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Updates to Kids Love Pennsylvania

Changes:

NE – BRADFORD BASKETS (pg. 76) had a major fire and is permanently closed.  We’ll miss their factory tours.  Closest basket factory tour is in OH, Longaberger Baskets.

SE – WEAVERTOWN ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE (pg. 134) and THE PEOPLES PLACE (pg. 144). We received an email recently from a customer friend  (Laura M.) who planned a trip to Lancaster county. Based on her observations, we have verified the following about two Lancaster county attractions: WEAVERTOWN SCHOOLHOUSE is closed and there are no current plans to open it in 2006. We’ll update you in 2007, if new ownership decides to reopen. PEOPLE’S PLACE is now more of a bookstore and Quilt Museum, not a children’s interactive site to learn about the Mennonite culture. The three screen documentary (once at People’s Place) is now at the Biblical Tabernacle Repro/Mennonite Information Center (pg. 148)

Added Information:

NE – Pocono Mountains. (just off I-80, Scotrun exit, Route 611 north, at 1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA 18355. GREAT WOLF LODGE RESORT & INDOOR WATERPARK. (800) 905-WOLF or www.greatwolflodge.com. The Poconos first new family destination resort in nearly three decades. The 401-suite Great Wolf Lodge has an array of amenities including: a huge indoor Waterpark, an Arcade, Cub Club activity/crafts room, Spa, Fitness Room, the Camp Critter Bar & Grille, The Loose Moose Cottage gourmet buffet and food court, Claw Café confectionary and an animated Great Clock Tower to greet you. The Pocono Great Wolf indoor waterpark is the largest of any in the chain. They have a new, state-of-the-art water roller coaster ride that defies the law of gravity, winding up and down hill, and the cannon bowl tube ride, which will offer a whirling water ride. Opening specials. Rates (include admission to waterpark) for lodging run $169-$300 per night depending on package.

SW – Pittsburgh. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH (pg. 202). Revamped museum is now charging $8.00 adult and $7.00 senior and child admission. Parking is $5.00. Loved Mr. Rogers Neighborhood? The vastly expanded Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood features new water exhibits, a welcome from Fred Rogers (now sadly deceased), a closet of cardigans and sneakers to play pretend, a replica trolley and replica home.

SW – IDLEWILD PARK & SOAK ZONE (pg. 195). First of all, the closest family-friendly lodging to the park is the Ramada Inn Historic Ligonier (216 West Loyalhanna Street, entrance off US 30, 724-238-9545 or www.ramadainnligonier.com.) From cozy doubles to spacious kings or suites at reasonable prices. Enjoy breakfast or dinner at the casual Bistro, see the sites, or relax by the outdoor heated pool. Walking distance to quaint shops and eateries or Fort Ligonier. Now, I know we boast about few amusement parks but our recent visit back (after 30 years) to Idlewild and Storybook Forest was too fun! Story Book Forest is timeless. You can still meet Goldilocks, Snow White, the Old Woman in the Shoe, and even get a lollypop from the Goodship Lollypop captain. Ride a real trolley into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Ask everyone on your trip to a Hug n’ Song event at the castle. This village is like being zapped into a giant TV set! School-aged kids can ride most every ride in the park and waterpark and families can bring in picnic baskets and grill. If you don’t want all that fuss, they offer reasonable prices at Hootin’ Holler’ and the food is varied and good. Well before or after you eat, try a ride on the “Howler” replica tornado ride around a funnel cloud. There’s entertainment from foot stompin’, hand clappin’ music and dancing to street actors. Every part of the park is clean and easy to manage, even with younger kids. Look for discount days each month or get a membership. Still a great place for old-fashioned family amusement.

NW – Erie, PA Day Trip/Overnight Ideas:  ERIE CVB, 208 East Bayfront Pkwy, Suite 103, (800) 524-3743 or www.visiteriepa.com.

