Families who live in the northeast US have a terrific range of driveable destinations. Below are suggestions, in three sets of driving times. See also Road Trips Tips: with online trip planners; games to print out; Kids Eat Free; and last but definitely not least, Fuel Cost Calculator.
DRIVE-TIME UNDER FIVE HOURS
Remember: Mapquest driving time estimates aren't factoring in traffic, or bathroom stops!
Great Wolf Lodge Poconos
Great Wolf Lodge is a well-known name in resorts with indoor waterparks; this one, near Scotrun PA, has themed suites, animated show in the Grand Lobby, outdoor pool, Cub Club, arcade, MagiQuest interactive fantasy game, and -- if you're planning for December-- a special "Snowland" season.
- -Mapquest estimate from NYC to Scotrun: 85 miles; 1 hour 40 minutes.
Hershey PA
"Chocolate Town USA" has the Hersheypark amusement park, grand old Hotel Hershey, with kids club; Hershey Lodge, and more.
- -Mapquest estimate from NYC: 162 miles; 3 hours.
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark
This 200-suite Adirondack-themed family resort is part of the Great Escape theme park across the street, and is also the first hotel with an indoor waterpark in NY state; location is in Queesbury NY.
- Mapquest estimate from NYC to Queensbury: 220 miles, 3 hours, 40 minutes.
UNDER TEN HOURS
New Hampshire's White Mountains
Great scenery; biking tours; Appalachian Mountain Club family adventure programs; camping; and underground caves and waterfall.
- Mapquest estimate from NYC: 370 miles; 7 hours.
Tyler Place, VT
On Lake Champlain, with 165 acres and myriad family activities; programs for many different age, from newborn up. 30 miles from Champlain NY, 350 miles from NYC.
- Mapquest estimate from NYC to Lake Champlain: 340 miles, 5-1/2 hours.
Smugglers Notch, VT
Best known as an award-winning ski resort, but with plenty going on in summer too; numerous kids programs, a child-care centre, and two teen centers.
- Mapquest estimate from NYC to Burlington: 306 miles, 5 hours, 45 minutes.
More New England Family Vacation Ideas: cottage rentals, family camps, etc.
Canada: Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Ottawa
Montreal and Quebec City have family fun, historical areas, and joie-de-vie; French is spoken, but those in the tourism industry welcome guests in English too. Multicultural Toronto, on Lake Ontario, has many festivals; Canada's capital city, Ottawa, is known for its Parliament Buildings and pretty canal.
- Mapquest estimates from NYC: Montreal, 380 miles, 6-1/2 hours; Quebec City, 525 miles, 8 hours, 45 minutes (and you can stop in Montreal en route) ; Ottawa, 440 miles, 7-1/2 hours; Toronto, 490 miles, 8-1/2 hours, and cool stop en route is Niagara Falls.
LONG HAUL
Sandusky OH:
Sandusky is one fun place in summertime, thanks to the famous roller coasters at Cedar Point Amusement Park. Sandusky also has a cluster of resorts with indoor waterparks. Being waterfront on Lake Erie is nice, too.
- Mapquest estimate from NYC: 512 miles; 8-1/2 hours.
-cool detour:Hershey PA - with Hersheypark theme park
Colonial Williamsburg, VA
Colonial Williamsburg takes your family back in time: not only to stroll past historic buildings, but to watch real-live blacksmiths, talk to inn-keepers, hear patriots whisper about revolution... A staff of 3500, including archaeologists and historians, plus hundreds of volunteers bring the 18th century back to life.
- -Mapquest estimate from NYC: 390 miles; 6-1/2 hours.
-cool stops en route: Philadelphia; Washington DC q
Myrtle Beach SC
Myrtle Beach is on the coast of South Carolina, 98 miles north of Charleston, and in the middle of 60 miles of beaches called the Grand Strand: budget-friendly, family-friendly place; many hotels have kids activities, playgrounds, waterpark features; fun parks, water parks, amusement parks.
- -Mapquest estimate from NYC: 685 miles; 11-1/2 hours.
-cool detour: Colonial Williamsburg VA
-cool stop en route: Washington DC
More Southeast Destinations for Families - Sea Island GA, legendary resort; Stone Mountain Park GA, with inn and resort; Hilton Head SC.
Orlando, FL: It can be done! And there are plenty of families who drive long distances to the most powerful magnet in the world for vacations with kids. Read about:
- Disney World (including Where to Stay)
- Universal Orlando: two theme parks, three great resorts
- NickHotel: two waterparks, and theming and games by Nickelodeon
- -Mapquest estimate from NYC: 1087 miles; 17 hours.
-cool detours: Colonial Williamsburg VA; Myrtle Beach
-cool stops en route: Washington DC; Savannah Georgia
Wisconsin Dells
So you want to head to the mecca of resorts with indoor waterparks: Wisconsin Dells has the Kalahari, the Wilderness Resort, the original Great Wolf Lodge, and more; not to mention public outdoor waterparks in summertime.
- -Mapquest estimate from NYC: 985 miles; 16 hours.
cool detour: Hershey PA - with Hersheypark theme park
-cool stops en route: Chicago
*photo © Teresa Plowright
