Showing posts with label Places to visit with kids in New Jersey Family Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Places to visit with kids in New Jersey Family Travel. Show all posts

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.  

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.  

Review of Crystal Spring Resort Grand Cascades Lodge





If you have been following me on Instagram or Twitter you know that my family and I were invited to spend a few days at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey. Crystal Springs in about 2 1/2 hours from the Philadelphia Area, located in the Mountains in New Jersey and 1 hour away from NYC.

Resort




We stayed at the Grand Cascades Lodge which is a beautiful and well appointed AAA 4-Diamond hotel. Minerals Hotel and Mourtain Creek Resort are also part of the Crystal Springs Resort.   The views of the Kittatinny Mountain Range were breathtaking. I loved the high ceilings and natural light in our room, with a husband who is tall this was a plus making our family comfortable. We stayed in a room with 2 double beds and we had plenty of room for the 4 of us. 

Our Room



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, My kids loved the outdoor heated pool, nothing like swimming outside when the air temp is 30 degrees.

Biosphere


I had the chance to sneak away for some me time at the Reflections Spa. The spa was ranked #19 in Spas of America’s Top 100 Spas. I can see why it was ranked so high. This was a truly relaxing place to unwind. One of my favorite parts was the post-treatment sensorial room for relaxation. 


Dinning

There are multiple restaurants at the resort. While we were there not all of them were open. I liked that we could call down to the lobby and a bus would drive us over to the Minerals Resort to have dinner at Kites. We went there for pasta night and had a wonderful meal! If you wanted to stay at the Grand Cascades there is the Crystal Tavern which offers American cuisine with plenty of options for the whole family from sandwiches to rib eye. I also loved that the ingredients are provided by local growers. 



What to do in the area:
View from High Point State park


If you love golf then this is the resort for you, there are 6 golf courses in the area to choose from. There are many wineries in the area the offer tours. Also there is plenty of hiking in the area. The two places we went to for easy hikes were the High Point State Park, I recommend checking this out for some breathtaking views and incredible pictures. We also went to the Pochuck Boardwalk on the Appalachian trail. 


Pochuck Boardwalk



We also visited Warwick New York. This adorable town was a 20 minute ride from the resort. This cute town has shops and restaurants for you to explore. Many people recommended Fetch for us to grab a bite to eat and this restaurant didn't disappoint.




Other options for activities are fishing, horseback riding, skiing, mountain biking and much more.

In conclusion Crystal Springs has something for everyone in you family.  This is a year round resort with plenty of activities or relaxation if that's what you need.  The resort has plenty of things to do for families, but it's also good for a romantic getaway, or a girls/guys weekend.


For more info: http://www.crystalgolfresort.com

Disclosure: Thanks Crystal Springs Resort for arranging for our complimentary stay to facilitate this review. As always all thoughts and opinions are our own.








Review of Turtles Journey of Survival at Adventure Aquarium




Last weekend I visited Adventure Aquarium to check out their newest exhibit Turtles: Journey of SurvivalThis limited-engagement exhibit showcases an array of land and aquatic turtle and tortoise species from all over the world - over 20 different turtles - including two recently rescued Loggerhead Sea turtles. The exhibit includes the largest and most diverse collection of turtles ever assembled at Adventure Aquarium and will feature special character appearances, live shows and programming designed to shed light on local conservation efforts and practical ways to help protect turtles in the wild.


This exhibit is a great way for kids to learn about turtles up close and understand their habitat.  I never realized that there were so many different species of turtles.  My kids loved comparing the turtles in size, color and texture.




We got to meet 'Ozzy"a yearling (toddler) who was deemed “non-releasable” by US Fish & Wildlife officials. Ozzy will remain a permanent member of Adventure Aquarium’s collection, serving as an ambassador for Loggerhead Sea turtles worldwide. 




One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was the Terrapin Tide Pool, you can't touch the turtles but it's a great way to get up-close and see the turtles.  We fell in love with two turtles following one another around the pool.



If your looking for a family fun adventure this winter head to Adventure Aquarium  before March 24th to check out the Turtles: Journey of Survival



For more information:   www.adventureaquarium.com

Location:   1 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103


$15 FUN DAYS at ADVENTURE AQUARIUM



Adventure Aquarium is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of $15 FUN DAYS!   Now through November 22, 2012, visit www. AdventureAquarium.com and enter the promotional code “TICKET15” to purchase adult and child admission tickets for just $15*. 

There are always more NEW things to see and do at Adventure Aquarium on the Camden, NJ Waterfront. Open 365 days a year from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Adventure Aquarium continues to offer opportunities for families to explore, discover and play. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning guest, you can count on new hands-on activities, new animals and exhibits and new moments of magic. Check out the all new KidZone, an enchanting playground “under the sea,” and experience seven different touch exhibits to get up close and personal with sharks, stingrays and more. Adventure Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world where you can see hippos nose-to-nose, and the only aquarium in the country with Great Hammerhead Sharks – among the largest and rarest of sharks!  Add two million gallons of fun, a 40-foot suspended Shark Tunnel, a 4D Theater (sponsored by PSE&G) and free live shows and up-close animal experiences daily, and it’s clear to see why a trip to Adventure Aquarium promises to deliver family memories that will last a lifetime.

$15 Fun Day tickets are available online only and are valid now through November 22, 2012. For more information or to purchase $15 Fun Day tickets, visitwww.AdventureAquarium.com...and let YOUR Adventure begin!



*$15 Fun Day admission tickets purchased online are valid at the Adventure Aquarium Box Office now through November 22, 2012.  Sales tax and a $1 per ticket service fee apply. 




KidZone at the Adventure Aquirium


Recently I had the chance to visit the Adventure Aquarium's  all-new KidZone The KidZone is a dedicated play space designed for kids 6 and under, that allows children to connect with nature by getting hands on and doing what they do best...play!
Be part of the action

The KidZone is  located on the second floor of the Aquarium in Zone C. It features vibrant and colorful décor, adorable characters, cool animals, touch species, and a series of interactive activities specifically designed to promote learning through play. 




Touch the animals

Each section of the KidsZone offers kids the chance to taken an up-close look at the underwater world.  Everything is made for little kids, so there is no reason for you to pick them up for a closer look because the KidZone is built just to their size.


No matter what your age may be, you’ll want to jump, climb and play your way through Adventure Aquarium’s all new KidZone, open now!









 Disclosure: My family and I received complimentary tickets to visit Adventure Aquarium