Post Good Fast Food Playplaces along I-95 Here...

[Vacation Lover]

Don't you hate pulling off just to find out that the playplace is dirty or closed? I thought a thread listing some good (or bad) ones might help. I'm specifically looking for a stop along the NC/VA border when I go to Virginia for spring break next week...any suggestions?

My favorite stop on the way to Florida: The Chick Fil A just before the Florida border, exit #3 in Georgia. It's easy on/easy off, indoor playplace and always clean.

We'll NEVER stop at the McDonalds in Lumberton, NC again. They've had bad service/dirty every time I've stopped there; the last straw was when the outdoor playplace smelled like cat pee and, sure enough, there was feces in the play area.

 

[MSSANDRA]

What we often did when DS was little was go through a fast food drive through an exit or two before a rest stop and get food and take it to the rest stop. We would use the picnic tables and let DS run around in the grassy area for a little bit. We all enjoyed a little bit of fresh air and avoided all those GERMS . We also saved some money as we always had our own drinks in the car and also avoided the request for the ice cream after they eat as there was fruit or cookies in the car as well.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

I think for the most part its really a hit or miss about cleanliness at a place.

 

[katybugsmom]

I agree! We are planning on going to WDW in June and live in SC-because of back problems we have to stop halfway and spend the night. Going through the drivethrough and then stopping at a rest area makes perfect sense and your DS or DD will have plenty of room to move around. Keep a bottle of bubbles handy and you have instant fun in a bottle! Have a safe trip!

 

[slduck]

We have noticed a lack of indoor playground on the road to Disney. Hope we get more responses. I have wondered this same thing. Thanks for the advice about exit #3.

 

[Vacation Lover]

Thanks for the idea about the rest area. For my upcoming trip I will pack some Lunchables and head straight for the rest area at the NC/VA border if the weather is good!

But I'd still love to see some other good family stops along I-95 for when the weather is not good, or when Mom & Dad just want to veg out while the kids play in the play area.

I thought of a good one in Florence, SC if you're looking for something a little nicer than fast food. There's a restaurant about 5-10 minutes from I-95 called Redbone Alley. It is a really cool place, built in an old supermarket and designed to look like an outdoor street scene. They have a dining area gated off with toys for the little ones, plus a gameroom upstairs for the older kids. The website is www.redbonealley.com. I wish there were more pictures on their site--the one shown doesn't do it justice. Anyway, the food is very good and the atmosphere is relaxing if you need a break.

Also, there is a Chuck E. Cheese right off I-95 in Florence--take the I-20 exit toward Florence and it's on your left, just past the mall.

 

[kileybeth]

mmmm, chick fil A , thanks for tip

 

[Jfstorm]

Ok, just to add to those who have gone before.... ALL good recommendations! I can add: The travel plaza right after Richmond Hill in Georgia. CLEAN large bathrooms, good convienince store and reasonable McD's $'s DON't stop in Hilton head/ Hardeville SC- they are way overpriced even at MCD's. Brunswick Ga exit 38 has a MALL about 3 miles to the left with everything a small town mall will have. Exit 3 and 1 in Georgia are the BEST gas prices and plenty of food choices. Gas up and get food there, then drive to the FLA welcome center, picnic and play while going into the visitor's center for some brochures and the FREE fresh squezzed Florida OJ! Avenues Mall in Jax Fl is a good stop too (Right off I-95) and a great stop for late night is the Steak and Shake in Palm Coast. it's a 24 hr. SnS and a 24 hr. Super wally world right behind it. Great for those forgotten things before having to pay Orlando prices for it.

 

[hbehrman]

Don't you hate pulling off just to find out that the playplace is dirty or closed? I thought a thread listing some good (or bad) ones might help. I'm specifically looking for a stop along the NC/VA border when I go to Virginia for spring break next week...any suggestions?


My favorite stop on the way to Florida: The Chick Fil A just before the Florida border, exit #3 in Georgia. It's easy on/easy off, indoor playspace and always clean.

We'll NEVER stop at the McDonalds in Lumberton, NC again. They've had bad service/dirty every time I've stopped there; the last straw was when the outdoor playplace smelled like cat pee and, sure enough, there was feces in the play area.

NC/VA border: Emporia/RT58 exit 11 (?). All sorts of gas and eateries. If you have enough gas and are traveling to VA Beach do NOT buy gas here. It is much cheaper in Suffolk (cheapest in the area), although it is about another 45 minute drive and there are a few places along the way which are all cheaper than Emporia.


Florence,SC IHOP one or two exits after the very bad Florence,SC Cracker Barrel (we walked out prior to taking our seat due to a rude hostess in an empty rest. at 7:30am on a Sat, when the table she took us to did not meet our needs): lots of mall but good food (we hit it early, 8am on a Sat)

Santee, SC Cracker Barrel: North of the lake (Best Cracker Barrel I have been to)

Pooler, GA: Sams Club w/ a gas station; all sorts of Fast Food including a Chik-Fil-A with a indoor play area and awesome attending staff.

GA Exit 3 St-Mary's: All sort of eateries, gas and places to stay. Only 3 to 4 hours from WDW. Last gas before FL.