Top Spring Break 2015 Destinations Near Philadelphia For Families
Philly-area families can enjoy a spring break vacation this year without taking a hit to the wallet. Pocket the cash you would have spent on expensive airfare and turn your back on those long TSA lines, flight delays and cramped airplane seating. Pack those suitcases and pile into the car instead for an easy day's drive to one of these top family-friendly destinations, each of which offers package deals to help you save even more. Not only will you have a blast once you reach your destination, but getting there will be half the fun!
Colonial Williamsburg
101 Visitor Center Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(888) 965-7254
www.colonialwilliamsburg.com
Colonial Williamsburg is not only a fun, family-friendly community and favorite vacation destination, it's chock-full of history. The kids may be on spring break, but they'll learn a lot (parents will too) as you explore and enjoy the many tours and exhibits of this 18th century-Revolutionary era town. When the kids are tired of history lessons, you can head over to one of the beaches or boardwalks of nearby Virginia Beach. If you're in the mood for a little more excitement, you're in luck, as Williamsburg is home to Bush Gardens Amusement Park.
Great Wolf Lodge Poconos
1 Great Wolf Drive
Scotrun, PA 18355
(570) 688-9899
www.greatwolf.com
With almost 80,000 square feet of indoor water-park fun, Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania is a popular year-round destination for families from all over the Mid-Atlantic region. With water temperatures steadily maintained at 84 degrees, the water is always inviting and the slides, pools rides and lazy rivers make this waterpark resort a family favorite. From spray features and activity pools to entertain the little ones, and thrilling water slides and wave pools to satisfy even the bravest daredevil, there is something for everyone. Admission to the waterpark can be bundled in a number of ways with accommodations and meal plans to make for a carefree stay. When you find yourself ready for a little fresh air, you can head out to explore, hike, bike, ride and more in the rolling hills of the Pocono Mountains.
Holiday Inn Washington DC
1501 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 483-2000
www.inndc.com
Leave Philadelphia after breakfast and arrive in our nation's capital by lunchtime for a family vacation the kids will remember for a lifetime. Washington D.C. is brimming with history and an incredible amount of sights to see and things to do. Many of the biggest attractions – the National Zoo and the Smithsonian, to name a couple – are free, so don't let budget worries hold you back from exploring. The Holiday Inn Washington DC-Central/White House hotel is conveniently located just blocks from all the sights, and with a number of family-friendly packages and a "kids-eat-free" perk in the venue's full service restaurant, you really can't go wrong. Advance reservations and taking advantage of one of the many package deals the hotel offers will ensure you get the best value.
The Hotel ML & CoCo Key Water Resort
915 Route 73
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
(856) 234-7300
www.thehotelml.com
Just a hop, skip and a jump from the City of Brotherly Love – less than 30 minutes by car – is Mt. Laurel, New Jersey and the luxuriously appointed, family-friendly Hotel ML, where the big draw for families is its 55,000-square-foot indoor water park. CoCo Key Water Resort is a hit with kids and parents alike, with numerous interactive attractions that include zero-depth areas for the little tykes and thrilling water slides, water cannons and more for the more adventurous family members. No need to worry about the weather – which can still be pretty chilly in New Jersey during the springtime – but if it happens to be lovely and you can tear the kids away from the water slides, head out for a day at the Jersey Shore or Six Flags Great Adventure, as both are within relatively easy driving distance of the hotel.
Related: Top Hotel Pools In Philadelphia
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
202 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 547-1200
www.marriott.com
The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, located near the Inner Harbor just a short distance from many of Baltimore's major attractions, is a family-friendly hotel with a fitness center, indoor pool and a number of package deals that will make it easy for you to enjoy your stay. Baltimore is an inviting destination for Philly-area families, where attractions include a state-of-the-art aquarium and the Inner Harbor, where you can paddle about in a paddleboat or in one of the many small boats available for rent. Port Discovery, the kid-powered children's museum, and the Baltimore Zoo are also popular visitor attractions. For families hoping to snag a little time on the beach over spring break, the clean, family-friendly beaches and boardwalk of Ocean City Maryland are within an easy two-hour drive of the Baltimore area.
Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
