Showing posts with label Kids friendly travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids friendly travel. Show all posts

Hyatt Place in Kent Narrows, Maryland



Recently, we spent two days in Kent Narrows, Maryland, and we stayed at the Hyatt Place Kent Narrows. This hotel is nestled on the picturesque shores of the Chesapeake Bay. This waterfront town offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern comfort. This destination promises an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking spacious rooms, waterfront views, complimentary breakfast, an indoor pool, fitness facilities, and abundant outdoor spaces to enjoy the scenery.










Spacious Rooms with a View

Upon stepping into the Hyatt Place in Kent Narrows, one is immediately struck by the spaciousness of the guest rooms. The hotel offers a variety of room options, each tastefully decorated and designed for ultimate comfort. Whether traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, you'll find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs.

What truly sets the Hyatt Place apart is its breathtaking waterfront views. Many rooms come with private balconies or large windows that provide guests with stunning vistas of the Chesapeake Bay. There's nothing quite like waking up to the sight of boats gliding by and the gentle shimmering sunlight on the water.







Complimentary Breakfast to Start Your Day

A great day starts with a great breakfast; the Hyatt Place in Kent Narrows understands that well. Guests can indulge in a complimentary breakfast buffet featuring a variety of delicious options to cater to all tastes. From freshly baked pastries and cereals to made-to-order omelets and hot coffee, this breakfast ensures you have the energy you need for a day of exploration.






Indoor Pool and Fitness Room

The Hyatt Place offers a modern fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment for those who wish to maintain their fitness routine or unwind. After a satisfying workout, you can take a refreshing dip in the indoor pool. Whether you prefer laps or lounging by the poolside, it's a great way to relax and rejuvenate during your stay.



Outdoor Bliss

The Hyatt Place in Kent Narrows has mastered the art of making the most of its stunning waterfront location. There are plenty of places to sit outside and soak in the views. From comfortable lounge chairs on the hotel's expansive waterfront deck to peaceful benches scattered around the property, you can find your perfect spot to unwind. The gentle rustling of leaves, the salty breeze, and the calming sound of the water create a relaxing atmosphere.



Close to Dining Delights

When it's time to venture beyond the hotel, you'll be pleased to discover that Hyatt Place is ideally located close to many dining options. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, hearty steaks, or international cuisine, you'll find it just a short stroll away. Some restaurants even offer outdoor seating with equally mesmerizing water views, enhancing your dining experience.


Affordable Rates 

Considering this is a waterfront hotel with incredible views located next to world-class Maryland seafood restaurants and dockside bars, the room rate will astound you, and it is only 1.5 hours away from the Philadelphia suburbs.   



Check out what to do in Kent Narrows

Places to Eat in Kent Narrows

🏖️ Dive into Summer Fun: Discover the Best Water Parks Near Delaware County! 🌊💦

Summer vacation is here, and it is time to plan some family fun that will keep the family cool this summer. Here are several family-friendly indoor and outdoor water parks located within a few hours of Delaware County, PA. Here are a few options you might consider:





Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark (Tannersville, PA): Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Camelbeach is an outdoor water park offering a variety of thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and interactive play areas suitable for all ages.







Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA): While not exclusively a water park, Sesame Place is a family-friendly theme park with a significant focus on water attractions. It features water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and splash pads, all themed around Sesame Street characters.





Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, PA) -  Two parks for one price. From the big thrills of roller coasters like Hydra and Possessed to the little thrills of the kids' rides in Planet Snoopy, Dorney Park has the kind of fun you are looking for in a place where the fun never ends!




Splash Zone Water Park (Wildwood, NJ): If you're willing to travel a bit further, Splash Zone Water Park in Wildwood, New Jersey, is a great option. This outdoor water park offers an array of water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and other attractions suitable for both kids and adults.




Kalahari Resorts and Conventions (Pocono Manor, PA)Kalahari is a large resort complex with both indoor and outdoor water parks. It features thrilling slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, interactive play areas, and even a FlowRider for surfing. Kalahari also offers various accommodations and entertainment options for a complete family getaway.




Great Wolf Lodge (Baltimore / Perryville, MD): Careening down slides, jumping over waves, floating down a lazy river, and getting drenched by a thousand gallons of water cascading from a giant tipping bucket are a few of the water-filled adventures families will discover at the all-new Great Wolf Lodge Maryland. The indoor water park will feature nearly two-dozen different water slides, catering to a variety of ages and thrill levels. The line-up of water park experiences coming to Great Wolf Lodge Maryland includes two rides making their Great Wolf Lodge debut, High Paw Holler and Forest Flume. 

