OT: Cheapish 4-5 day vacation ideas w/ 3 yr old

[wbcincy]

We've got a vacation planned w/ the extended family for Disney World in October, but I'm looking for something to do with just the wife and son in the next month or 2.

A couple caveats: (1) I'm not looking to spend a fortune given that we're taking 2 vacations this year, (2) It has to be drivable or an inexpensive flight. I have about 45k in delta miles to help with a flight, but that wont get you far, especially w/ Cincinnati airport's prices, and (3) has to be something a 3 year old can enjoy.

Things I've been considering:

1) Come out Philly way, see the Sesame Street theme park, go to the beach for a couple days, and maybe hit Hershey Park on the way back

2) Destin, FL - can make that drive in 1 day, or split it up with a stop in Nashville each way. Would allow to catch a beach vacation earlier than under the first option.

3) Gatlinburg, TN - Can get a cabin and do most things really cheap. Son loves water generally and waterfalls especially, and there are plenty of hiking options that he'd like.

I'm pretty open to whatever fits the above requirements. I have a lot of vacation time saved up and I'm likely leaving this job soon, so I might as well use it. I'd prefer do something relaxing/tropical and the wife would as well, but we're still open to other things.

Thoughts?

 

[nittanymoops]

Our little ones loved Sesame Place, but 3 is pretty small for it. Would probably wait another 1-2 years.

Love the Panhandle beaches.Might be your best bet for the whole family.

Re: Gatlinburg: Hiking options for a 3 year old? Can't wrap my head around that one.

My suggestion, based on your boy liking waterfalls would be Niagara Falls. Drivable, probably reasonable rates available through Hotwire, plenty to do in the area for 2-3 days, so it wouldn't have to be a long trip. Could hit some other attractions/amusement parks around the Lake Erie region, or go about 2 hours north to Toronto/Georgian Bay area. Some nice resorts/sights up that way.

Whatever you decide, just enjoy it.

 

[pnnylion]

Originally posted by wbcincy:

We've got a vacation planned w/ the extended family for Disney World in October, but I'm looking for something to do with just the wife and son in the next month or 2.

A couple caveats: (1) I'm not looking to spend a fortune given that we're taking 2 vacations this year, (2) It has to be drivable or an inexpensive flight. I have about 45k in delta miles to help with a flight, but that wont get you far, especially w/ Cincinnati airport's prices, and (3) has to be something a 3 year old can enjoy.

Things I've been considering:

1) Come out Philly way, see the Sesame Street theme park, go to the beach for a couple days, and maybe hit Hershey Park on the way back

2) Destin, FL - can make that drive in 1 day, or split it up with a stop in Nashville each way. Would allow to catch a beach vacation earlier than under the first option.

3) Gatlinburg, TN - Can get a cabin and do most things really cheap. Son loves water generally and waterfalls especially, and there are plenty of hiking options that he'd like.

I'm pretty open to whatever fits the above requirements. I have a lot of vacation time saved up and I'm likely leaving this job soon, so I might as well use it. I'd prefer do something relaxing/tropical and the wife would as well, but we're still open to other things.

Thoughts?

Gatlinburg...Dollywood would be right up a 3 year old's alley. You can drive over the mountains and pan for gold.

Ocean City, NJ.

Lancaster, Pa.

The indoor waterpark, Erie Pa.

 

[paradox1984]

Presque isle state park in erie pa has been a favorite of ours with a child that age. Plenty of beaches with water and very little waves. You are also within an hour or two of niagara for a day trip. There is also a small amusement park with free admission that we found perfect for a three year old last year.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Originally posted by paradox1984:
Presque isle state park in erie pa has been a favorite of ours with a child that age. Plenty of beaches with water and very little waves. You are also within an hour or two of niagara for a day trip. There is also a small amusement park with free admission that we found perfect for a three year old last year.

yes Waldameer is a nice small amusement park

if you do stay on Erie (good lick selling Erie to your wife lol), Southern Tier Brewery is less than an hour away, right next to Chautauqua Lake which also has some fun stuff - I bet your son would love Panama Rocks, btw, but be very careful if you go 5-10 minutes from Southern Tier, and half hour or so detour if you are driving up to Niagara from Erie

 

[Obliviax]

Cedar point and put-in-bay are nice

park has nice rides, a good water park and eats. Take the ferry to put in bay, rent a golf cart and explore caves, fish, wine tasting, kayak, and eat more. It's pretty darn nice, surprising actually.

