Last-minute kid-friendly trip ideas for MLK weekend?
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Anonymous
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Just realized my husband has that weekend off (he usually works weekends) and looking for not too expensive ($500-1000?) weekend trip ideas. We have a 4yo. Could be anywhere within driving distance.
We're new to the area. I know of Great Wolf Lodge, although not sure I want to deal with the throngs that weekend. Any other ideas? TIA! |
Anonymous
| Williamsburg? |
Anonymous
| Philadelphia |
Anonymous
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Strasburg, PA (trains)
Charlottesville NYC Norfolk/VA Beach area Annapolis |
Anonymous
OP here. Thx for recs. Apart from NYC, I don't know of any kid-friendly attractions in the other locales that can be done in winter. For example, we've been to Annapolis once and did the pirate ship, but wondering what the options are in the cold? |
Anonymous
| Philly, there is the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Sciences in NJ (outside of Philly) there is a Childrens' museum. It is probably too late to join the MD Science Center and get your membership card, but all three of these places are free if you are a MD Sci Center member under the ASTC passport program. We did this one winter. |
Anonymous
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Baltimore has the train museum as well as the aquarium, and easy places to eat.
Longwood Gardens is beautiful and has both indoor and outdoor spaces, a children's garden, and a cafeteria. These can be done as either day trips or a weekend without too much expense. |
Anonymous
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I like to go in a Southern direction when it's cold out, so I would look at Charlottesville, Richmond or Williamsburg. Why head up to PA when it is bound to be colder?
Here's my list for Charlottesville. Charlottesville Discovery museum http://www.vadm.org/about.html Bounce house http://bouncenplayofcville.com/cafe/ hotel I liked http://www.hotels.com/hotel/details.html?pa=5&pn=1&ps=5&tab=description&destinationId=1514121&searchDestination=Charlottesville&hotelId=105771&arrivalDate=04-18-14&departureDate=04-20-14&rooms[0].numberOfAdults=2&roomno=1&validate=false&previousDateful=false&reviewOrder=date_newest_first mellow mushroom 1309 W Main St Charlottesville, VA 22903 http://www.yelp.com/biz/mellow-mushroom-charlottesville Cici’s http://www.yelp.com/biz/cicis-pizza-charlottesville Bowling http://www.amf.com/location-search-results |
Anonymous
And of course Monticello. See if you can get the family tour. |
Anonymous
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Here's my list for Richmond.
Maymont Children’s Farm and Children’s Farm Barn features rare breeds of domesticated farm animals while the Maymont Wildlife Exhibits provide outdoor habitats for native Virginia wildlife including black bear, bison, fox, bobcat, birds of prey, White-tail and sika deer. The Nature & Visitor Center features James River exhibits, interactive galleries, 20-foot waterfall, fish, turtles, owls, river otters and more. Also on site are an Italian and Japanese Garden, a Carriage Collection; an Arboretum and a Café. Zoo 8300 Beaver Bridge Rd, Moseley, VA 23120 (804) 739-5666 Children’s museum - Phone: 804-474-7000 • Fax: 804-474-7099 CMoR Central: 2626 West Broad St. • Richmond, VA 23220 CMoR Short Pump: 2200 Old Brick Rd. • Glen Allen, VA 23060 CMoR Chesterfield: 6629 Lake Harbour Dr. • Midlothian, VA 23112 http://www.c-mor.org/ Science museum – 2500 west broad street, Richmond, va 23220, 804-864-1400 http://www.smv.org/visit/admission |
Anonymous
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I have family in Richmond and Va Beach, so I do that trip a lot. For Virginia Beach, it helps to think of the whole tidewater area as one. So, you could do a couple of days in Williamsburg/Jamestown (a four year old would love Jamestown especially), and then do a couple in Va Beach. In Va Beach, you have the Virginia Aquarium (it's awesome!), Mount Trashmore playground, and Virginia Living Museum. You also have the beach, which is fun to be on even if you aren't swimming, especially with the naval air base so close and the planes flying around all of the time. There is also a playground right on the beach too.
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Anonymous
I wouldn't bother with the short pump or chesterfield locations of CMoR. They're tiny and better for small kids. The Central one is fantastic. It's also right next to the Science Museum, which is also great. There is also Canal Park and the bridge to Brown's island, which is an easy and fun place to explore. Richmond also has some great playgrounds and parks. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I'll (sheepishly) disclose that I'm actually originally from the Tidewater area, but moved away at 21, and have only moved back to the mid-Atlantic region recently. So have no idea what activities would be appropriate for a 4yo down that way.
Wouldn't a kid who just turned 4 be a bit young for Jamestown etc.? I'm kind of liking some of the Richmond animal exhibit ideas--however, growing up I always heard Richmond was king of a high-crime area? I guess there must be some nice areas, like any city.. We're going on our first trip abroad with the kid soon after, so looking for a cheapo MLK weekend. Thanks so much for the recs so far--please keep them coming! |
Anonymous
Others have addressed some of these, but Strasburg has a great train museum and (I hear) the Turkey Hill Experience/Tour is fun. As for Annapolis, the State House and Naval Academy (model ships). |
Anonymous
NP. Is the Discovery Museum interesting enough for a 4 yo, or is it more for younger kids? Can't get a sense of that from their website. |