OT - Need mini-vacation advice!

[vcgirl925]

I live in NJ and we are looking to take a mini trip at the end of August. We don't want to do sesame place, hershey park, poconos, or dutchwonderland because we've done them all this year already or many times in the past. I'm looking for something fun with the family from age 2 - 65 as my inlaws are coming too. It could be anywhere with about 4 - 5 hours driving distance and it's going to be for Fri - Tuesday.

I thought maybe lake george in upsate ny or something like that but i hate blindly booking something.

Anyone have any suggestions for a nice trip in my area? I also thought maybe the great wolf lodge in the poconos (it would be about $1000 for hotel and waterpark entry) but i think it's too long of a stay for that. I think the great wolf lodge is a two night thing...not a 4 night thing.

HELP! I'm running out of time!

 

[Aliceacc]

I am a HUGE Lake George fan!!!!

This will be the first year we've missed in recent memory, although my son went last week with my mom and 2 of my sisters.

I LOVE it up there!! It's all about families. There are fireworks in town every Thursday night, a great fort (Fort William Henry, of Last of the Mohicans fame) a paddlewheel cruise you can take, mini golf on every corner, boats to rent, rocks to climb, stores to explore, the House of Frankenstein, live bands in Shepherd's Park, outlets, a 6 Flags Park, and that breathtakingly beautiful lake in the mountains.

We normallly stay at Surfside on the Lake in LG Village. We can park our car there and not move it for days, since it's a 5 minute walk into town. It's neat and clean and has a nice pool and a nice beachfront, and you can rent paddle boats if your legs can stand it. It's nothing fancy, but suits our needs.

I can talk and talk and talk about it-- let me know your questions and I'll do my best to help.

edited to add: here's another thread where I rave about it: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1863639&page=1&highlight=Lake+George

 

[chloe770]

How about the Great Wolf Lodge in Colonial Williamsburg, Va. There is lots of things to do there that would interest the whole family.

We just did a week in Ocean City, Md. That was fun but very similiar to Wildwood, NJ.

 

[disneynewbee]

Just wanted to say I've been to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos and while it was good fun I agree that it is too long of a stay for that. We were waterlogged and ready to go home after a wkend. If you were going in the winter it would be different since they have skiing nearby.

 

[cntrygal]

What about Cooperstown? Or the NYS Fair? The Adirondaks? The Finger Lakes?

 

[disneynewbee]

Someone mentioned OC, MD we go there often and they have alot of fun things to do. Some of our favorites are pirate cruises http://www.pirateadventuresoceancity.com/ (the little ones love this), nature cruises http://www.talbotstreetpier.com/boatrides/(they love this too on the ride to assateque islane they tell you all about how ocean city came about and you can see the ponies on the island when you get there you use huge nets about knee deep in the water and see what you can catch and then on the way back they pass around several sea creatures that you can touch), water park http://www.jollyrogerpark.com/parks_splash.php, and of course the boardwalk for some thrashers french fries YUM!

 

[happylittlebirdie]

Williamsburg is a great family trip! There is Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg and Water Country USA! I loved going there as a kid and loved it a few weeks ago when I went to visit Busch Gardens for work! There is a great deal for ordering park tickets online here: http://www.vavacationvalues.com/vavacationvalues/index.html
The whole family would have a blast there!

 

[Mom2JPL]

My friend and I were just talking about short vacations today and we were discussing this place: www.woodloch.com

It's in NEPA (Hawley, PA), so not too far from you and if you check out the website there seems to be lots to do for all ages.

We're going there next June for my dh's summer meeting (company paid, yippeee!).

Ellen

 

[Rylee]

A few ideas -

Niagara Falls, NY (or both sides.)

1000 Islands, Alexandria Bay, NY

Saratoga Springs, NY

Old Forge, NY

Lake George, NY