Don't miss out on these exhilarating water parks located just a short drive away! Click the link above to read about park highlights, operating hours, and more. Get ready to make unforgettable summer memories with your loved ones!


 

Spring Break Ideas to Do With Kids



Looking for some fun day trips to take with the kids over spring break? Fun Things has you covered with family-friendly activities to do within a 2-hour drive of Delaware County.  Here are some ideas:

Linvilla Orchards - This family-owned farm offers a variety of activities such as pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, hayrides to visit the Easter Bunny, and petting zoos.

Franklin Square - This park in Philadelphia has a mini-golf course, a carousel, and a playground for kids.

The Delaware Children's Museum - This museum in Wilmington, DE, has hands-on exhibits and interactive activities for kids to explore and learn.

Chanticleer Garden - This beautiful has over 35 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and winding paths.

Philadelphia Museum of Art - This museum in Philadelphia features a wide variety of exhibits and collections, as well as art-making activities for kids.

Ridley Creek State Park - This state park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing, as well as beautiful views of Ridley Creek.

The Academy of Natural Sciences - This museum in Philadelphia features a variety of exhibits on natural history, including dinosaur skeletons and live animals.

Sesame Place - Sesame Place is a theme park based on the popular TV show Sesame Street. Located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Sesame Place has rides, water attractions, and shows that are perfect for kids of all ages.

Hersheypark - Hersheypark is an amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, that has over 70 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and a zoo.

Longwood Gardens - Longwood Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, that features over 1,000 acres of gardens, fountains, and conservatories.

Philadelphia Zoo - The Philadelphia Zoo is home to over 1,300 animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and gorillas. The zoo offers a variety of exhibits, interactive experiences, and shows.

Crayola Experience - The Crayola Experience is a family-friendly attraction in Easton, Pennsylvania that lets visitors of all ages explore the world of Crayola through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.

Adventure Aquarium - The Adventure Aquarium is located in Camden, New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. The aquarium features over 15,000 aquatic animals and offers many interactive exhibits and experiences.

Dutch Wonderland - Dutch Wonderland is a family-friendly amusement park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that features over 35 rides, attractions, and shows.

Gettysburg National Military Park - Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and is the site of the Civil War's most famous battle. Visitors can take guided tours, explore the museum, and walk the battlefield.

Franklin Institute - The Franklin Institute is a science museum located in Philadelphia that offers hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.

Baltimore Inner Harbor - The Baltimore Inner Harbor is a historic seaport in Baltimore, Maryland, that offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including boat tours, shopping, dining, and attractions like the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum - This museum in St. Michaels, MD is dedicated to the history and culture of the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits, take a boat ride, or even go sailing on a skipjack.

Liberty Science Center - This science museum in Jersey City, NJ has interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and an IMAX theater.

Valley Forge National Historical Park - This park offers opportunities to explore history, hike, bike, and picnic in beautiful surroundings.

The Strasburg Railroad - This railroad in Strasburg, PA offers scenic train rides through the beautiful Amish countryside.

Spring Break Travel Ideas to do with the Kids

Looking for a family-friendly getaway during Spring Break? We have picked out some of our favorite places to visit.  All of our picks are driveable and no more than a few hours from the Philadelphia suburbs.




1. DoubleTree Resort in Lancaster PA.  There is so much to do at this family-friendly resort.  This 185-room resort is very family friendly, but it's also perfect for a weekend getaway without the kids.  The hotel is about a 10-15 minute drive to the Strasburg Rail RoadChoo Choo BarnCherry Crest Adventure Farm and other Lancaster attractions.





2. Kalahari Resort in the Pocono Mountains. If you are looking for a water park adventure then Kalahari will keep everyone happy and entertained.  Kalahari is just under two hours away from the Philadelphia area. Kalahari is truly a family oriented place and they have thought of everything to keep all members of the family happy and occupied while on vacation. 



The National Harbor area is located on the banks of the Potomac River and it has plenty of activities to keep the family busy, take a breathtaking ride on the Capital Wheel or a spin on the Carousel. Explore the area with Water Taxis or a Sight Seeing Cruises
There are two great resorts to stay in while visiting the area Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center and The Residence Inn


Baltimore has something for everyone. Younger kids will enjoy Port Discovery Museum, which offers 3 floors of hands-on activities for the kids. National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Museum are also must see places when visiting the Harbor
If you want to stay check out the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Maryland that is in walking distance to all the attractions.



