Vacation on a budget near pittsburgh

[tarzansmom]

The challenge is 3 day weekend vacation spots for a family of 4 for under $1000. Also want to drive no more than 4 hours from Pittsburgh area. Kids are 4 and 7. Give me your suggestions.

 

[skeettafic]

What about Deep Creek, MD?

 

[pens4821]

Not sure when you're thinking of going, but if you're going in the summer drive up to Lake Erie. Can get a cheap hotel and drive to the lake every day. Can add in Splash Lagoon (think it's a little expensive).

Cedar Point was always our vacation when I was a kid. While it can get expensive, you can find affordable hotels and drive to the park every day. Best amusement park I've ever been to, and younger kids will enjoy it too.

Can also drive over to Hershey. Go to the candy factory and the amusement park. Also within an hour of Lancaster which is an interesting area. Gettysburg I've heard is great, but don't know about for kids, and while I've never been to Harrisburg either I'm sure there are things to do there.

 

[goodhartc]

I suggest Columbus, OH area. We have a fantastic zoo, COSI is a great children's museum. We also have a whistle factory, Graeter's ice cream factory, a replica of the Santa Maria ship and ancient Indian mounds about a 1/2 hour east of Columbus in Newark. You can get nice hotels on Hotwire. Have fun!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

COSI in Columbus is awesome, and like PP said there are plenty of other things to see & do there.

My kids love Cedar Point and always have but their mommy is a theme park and amusement park junkie lol. They have tons of kiddy rides.

I adore Hershey, PA. We haven't been in a few years since it is an 7 hour drive for us but we went several times when the kids were younger. Dutch Wonderland was one of their favorite places to go.

My BIL & SIL loved to take their girls to Idlewild when they were younger and we tagged along a few times. Awesome park!

My in-laws took the kids to Splash Lagoon once a few years ago and they still talk about how awesome it was. I haven't been there so I have no opinion on the matter.

Note: We live close to Akron, OH so not too far from your location.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

If you come to Erie we have the lake (free), Waldameer amusement park with some water slides, Splash Lagoon, and tom ridge environmental center (free). There is a children's museum. There are lots of stores/malls and restaurants.

I also like Idlewild, Lancaster Pa, and Kalahari waterpark in Ohio. Kalahari offers a lot of deals if you sign up on facebook or check their website weekly.

 

[CMW0021]

We are from Pittsburgh too ! What part are you from?

A lot of it depends on what you are looking to do. If you want to relax, Lake Erie and Deep Creek are both great suggestions. We have done both and have another week this summer planned at deep creek, great family fun.

We went to Hersheypark last summer. We loved it. Rented a house for a very reasonable amount and spent 3 days in the park. We also did the chocolate factory. My kids were 7 and 5 and loved it. In fact, they have talked more about Hershey than our last Disney trip.

Sesame Place is also an adorable park. We did that the year before. Kids 4 and 6. My 6 year old still had plenty to do. Huge water park, great parades and character interactions.

The Columbus Zoo and water park we did the same year as Sesame Place. It's the best zoo I've been too and the water park is huge! Another great option.

Good luck!

 

[redkel]

Have you ever been to Dutch Wonderland and the Lancaster area?

http://www.dutchwonderland.com/

Excellently maintained amusement park for the under 8 crowd. Your kids would be able to ride every single attraction there. They have combo tickets with Hershey Park as well.

If your children like trains you can also visit the Strasburg Railroad -- awesome steam train rides thru the Amish countryside. Thomas visits in June and the train museum is across the road (a must for train enthusiasts).

http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/

Our family had a great time in the area 3 years ago with our DD on a 4 day get-a-way that was a good bit less than your budget.

There's also Cherry Crest Farm (with a maze and more)...tons to do in the area.

I still have all the bookmarks -- feel free to message me and I'll forward them to you.

 

[tarzansmom]

We are from Pittsburgh too ! What part are you from?

A lot of it depends on what you are looking to do. If you want to relax, Lake Erie and Deep Creek are both great suggestions. We have done both and have another week this summer planned at deep creek, great family fun.

We went to Hersheypark last summer. We loved it. Rented a house for a very reasonable amount and spent 3 days in the park. We also did the chocolate factory. My kids were 7 and 5 and loved it. In fact, they have talked more about Hershey than our last Disney trip.

Sesame Place is also an adorable park. We did that the year before. Kids 4 and 6. My 6 year old still had plenty to do. Huge water park, great parades and character interactions.

The Columbus Zoo and water park we did the same year as Sesame Place. It's the best zoo I've been too and the water park is huge! Another great option.

Good luck!

We are north of Pittsburgh. I was talking with my neighbor yesterday and since she thinks I am a budget guru she posed this question. She wants to take 3 trips this spring/summer one during our spring break/Easter break for 4 or 5 days, one during memorial weekend and one during Labor Day weekend all for under $1000 each. I haven't really traveled anywhere close by so couldn't offer much help. We pretty much go to disney every other year and to Hawaii the non disney years. I am loving all your responses, makes me wonder if I should change it up a little a try something closer to home.

 

[dhuba]

I'm from the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh and sometimes I think we need a little getaway too, but there is so much to do in Pittsburgh, I feel like I am wasting money and when we get home I think "why did we just waste that money when the comforts of home are great". You can kayak the rivers, bike the trail all the way to Maryland, go to the stadium for a game, the strip and downtown for shopping and dining, a short drive to Ohiopyle for rafting, Heinz History center, Carnegie Museum, Children's Museum, Andy Warhol Museum, Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild, theatres for live shows, and great zoo and national aviary, Gateway Clipper river cruises, Just Ducky tours. The only thing I miss is the sand under my toes, but we get that when we head up to Pymatuning Lake for some summer weekends to visit the parents. If we didn't have winters here it would be perfect, I just can't get past the snow and cold. That being said, I do like the Hershey area. The park is so clean and who doesn't like chocolate.

