When my kids were in elementary school, we drove up to Lancaster Co., PA over spring break. We stayed a night at a working farm/B&B and the kids loved it. Hayrides, collecting eggs, trampolines, play houses, etc. Just a really wholesome, fun time. The following day we drove to Philadelphia to see the sights, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc. Did a duck boat tour and spent two nights. That was a fun, fairly low-cost getaway.

Anonymous wrote:Niagara Falls. You can break up the drive a bit and stop in NYC

There really is a lot of neat things at Niagara. We did a long weekend there years ago and my kids still talk about that trip.

Ocean city, book walking distance or ocean front hotel. We used to go to different beaches but either too many mosquitoes or too dangerous. Just back from theme parks, way too hot and crowded plus long wait. Niagara Falls on the Canada side is good, but don’t know how long the border line wait is. If going to nyc stay on nj side hotels on Hudson River, then take Path to get to nyc.

Busch Gardens + Virginia Beach. Kingsmill resort is also nice there.

My vote is:

Orlando
Boston
Chicago
Clearwater Beach

All are affordable, fun and don’t require car rental. Super easy to get around. New Orleans is also a great option (just avoid Bourbon St) but will be very hot swampy weather, if you’re okay with that.

Take a flight to a major city in the United States for a weekend. Always nice to catch a movie, show, eat out and site see in another city. Orlando, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta.