Summer Family Vacation Ideas from Central Jersey

Hi All,

This is my first post here! I am well aware that this is an extremely broad question, but can you all throw some family vacation ideas at me? Live in central Jersey, have an almost year two old and an almost six year old. Looking for a family friendly vacation this summer for two or three nights within a three-ish hour drive from us. We’ve done a few of the pretty popular ones (crystal springs , Hershey, lake George). Doesn’t need to be north either, can be PA, lower New England, even south such as MD. Thank you!

Have you ruled out a beach vacation? Someplace like Bethany Beach, Delaware, Cape May, or Ocean City Maryland?

I grew up in Baltimore, and the city has a lot of interesting places to visit - the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, the inner Harbor, Orioles Park, the Flag Museum,and a Children's Museum.

In 1969 we lived in a Philadelphia suburb and we toured a lot of places at Easter Break - in addition to the Liberty Bell and the museums in Philadelphia we visited Hershey, Harrisburg, Ephreta Cloisters, Bethleham, Kennet Square(Longwood Gardens) ,Valley Forge, Brandywine and Washington's Crossing. At that time my chilldren were 2nd grade, kindergarten and 9 months old. So I tried to pick place with things to do and buttons to push where the kids could run around and expend energy without too much problem. Most of those places are still there although you couldn't do the Liberty Bell like we did back then. The first two days of Spring Break

Thank you so much !

Hi.

Washington DC?

The kids will see some neat stuff in the museums. Walk around a bit. The kids might like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Google type search shows several links for "child friendly things to do in Washington."
Even the little one might like the Dinosaurs.

https://naturalhistory.si.edu/#:~:text=Homepage,National%20Museum%20of%20Natural%20History

For DC, Arlington might be a little cheaper. The Metro can get you to many places. (Do a search for places close to the Metro.)

Virginia Beach?

Have fun.

[ Edit: Edited on 20 Apr 2024, 19:34 GMT by karazyal ]

Thanks for the input! Any ideas for things outside major cities?

Have you thought of Colonial Williamsburg? There are lots of things to do in the area including Busch Gardens.

I have not thought about that idea. Thank you!