Weekend trip suggestions needed around NJ

[shelly3girls]

I am trying to plan a weekend getaway with my two DDs and another mom w/DD. The ages of the girls are 7-9. I tried Great Wolf Lodge but they are booked. We live in the Philadelphia area and are willing to travel no more than 2 hours. Any suggestions?

It does not necessarily need to be budget but would like to keep everything under $1k. I looked into NY and a broadway show but it seems the tickets alone would be close to $700.

 

[JustineMarie]

What time of the year were you planning on going?

 

[badblackpug]

Baltimore is great. There is the aquarium and lots of other things to do. I have found great hotel prices for the inner harbor on priceline.com.

There is also Washington DC. The Smithsonian is free.

 

[gibsontrio]

Hi ! I'm originally from philly. I moved up to NY about 5 yrs ago. I'd say seasame place but i'm sure you've been there . How about this place
http://www.rhranch.com/
Its an amazing place for all seasons and very kid friendly , we'd stay there if it wasnt so close to us. Its probably the same distance from philly as great wolf lodge is from you, just a different way. check it out!!

 

[badblackpug]

...or if you are going in winter there is always snow tubing at Camelback.

 

[LisaNJ25]

http://www.willowvalley.com/

 

[scrapquitler]

The suggestion of Rocking Horse Ranch is a great one! My DD and I went two times, once in the summer and once in the winter, and we had a blast!

Other ideas: Lancaster PA area, Amish country. There is Dutch wonderland thee, horse and buggy rides, a great minigolf place, tours of the Amish farms, etc. And Hershey isn't too far from there...in Hershey you have Hershey Park, a zoo and Chocolate World. Also on the way there from New Jersey you could stop in Easton PA at the Crayola Factory, which my kids LOVE.

Boston also isn't too far from you, though it might be a bit outsid of the time/distance critera you mentioned. Great children's museum there, duck boat tours, Fanuiel Hall, Independance Trail ,etc. etc.

Also, Mystic CT. Great aquarium, seaport, shopping. Stonington is right around the corner and has a neat little lighthouse you can climb up. And there is a good children's museum in Niantic.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Everything here in NJ that I can think of qualifies more for the day trip category than for a weekend or anyhing like that-except if your into skiing. Now its funny because we usually leave NJ and go to PA for a weekend getaway...guess the grass is always greener on the other side!

For daytrips we have gone to Wheaton Village Glass Factory (they do all the glass blowing and crafting in front of you), Cape May Zoo and NJ State Aquarium in Camden. It really depends what you are looking for and when you are traveling. I can't recall anyhing particularly exciting to do during the winter months except if you go up to Northern NJ for the skiing.

Our trips usually bring us into PA/DE/MD/NY as there seems to be so much more to choose from (although it may just appear that way to us). If you are set on NJ though, you may want to try this web site to spur some ideas: http://www.new-jersey-leisure-guide.com/index.html I have used it when trying to find something to do with the kids on days off from school or duing the summer.

 

[gibsontrio]

if you are going in the summer and need a day trip how about this place
http://www.storybookland.com/
its an awesome place to take little ones

 

[shelly3girls]

Thank you for all of the advice. We just got DDs soccer schedule so our weekend trip has turned into a Sat night stay at Great Wolf Lodge (snagged a cancelation). My oldest DD has requested snow tubing but my younger DD has a hairline fracture in her elbow so no tubing for her! Anyway, I love the ideas and will be planning a couple small trips for the spring and summer. I have never even heard of some of these places. Thanks again!

 

[MinnieTink]

I just had to add my 2 cents and say that I have been to the Rocking Horse Ranch with my DD for her 5th grade girl scout troop trip, and we had a really great time!!! It would be a wonderful weekend trip!

 

[tami82]

I second Willow Valley in Lancaster