betty

Four siblings and their families plus grandparents want to vacation together for a week or two next summer. Pennsylvania is about the most centrally located (coming from DC, NY, IL, VA). We would like to rent separate cabins/apts/condos but be together in a place with "kid things" to do - swimming, miniature golf, etc, but not too tacky. Being near antiques would be an added bonus for the grandparents. We would really appreciate suggestions for places to go.

Andrea

How about Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Home of the Pennsylvania Dutch community, you can still see their way of life preserved faithfully. Lancaster's one of the country's top tourist attractions, so there's plenty to do with the kids (like Dutch Wonderland, a mini-theme park) and the adults (the fabulous outlet shopping). I'd stay at the Historic Strasburg Inn, which is located near the quaint village of Strasburg (and I'm sure it has an antique store or two). Also in Strasburg is the Railroad Museum (I hear it's great) and an antique car exhibit. There's a fabulous ice cream shoppe and general store in Strasburg which offers fresh, homemade ice cream and waffle cones to die for. And, you must eat dinner at Good'n'Plenty, which cooks up family style authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking (gotta try the shoo-fly pie). All in all, I'd say Lancaster's one of the more interesting places that PA's got to offer. Good luck!

kam

Lancaster's great---all of the Pa Dutch country is nice--how about Hershey, Pa, of the chocolate fame--there's a tourist center there. Antiques and B&Bs in Buck's County near Philadelphia. It's a beautiful part of our country--enjoy.

Carol

Hello,
I agree with Lancaster area. We're from Md.
but travel to this area frequently because not
only to we love the area, but so much to do
there. Several nearby towns with Amish touring,
plenty of Outlets there and in nearby Reading,
plenty of antiques, especially in nearby Adamstown, quite a row of Antique Malls. Enjoy.
Carol

Joanne

I have a condo in Cape May, NJ I rent out through www.vrbo.com/vrbo/1245.htm. Cape May is a great place for a family get together. I believe its about an 1 hour from Pennsylvania. There are plenty of vacation rentals to choose from...large victorian homes for the whole family or smaller condos if thats how you'd like to go. The grandparents would just love the antique shops in the historic district. Keep this in mind for next year!

Chris

I live west of Philadelphia, but I'd suggest skipping Pennsylvania if you're doing two weeks. I'd suggest Poconos near Allentown (Dorney Amusement Park & Wildwater kingdom) for 1 week if you really want PA.

I think however, that the South Jersey shore would give you all a better time.
Stay in any of the towns surrounding Wildwood, but not in Wildwood (honkytonk). The kids will love the Wildwood boardwalk twice a week & you will love Victorian (antiquey) Cape May. There's also the Cape May Zoo which is free & surprisingly very entertaining.
Lots of great golf courses also, not to mention fishing/crabbing.

The only catch is lodging is not cheap, neither is golf or anything in Cape May itself. Have fun!

Diane

We spent a week in the Poconos last year and it was really nice. Went rafting on a river (don't remember which) but there was a huge man made lake owned by the electric company that was awsome and nearly deserted in June.
We stayed in Hawley, at the Inn on the Old Mill Stream, and the restaurant out back was multi-level porches overlooking waterfalls. Pretty cool.
In Western PA, we like to go to Ohio Pyle for white water fun on the Youghegheny (wow, spelling is probably off there). There is a lot to do in that area, including golf. Everything in both places is pretty laid back and relaxing. Lots of antique places, as I recall.

Dot

Lancaster is a good choice - We stayed at the Willow Valley Resort. It's located outside of Lancaster proper and has outdoor and indoor pools - restaurants (2) and gift and bakery as well as a sm. golf course - very nice. You can call for a brochure: 717-464-2711. You can use this as your base and go out from there, although there are all kinds of places to stay in Lancaster County.

nancy

Skytop in the Poconos may interest you.
We stayed there several years ago in the winter and enjoyed it very much. One thing we particularly liked was the restaurant - all meals were included and you had the same table and waiter each night(just like a cruise). The hotel is not tacky and has activities for children and I believe two pools and a lake. During the winter they have an ice skating rink, tobaggon run, ski slope with cookouts at the slope. If I can remember correctly, Friday night they have a dance in the lobby with families attending - it looked like the kids were really having fun! Good luck with your search.

nancy

Previous message concerning Skytop - their web page is www.Skytop.com.