!

 

[PA Princess]

I live in PA. I would imagine that a trip to Lancaster/Hershey area could be accomplished very inexpensively (only a 30 minute drive to these places for me, so I have no idea on prices for accomodations).

Our cheapest vacations have always occurred when we traveled off season. The beach in September you can find loads of great deals.

Our cheapest ever vacation was last Memorial day week. We rented a home/cottage in the Pocono Mountains...$400 for the week! That was really a deal! We could have saved further by eating all meals at the house (me, I saw it as an excuse to eat out...house was such a good deal we could splurge).

Much of what we did activity wise for the week (hiking, boating, swimming, fishing) were completely free. We did add a day at Camelbach waterpark, but even that (in comparison to Disney) was really reasonable. Not sure if the Poconos would be too similar to home, but lots of deals to be had in this area in the spring and summer.

 

[Darcy03231]

We live in NH and are looking at going to Hershey Park this summer. I thought we'd stop at Six Flags in MA on the way down, spend the night at the half way point and then spend a couple of days in Hershey before heading home.

 

[Aliceacc]

How about Lake George in upstate NY? It's a wondeful family place. There's a Six Flags park, Fort WIlliam Henry (Of "Last of the Mohicans" fame), lots of outlets, and a mini golf place on every corner. And then there's the lake-- simply magnificent!!

 

[collcass]

Lancaster PA and Poconos (for Great WOlf lodge)

Strasburg (next to Lancaster) the Strasburg railroad. There is also Dutch Wonderland (a small amusement/water park), mini golf, Amish tours and a lot of other stuff.

In between GWL & Lancaster is Dorney Park. I think it is in Allentown.

hershey is close by also

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Hersheypark is always a fun time! We had season passes last year.

New coaster going in for this year!!

 

[collcass]

i forgot about Lake Dunmore, VT. Middlebury is a great town. Not too far from Lake Dunmore (Brandon, VT) is the Robert Frost trail, Ben and Jerry's, Killington, Stowe (great Alpine Slide). Six Flags in Lake George is a bit of a hike from there but doable as a day trip

 

[Desnik]

I would have to say Hershey Park would be a great trip. Then again I may be bias since we love Hershey almost as much as WDW. Check out my website for Hershey Park info:
www.hersheyinfo.com
www.hersheyboards.com
You'll find prices on the info site and a ton of pictures, and info. The message boards also have a lot of great area info as well as trip reports.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

How old are your kids? When are you looking to go? Define not overly expensive...

People, of course, come here to VACATION, lol, though sometimes easy to overlook the obvious A week or long weekend on the water out to Sebago or one of the little lakes (probably cheaper) would be an easy/memorable trip.

How about one of the ski areas, in the summer?

Bar Harbor's nice, as has been mentioned. The price is right for Acadia, but if you go in-season, you'll be looking harder for cheaper accomodations.

If you're itching to get out of state , how about the White Mountains? Hiking and the like, plus if your kids are little, Storyland and/or Santa's Village. Lost River's a classic too. Plenty to fill a vacation in that general area.

Have you ever been to Nova Scotia? I'm not sure how the CATs fares run, esp with the weaker USD, but we used to do the ones Scotia Prince had. White Beach Resort is nice for families. We'd just hang out, plus do a day trip to Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg.

~Michelle (just on the other side of the "big city" from you)

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

~Michelle (just on the other side of the "big city" from you)

Thanks for the ideas! Its nice to meet someone so "local".

Bar Harbor is a great idea...however, we go there for a conference for work every year, and the family tags along. The office pays for 1/2 my room, so its a really inexpensive getaway for us...especially factoring in I only have conferences till noon, so the rest of the day is ours.


We have done Storyland and Santa's Village the last few years, so I am looking for a change...btw, have you ever done Santa's at Christmastime? We talk about it every year, and never make it.

PA is a big possibility...we had planned to do it last year, and it didn't work out. They had some awesome looking farm B & B's that I wanted to try...

We did Lake George one year, and to be honest, I wasn't impressed. It reminded me of Old Orchard Beach

The Poconos had never occured to me...maybe because that's where DH honeymooned with his first wife But its a really good idea...I will check that out!

 

[karen l]

I agree with the Hershey Park ideas. Great fun! You could also spend time in Lancaster County - learning about the Amish people is great my kids enjoyed
the experience. Gettysburg is also interesting for elementary shool & older. We've done several trips to PA & have always had a great time.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

btw, have you ever done Santa's at Christmastime? We talk about it every year, and never make it.

We've talked about SV at Christmas for years (my oldest is 11), finally made it this year. I very highly recommend it. There's a novelty to being at an amusement park in the winter and Christmas just adds to the magic of it. We got to ride on the ferris wheel while it was snowing- just entirely surreal!

Dress warm though! There were folks there (I'm sure "from away") who wear in light coats and sneakers ??? Not sure what they were thinking???

 

[collcass]

Thanks for the ideas! Its nice to meet someone so "local".

Bar Harbor is a great idea...however, we go there for a conference for work every year, and the family tags along. The office pays for 1/2 my room, so its a really inexpensive getaway for us...especially factoring in I only have conferences till noon, so the rest of the day is ours.


We have done Storyland and Santa's Village the last few years, so I am looking for a change...btw, have you ever done Santa's at Christmastime? We talk about it every year, and never make it.

PA is a big possibility...we had planned to do it last year, and it didn't work out. They had some awesome looking farm B & B's that I wanted to try...



We did Lake George one year, and to be honest, I wasn't impressed. It reminded me of Old Orchard Beach

The Poconos had never occured to me...maybe because that's where DH honeymooned with his first wife But its a really good idea...I will check that out!

Great Wolf Lodge (indoor water park) is just off I80 in the Poconos; a very easy drive to Lancaster/Hershey.. My brother's wedding reception was at the netherlands inn and spa in lancaster last year. it is a gorgeous property. They have a great breakfast and it is pretty centrally located. The hot air balloons also take off from there. It was an awesome view.

Dutch Wonderland is probably similar in size to both SV and SL in NH

 

[PollyannaMom]

.....have you ever done Santa's at Christmastime? We talk about it every year, and never make it....

Yes, when DS was about 3. It was really pretty and very much one of those "Christmas Magic" memories.

 

[katiesmom2]

I don't know how old your kids are, but we've made the trip from Ontario to Sesame Place in PA - the kids had a blast. Lots of water fun, but may not be appropriate for older kids. We've never been to Dutch Wonderland but it looked cute on Jon and Kate Plus 8!

If you make it to Sesame Place, there is a really great mall near there if you like to shop - King of Prussia Mall.

 

[twob4him]

The kids and I have the week after Easter off and DH found a great deal in Lancaster through travelocity. We are staying at a place with an indoor "waterpark". Though the parks themselves won't be open, there's still plenty to do in Lancaster and its not too expensive. From Maine, it would be a pretty long drive but doable in a day for sure.

 

[christa112]

We live in NH and are looking at going to Hershey Park this summer. I thought we'd stop at Six Flags in MA on the way down, spend the night at the half way point and then spend a couple of days in Hershey before heading home.

I would skip Six Flags in MA and hit Six Flags in NJ. It is a million time better. I live right near Six Flags in MA and it nothing special, you will get your money's worth more in NJ.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

Another vote for Sesame Place if you are going when the weather is hot. My two boys 11 and 3 love it, it is a big waterpark plus the sesame shows with the characters...