1. Erie is now a place you can go in all kinds of weather, year-round.  Amusement rides & outdoor waterpark at WALDAMEER (pg. 84) is now complimented by an indoor waterpark, Splash Lagoon (pg. 87)!  We recommend getting online and reserving one of the SPLASH LAGOON overnight stay packages because you get two day waterpark passes and hotel accommodations in large rooms with complimentary continental breakfast (real value for the money).  You’ll want to break up your day(s) at the waterpark every two hours or so with a rest (all that play makes you tired and hungry…naps and several light meals at local eateries (our favorite, Quaker Steak & Lube) are recommended).  And Splash Lagoon is outstanding!  Clean, fresh (check out all the filters they use…both air and water) and full of something for every child and adult to ride and lounge in.  Compared to other indoor waterparks, we especially liked that every ride had a different “twist” and they even have some of the new rides we affectionately call “toilet bowls”…chute down a tube, then swirl around a bowl and drop out the middle.  None of the rides are strenuous and plenty of staff are on hand to gently escort you to another area or help you out of your raft.  On busy days (esp. rainy day Saturdays), be prepared for long lines up the dozens of steps to the big rides (watch out for your neighbors raft bumping).  Everyone in our party, from 6 to 66, enjoyed the park!

2. On a nice day, many locals and visitors head to PRESQUE ISLE (pg. 84) for boating, fishing, nature walks or biking.  The park is so clean, the beaches well-maintained, and the paved multi-purpose paths allow easy transport around most of the 14 miles of the isle.  We esp. recommend biking 5 miles of the trails, stopping every now and then to enjoy a beverage or dip in the water along the beaches.  Stop in their nature center first to discuss your plans with a ranger…they were most helpful!

3. Another pleasant weather activity is the ERIE ZOO (pg. 86). The animals are so-o-o close and the settings (indoor/outdoor) were well done and easy to manage.  Our favorites were the gorillas and orangutans that are so endearing to watch and communicate with!

4. Raining or snowing in Erie?  Just head downtown to the EXPERIENCE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM (pg. 85).  For a smaller museum, we were impressed how they use their space in this old building.  A few of our favorites: People At Work where kids move vehicles and stones to change the way a stream flows; Owl Pellet Dissecting Table – yes, that’s right, you use picks to discover what the owl ate last!;  and they Market was the most colorful, realistic and well-stocked we’ve ever seen…check out the meat and seafood market items!

NE – Milford, Grey Towers. Re-opened. More details to follow…

SC – Gettysburg – Boyd’s Bear Country – pg. 105. Nursery is now open…where baby bears are born every day.  Nurse Carin welcomes perspective parents of all ages to adopt their beary own cuddly bear.  Look at the bears in their cradles, pick one, fill out the adoption papers and get your photo taken.  Also, they have a great Easter Egg Hunt event on Easter weekend and occasional Breakfasts with Molly & Sebastian or a Mothers Day Tea or Fathers Day Breakfast.  Entertainment on the porch most summer weekends, too.

SE – The Philadelphia International Children’s Festival – (first week of May). University  of Penn. Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. (215) 898-3900 or www.PENNPresents.org.  Performances throughout each day…you pick and choose from international acts like a circus from Finland, a dance company form the Ivory Coast, comedy from Denmark, fairy tales from England or folk singers from the USA.   The Playworks area is where international artisans teach their art and help kids create versions of crafts such as African drums, Hmong tapestry, egg painting, dream catchers and Peruvian sundials.  Stageworks is where emerging regional performers can share their talent.  Admission/packages.

SE – Philadelphia, PA, www.gophila.com or Visitors Center at Independence Historical Park Center.  Check out their FAMILY PHILADELPHIA packages that are truly an economical way to explore some of Philly’s best sites while staying at “kid-friendly” hotels in town.

SE – RIDE THE DUCKS TOURS, 6^th & Chestnut Depot, Philadelphia, PA 19106. (215) 227-3825 or www.phillyducks.com.  Daily, Daylight hours, Memorial Day – October. Tickets for sale at depot or Independence Visitors Center. Admission: $19.95 adult, $10.95 child (3-12), AAA, senior & military discounts.  Providing passengers with an 80 minute entertaining, historically accurate, land and water sightseeing adventure aboard amphibious WWII Duck vessels.  Each tour features a scenic “bus” tour past Philly’s historical and cultural sites, then splashes down into the Delaware River for a floating tour along Penn’s Landing (the kids, and kids-at-heart, get to try driving the boat on the water, too).  You’ll find yourself quacking (with provided official quackers) at interesting people as the captain commentates w/ theme music – party music – that really gets you in the mood! Learn about different ethnic eateries or some history “with a twist” – just little funny tidbits that never bore the kids (ie. What happened if you didn’t have fire insurance? Who is famous for cake and ice cream?).  Don’t worry, the Duck Trucks look silly but you feel great as you travel this fun way…the new, hip way to see historic old Philadelphia!

