Just got back from a three day trip to Walt Disney World in Florida - My 2 1/2 year old enjoyed Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. I live in NJ and am trying to figure out some day trips/ long weekend trips around, where we don't have to fly but my 2 1/2 year old son would enjoy.

A few ideas in my head:
- Mystic Aquarium (he likes animals/marine life);
- Knobels (sp?) Amusement Park - been there already - maybe something else;
- Sesame Street Place (I know some people think its out of control - but have to try it at least once);
- Hershey Park;
- Dutch Wonderland;
- Poconos (what is there to do here?);
- Newport (not very kid friendly is it?);
- Day trips to NJ Shore (play in the sand);
- Bronx Zoo;

Any thoughts?

Ed

Hi Ed: The Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society) gets my vote!

http://www.bronxzoo.com/

You know what I also love? Central Park...take the kids to the *lake* and rent the sailboats (really cheap $10 for an hour) and have them help you *sail*. You could also visit the Central Park Zoo, but it's nothing like the Bronx Zoo.

Hi Ed,

Where in NJ do you live?

Hi Ed! I also live in NJ about 20 mintues away from the city. Here are some things I've done with my children ages 6 and 4 that don't require flying:

1. NYC day trips - Central Park, Museum of Natural History, MET,Intrepid. My kids love going back to these places.

2. Sesame Street Place - We only went for the day. We went early and left almost at closing time. My kids loved it! Amongst the things they enjoyed were the Parade, Elmo's world, water rides etc. This park is really more for young kids so it's great for you.

3. Hershey Park - Went when kids were 3 and 1. We stayed at the Lodge for 2 nights. The kids were a bit too young for this park. We only stayed in the park for 1/2 a day and rode the kiddie rides. My husband went back on his own late in the afternoon to ride the roller coasters (he had fun!). There are other things to do e.g. museum. But IMO wait another year or two, then the kids will be able to really have fun.

3. Lake George - Lots to do with the kids. We rented a townhouse for a week and we had a great time.

4. Norwalk Aquarium - day trip - Kids enjoyed.

5. Aquarium - Brooklyn - This is right beside the Coney Island boardwalk. We did not let them get on the rides. Just walking and eating along the boardwalk after the aquarium was fun.

6. Bronx Zoo and Botanical garden - Go here a lot.

7. Rocking Horse Ranch - never been there but heard it's great for kids!

Word of caution though, other parks are not run as efficiently or are as clean as Disney! So don't expect the Disney experience....

I live in one of the northern towns in Bergen County.

We love Cape Cod. There's lots of different beaches and small towns to explore. Chatham has a tiny railroad museum and across the street is one of those huge wooden playgrounds.

Out of Orleans and Hyannis there is a "tour" called the Pirate Cruise. The kids get "tatooes" and pirate names, then you set sail to look for buried treasure. Along the way you blast (with a water cannon) a bad pirate, and then you see an X floating in the water. The kids help hoist up the treasure. It's cute for kids; mine enjoyed it when they were younger.

There are Children's Museums on Cape Cod and a few nature centers with short hikes.

Hi Ed,

I live in Bergen County as well. Martinan has some great suggestions for you.
Here are some quick day trips in our area that you can go to. There is the Childrens Museum right in Paramus (I think by Paramus Park Mall). Also, Van Saun Park is right in Paramus and they have a train ride for children. All of my friends take their children there. You can get there right from Forest Avenue.
I think I also heard that the circus is coming back into town.
Midevil Times may be fun, too.

I have heard of the Children's Musuem - have to go soon.

Yes we have been to Van Saun park and zoo and my toddler enjoys it.

Thanks everyone.

1) How about Storyland in Glen, NH. There's alot to do in NH's White Mountains & Lakes Region.

2) Newport is not kid-friendly IMHO

3) Pocono's has Camelbeach Waterpark, also there's a Crayola Factory nearby that has tours too.

When our boys were that age we spent a great day in Philadelphia at the Please Touch Museum and two nearby playgrounds. The PT museum was just wonderful.

Sprin2 - What and where in Philidelphia is the PT museum? Sounds interesting. Thanks.

In terms of some day trip ideas:

Von Saun Park in Paramus, just off Route 4, has a nice little zoo with a train, a carousel and a fairly large playground area.

The rides at Point Pleasant are fun for a Saturday night.

We went into the city on Sunday to Times Square, Central Park, and FAO Schwarz with out two toddlers.

As far as weekend trips, we've done Newport. But, you have to plan for the possibility of a VERY long ride.

Haven't been yet but I've heard from friends that the Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York has weekend airshows.

The Please Touch Museum is located at 210 North 21st St. Philadelphia. Their website is http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/

They have a neat exhibit on Maurice Sendak and our 2.5 year old loved his books when we visited so that was a big hit. Like I said, we had a wonderful visit there and the boy who was 2.5 still remembers it (he'll be 8 next week).

Trip Report:

Just did Sunday at the Bronx Zoo. What a great park! The Congo (gorillas) was great as my son had a real up-close view of gorillas. Jungleworld and World of Reptiles was enjoyed also. Thanks for the ideas! Combined with the great weather we had in NY yesterday, it was a really enjoyable day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is it! Great ideas!