familythattravels

Hello - Want to plan a summer vacation within driving (up to 10 hours drive) distance of Philadelphia, PA. We have been to the Outerbanks, Block Island, Yellowstone, Maine and Quebec so prefer something new. We like outdoor activities, especially wildlife but are not into camping. Kids are 9 and 11.

emalloy

How about driving down the Blue Ridge Pky/Skyline Drive. There is lodging in the NP in Virginia, I'm not sure about farther south. We have seen deer in the park often and saw a small black bear last spring. There is access to the Appalachain trail from several parking areas in the park.

Another choice would be to go to Assateague/Chincoteague NP. Get the book about the Ponies of Chincoteague before you go. There are nice walking and biking trails in Chincoteague NP>

rizzo0904

Right at your 10 hour limit would be a trip to Ashville NC and/or the Smoky Mountains.

Closer would be Harpers Ferry. In WV you can do a lot of hiking and rafting.

familythattravels

Loving the suggestions I have some research to do - thanks!

PaulRabe

> We like outdoor activities,
> especially wildlife but are not into camping

This Philly resident STRONGLY recommends Shenandoah NP. While there, you're guaranteed to see deer,
whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=40603
and might well see bear
whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=35957
and wild turkey -- I've also seen snakes, rabbits, and other critters. Lodging is within the park and very family-friendly.
http://www.goshenandoah.com/Stay.aspx
With a little hiking and a clear day, you can get great views as well.
whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=40606

kamae

Another suggestion - the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia.

WhereAreWe

Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario -- this only works if the whole family has passports but since you said you've been to Quebec it may be an option. It's a 9 hour drive from Philadelphia, and there is lodging inside the park.

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Shenandoah is nice but go during the week, it will be swarmed on the weekends.

WhereAreWe

There's also this:
http://visitadirondacks.com/about/mo...dirondack-park

Not a national park but probably fits what you're looking for.

mycruiseandvacations

Williamsburg - Consider a stay at Great Wolf Lodge the kids will love it -Williamsburg - Just minutes from downtown Williamsburg is Go Ape! Treetop Adventure and Treetop Junior, an interactive ropes course with five sections of obstacles, trapezes, net bridges, five zip lines and more. One participating adult for every two kids between 10 and 15 years of age. Williamsburg -The Waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge is a four-story, interactive treehouse with a waterfort, 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, eight waterslides, four pools, two giant hot tubs, a spacious outdoor pool and huge wave pool.

Norfolk - Nauticus, The National Maritime Center features more than 150 interactive exhibits, giant screen films, exotic aquaria, touch pools and shark petting experiences!

Lynchburg - Amazement Square, The Rightmire Children's Museum has the tallest indoor climbing tower in the nation with all sorts of pathways, tunnels and a glass elevator

familythattravels

These are great ideas. We do have passports so Canada is on the potential destination list.

Mycruise we have a GWL about an hour or so from home so we are familiar and yes the kids love it there!

Thanks everyone - your suggestions are great and I am learning about some new places while I research this trip - destination TBD.

Birdie

And just to add to mycruiseandvacations, since it's what you asked for, Jamestown and Yorktown near Williasmburg are National Parks.

familythattravels

In addition to the ideas posted here friends have suggested - Lake George, NY, Asheville, NC, and Martha's Vineyard. National Park not required just natural beauty outdoors....lots to consider.

PhillyFan

Cape cod!!!

The dunes along the national seashore are amazing. There are some nice short hikes. We love the beach on the bay in Dennis where there is excellent skim boarding.

familythattravels

Hi everyone - some things are starting to fall into place. A family friend has generously offered to share a condo rental so we will definitely do 3 nights in Martha's Vineyard. So now we are planning our trip with that as the destination. Would like to plan one or two nights to stop on the way out - Mystic, Ct and Rhode Island are the frontrunners right now....May want to go inland a bit on the loop back home and see something new also 2 stops possible. Start/end point for the trip is Bucks County, PA.

PaulRabe

> Would like to plan one or two nights to stop on the way out -
> Mystic, Ct and Rhode Island are the frontrunners

> Kids are 9 and 11

I would thus choose Mystic Seaport. Just don't let them know that this place is educational -- it might spoil their fun.

familythattravels

Thanks PaulRabe

emalloy

If you decide on Mystic, you can get a combo pass for both Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium. I think the kids would love the aquarium and in the Seaport, be sure to let them take part in some of the activities for kids. There is a steamboat, the Sabino (extra charge) that takes a ride on the river sometimes has music in the evening and there are free shuttles that take you down river from the seaport to town. In the summer there often are star gazing programs one or two evenings during the week.

familythattravels

Thanks emalloy.

Vttraveler

Gillette Castle near Mystic would be another fun place for your kids. Other suggestions in the area on this web site
http://www.mystic.org/browse/what-to-do/fun-for-kids

emalloy

If you have a rainy day on your way, you could go to the Native American museum at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, about 20 minutes from Mystic. Check on line for the days/hours it is open. It is really very good and is just a short way from the casino itself.