DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, April 11, 2009
A Reader Would Like Some Help
I am looking for suggestions for fun things to do with my 4 and 5 year old that is within a couple of hours from here and not too expensive. I took them to the Washington Zoo and they had a blast. any suggestions of where I can look or places that I could go would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
30 comments:
The aquarium in the inner harbor is pretty cool.
They said something reasonable, inexpensive. The Aquarium is not inexpensive, that's for sure.
I'm not sure about the cost but what about the Nat'l Zoo? I haven't been myself but I do enjoy looking at the zoo cams. Especially the panda cams.
Check out the Eastern Shore of Virginia. There are many free bird sanctuaries, an old fort, U-pick orchards, and much more. They have a fine Chamber of COmmerce and tourism site that I am sure you can find on Google. Also, a drive to Chincoteague is nice (home of Misty - they might enjoy the book if they haven't read it. Admission to the seashore is inexpensive and you should save a little extra for a visit to the Island Creamery for homemade icecream. There is also a great free beach at Cape Charles.
The Iron furnace is fun too.
Assateague State Park and Assateague National Shorline beaches, and they have a nice hands-on nature center, just right for kids their age - small fee for beaches, nature center free.
The Air Museum at Dover AFB is pretty cool - lots of neat old planes and helicopters - Free.
Farmers' museum in Dover, too.
Strawberry picking will be going on in a little while. (Two in the basket, one in the mouth.) Salisbury's Strawberry Festival, too, is around the corner.
Sorry that we don't have regular children's theater here. We're working on it.
As a parent, you should know what your children really like. I have a daughter that is 4 years old. She likes animals of all kind. As a matter of fact, we just went to assateague Island in search of horses; they all like horses don't they? You could bring them to a farm; some farms have a variety of animals and their rates are very reasonable.
The Aquarium has a "Fri after 5" deal they offer on their "off season" (oct-mar) which allows you to enter for $9/person on a Fri after 5p. We took advantage of this a few weeks back & it was GREAT! So, Joe, the aquarium CAN be inexpensive if you search for deals.
Within a couple of hours and inexpensive... I would have to say.
1. Fort Mifflin on the Delaware in South Philadelphia. It's a cheap admission but you'll see some of the oldest building in America and they say it's haunted.
2. Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia.
3. Ben Franklin's Grave in Philadelphia.
4. Penns Landing in Philadelphia.
5. Oldest Zoo in American in Philadelphia.
Art museum, ben franklin istitute, city hall, aquarium accross the water in Camden...
Millions of things to do in Philly, my kids LOVE PHILLY!
The Smithsonian Natural History Museum--free, and they have a great children's room where kids can touch stuff.
Thanks for the heads up Melissa, I had never heard of that.
The Baltimore Zoo is a GREAT kids zoo. I remember the admission being inexpensive.
I second the Air Base Museum in Dover, but they might be a little young for that, and it might be a little more interesting for boys. How about Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg they have some fun hands on stuff to do there. Norfolk zoo is really nice and there is a nice air and space museum in Hampton, too. If you don't want to go that far I think a great day would be bowling at the Eastern Shore Lanes in Pocomoke (my son loves that place)followed by a trip to Chincoteague/Assateague.
All of the museums in Washington on the Mall. The White House, but you need to check in advance for ticket and date availabilty. The Ocean of course in season. The guard towers in Del. From WWII
at that age my kids really enjoyed the space museum (free) in wattsville Va. then you can head over to chinquatigue and or assategue to see the lighthouse and ponies.
I went to the Care Bear Farm 113 south of snow Hill to get fishing worms once and was amazed at all they do there! I didn't ask about a tour but the family there was very eager o show us all the stuff they did to be self sufficient there. They also have a rockfish pond they were trying to open for a U-fish. It is on my to do list. Maybe google them and make a phone call inquiry.
Sorry, That's "Claire Bear Farm"
Apparently something is going on at the Ocean City Convention Center this weekend. Easter Egg Hunts, rock climbing, face painting and lots more. I haven't been there but am leaving right now to check it out myself.
Port Discovery in Baltimore-not too expensive and kid friendly. They have enough activities for a whole day.
That is right, Nothing to do in salisbury...
We took our kids to Dutch Wonderland in Pa. Can do strausberg railroad and ride the train, visit the omish country on a free tour and eat at family style restaurants. We stayed at Willow Valley Farms which is not real cheap but also has alot of things to do there. Our kids loved it.
Fort Delaware State Park.. Pea Patch Island! Go to www.destateparks.com.
Trap Pond in Laurel has paddleboating, canoeing, trails and lots of fun stuff for kids.
Longwood Gardens is fun and pretty.
If you like DC, there is TONS to do. Other than the Smithsonian, the Spy Musuem is cool. (A little pricy, but cheaper on the weekdays--and not so bad for younger children.) Also, Robert E Lee's mansion in Arlington is beautiful. (And free!)
I believe Salisbury Pewter offers tours of the craftsmen working.
The John Dickenson Plantation is really neat to see in the spring--or anytime, really.
Also, in Ocean City, the life-saving musuem is neat. (I think it costs about $3 to get in. And kids under 10 are free, I believe.)
In Georgetown there is the Marvel Carriage Museum which is kind of neat.
There are lots of historical things to do in the close surrounding area. My parents homeschooled us and they made everything seem super interesting--especially because they made us read up on this stuff beforehand, so seeing it in person was super fascinating.
Pack and picnic and explore!
