Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sorry. Ages 10 and 7. Willing to spend a bit, just not for a hotel. Want them to feel like they got a treat on spring break even if we didn’t go out of town.

I know you said no hotel but I'd use the Groupon for Great Wolf Lodge and spend one night. It's basically the same price as some of the other suggestions since no individual tickets are needed. Williamsburg or Perryville (newer and nicer). See if you can borrow Magiquest wands from your Buy Nothing group. We did exactly this when my kids were this age (now 9 & 12) and it was a hit.

Williamsburg ($132)
https://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-bk-great-wolf-lodge-williamsburg-37

Perryville ($147)
https://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-bk-great-wolf-lodge-perryville

Can get the price down even more with a Groupon code

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sorry. Ages 10 and 7. Willing to spend a bit, just not for a hotel. Want them to feel like they got a treat on spring break even if we didn’t go out of town.

I know you said no hotel but I'd use the Groupon for Great Wolf Lodge and spend one night. It's basically the same price as some of the other suggestions since no individual tickets are needed. Williamsburg or Perryville (newer and nicer). See if you can borrow Magiquest wands from your Buy Nothing group. We did exactly this when my kids were this age (now 9 & 12) and it was a hit.

Cabin in a state park (MD, VA, WVA). Explore outside, make a roaring fire and make smores. Board games at night

ST James ( as OP mentioned) is perfect. It’s not expensive ( check Groupon), they have both indoor climbing/activity area ( we’d been there, it’s fun), and indoor water park, that the kids can enjoy for a couple of hours. Also recommend meadowlark botanical garden, it’s very pretty during spring, my kids also did geocaching there when we visited in the past.

Sandy Spring Adventure Park

Luray caverns
My kids always love the Maryland science center. Aquarium is expensive and underwhelming. Maybe get some treats in little Italy afterwards or catch an o’s game with cheap seats.

Horseback riding somewhere?

Yes, sorry. Ages 10 and 7. Willing to spend a bit, just not for a hotel. Want them to feel like they got a treat on spring break even if we didn’t go out of town.

Anonymous wrote:Hershey Park
Baltimore Aquarium and Science Museum

These places aren’t cheap.

Suggestions:
-hike at Calvert Cliffs & look for fossils
-go to Bull Run or Riverbend Park & see the bluebells
-(lots of other hikes/parks are also nice this time of year)
-do one of those Pirate cruises in DC or Baltimore
-Harper’s Ferry

Ages matter. What are they? I do not think teens would be impressed with great wolf lodge or the aquarium.

Great Wolf Lodge.

Anonymous wrote:Hershey Park
Baltimore Aquarium and Science Museum

Pass on the Aquarium. We went recently and it was a huge disappointment compared to a few years ago.

What age?

Dinosaur Land in White Post, could combine with Drive-in movie in Stephens City or Scraposaurs outdoor exhibit at Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, or there's also a small children's museum (Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum) in Winchester if you have young kids.

Also lots of historical sites in that area. (Depends on the kid. One of my kids really likes history.)

Ice skating -- St James might have this? I haven't been there but someone I know takes their kids to the St James a lot so it seems like a fun option. I think they like to play basketball and such there? If no ice skating there, Fairfax Ice Arena has ice skating.

Hershey Park
Baltimore Aquarium and Science Museum

Given the current chaos, we can’t go on a trip for spring break but want to do something special in the area for our kids over the weekends of spring break. The girls boy thing I can think of is an indoor water park. Is the St James fun? Other ideas? Thanks!