Hi all! I am looking for some fun ideas for vacationing with a two year old and 2 in their early teens. Probable travel is the end of May. I was hoping for something no farther than 6 hour drive from NYC. We'd like to stay over maybe 3 nights. I was looking into some indoor water parks but they all seem to be geared towards kids up to age 11. Any ideas? My older kids (1 boy, 1 girl) are not typical, in the sense that they are not very sports oriented and skateboard parks are no good. They like just about anything, but they can't do a lot of the biking, skating things.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Our boys are 6 and 12, and they aren't into sports either. Like Denise posted, we love beach vacations. I'm from Texas, so I have no idea what's near you, but beach/lake vacations are always our favorites.
Look for museums and science centers. Those are a lot of fun for all ages. We have 4 children (and one on the way...) whose ages are 16, 14, 9, and 6. We do a lot of vacationing and they all seem to enjoy those things. I know mine enjoy water parks even the older ones..I don't know what's East because we live in the West, but I'm sure there are lots to do in NY!! =) Have fun!
A beach vacation is fun for all ages. Have you ever been to Bethany Beach, DE? Sea Colony is a great family resort and there are pools, a gym, activities, etc for the whole family. There's a nice all-ages water park called Jungle Jim's very nearby. And it's a short drive to Ocean City, MD's boardwalk.
Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH is a GREAT place for a family vacation. If you stay at the Cedar Point Hotel called Hotel Breakers, it's situated right on Cedar Point's beach on lake Erie, and at the entrance to the park. They have great package deals for multiple day entrances to the park, the waterpark, etc. Obviously, there are tons of things at the park and on the beach for the older kids, but I've taken a two year old and four year old, and even they have blast. The beach has gentle waves, unlike an ocean beach, so the little one can play in the water without being blasted with waves. And there are several kiddie areas within Cedar Point for the little one to enjoy lots of kid friendly rides and activities. The waterpark also has several kiddie play areas and slides.
Also, in Sandusky just by the entrance to Cedar Point, are two indoor waterparks, The Great Wolfe Lodge, and The Kalahari. I have been to The Great Wolf Lodge, and IT'S WONDERFUL. Wonderfully decorated, great rooms, and the waterpark was fantastic for my 4 year old. He does like water and isn't fearful at all of the slides, so he had a blast. However, I will say that it would probably not be sophisticated enough for kids much older than 10. The Kalahari, I'm told by a friend who takes her kids there, is geared to accommodate older kids as well as the younger ones. Personally, I enjoy waterslides, so this was a great time for us.
I'm not sure how far Sandusky, OH is from where you live in NY, but between Cedar Point/Lake Erie Beach, The Great Wolf Lodge, and The Kalahari, I'd think you could have a great family vacation in this area. We go back every year.
(All the parks I mentioned have websites... check them out. :)
I would look into going to Hershey Park. Gettsyburg is also right there and the Amish country. THere is something for everybody. Hershey is a town and than Hershey Park is like Six flags. It is about 4 or 5 hours from NYC.
You can go to the Hershey tour and see how choclate is made. THe town has hershey kisses as their street lights. You can google everything and ask for a tourism book from Pennsylvania.
