HI, I am following up on my prior post to you. Here are some websites for Lancaster :
tourist info
www.PADUTCHCOUNTRY.com

there phone --1-800-723-8824

Amish farm and House
www.amishfarmandhouse.com

Landis Valley Museum
www.landisvalleymuseum.org

Hands-on house
www.handsonhouse.org

Strasburg Railroad
www.strasburgrailroad.com

Railroad museum
www.rrmuseumpa.org

The RED Caboose motel is not very nice. Last year they had a problem with there water being unsanitary. There was an article in our newspaper about the motel being closed for awhile.
We have many more family sights and activities here in Lancaster. It depends what time of year you visit.
Good luck.

You can get the Latham - a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square for $149/night.

It's very nice.

http://www.lathamhotel.com/

Wow! Thanks for all the information!

Marginal, have you stayed at the Holiday Inn Express? The location and price can't be beat but I'm reading mixed reviews about the hotel. Pls. let me know.

We've been to Hershey Park and stayed at the Lodge. The kids enjoyed that trip. So we thought Philadelphia and Lancaster might be fun for them.

My parents have stayed at the HI Express on Walnut (at 13th) years ago. It's a bit sad-looking.

What's your budget? Have you looked at Residence Inn and Marriott Courtyard?

Martinan,

I live in the neighborhood where Independence Hall and Liberty Bell are located. I'd def. look for a hotel in the Old City neighborhood. Check out the Omni @ 4th & Chestnut, the Best WEstern at 2nd & Chestnut or the Holiday Inn at 4th & ARch. They are all in the Old City neighborhood and it's a great area (may be pricey though). But, speaking of pricey, all of the hotels on Rittenhouse Square will be high and maybe not the best location for you. Staying at the Hyatt would require you and the kids to cross a major/busy highway that I dont think will give you the full experience that you'd get in the Old City neighborhood. Good luck and let me know if you have any more specific questions!

I have a friend from Manhattan who comes to visit me and stays at the Holiday Inn on 13th/Walnut. I have been inside her room and it looked fine to me, just like any other Holiday Inn. The neighborhood is perfectly safe and you are so close to Rittenhouse Sq. and Old City/Society Hill/Italian Section.

If you're going to Lancaster, might as well brush up on the regional lingo:

http://www.blogthings.com/lancaster.html

*I am from Lebanon County, SO much more authentic than Lancaster, with all its kitsch and "nouveau" Dutchies ;-)

I too will be going to Philadelphia in April with two boys 10 and 13. I wanted to book mark this.

Martinan, I will be curious where you end up staying.

Has anyone heard of this hotel:
Club Quarters in Philadelphia
Tech-friendly downtown hotel in historic building
Hotel class

(Rates from $137.33)




In the central business district, this hotel facing Liberty Place and its 70 shops is located 2 blocks from Rittenhouse Square and a half-mile from the convention center.

I would add a day and stay in Lancaster if possible. There is a lot for kids to do. I echo the Hershey park idea. If you are going during warm weather you can also go to Dutch Wonderland. This is a great park for younger children. We stay at the Eden Resort. They recently added some very nice suites. They also have an indoor pool. My son loves to go to the Strasburg railroad which won't take a lot of your time. You can have lunch or dinner on the train to Paradise. (Round trip I believe is about 45 minutes and the farmland is beautiful.)

Martinan,

FYI, I just booked a room at the holiday inn for april 5th - 8th (just so I have something booked while I am looking).

The price was normal $179.00 but with AAA I got it for $115. ( I was surprised).

Hi bgsmnky! That's a really good rate for the Holiday Inn.

Our plans are on hold for now. My DH just told me that he might not be able to take off that week in April as the project their working on has a delayed launching date and it will be that week! Very upset is an understatement of how I feel!! I was so looking forward to seeing Philly.

Please do a trip report when you get back. This trip is definitely happening for our family, the question is the date. Enjoy your vacation!

Martinan,

What did you think of the Hotel Latham - price, location, quality?

When you do go, allow time for the kids to splash around in the big fountain in front of the Franklin Institute (Logan's Square?). They'll love it (and will get wet so plan accordingly) and there are plenty of places for you to sit and rest your weary bones!

Here is a neat thing to do in Lancaster--the National Christmas Center. I believe that it is on Route 30. I saw it on a travel channel, and it seems like a lot of fun. I always see tour buses there when I drive by.

I second the HersheyPark idea with Chocolate World, but there are limited hours in April.

We did this 2 years ago with our four children, 12 - 3. We stayed at the Sheraton Society Hill & it was a great place to stay. Easily able to walk to sites, safe, great location. Also, we felt like we did Philadelphia in 2 days, then we went to Valley Forge, Lancaster County, and up to Gettysburg. My kids would absolutely tell you that Gettysburg was one of their favorite places. We stayed at the Holiday Inn. It was a little above average and inexpensive. Lancaster we saw in an afternoon. Not much for our kids. Gettysburg we saw in half a day; we would have and should have spent the entire day there. In Philly, try the Duck Boats. Our kids loved them! You tour the city and then they go into the river. It was a fun novelty and a different way to tour the city. Good luck! It was one of our favorite trips.