Thanks for all the ideas! I'll check into all of them- OP

see this old thread for more ideas too:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/143289.page#1267131

these are great suggestions. i'd add deep creek lake (wisp has a mountain coaster that could be fun for the 7yo and adults).

and second philadelphia, lancaster (don't forget the outlet shopping) and shenandoah/luray caverns.

there's also harper's ferry wv and the poconos in pa.

even the standard delmarva beaches can be a different experience if you try camping or staying in a cabin as opposed to a hotel.

Lancaster, PA. A kids dream weekend with all the farms and animals, pretzel factories, ice cream, Dutch Wonderland, etc.

Second B'more and Shenandoah

Williamsburg, Va (Jamestown, Wiliamsburg, Yorktown - great long weekend, no theme parks required)
also close to -
VA Beach and Norfolk/Hampton Roads/USS Monitor

Shenandoah National Park, camp or stay at a mountaintop lodge like Big Meadows

Natural Bridge, Va, safari park

Cunningham Falls in MD

Baltimore (Aquarium & harborfront, Children's Museum, Fort McHenry, Fells Point, Little Italy)

St, Michaels MD maritime museum, playground & ice cream in Oxford, boat rides

Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles Va.

Wachapreague Va - rent a small motor boat and head out to a deserted barrier island for the afternoon. Not too far from other cute eastern shore towns like Onancock...

Colonial Beach Va, Westmoreland State Park, and Stratford Hall

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is finally reaching an age where travelling with her isn't always a nightmare, and I'm itching to start taking regular long-weekend type trips. Older kid is 7, younger one is 2.5. We've been to NYC, local beaches, NC, midwest farm country, Disney in the past year (mostly to visit family), and looking for new, interesting locations that are good for both kids and adults. I'm not really considering theme parks right now. Any short trips you and your kids have loved? Any good ideas for autumn destinations? I'm open to flying, driving, or train. Thanks!

St. Louis. No, really. It's a great long weekend.

City Museum is an outstanding experience; it's been ranked as one of the best public spaces in the world. The St. Louis Zoo is one of the best in the US and it's free. The Science Center is just okay, but it's also free. City Garden and the Arch are worth an afternoon. Cahokia Mounds is a world heritage site. The Magic House is one of the best children's museums in the US. The drive up the Mississippi from Alton to Grafton is gorgeous.

There's lots of good food, too.

If your children like trains there is Strasburg Railway, they have a Day Out with Thomas coming up in September. It's very close to Dutch Wonderland too.

We really enjoyed Pittsburg's Childrens museaum and science museaum

What about Philly, Please Touch Museum, Jersey Aquarium?

If you are thinking this fall, then I would do some amusements parks, Williamsburg/Busch Gardens, Hershey/Lancaster area, Luray Caverns and hiking.

My youngest is finally reaching an age where travelling with her isn't always a nightmare, and I'm itching to start taking regular long-weekend type trips. Older kid is 7, younger one is 2.5. We've been to NYC, local beaches, NC, midwest farm country, Disney in the past year (mostly to visit family), and looking for new, interesting locations that are good for both kids and adults. I'm not really considering theme parks right now. Any short trips you and your kids have loved? Any good ideas for autumn destinations? I'm open to flying, driving, or train. Thanks!