Your state

[flying_babyb]

Tell me what makes your state special and why someone should visit (trying to plan a GASP non disney vacation

 

[JOCAmom]

We live in PA near the border to NJ.

Hershey Park is about 1.5 hours from here. It's a wonderful family park and next to Disney, probably my favorite to go to.

http://www.hersheypark.com/

It's also close to Dutch Wonderland which is a good park for smaller kids. I've never been there but have heard great reviews of it.

There's also Amish country to visit.

We are also close to Philadelphia. Many historical sites.

When is your time frame for taking your vacation? That might help me tell you what kind of event are going on in our area.

 

[flying_babyb]

Auguest 2010. can you actully go into amish county and see the way they live? That would be sooooo cool for me. (ok, ill admit it, I like history). Any cool police meseums? Any cool measeums? Any militray stuff?

 

[lillygator]

actually we had a couple of these lately on the CB, I would search those out, I think some were quite long.

 

[JOCAmom]

If you go in early August, there is a big music festival right where I live. It's called Musikfest and they have lots of different kinds of music from all over the world. It's free admission too.

Philly will have museums. Not sure what kind exactly since my husband hates to travel there. He works in Philly and doesn't want to spend vacation time there, you know. And of course, the Liberty Bell is there.

If you are traveling with younger kids, Easton, PA has the Crayola Factory. It has a bunch of hands-on activities for kids. And within the Crayola Factory is also the Canal Museum. That also has hands-on activities for the kids.

I've never actually visited Amish country for the day. I have driven through and seen them on their horse and buggies. I do know that there is a big cavern that you can tour. I'll see if I can find you a link and send it to you.

And if you decide to visit this general area, Washington DC is not too far away along with the Jersey shore.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm in NJ. We have the New Jersey Turnpike, oil refineries, the highest taxes and insurance rates in the U.S., the Meadowlands where Jimmy Hoffa is supposedly buried, and the cutest accents you've ever heard. I think that about sums up all the wonderful things I've heard about my home state from out-of-towners, but I'm sure if I've forgotten something, someone will be along shortly to remind me.

 

[karibritt01]

If you like adventure, you can head to the mountains. There is Biltmore House to tour, Mt Mitchell or Chimney Rock for cool hikes, white water rafting, tubing. There are a couple different kids parks - Tweetsie Railroad and Ghost Town. Both have western theme, and Tweetsie has a real steam train.

If you like the more laid back, then you can head for the beaches. The Outer Banks in the Corolla area and also near Atlantic Beach have wild horses on the islands. There are aquariums, lighthouses, and specialty stores to explore. And a day relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean can't be beat!

 

[flying_babyb]

Well I think its just two adults going now. We like meseums, militray, police, beaches, love things to see, Love places like epcot, zoos.

 

[JOCAmom]

If those are the things that really interest you, try checking out Norfolk, Virginia along with Williamsburg, VA.

I am pretty sure that Norfolk has a Naval base with tours that you can take. Virginia Beach is also nearby and it's very nice. We stopped there on our way back from FL last year and couldn't get enough of it.

Williamsburg has Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Busch Gardens is very nice and set up with each section symbolizing a different country. Not as much as Epcot but they try. And do a decent job in my opinion.

You could also check out Colonial Williamsburg. It's set up like people lived when they first settled in the US.

 

[karibritt01]

I'll second Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Both are lots of fun. And you are not that far from Va Beach, Langley Air Force base (not sure if you can tour it), outlet shopping. Busch Gardens has some really great roller coasters, but it is also a nice park to stroll through and take in the scenery. Haven't been in a few years, but it has always been very clean and shady.

 

[mamacatnv]

San Francisco - I don't live there now but I grew up in the Bay Area
It has it all - museums, stunning views, beaches, redwoods, history, the Presidio, restaurants, good public transportation, a wonderful summer climate and I could go on for forever it is my favorite city

 

[eduk8r26]

California--Disneyland. You want non-Disney? You name it, and you'll find it here. Mountains, desert, national parks, Yosemite, Sequoia, Big Sur, oceans, there's enough to keep you busy for weeks.

 

[aristocatz]

Massachusetts!!Geez, where do I begin??

-Plymouth Rock
-Cape Cod & the Islands in the summer
-The Berkshires in the Fall
-Boston: Fenway, Newbury Street & Copley Place shopping, Harvard Square, Duck Tours on the Charles River, North End for Canolli's and Italian Food, Bull & Finch/Cheers Pub, New England Aquarium, Childrens' Museum & Science Museum, Freedom Trail, Public Gardens, Coolidge Corner (if you are Jewish), etc, etc, etc!!

 

[minniecarousel]

San Francisco - I don't live there now but I grew up in the Bay Area
It has it all - museums, stunning views, beaches, redwoods, history, the Presidio, restaurants, good public transportation, a wonderful summer climate and I could go on for forever it is my favorite city

Yes! Come spend your vacation $$ in California!!

The weather is perfect year-round. You won't believe the lack of humidity.

 

[flying_babyb]

oddly, Im thinking DC. Ive been there twice but mom hasnt and I would love to share it with her. Now how to convince her that 330 each is good (hotel and airfare). I would still love to hear your ideas for places to go.

 

[eliza61]

I'm in NJ. We have the New Jersey Turnpike, oil refineries, the highest taxes and insurance rates in the U.S., the Meadowlands where Jimmy Hoffa is supposedly buried, and the cutest accents you've ever heard. I think that about sums up all the wonderful things I've heard about my home state from out-of-towners, but I'm sure if I've forgotten something, someone will be along shortly to remind me.

Yep, I will,

Jersey is a great state to visit. We have the world famous Jersey shore (if you're coming in the summer). We have the statue of Liberty and a great planetarium. South Jersey has the cool aquarium and a newly restored battleship. We are centrally located between NYC and Philly but the hotels are lot cheaper and if you're teens can hang out by themselves in the hotel. Mom & dad can sneak away for a few hours of gambling and live entertainment at one of the Atlantic city NJ casinoes. Mom if you want a spa treatment to die for check out the Borgata, come during the week and it's a very economical price.

 

[MM27]

I'm in NJ. We have the New Jersey Turnpike, oil refineries, the highest taxes and insurance rates in the U.S., the Meadowlands where Jimmy Hoffa is supposedly buried, and the cutest accents you've ever heard. I think that about sums up all the wonderful things I've heard about my home state from out-of-towners, but I'm sure if I've forgotten something, someone will be along shortly to remind me.

Umm, you forgot the big hair and the hairy guys with gold chains.

 

[lvanleer]

Maryland.....the wonderful western MD mountains with their great outdoor recreation; the cities of Annapolis and Baltimore; the eastern shore with Ocean City; and nearby is Washington DC with museums and all the other historical sites.

 

[CowboyCO]

I live in Colorado -- No reason to talk about it when I can just show you:

Maroon Bells

Pikes Peak

Royal Gorge

Breckenridge

Rafting the Arkansas

Mt Princeton

Mountain Goat

Colorado Elk

Denver

Mesa Verde

Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Monument

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Ouray

Telluride

Estes Park

 

[Silent1CB]

oddly, Im thinking DC. Ive been there twice but mom hasnt and I would love to share it with her. Now how to convince her that 330 each is good (hotel and airfare). I would still love to hear your ideas for places to go.

You could convince her by telling her that just about everything you will visit after arriving is free - except for the zoo.