PA, NJ - 5 days with two 13 year olds
 

In August, I'm taking my son and his friend (both 13) to Cooperstown & Hershey Park. Looking for accomodations in these places (<$100 if possible) with a pool and accomdations and attractions/fun ideas for 3 additional days after Hershey before returning to Boston. We all like baseball and history, thinking of Gettysburg, Philly, Trenton (Red Sox Double A Team). Thanks for any ideas.

Unless my geography is really messed up, Hershey and Cooperstown in 5 days seems like a lot of ground to cover, especially then back to Boston.

No prob., 5 hours from Boston to Cooperstown; 4 hours to Hershey to visit the park on day 3, driving East day 4 (Philly?) and day 5 (Trenton Thunder baseball?). The hard part is the late night drive home on day 5.

I stayed with my two kids at the Marriott Residence Inn in Hershey. Location is not very cosy but once you're in their complex, it's very nice. They have a pool, even served complimentary breakfast and dinner (not on weekends --- the night we were there, they had lasagne, spaghetti, mixed salad, which was plenty satisfying, especially since my kids were tired after a long day at Hershey park and didn't feel like going out for dinner), fully equipped kitchens (even included popcorn!) The room with sleeping/loving area and separate kitchen was plenty big for one adult and two kids (two queen beds, one sleeper sofa).

We went to Cooperstown last year. There are limied hotel options. In fact, I believe that there is only one "chain" hotel in Cooperstown - which was a Best Western. It was fine - nothing great. It does fill up - if you are interested I'd look into it.<BR><BR>After Cooperstown, we went to Corning NY - the Glass Museum is interesting (although I must admit that I'm not sure my 14 year old would agree). <BR><BR>Reading also has a baseball team. My sons went - I think it's a nice smaller stadium.<BR><BR>I have a book about baseball vacations -I don't have it in front of me but I believe it was a Fodors book. It listed all of the teams, places to stay and things to do in each of the cities.<BR><BR>Hershey is also close to Phila - lots to do there.

Hershey is not that close to Philly; I would go to Lancaster which is much closer. The Amish country is very interesting. But I guess I would probably just stay in Hershey for 2 days. Red Rose Motel is there; not a chain but adequate.

Hershey is only about one and a half hours from Philadelphia. You could catch a baseball game there or tour all the historic sights in the city.