 

[Class of 67]

Great Wolf Lodge is in your area, but maybe you've been there.*

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Lodge

 

[Nashville Lion]

Gatlinburg would be fun...they also have an indoor water park there that is awesome....we love it there. Dollywood is fun too.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Sounds Like Camping In The Backyard & A Trip To The Local Zoo! *


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[slwlion]

Helen Ga *

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[MtNittany]

Spend a day or two at Knoebel's Grove...

...no admission cost and lots for a 3 year old to enjoy.

 

[colt21]

Re: Spend a day or two at Knoebel's Grove...

Live ten minutes from Knoebels - second that motion

 

[Mister Magoo]

New coaster looks cool.

Really a great place.

 

[psu7113]

Your 3 year-old can handle a plane ride? Wow, I envy you.

.

 

[psuro]

Re: Your 3 year-old can handle a plane ride? Wow, I envy you.

It's not if the three year old can. It's if the other passengers on the plane can handle the three year old.

 

[pnnylion]

Re: Your 3 year-old can handle a plane ride? Wow, I envy you.

Originally posted by psuro:
It's not if the three year old can. It's if the other passengers on the plane can handle the three year old.

Mine started going at 2 and was never a problem.

 

[colt21]

Re: New coaster looks cool.

The new roller coaster is cool. Drove by to see it last week
Also it takes the place of a crappy ride so that's a net gain
Now they have three great coasters. Plus Kozmos Kurves for the little ones

They've put a lot more new cabins in also

 

[JerseyRon]

Yeah, let the grandparents watch him.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Yes to Cedar Point - haven't been there in years but still one of the best amusement parks I've ever been to.

No to Sesame Place - unless you love spending WAY too much $$ for a tiny, overcrowded tourist trap.

Yes to Hershey Park - my 4 year old loves it...and he doesn't even like chocolate.

 

[wbcincy]

Re: Your 3 year-old can handle a plane ride? Wow, I envy you.

Originally posted by pnnylion:

Originally posted by psuro:
It's not if the three year old can. It's if the other passengers on the plane can handle the three year old.

Mine started going at 2 and was never a problem.

Yeah, a year ago he may have been a disaster, but now he'd be very well behaved.

Nobody should envy us though, those first 2 years of his were extraordinarily difficult with his stomach issues and projectile vomiting and not sleeping through the night until he was 18 months, yes 18 months old. The GI issues caused him to vomit, (he was on very expensive prescription formula for over a year), so he couldn't sleep thru the night because he'd be hungry. Oh, and the first time he did the projectile vomiting his whole body locked up, every muscle, and he wouldn't breathe. Not understanding what was happening, for those 30-45 seconds I thought I was holding him in my arms while he died. So I believe I'm owed the fact that he's a happy kid and will listen to me if I tell him to be quiet and good on a flight and just watch Mickey.

 

[wbcincy]

Thanks for advice all, taken under advisement**


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[pnnylion]

Update us on what you decide. Driving to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Dollywood would save you a ton of money. There are also dinner shows there, geared toward kids, often within walking distance.

 

[wbcincy]

I'm about 90% decided on the gatlinburg/pigeon forge plan. Only a 5 hour drive, he loves going hiking, especially if there's streams/waterfalls, and I hadn't previously considered Dollywood because we haven't gone before, but if it would be a good time for him as well, that pretty well seals it. Also have the aquarium there, indoor water park, etc, so sounds like the right plan for a long weekend.

 

[pnnylion]

Originally posted by wbcincy:
I'm about 90% decided on the gatlinburg/pigeon forge plan. Only a 5 hour drive, he loves going hiking, especially if there's streams/waterfalls, and I hadn't previously considered Dollywood because we haven't gone before, but if it would be a good time for him as well, that pretty well seals it. Also have the aquarium there, indoor water park, etc, so sounds like the right plan for a long weekend.

Dollywood also has Wave pool and zoo. Trust me he'll like it. A short drive up and down the Great Smokeys and you can pan for gold. Only trac-phones work going up an down the mountain. There is also a kid geared dinner show in Pigeon Forge. Sharkies (if still there) great food in Gatlinburg.

 

[pnnylion]

Hope this is helpful.

Dinner Shows and More.

 

[pnnylion]

Check it out.

Gatlinburg