5. Williamsburg Virginia
The Williamsburg area has plenty of activities to keep your family busy.  Head to Busch Gardens for some family thrills.  Take a step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown or Jamestown Settlement.





Grand Cascades Lodge is a beautiful and well-appointed AAA 4-Diamond hotel located in Hamburg, New Jersey.  The main attraction for families at the hotel is the Biosphere, which is an indoor pool complex with an aquarium, vortex pools, and caves, and lush tropical foliage; year-round outdoor heated pool; 140-foot waterslide.  There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep the family busy.  

Dutch Wonderland Deal: $32.99 for Admission: Dutch Wonderland: Rides, Shows & More



Dutch Wonderland has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kid's Parks in the World by Amusement Today magazine, with over 30 fun-filled rides and live entertainment. Cool off in Duke's Lagoon water play area and make discoveries at Exploration Island, where dinosaurs come to life. From wiggle racers to roller coasters, Dutch Wonderland has rides and attractions for all ages. Find out why Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as one of the Philadelphia area's premier family theme parks.

Click here to get the deal



Valid on Any Regular Operational Date During 2017 Season | $32.99 + Processing Fee = $38.49 (Reg total. $46.58)





Disclosure / Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Tips on Saving Money While Visiting Washington DC

A few weeks ago my family and I attended a convention in Washington DC.  I was trying to keep the cost down since I was paying for both of my children to attend the convention, I spent a lot of time researching a money saving way and I wanted to share what I discovered with my readers.  

Many families from our area take trips into Washington to see the sites.  Many of the hotels in D.C. have high parking costs $30-$50 a night.  If you drive into to Washington there is free parking in the mall area but it's hard to find unless you're there very early in the morning.  If you find a parking garage you can pay $25 or more a day to park your car.

After some research, I found out that if I stayed in the town of Bethesda and took the red line metro into D.C. We would be in walking distance to the convention.  I never knew how easy and convenient it was.



Where to Stay
We found the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, which is right by the entrance of the Metro.  Which turned out to be perfect because it was raining on Saturday.  The Hyatt was just renovated and was gorgeous and perfect for our family.  I loved the modern finishes in the room.  The kids loved the mirror showed the time.  The staff at the Hyatt were so helpful with helping us find restaurants, offering umbrellas to use when it was pouring rain and giving us tips on riding the metro.



Bethesda
The town of Bethesda is a great town for families everything was a no more than a 10-minute walk from our hotel.  Plenty of restaurants to choose from and many different price points.  For instance, they had budget friendly choices like &pizzaNoddles & Company to a romantic date night Morton's Steak House.  If you want a special treat after dinner or lunch Georgetown Cupcake is there and also a frozen yogurt store. We loved window shopping after dinner at all of the boutiques.



Riding the Metro
Since we arrived after dinner on Friday night we decided to check out the metro before we needed to board it on Saturday morning.  I do have to warn you there is a very steep and long escalator that you need to take to get to the Metro.  You can purchase passes right at the station you load the SmarTrip card with money and you can use the card over and over just reload it with more money. I found the Metro station clean and the metro cars were clean.  Coming from Bethesda and going into DC you pass many stops, for instance, the zoo, Smithsonian, Dupont Circle, and so much more that are perfect for sightseeing in the area. The D.C. Metro website has tools for you to plan your trip using the Metro.


Overall, we found staying in Bethesda and taking the Metro a fun experience and would do it again.  My husband and I couldn't get over how easy it was and how much money we saved on parking and the stress of driving in the DC area.








Big Changes Coming to Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains



If you ever visited  Kalahari Resorts before, you will want to plan a return trip. If you haven't been there before, it's time to start planning your trip.

This past week I got a sneak peak of all the new things coming to Kalahari Resorts.  The resort will truly have something for everyone in you family, no matter what age they are.

This March, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains will become the home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark – dethroning the current title holder, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Sandusky, Ohio.



The indoor waterpark will have 8 new slides

    Screaming Hyena:
    A trap-door start that drops into a near-vertical plunge.

    Sahara Sidewinder:
    An indoor looping waterslide that takes guests on a 250-plus-foot journey.

