train or car ride to... somewhere. between xmas & new years

[Anonymous]

I really really really would like to go somewhere for a few days between Christmas and New Years. But having a hard time figuring out where. DD (5yo) would love a train ride. I personally would love driving. Definitely don't want to fly. My only real must is a heated/indoor pool for dd and a plus would be having some excellent/notable food nearby.

I've thought about NYC but I think it gets too crazy crowded during that week and hotels are outrageously priced. I would be OK with staying in NJ and shuttling over but I feel like we would still end up spending a lot more $ in NYC than if we went elsewhere. It also seems like most of these hotels don't have pools.

I've thought about Great Wolf Lodge - but after taxes and fees I think it would come out to about $400 a night... and for that money I'd rather be in NYC.

I've even thought maybe Charleston or Savannah. But I really don't know much about these towns other than they'd be a few degrees warmer than here.

I've thought about Montreal. I've been there once, and I loved how it felt like a completely different culture. But it's a 9 hour drive or 15 hour train ride and what if it snows and screws up travel? I did see a hotel special here that was pretty good, though for 93 usd/night.

I'm also thinking about Orlando. But we did the Magic Kingdom last year... so maybe Universal studios this time? But is it worth driving all that far just for that?

Can anyone help? Am I just being too picky?

[Anonymous]

Philly? Bal'more? Haven't been to Philly, but have heard it's great. B'more is obviously a shorter ride, but it has a ton of kids' stuff. Don't know too much about the food scenes but should be enough to keep you happy.

[Anonymous]

You could go to Bethany Beach and rent a condo at Sea Colony. They have two indoor pools - one right on the ocean for the oceanfront condos and one on the western side of the property. You might be able to get a western condo with a fireplace, or an ocean view in the eastern condos. Bethany/Ocean City/Rehoboth all have some restaurants open year round. You could bundle up and play in the sand, or I think the play areas might be open year round. Its not far to drive when there's no traffic, and I bet you could get a cheap place to rent.

[Anonymous]

head towards Buffalo NY. It's an 8 hour drive, great snowfall and very cheap. You could rent a place at KB (Kissing Bridge) its a ski resort, and has everything you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Williamsburg or Va Beach.

[Anonymous]

Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium?

[Anonymous]

thanks for the suggestions. i actually like the idea of hitting the eastern shore but i think dh wouldn't be as thrilled.

nothing seems to be striking my fancy, though. maybe it'll just be a staycation... with lots of shopping.

[Anonymous]

What about some place like the Greenbriar or the Homestead.

[Anonymous]

Charleston and Savannah are wonderful this time of year. While it can be cooler when rainy, the temps are usually around 60 degrees (or higher -- we generally see folks playing golf in shirt sleeves on New Year's Day). Great restaurants in both towns, and you can probably find a place with an indoor pool. There is more to see, tourist-wise, in Charleston, but Savannah is charming. You can take the overnight sleeper car on Amtrak, which is now ds' favorite way to travel. (Last time we went to California, he kept insisting that we needed to take the train.) The train leaves from Union Station, but you can also catch it in Alexandria, around 8:00 in the evening. You have dinner (the food is actually not bad!) while the porter makes out your berth, and then go to sleep and wake up in Charleston (or Savannah, a couple of hours later).