PA Day or Weekend Trips

[gettinrevvin2007]

dh usually has to work a lot in the summer, so we can't go very far from home. Looking for fun stuff to do, near the Chbg area, to create some great memories, (besides the Gettysbury battlefields (yawn-boring for ME) and Hersheypark.) However, I don't work during the summer, so it has to be pretty low cost involved.
What do you do for fun?

[DianeScraps]

Strausburg railroad
free concerts (lots of the towns sponsor them)
stuff at the library

On my 'to do list' for this summer is Hands On House in Lancaster

[gettinrevvin2007]

I've heard of the Strausburg railroad, may have even been there as a kid. I don't remember for sure though, but I think my son would get a kick out of it. Thanks!
What is the Hands On House? Is that like the museum in Philly?

[DianeScraps]

Hands on House is in Lancaster, same parking lot as Landis Valley Museum, I believe

The Philly museums are rather expensive, in my opinion

[faeryedark]

Cowan's gap is always fun for us. It's free and alot of times the rangers have hands on programs for kids (involving flora and fauna) you can also rent paddle boats.
Oh and the Land of Little Horses (but that's near Gettysburg)
Also, the Totem Pole Playhouse sometimes has workshops and things for kids.

[xlyingxwhispersx]

I live right near philly and its great! There is so much to do! You have the musems (which I really think are NOT expensive at all, I believe on Saturday you get in for free) you have south street with a bunch of shops, there is always something to do in philly :)

[DianeScraps]

I think there is plenty to do in Philly but things like Franklin Institue with a base admission for adults at $14.25, and for kids at $11.50, with a family of 4, then add in parking, ads up quickly

Adventure Aquarium $19.20 for adults, Child $15.99

Philadelphis Museum of Art isn't as bad Adults $14, kids under 12 free, kids 13-18 $10, Sundays, pay what you wish

If you are going to spend some time in Philly, with kids, I would check out the Once Upon a Nation storytelling benches, my kids loved them ( and they are free) Once Upon a Nation

Oh I forgot about Wilbur Chocolate Our Candy Americana Museum - Wilbur Chocolate Free tour in Lititz, kinda small, but there is a nice park just about next door, we took lunch and enjoyed the park

A few other factory tours - but I haven't done any of these
Martins Potatoe Chips Home Thomasville

Revonah Pretzel Gourmet Pretzels Oven Baked Gourmet Pretzels Brick Oven Baked Gourmet Pretzels Half Baked Hanover

Utz Snacks UTZ Hanover

Susquehanna Glass Crystal - Wedding Glassware - Engraved Glassware - Personalization - The Glass Factory Columbia



Oh and one of my kids favorite FREE summer activities is the free movies at Regal Theaters, hopefully they will do that again this year

[faeryedark]

Lakemont park in Altoona is pretty reasonable from what I hear (and read ) I'm hoping to go this summer. And I think they have days (or a day) where the park admission is really reduced. I hear Knoebel's is also really nice...it's pay as you go I think.

[kookiecrisp]

Lakemont park in Altoona is pretty reasonable from what I hear (and read ) I'm hoping to go this summer. And I think they have days (or a day) where the park admission is really reduced. I hear Knoebel's is also really nice...it's pay as you go I think.

IMO Lakemont Park is not worth the admission price! Del Grosso is a much better amusement park and it not far from Lakemont. Wednesday was the day of the week last year that was really cheap.

[bookluvver2003]

My neighbor just told me that Lancaster Museum of Art has a really wonderful Maurice Sendak exhibit (the author of Where the Wild Things Are) for kids - and its FREE!!