I would like to get my family (Washington DC) together with my brother's family (Cincinnati OH) for a long weekend this summer. I am looking for a place that
a) roughly half-way in-between the 2 cities
b) some out-door activity options
c) some fun kid options (kids are 2 and 5)
d) maybe some spa options
I am struggling to find anything. Please help!

I saw the Nemacolin resort in PA advertised in both our local paper and in Conde Nast. It looks pretty nice.
http://www.nemacolin.com/default.htm

How about Hershey, PA. The Hershey Hotel (not the motor lodge) has a WONDERFUL spa and there's always Hershey park and the chocolate factory for the kids. Or you could try somewhere in the Poconos.

Hershey Park is not going to be halfway between Cincinnati and DC, as it is in far Eastern PA. You need something in West Virginia or possibly central or western PA. Here are some suggestions for more central locations.

1. The Homestead
U.S. Route 220 Main Street
Hot Springs, VA 24445
Telephone: 800-838-1766
http://www.thehomestead.com

This is in Virginia( west of Charlottesville) but quite near the West Virginia border so would be central for both families. This is a famous family and golf resort, this would have all the activities you want, including what looks like a very large spa.

2. The Greenbriar
300 West Main Street
White Sulphur Springs
West Virginia
800-453-4858

In West Virginia, another famous old-fashioned family resort with golf and spa.

I looked at spafinder.com and found the following resorts which are resort hotels with spas and children's activities:

2. Pittsburgh PA, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa
1001 Lafayette Dr
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15437-9754
Toll?Free: 800-422-2736
Direct: 724-329-8555
http://www.nemacolinwoodlands.com/index.asp


I don't know this resort, but it looks like a very nice old-fashioned family resort and reminds me of Sky Top Lodge in eastern PA, which I would recommend to you except that it is not centrally located for people coming from Ohio. If you are interested, take a look at http://www.skytop.com

3. Harrisburg, PA
Felicita Resort
2201 Fishing Creek Valley Road
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17112
Toll?Free: 888-321-3713
Direct: 717-599-5301
http://www.felicitaresort.com

There have been some good and some kind of negative threads on this spa recently, run a search.

Maybe Seven Springs? http://www.7springs.com/

FWIW, Hershey is indeed in central Pennsylvania, not "far" eastern PA.

Actually Harrisburg is only 20 minutes from Hershey. So if one is out then the other would be too.

Hershey is a good choice though for your request. Harrisburg might be pretty boring for kids.

elle,
Thanks for verifying that Hershey is in Central PA. I started to think I was a little nuts. Espcially when ASCarverIII mentioned Harrisburg which is right next to Hershey!!