Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

Forum guidelines BT super discount
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
2013-02-08 12:06 PM

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
Yes, yes, it's another vacation thread.  I could use the help of the collective wisdom of BT.  My daughter will be 19 months old in July.  Our daycare provider takes off the week of the 4th of July (July 1 - July 5), so I figured it would be a good idea to take a family vacation.  Any ideas?  Ideally, some place we could drive from Richmond (or short and cheap flights).  Obviously, we could go to the beach, but I'm wondering if there are fun ideas that I'm overlooking.

2013-02-08 12:30 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

Artemis - 2013-02-08 1:06 PM Yes, yes, it's another vacation thread.  I could use the help of the collective wisdom of BT.  My daughter will be 19 months old in July.  Our daycare provider takes off the week of the 4th of July (July 1 - July 5), so I figured it would be a good idea to take a family vacation.  Any ideas?  Ideally, some place we could drive from Richmond (or short and cheap flights).  Obviously, we could go to the beach, but I'm wondering if there are fun ideas that I'm overlooking.

I took my kids to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg last year from July 1 - July 6, as a matter of fact. They were 6 and 4.  We had an absolute blast... did the indoor waterpark often, a couple mornings we went to the historical area, and the best thing was on July 4, they did this whole thing in the historical area where they had the fife and drum corps march out with all the flags, they shot a cannon off for each of the original colonies.  There must have been 100 people marching... my kids loved it.

And one day we went to Busch Gardens... there are lots of rides that you could take your 2-year old on.

I think GWL has a 20% off promo going on right now, in fact.



Edited by tealeaf 2013-02-08 12:31 PM
2013-02-08 1:04 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
That's a great idea.  She loves swimming!  I've also considered driving up to Baltimore and staying at the Inner Harbor.  We could go to the aquarium, zoo, and the childrens' museum.
2013-02-08 2:02 PM
in reply to: #4614701

User image

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

Artemis - 2013-02-08 2:04 PM That's a great idea.  She loves swimming!  I've also considered driving up to Baltimore and staying at the Inner Harbor.  We could go to the aquarium, zoo, and the childrens' museum.

I suspect the fireworks in the Inner Harbor would be flipping fantastic.

2013-02-08 2:09 PM
in reply to: #4614799

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
tealeaf - 2013-02-08 3:02 PM

Artemis - 2013-02-08 2:04 PM That's a great idea.  She loves swimming!  I've also considered driving up to Baltimore and staying at the Inner Harbor.  We could go to the aquarium, zoo, and the childrens' museum.

I suspect the fireworks in the Inner Harbor would be flipping fantastic.

That's another motivation. 

2013-02-08 2:17 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
to grandmom's house

2013-02-08 2:19 PM
in reply to: #4614836

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

mrbbrad - 2013-02-08 3:17 PM to grandmom's house

That's August.  I'm hoping to take a short trip with just me, DH, and DD.

2013-02-08 2:24 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Extreme Veteran
1648
100050010025
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
My daughter loved camping at that age. With just learning to walk mini hikes through the woods were fascinating. She loved sleeping in a tent. I think the highlight was roasting marshmallows around the fire (very well supervised.). We did some kayaking too and life jacket swimming.
2013-02-08 2:37 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Elite
4344
2000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

Cabin at a mountain lake.  Smith Mountain, Fontana, Douglas or Norris.  (We have a cabin at Norris.  We used to have a place at Smith Mountain.)  Higher is cooler.

Peaks of Otter Lodge on Blue Ridge Parkway.  We used to go there for Sunday buffet.  There are lots of similar places on the BRP.  I haven't been there in years, though

Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend, TN.  This is in the Smokies, near Cades Cove.  It is quiet and very nice. 



Edited by tech_geezer 2013-02-08 2:42 PM
2013-02-08 10:08 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

I need sleep....I thought it said, "Another Vatican Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July".    

I was all set to reply.....ANYWHERE BUT THE VATICAN!!! 

