Overnight close by over Christmas Break that isn't crowded?

[Anonymous]

My company just announced that we are closed between Christmas and NYE. I have two kids 7 and 10. I would love to get away for a night as a family during that time for a night (weeknight is fine.) But, my husband hates all the really bad crowds around this time. Is a place or hotel near by that won't be super crowded? Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Nope. Your husband is right.

[Anonymous]

Hyatt Cambridge Maryland and enjoy the big indoor pool?

[Anonymous]

Frederick MD and take a walk along the canal to see the lighted ships. Do a historic walking tour and visit tea shops and restaurants.

[Anonymous]

We have had luck in Philly.
At that age the Franklin Institute was a big hit.
If you do go to Philly, in my experience, the Camden aquarium in really loud and crowded and would not be good match for what you are looking for.

We also did a Flyers game and had fun going to a game in another place.

Another treat could be going to a show at regional theater. The Olney theater has Frozen during that time.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas!

[Anonymous]

Colonial Williamsburg could be fun. You could also add in Busch Gardens.

[Anonymous]

Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Charlotte
Richmond

Just pick a hotel with an indoor pool, decent food options and some type of museum. Since you are looking to just get away, go to the movies, bowling, maybe a bouncy place and you have a quick trip.

[Anonymous]

Not Charlotte. Boring AF soulless sprawling suburban hellscape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hyatt Cambridge Maryland and enjoy the big indoor pool?

This is what we did one year after Christmas when the kids were that age. Worked out well. I addition to the huge indoor pool, they had bouncy houses in the conference rooms of their conference center.

[Anonymous]

Charlottesville or Staunton, VA

[Anonymous]

I have also done a planned staycation with things that we talk about but don't do:
Go to brunch
Family bowling event
Ice Skating
snow tubing
etc

What I do is I put one activity on an index card so that I have a stack of them. Each night at dinner someone picks one and that is the thing we do the next day. It gets us out of the house but not too much effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colonial Williamsburg could be fun. You could also add in Busch Gardens.

BG will be very crowded.