While I'll be working over the weekend I wanted to plan a weekend for my parents and 8 year old daughter. Any suggestions for a fun weekend within a 3-4 hour drive from NYC, for friday thru sunday.

Thanks..... the only place we're avoiding is Boston, we have family in the area and spend lots of time up there.

How about New Hope/Lambertville. Not a bad compromise for all the ages. Lambertville filled with antiques. New Hope lots of restaturants and shops. Can take in a show at New Hope? Playhouse. Boat ride on Delaware or canal ride. Can take railroad trip out of New Hope on antique train. About 11/2 hours from NYC without traffic.

New Hope/Lambertville is a good suggestion. So are the Hudson Valley or the Berkshires.

I will also suggest New Hope/ Lambertville. You can rent bikes and ride for miles along the tow-path. You could also rent kayaks to go in the canal. There is a really fun flea market in Lambertville every week end...and dont forget in nearby Peddlers Village they usually have a fun scarecrow display in the fall.

You don't say when this is for. I agree New Hope/Lambertville is great but not sure whether there's enough for an 8 year old to be interested. Unless you already live in NYC, I think staying in the city would be more fun for all involved. Children's museum, Natural History musuem, shopping, Greenwich Village etc.

The NY Times just had an article on fall foliage visits. They mentioned a website EscapeMaker.com designed for NYers. It is not specific for fall foliage. You might have a look there for ideas.

If you're talking about the next week or 2, the weather has been beautiful in the Hamptons. The beach was crowded over this last weekend.