2013-02-09 5:44 PM
in reply to: #4614701

User image

Champion
16743
500050005000100050010010025
Somewhere I can be nekidd
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

Artemis - 2013-02-08 2:04 PM That's a great idea.  She loves swimming!  I've also considered driving up to Baltimore and staying at the Inner Harbor.  We could go to the aquarium, zoo, and the childrens' museum.

The Baltimore zoo is pretty rough in more ways than one. If you're driving though it may be worth the trip to go to the DC zoo.

2013-02-09 8:36 PM
in reply to: #4615913

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
ironannekidd - 2013-02-09 6:44 PM

Artemis - 2013-02-08 2:04 PM That's a great idea.  She loves swimming!  I've also considered driving up to Baltimore and staying at the Inner Harbor.  We could go to the aquarium, zoo, and the childrens' museum.

The Baltimore zoo is pretty rough in more ways than one. If you're driving though it may be worth the trip to go to the DC zoo.

Thanks for the heads up.  Love the DC zoo.  

2013-02-11 1:49 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Champion
7821
50002000500100100100
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
Artemis - 2013-02-09 8:36 PM

ironannekidd - 2013-02-09 6:44 PM

Artemis - 2013-02-08 2:04 PM That's a great idea. She loves swimming! I've also considered driving up to Baltimore and staying at the Inner Harbor. We could go to the aquarium, zoo, and the childrens' museum.

The Baltimore zoo is pretty rough in more ways than one. If you're driving though it may be worth the trip to go to the DC zoo.

Thanks for the heads up. Love the DC zoo.



It's been years since I've been to the Baltimore Zoo, so I can't say, but the Aqarium is almost a full day's worth by itself. (get tickets early on the web). The inner harbor area is fun, you can take a water-taxi ride around the harbor if it's hot. There's also a science center-- not sure what there is to do for a toddler there, but you can check.

You can go to the top of the World Trade Center in the inner harbor and see all around the city.

Baltimore's a nice place for a weekend trip-- not every activity has to be about your daughter, right? THere are great restaurants and museums like the American Visionary Art Museum, which is this amazing gallery specializing in "outsider art". Lots of cool stuff to see there, even for a toddler. I think my son was about 4 when we brought him and he loved it.

http://www.avam.org/
2013-02-11 2:58 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Expert
839
50010010010025
Central Mass
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July

You might run out of things to do in Baltimore with 5 days though.  But DC is just down the street.

Gettysburg, Manassas, Antietam, Harpers Ferry are all within a 30 minute drive from either city (without traffic), if you are inclined.

Shenandoah?  Wicked busy 4th of July though (by 19 months, my daughter had already been to Yosemite 3x, and the backcountry around Lake Tahoe 2x, YMMV)

Assateague Island/Lakeshore?

2013-02-11 3:12 PM
in reply to: #4617871

User image

Champion
7821
50002000500100100100
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
scorpio516 - 2013-02-11 2:58 PM

You might run out of things to do in Baltimore with 5 days though.  But DC is just down the street.

Gettysburg, Manassas, Antietam, Harpers Ferry are all within a 30 minute drive from either city (without traffic), if you are inclined.

Shenandoah?  Wicked busy 4th of July though (by 19 months, my daughter had already been to Yosemite 3x, and the backcountry around Lake Tahoe 2x, YMMV)

Assateague Island/Lakeshore?



X2.
5 days is WAY too long to spend in Baltimore as a tourist. It's still a relatively small city. A day or two is plenty-- then go to DC or drive to one of the Eastern Shore beaches for the rest of the time. Lots of stuff to do there in addition to the beach itself. Rehoboth and Ocean City have nice boardwalks (Rehoboth in particular is very walkable and toddler-friendly). Lots of state parks and other things to do on the way.
2013-02-12 12:51 PM
in reply to: #4614606

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July
I think we'll probably end up doing a 3 day trip - drive up on Wednesday, drive home on Friday.  Husband or I will work from home the other two days. 

New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Another Vacation Thread - Where to take a toddler around 4th of July Rss Feed