Thanks Packmule. We'll take it as it comes! You are right- they'll love seeing the reenactments.

I'm excited to learn that two different families are taking their kids on a summer 'field trip'! My husband and I immersed our two daughters at about the same ages and the older one's still a history buff..... LOL, I guess 50% isn't too bad!?!

Just to add my 2 cents, I'd suggest taking your kids to both Mount Vernon and Monticello so that you can compare/contrast the two if time allows. When in Lancaster, consider staying overnight with an Amish family and perhaps taking a side trip to nearby Strasburg if you have any railroading buffs. I like the mid-trip break that you've built in with the visit to Hershey. Enjoy the theme park, but skip the factory tour for you never see real production plant operations..... just a fantasy creation that ends in a sales room full of Hershey products. I'd suggest adding a day in Philadelphia even if you need to steal one from NYC. Enjoy your time with your kids for they grow up way too quickly!

NWMOM- July 4th NYC - will it be totally crazy? You are joking, right? That is one of the busiest weeks in NY, and one of the most expensive. Thousands of people come from all over the area to see the Macy's fireworks. Have you checked the hotel rates yet? Leave double the amount of time you anticpate the trip taking for traffic, or plan on getting into the city before 1 pm. Otherwise, all bets are off.

Thank you Retired Teacher (we are teachers!) and Bugswife1.
Actually, we'll be in Philly on the 4th and drive to NY on the 5th. Good reminder to avoid traffic, and we'll stay with family so no hotel need there. Thanks again!

This is a great trip, and here are some of my suggestions. Skip Hershey altogether. If the boys aren't that interested in the amusement park, there really is no other reason to go there. The "factory tour" is a theme-type ride that shows you how chocolate is made. It's OK if you are going to be there anyway, but not worth taking time from the rest of your trip.

Stay at least one night in Lancaster County. I recommend finding a farm stay on www.pafarmstay.com
We've done this twice and had an excellent experience both times. The countryside in Lancaster County is very beautiful and there is plenty to do there. Visit The Peoples Place in Intercourse for a short history of the Amish.

Here's a link to the attractions in and around Lancaster PA http://www.800padutch.com/reasons.shtml

This looks like a great trip. I'm bookmarking for future reference.

I will be sure to post how our trip went. I am getting discouraged about hotels in Philadelphia on July 4th. So many bad reviews and so pricey. When I call, they change their stories/prices. I think we'll check out the small-town 4th celebration in Lititz instead and do Philly on the 3rd, even if it means back-tracking a bit. Thanks all!

NWMom, Philadelphia does have lots going on that whole weekend so you won't miss much by being there on the 3rd instead of the 4th. For instance, there is usually a concert and fireworks at Penns Landing on the 3rd vs. a bigger concert and fireworks on the Parkway on the 4th.

Have you tried the Doubletree on Broad St? It's a nice hotel with a lot of rooms and is usually pretty reasonable.