    Kenya’s Korkscrew: Zig-zag slide

    Zig-Zag Zebra: Tunnel slide
    Cheetah Race Mat Slide:
    Challenge your friends to see who gets down the hill fastest

During this expansion, Kalahari has added 520 rooms. They also added a few suites so you can bring your whole family and even your extended family, with the option of 3 bedroom suites or five bedroom suites. With the addition of these suites, you will have plenty of room to relax and spend holidays or special occasions with your family.

Kalahari will be adding some new dining options too. I had the chance to try samples of food that will be served at the restaurants and guest will be in for a special treat. This is not your typical resort food, you will be enjoying gourmet food.




Double Cut Charcoal Grill/Liquor Bar:
Kalahari’s signature steakhouse experience featuring: premium cuts of meat, craft cocktails, family style sides and more



Sortino's Italian Kitchen:

The menu will include: wood-fired pizza, Italian family dining, a large variety of wines and more. 





Marrakesh Market:
Grab and go convenience bazaar style shopping, unique gifts, authentic-African items and everyday needs.

Even more family fun:

If you get tired of the waterpark you will be able to check out the new virtual reality experience, The Arena.  Guest can step into the virtual reality and play with other guests.

If you want some outdoor adventure check out Gorilla Grove Treetop Outdoor Aerial Adventure Park (now open)

Kalahari Resorts continues to be a top-notch family friendly resort for families looking for a weekend getaway or a family reunion.   





Disclosure: Thanks, Kalahari Resorts for arranging for our complimentary stay to facilitate this article. As always all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Last Minute Summer Travel Ideas

Looking for a quick getaway before the kids head back to school? We have picked out some of our favorite places to visit.  All of our picks are driveable and no more than a few hours from the Philadelphia suburbs.



1. Double Tree Resort in Lancaster PA.  There is so much to do at this family-friendly resort.  This 185-room resort is very family friendly, but it's also perfect for a weekend getaway without the kids.  The hotel is about a 10-15 minute drive to the Strasburg Rail Road, Choo Choo Barn, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm and other Lancaster attractions.



2. Kalahari Resort in the Pocono Mountains. If you are looking for a water park adventure then Kalahari will keep everyone happy and entertained.  Kalahari is just under two hours away from the Philadelphia area. Kalahari is truly a family oriented place and they have thought of everything to keep all members of the family happy and occupied while on vacation. 



The National Harbor area is located on the banks of the Potomac River and it has plenty of activities to keep the family busy, take a breathtaking ride on the Capital Wheel or a spin on the Carousel. Explore the area with Water Taxis or a Sight Seeing Cruises
There are two great resorts to stay in while visiting the area Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center and The Residence Inn


Baltimore has something for everyone. Younger kids will enjoy Port Discovery Museum, which offers 3 floors of hands-on activities for the kids. National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Museum are also must see places when visiting the Harbor
If you want to stay check out the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Maryland that is in walking distance to all the attractions.



5. Williamsburg Virgina
The Williamsburg area has plenty of activities to keep your family busy.  Head to Busch Gardens for some family thrills.  Take a step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown or Jamestown Settlement.



Grand Cascades Lodge is a beautiful and well-appointed AAA 4-Diamond hotel located in Hamburg, New Jersey.  The main attraction for families at the hotel is the Biosphere, which is an indoor pool complex with an aquarium, vortex pools, and caves, and lush tropical foliage; year-round outdoor heated pool; 140-foot waterslide.  There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep the family busy.  

Fun Things To Do With Kids Review Historic Jamestown




While my family and were in the Williamsburg area we visited the Historic Jamestown Island. This is different from Jamestown settlement, which is a museum and replica of America's first permanent English colony. Historic Jamestown is an ongoing archaeological dig. This site has a dozen staff members excavate, interpret, preserve, conserve, and research the site's findings.




The best way to learn about Historic Jamestown is to take a tour. Tours are offered throughout the day. Your tour guide can explain a lot about the findings and what's going on in with the archaeological digs.  It's really cool to see an actual archaeological dig and to watch the archaeologists at work.



Our tour guide was a wealth of information explaining how the dig was started.  He also gave our tour so much information about the animals in the area and how the colonist would survive.



You may be thinking there is probably not a lot for kids to do but there is. During the spring and summer months, they have the Ed Shed is an interactive space that provides kids and families with the chance to share in the moment of discovery.  Also on the Historic Jamestown website has games, coloring, and activities.  This is great way to help kids to understand what life for kids was like back then.




For more information: http://historicjamestowne.org

Location:   1368 Colonial Pkwy Jamestown, VA 23081

Cost: