Hi all- I know this is quite the broad question, but I am trying to plan a two or three night vacation at the end of August for my family (me, wife, two young children- 8 and 4). We want to drive and are willing to drive really anywhere in around a 4-5 hour radius from central Jersey. We’re sick of the Lancaster / Hershey Park area, the Poconos, and the Delaware beaches. Please feel free to throw out literally any ideas. Mountain areas, beaches, we are open to anything. Maybe something will seem perfect. Mainly focused on having enough fun stuff for the kids, but don’t want to just be going to amusement parks the whole time. Thank you!

I think you can get up to Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire in that amount of time from New Jersey.

Thank you, I believe I can get to some parts in that time as well. There are a few resorts that look great in the New Hampshire and Vermont mountains but they’re more like 6-7 hours from me. Massachusetts has the Berkshires, and I’ve never been there but from what I read, there’s not too much for kids there.

What about the Catskllls? They are only three hours away and have things for kids (and adults) to do: https://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/kid-friendly-fun

You're within striking distance of Washington, D.C. Activities in the morning; afternoon at the hotel pool.

Taking a break from the Smithsonians, the Shenandoah National Park could be a day outing with its family-friendly trails (including waterfalls). The children could pick up a Junior Ranger activity book at one of the visitor centers; and the smash burgers are phenomenal at Elk Wallow Wayside for lunch.

Williamsburg might work, as well, for a combination of history and fun (Busch Gardens).

Thank you all for the recommendations. We’ve been to the Catskills which we do like, but I can’t seem to find something specific to do. As for Washington DC/Williamsburg, that’s a great ideas. I just honestly don’t think my kids at this age would be interested in much of the history, but maybe something to revisit in a few years.

Ocean beaches in Rhode Island or Cape Cod, although you are very late for a cottage rental.

Williamsburg would be farther than 5 hrs, also, Shenandoah NP just at that upper limit probably. WV has a lot of outdoors stuff but that's even farther, no way could you get there in 4-5 hours.

Going up to Lake George area is obvious, and I'd suggest that (it's about 4.5 hrs from Princeton if you go up the interstate). Otherwise, I'd suggest the CT and RI coast, you can get there in that time frame also. That would include Mystic CT with its aquarium, then onto Roger Williams beach in RI, very family friendly beach. Even going onto Newport RI wouldn't bet that bad for little kids, I'm sure they might not be into gilded mansion tours but there are some kid possibilities.
https://www.discovernewport.org/thin...do/family-fun/

https://www.familiesgotravel.com/201...-eat-sleep-do/

I think you can get up to the Finger Lakes Region in that time frame, also, up near Ithaca. Not sure as much for little kids up there, though. I'd vote for the CT/RI trip or Lake George. Of course you could almost even get to Boston in that time frame, but with the traffic on that corridor, CT/RI better for time frame.

I'm not trying to sell you on D.C., just speaking from experience. We live in Northern Virginia, though we moved overseas when the children were 11 and 16. At the younger ages the Natural History Museum delighted with the animals, dinosaurs, and the gems; Air & Space was always a favorite (in fact, our daughter is nearing completion of her PhD in Astrophysics--we like to think she was inspired by the museum visits. ) There is also the National Zoo; the National Building Museum (more kid-friendly than you might think); the Hirshhorn and the National Gallery's West Wing have plenty of modern art to make children smile. And since it's free (except the Building Museum), you won't feel like you didn't "get your money's worth."

I also agree with a poster above who said it may be too late to find a Cape Cod rental. Our end-of-summer holiday was on Cape Cod; I was reserving the house we always rented in January.

Chincoteague (there are cruises to spot the wild ponies)? Virginia's Eastern Shore? Cape Charles has calm beaches; and the Kiptopeke State Park has the "concrete ships."

Have you looked at the Laurel Highlands area of PA? You could combine it with an outing to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh to hand-feed the penguins. Our then-five year old loved it.

Good Luck!

The Maryland State Fair, just outside Baltimore, runs in late August. Find a motel with a pool, and go see the animals, carnival rides, fair foods, races, etc. There's something for everybody.

Thank you for the ideas! As for cape Charles and the Chesapeake in general, I was actually looking there but then read that the water tends to be not swimmable due to bacteria and algae blooms. Do you know of that is accurate? The Laurel Highlands is something I haven’t considered but maybe I will check that out. By the way, a PhD in astrophysics? Wow, that sounds difficult lol