There's always Cherrysone Campground in Virginia too. We go there often during the summer.
sundaes in the park will be starting soon at northside park in OC..kids build their own sundaes and there is live music
The Hebron Amusement Ridea are VERY reasonable as well, when they're open. I believe Sharptown has something during the summer as well.
I really have enjoyed the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach - less expensive then Baltimore Aquarium. They have tanks where kids can touch some of the marine animals. Great place!
I’m going to try to keep it more local:
In Dover, DE, there is a 'Museum Row' – the Agriculture, Victrola, and History museums are really cool (one is a neat general store set-up) and they are used to tours of kids and know how to engage them. They also have special events - people dressed up, hands on crafts, etc. I also suggest the Biggs Museum in Dover - they have kid-size easels set up and welcome children. Visit this link for some info: http://www.delawaremuseums.org/pub.htm
In Rehoboth - make a day of it and go to All Aboard Toys, which may as well be a toy museum, then Browseabout Books, who welcome kids, and a walk on the beach. Also – go out & walk around Rehoboth Art League – they welcome kids and have gorgeous grounds.
Bowling is fun for the kids, and the one in Fruitland sometimes has special prices on certain days.
Climbing the lighthouse in Chincoteague is fun and adds to a plain old beach day.
There is a pirate ship in OC in the summer that my son is crazy about - I think it was $12.
I haven't done it yet, but I have heard fun things about digging at Furnace Town and events in Pemberton Park. If you have a dog, there is a dog run in Pemberton Park, and it’s fun for the kids to see all the different kinds of dogs.
My son loves day trips to Easton/St Michaels - we look for eagles, go to the natural food store that has a sushi bar inside, and paint pottery at the pottery shop. You can also paint pottery in Salisbury at Chesapeake East.
Snow Hill and Cambridge both have monthly art gallery open houses where the galleries stay open late, and the shops and galleries in both areas have always been welcoming of my kids, even when they were babies.
There are free kid's days at the movie theatre. (I sure miss the drive-in!)
Of course, our zoo, which isn't all that, is free (donation), and has a really remarkable playground. And it is a nice size for young kids to go through it quickly.
If you join Delmarva Moms Like Me (delmarva.momslikeme.com), you can connect with other moms and find out about local events and classes.
A little further but still not too far and not quite as big a deal as going to Baltimore or Philly - Wilmington has a Natural History Museum, Miniatures Museum, and the Winterther - which does really cool garden tours. They are all very reasonable, and if you go towards the end of the day they have an unwritten rule about charging ½ price.
I suggest picking up Delmarva Quarterly Magazine, which is free, and checking the back - they have a pretty extensive listing of events all over the region. You'll find all of the festivals, performances, and special kid's days listed.
For older kids, the Mezzanine on the Plaza holds special events.
BIG SECRET: if you buy a $20 DE State Park pass, you get in free to ALL of the parks, including the one in Felton, DE that has a full waterslide water park that is rarely crowded, Trap Pond, which has a good playground and nice hiking trails, and DE National Seashore. LOTS of fun. My son LOVES the silly paddle boats at Trap Pond. Check out http://www.destateparks.com.
True, Salisbury DOES need more things for moms/kids to do - but you can keep busy without going to far, and on a budget.
I hope this helps!
-Andie Davis
(local mom, teacher & potter)
If you are looking for something a bit farther afield (a weekend trip) Try Knoebel's Amusement park (pronounced 'kuh-no-bels') in Elysburg, Pa. its about a 4.5 hour drive. It has no admission charge, and food and ride prices are VERY reasonable. its $37 to camp there, and you can bring your own food and drink into the park. As an ex Disney World cast member, I can tell you that the staff is friendly and the park is clean and safe. great roller coasters and TONS of kiddie rides.
The Philadelphia Zoo is awesome!
Don't forget to check for local pow wows in the fall. I'm sure your children will enjoy seeing tribe members dancing in their regalia; some even include candy dances where the kids can go into the circle and dance while they grab candy. Pow wows almost always include storytelling for the kids as well. Pow wows that I know of this year: Tiomonium Sate Fairgrounds July 18-19. Vienna and Pocomoke Sept. 12-13. Marion Oct. 17-18. I think the Nanticoke powwow in Millsboro will be the first or second weekend in September, this is one not to be missed.
There's the Celtic Festival at Furnace Town where you can enjoy the costumes, the mock battles, dancing, etc. Sept. 3-4. Furnace Town and Pemberton Park have nature trails year-round.
Take a boat ride to Smith Island (I'm not sure which islands or how many there are that you can take a boat ride to; I'm ashamed to say I'ne lived here all my life and never done it), and don't forget Pork in the Park! $2 admission, live music and great food.
The Ocean City Air show is June 12-13 this year. Free and your kids will be thrilled to see the planes. I know I was. You can take a free shuttle from the Convention Center.
The Tuckaho annual steam show and tractor pull in July. Het, don't knock if you haven't tried it. I scoffed at the idea of a tractor pull, but then found myself cheeering them on! There's also a steam show in federalsburg Aug. 8, and it's fascinating to see old steam-driven threshers do their job.
Rennaisaince Fair om weekends starting Aug. 5. Go to rennfest.com for details and half price tickets.
Springfest in OC May 7-10, Sunfest Sept. 24-27.
Don't forget to check the SU calendar for other events.
Have fun!
Salisbury's concerts in the park on Sunday nights will be starting soon. THey are FREE and fabulous. Great for all ages. A flag parade for the kids is one of my favorite parts. Take a blanket and a picnic basket. it doesn't get any better.
Post a Comment