1 night trip suggestion with 8 yr old

My 8 yr old niece is visiting for a week. We have some day things lined up for the 2 of us to do (my husband can't miss any work) like movies, painting pottery, lunch & the mall, local pool, turtle back zoo, Liberty Science center.

Since the weather is looking decent now for the weekend, considering a Saturday trip for the 3 of us. Can't be too far (she gets a lite carsick). She doesn't love the beach but might like a traditional Jersey Shore Boardwalk. She doesn't like anything princessy or dolls. She loves animals and learning experiences.

Ideas for an overnight?

Is Lancaster too far? steam town? Land of Make Believe for a day trip. Space farms is a zoo and museum and old timey time roadside attraction in Sussex County.

Philly! Please Touch Musuesm and Franklin Institute. So many great hotel deals on Hotel Tonight and a plethora of fun restaurants like The Continental near Rittenhouse Square

Mystic Seaport

I was thinking Philly too. I've been there once a week past few weeks for work (hadn't been in 20 yrs) and I'm loving it. Restaurants are great and I really love the Franklin Institute. She loves science.

Lancaster might be an option. Is Land of Make Believe geared towards younger kids?

She's from LI and they live in a seaport so I wasn't leaning the way of Mystic but that aquarium is great

Land of Make Believe probably still works for 8 year olds...especially if they like waterpark as well as rides.

Rocking Horse Ranch could also be fun (albeit more expensive)...I believe 8 year olds can do the trail rides that are part of the cost.

I was going to suggest Philadelphia, too. Zoo, Franklin Institute, lots of museums - also, Valley Forge isn't that far from Philadelphia, and I know our kids enjoyed a day trip there when they were about that age. The American Revolution is covered in 5th grade (if I recall correctly), so it might be a good time to make a trip there.

A waterpark in the Poconos.

Edison Museum is great! Right in West Orange ...

My wife took our older son for an overnight trip at Woodloch Resort in the Poconos and they could not raving about it. It was such a huge hit that she'd gone back with both kids and my parents (I was stuck home working - boo!).

http://www.woodloch.com

Try Skytop Lodge in the Poconos. We went for one night earlier this summer with our 8 year olds and loved it. It's like Woodloch but much, much cheaper.

Philly is a great trip. Also, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is great as is the waterfront area. i've heard nice things about Jenkins Aquarium at Point Pleasant which you could also combine with the rids on the boardwalk...Although, maybe not if she gets motion sickness.

Also, maybe tubing on the Delaware or biking along the canal...

The Jenkinson's Aquarium is nice in that its an air conditioned break to boardwalk activities. The boardwalk can be a fun trip - I just was there and my kids had a blast. However, if you do not want to go on the beach, you can really only spend 3 or 4 hours at most.

cubby said:
Philly is a great trip. Also, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is great as is the waterfront area. i've heard nice things about Jenkins Aquarium at Point Pleasant which you could also combine with the rids on the boardwalk...Although, maybe not if she gets motion sickness.
Also, maybe tubing on the Delaware or biking along the canal...

Thanks all. The places mentioned in the poconos sounded great but all were either sold out or had more than a 1 nt minimum. Definitely keeping in mind for Sept when they have the 2 days off. We're just staying put, heading to zoo today. Booked a movie tomorrow. Maybe Liberty Science center

conandrob240 said:
Thanks all. The places mentioned in the poconos sounded great but all were either sold out or had more than a 1 nt minimum. Definitely keeping in mind for Sept when they have the 2 days off. We're just staying put, heading to zoo today. Booked a movie tomorrow. Maybe Liberty Science center

Went to Liberty with my 8 year olds earlier this week, and they had a blast.

Now, to be fair, they barely looked at the real science exhibits this trip, but had a wonderful 3 or 4 hours going between the dark Touch Tunnel, the new climbing structure suspended in the atrium, the blue foam block construction room, and the battling remote control car exhibit.

We just got back from the camelback resort in the poconos (aquatopia indoor waterpark & camelbeach outdoor waterpark). It was fabulous. New and clean and huuuge. I wonder if there are still rooms? Barley Creek brew pub down the street is awesome & kid friendly

Camelback was sold out but glad to hear the good feedback. We booked it for the Sept weekend they have Mon& tuesoff

Hershey Park!

We thought about that too. Maybe Labor Day weekend