articles

10 Day Trip Ideas for Lebanon Area Families

May 21, 2014
We're coming up on Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to summer. I've seen several friends posting that their kids are finishing preschool this week, and I know the older Macaronis in school are also counting down!

In celebration of summer, I thought it would be fun to highlight some ideas for family day trips within about an hour or two drive of Lebanon County.

If you know a great place we didn't mention, please add it in the comments below!

Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark
Splash in the pool at Camelbeach in the Poconos, a summer spot your whole family can enjoy. Wave pools, thrill slides and a kiddie area help to make up almost 40 attractions.

The Crayola Experience
Let your Mini Macaronis share their creativity at the recently remodeled Crayola Experience, located in downtown Easton. It's four floors filled with artistic opportunities at every turn.

Historic Philadelphia
Learn about history with a visit to historic Philadelphia and see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall  and the National Constitution Center. Options abound to turn this into a weekend getaway for your family.

Indian Echo Caverns
Go underground and see the beauty that nature created at Indian Echo Caverns in Hummelstown, Pa. After your tour of the caverns, let the Mini Macaronis explore Gem Mill Junction for their own treasures.

Inner Harbor, Baltimore
The National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center and Port Discovery Children's Museum are just some of the places you can visit at Inner Harbor. You can choose a pirate adventure on the high seas, take out a paddleboat or catch a Baltimore Orioles game, too.

Knoebels Amusement Resort
FREE admission to the park makes Knoebels a favorite of our family and our annual Mother's Day tradition. The grandparents, aunts and uncles can all converge on this family destination in Elysburg, Pa. Ride the rides, enjoy the food and swim in the pool. There are also plenty of camping options if you want to turn it into a mini vacation!

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
A short drive over a large mountain brings you to Lake Tobias in Halifax, Pa., where your family can take a safari ride and get up close to dozens of incredible animals. Although the highlight of the park is the safari, Lake Tobias has tigers, lions, reptiles, bears and barnyard animals that will delight your Mini Macaronis. There is a small playground and tables for packing a picnic lunch.

Lancaster County
There are so many wonderful places to highlight for families that Lancaster deserved a category all to itself. Dutch Wonderland, Strasburg Rail Road, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm and Hands-On House Children's Museum are just some of the options. And, if you want to make a night of it, check out the cool idea behind the Red Caboose Motel.

Pioneer Tunnel & Coal Mine Steam Train
Cool off on a hot summer day by taking a ride into a real anthracite coal mine at the Pioneer Tunnel. Kids can learn what it was like to be a miner during a 35-minute tour into the side of a mountain in Ashland, Pa. A steam locomotive ride fills you in on more history in this coal region.

Please Touch Museum
Guaranteed to delight your Mini Macaronis is the Please Touch Museum with room after room of playtime fun. Water tables, construction sites, grocery stores, rocket launchers and mazes await at this children's museum in Fairmount Park, just outside of Philadelphia.