If you want to play (indoors or out)
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Water Park
About a two-hour drive from New York City, this resort caters to the
adventurous family who would rather splash in the water then play in the snow. However,
you’ll still feel like you’re escaping to a lodge in the Adirondacks, as the venue exudes rustic, winter-y charm. Activities for kids include access to White Water Bay, a 38,000 square foot indoor water
park, character meet-and-greet throughout the day, arts and crafts activities,
games, contests and scavenger hunts; meanwhile, parents can indulge in the on-site spa and
fitness center. The Great Escape Lodge also has a restaurant, ballroom and an
arcade for extra fun/. For more info, visit sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com.
Crayola Factory, Easton, Pennsylvania
Nurture your kids’ creative sides with a trip to the Crayola Factory, which
features dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits (like the Inside Out wall,
which allows kids to paint a curved glass wall, or the Crayola Crayon
Manufacturing demonstration). (crayolafactory.com)
Woodloch Pines Resort
Located two hours outside of New York City, near the Pocono Mountains in Hawley, PA, Woodloch Pines has been a
family-owned business catering to family-travelers for 52 years. This all-inclusive
resort has an endless list of things to do ranging from activities in an arts
and crafts room, bumper cars, the indoor Woodlock Forest soft play area, and an
indoor pool and a game room, just to name a few. This winter, families can
enjoy a number of outdoor adventures including snow shoeing, tubing, snowmobiling,
Winter Olympics-inspired activities, ice skating, ice fishing, the festive
Festival of Lights hayride and more. Hoping to squeeze in a date night to your
trip? Woodloch also offers live, Broadway-style performances, a night club, and
of course, babysitting service available upon request. For more info,
visit woodloch.com.
If you want to learn a thing or two…
Washington, DC
It’s
the ultimate primer on our nation’s history. Pay a visit to Capitol
Hill and take a walk through Arlington National Cemetery. Kids will
love touring the regal rooms of the White House and visiting one of the
Smithsonian Institution’s 19 museums. While you’re there, take some
time to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, dedicated to
remembering the Holocaust and fighting genocide in the present and
future.
Philadelphia, PA
Not
only does Philadelphia have museums and restaurants and great city walks, but
it has a bunch of “must” visits for families, including the Franklin Institute
Science Museum, where you can take a stroll through the famous Giant Heart or
take the Sports Challenge (a virtual reality that uses visitors’ own bodies to
teach physics concepts; and the Please Touch Museum, which is chock full of
exhibits perfect for kids ages 1-6, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. And
then there’s all that history to be had at places like the Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall. For more info, visit gophila.com.
Colonial
Williamsburg, VA
Headed back in time to Colonial Williamsburg? In addition
to all the famous reenactments, the nation’s largest living history museum lets
kids don period costumes, apprentice themselves to a local blacksmith, printer
or tailor and even get dirty making bricks the old-fashioned way. For a place to
stay, try the Williamsburg Lodge, an artfully restored hotel that oozes
Southern hospitality. For more info, visit history.org.
Connecticut
Science Center
Take a day trip out of the city
to check out this extensive science museum, with exhibits on robots, space
travel and a virtual energy city. Families can test out helicopters and trains
in the “forces in motion” exhibit, or encounter the Connecticut River and test its
health and pathway. Museum guests can also stop by the KidSpace, designed for
children ages 3 to 6, which features a ball wall, whooshing waterfall, and
search and find adventure. 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford,
CT, 860-SCIENCE, ctsciencecenter.org.
If you want to get some R & R…
Creek Locks Bed and Breakfast
This beautiful Hudson Valley B&B has original 1866 pine wide plank
floors, private baths, ceiling fans and central air conditioning. Families will
love touring the Vanderbilt Mansion, which will be festively decorated until
December 31st, and visiting historic Huguenot Street where they will learn
about the eclectic history of the Hudson Valley. For more info, visit creeklocksbedandbreakfast.com.
Boardman House Bed and Breakfast
Just two hours from Manhattan, this scenic B&B nestled in Connecticut is a perfect winter retreat for
families. Scenically perched on the edge of the Connecticut River, visitors to this beautiful inn
will have the opportunity to explore the historic town of East Haddam. The tiny town (pop. 8,333)
provides big activities like The Godspeed Opera House, St. Stephens Bell
(widely thought to be the oldest in the Americas) and Gillette Castle, which boasts Nutcracker-themed
decorations for the holiday season. For more info, visit boardmanhouse.com.
Hilltop House Bed and Breakfast
This quaint Harlem Valley inn has rooms filled with antiques
and bedding draped in handcrafted quilts. This cozy retreat offers
guests a place to relax and unwind this holiday season. Families can visit
nearby Olana, the majestic 250-acre home of Hudson River School painter Fredric Edwin Church, stop by the Culinary Institute of
America for a delicious holiday meal made by future great chefs or peruse the
Apple Pie Bakery Cafe for holiday baked goods. For more info, visit hilltophousebb.com.
Lippincott House
While not in this countryside, this Philadelphia B&B is still long on
charm. Your family’s suite in this picturesque inn will be equipped with a
fireplace, wireless internet and satellite television. In the heart
of Philly and steps away from Rittenhouse Square, there is no shortage of things
your family can do. Check out the 4.5 acre indoor conservatory filled with
Christmas trees and other festive greenery in the Longwood Gardens or attend a Winter Family Studio at
the Philadelphia Museum of Art. For more info, visit lippincotthouse.com.