 

[tarzansmom]

I'm from the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh and sometimes I think we need a little getaway too, but there is so much to do in Pittsburgh, I feel like I am wasting money and when we get home I think "why did we just waste that money when the comforts of home are great". You can kayak the rivers, bike the trail all the way to Maryland, go to the stadium for a game, the strip and downtown for shopping and dining, a short drive to Ohiopyle for rafting, Heinz History center, Carnegie Museum, Children's Museum, Andy Warhol Museum, Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild, theatres for live shows, and great zoo and national aviary, Gateway Clipper river cruises, Just Ducky tours. The only thing I miss is the sand under my toes, but we get that when we head up to Pymatuning Lake for some summer weekends to visit the parents. If we didn't have winters here it would be perfect, I just can't get past the snow and cold. That being said, I do like the Hershey area. The park is so clean and who doesn't like chocolate.

I agree. We do a lot in Pittsburgh. We have memberships to the zoo, Carnegie science museum and the children's museum. My neighbor is new to the area so I am not sure if she has been to any of these yet. I don't mind the weather but it is nice to head to Hawaii over Christmas break when everyone else is shoveling snow. We have never done rafting but it sounds fun, will check it out. Thanks

 

[scottmel]

This thread intrigues me. I live in Pittsburgh - Cranberry to be exact and spend most of my weekends lamenting how LAME pittsburgh is....I need to see it in a new light I guess. At any rate, I too recommend Hershey, Erie is cute.......ok now I am stumped.

 

[scottmel]

I'm from the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh and sometimes I think we need a little getaway too, but there is so much to do in Pittsburgh, I feel like I am wasting money and when we get home I think "why did we just waste that money when the comforts of home are great". You can kayak the rivers, bike the trail all the way to Maryland, go to the stadium for a game, the strip and downtown for shopping and dining, a short drive to Ohiopyle for rafting, Heinz History center, Carnegie Museum, Children's Museum, Andy Warhol Museum, Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild, theatres for live shows, and great zoo and national aviary, Gateway Clipper river cruises, Just Ducky tours. The only thing I miss is the sand under my toes, but we get that when we head up to Pymatuning Lake for some summer weekends to visit the parents. If we didn't have winters here it would be perfect, I just can't get past the snow and cold. That being said, I do like the Hershey area. The park is so clean and who doesn't like chocolate.

PA travel bureau ought to pay you a commission!!!.

 

[auntfrannie]

If you want outdoorsy things to do, take a look at Wellsboro, PA. Home to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. It's a small town with a neat diner. The trails down to the canyon are very nice.

 

[encinc]

If you want outdoorsy things to do, take a look at Wellsboro, PA. Home to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. It's a small town with a neat diner. The trails down to the canyon are very nice.

I'm glad you recommended Wellsboro because we just booked a chalet there for our summer vacation. We are coming from Ontario, and wanted someplace different. We don't know much about the area, but thought it looked like a great place for an outdoorsy vacation. We're going to be down the during the Little League World Series, so DS is hoping we can get tickets to one of the preliminary games. Williamsport looks like a reasonable drive from where we are staying.

 

[crayon3448]

If you want outdoorsy- many of my friends go to Ohiopyle, although DH and I haven't been yet. Everywhere else I can think of has been said. I mostly just wanted to say hi to the other Pittsburghers. We live right in the city.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

spend most of my weekends lamenting how LAME pittsburgh is.

I agree! I've lived here ALL of my life. I live south of the city . I will defend Pittsburgh to all the naysayers, but I would also be the first to move out if I had a chance.

There is a ton to do here. We spend most summers doing most of the things listed on the pp.
We had Sandcastle season passes for years. We visit Kennywood, minimum twice a year.
My kids LOVE the Science Center and zoo.
We went to Erie last summer to ride bikes at Presque Isle and plan to return this year for an overnight stay.

Strasburg and Lancaster are great. Hershey is a blast. Dutch Wonderland is awesome for the younger crowd.

The snow and cold are the killers.
Dont forget Hidden Valley and Seven Springs too. There are plenty to do even when its not ski season.

 

[sharonmickey]

I live north of Pittsburgh also. We like to go to Erie for long weekends. If it's nice out it's fun to spend the day at Presque Isle. Waldameer is fun. If the weather is cool you can go to Splash Lagoon. Last summer we went to a Seawolves game one evening and had a great time.

Hershey/Harrisburg/Gettysburg is another favorite vacation spot. I was in Hershey last month and visited the chocolate factory, outlets, and a winery. I had hoped to visit Gettysburg one day but did not have enough time. Guess I'll have to go back one weekend soon for another visit.

 

[dhuba]

The funny this is that when we lived right in the city and minutes from most of the museums and stadiums, downtown, etc, and our kids were little we didn't appreciate it. Now that we moved to the suburbs, about 30 minutes out, I wish we lived back near our old little place. Well maybe not exactly there because that neighborhood has gone downhill. I still try to convince my hubby to move to a condo in a trendy part of the city, but after building our house, he won't hear of it, but it doesn't stop me from trying. I found out I was really a city girl after we moved out. I want to be able to walk to things and we don't even have sidewalks out here. LOL

 

[henrylarry6]

Why don’t you go to National Aviary, a very good place if you are bird lover you will love it. It is amazing collection of more than 600 exotic birds from nearly every continent.