     While in Philly, maybe add a creepy trip over to the INSECTARIUM  (pg. 171), north of downtown (1-95 Cottman Avenue exit thru, right on Frankford for several blocks).  Did you know we eat bugs every day? They’re ground up in plants as they are harvested.  See a glow in the dark scorpion or bugs with noses. There’s giant bugs and little bees (do you know what honey really is?).  Pet live bugs like Martin the cockroach or Harry the millipede (yes, Mommy actually pet them!).  Interact as you climb thru a spider web, eat fried worms, or push buttons.  The highlight has to be the Cockroach Kitchen & Bathroom!  How do they keep them inside the room?  They live here and are welcome! Great photo ops and their gift shop has inexpensive craft kits and bug food and toys.  You will learn so much here and the guides really add the “magic”.

      Now, head back to the historic district.  INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM (pg. 164) says “Climb in, Pull this, Please”…common signs here (hands on area). For example, ride a waterbed boat, blow a fog horn, play the Crane Game or Climb aboard bunks on a ship.  In clever dioramas, hear and see immigrant and crew stories.  Take a few moments to watch and talk to boat builders as they build skiffs, then head outdoors to the walk-on battleship Olympia and submarine.  The kids will move quickly following the self-guided arrows so try to keep up!  Be prepared, they may want to tour again, and again.  Look for a Riverpass or City Pass to receive discount tickets for many similar, nearby attractions.  Family Saturdays at the Seaport is a programs where kids craft while pretending to be a pirate or ship captain.

     On your way back into the heart of history in old town, stop in to chat with the folks working over at FRANKLIN COURT (pg. 163).  Check out Franklin’s numerous inventions, then walk and talk in the Phone Room where dozens of phones can call famous friends of Franklin.  In the courtyard, peek in the pits below to see actual excavations of rooms of Franklin’s home.

     That evening, be sure you reserve a spot for the LIGHTS OF LIBERTY (pg. 166).  Using headsets with 3D sound, visitors follow the drama of the American Revolution as it happened, where it happened.  Start in Franklin Court, end at Independence Hall where the battle rages with swirling smoke and flashes from imaginary musket blasts.  Hear the hurried sound of horses’ hoofs on cobblestone streets. You’ll find yourself cheering for the Patriots and clapping on several occasions.  The ending “God Bless America” is very moving.  Our six year old really got engaged!  Recommended ages: 6+. Family Four Packs $49.00.  So unique and what an adventure!

SE – Lancaster, PA Day Trip.  Begin in the morning thru early afternoon at DUTCH WONDERLAND (pg. 149).  It’s cute…great clean, safe rides for kids (probably best age range is 4-12, with their adults). Water splash and ride areas with new features every year. Cute little interactive shows and a wonderful “High Dive” show.  It’s hard to believe those guys really dive from 30 to 80 feet…until you see it!  After you’ve exhausted yourself outside, head next door, and, inside at DISCOVER LANCASTER COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM (pg. 149). Some of the early scenes in this wax museum are dark and dreary for the young ones, but, after you get to the Daniel Boone area, the kids can find lots to look at.  Press buttons for verbal explanations. They even have an area where you can dress as a settler like young Daniel Boone and walk in a magic booth as young Daniel turns into a man before your eyes. Next, use a large bellow  to help heat the blacksmith’s fire or learn to twist a pretzel.  There’s a computer quiz at the end relating to presidents and politics (best for the tweens to adult to play).  End your day with a twilight matinee at the SIGHT & SOUND THEATRES (pg 181), Strasburg. We saw Daniel…it was truly lots of sights and sound!  Amazing side stage and live isle-way entrances/exits that help bring Bible stories fantastically to life!  The furnace, idol and dream visuals are mouth-droppers!  Don’t be afraid of the price, it worth it.  Finally, spend the night at FULTON STEAMBOAT INN (pg. 179).  From the first “Welcome Aboard” to the last splash in the pool – your kids will think it’s cool to overnight in a steamboat. They have an indoor pool, jacuzzi, playground (really fun, outside) and observation deck that looks onto the pond and walking trail. This hotel is right in the middle of Dutch Country – easy to “pop” in and out all day.  Check out all the ship’s wheels and Victorian flare – esp. the lobby.

Seasonal & Special Events (Sept/Oct., Fall Playlands, pg. 240-241)

(Seasonal & Special Events)

NE - SNOWLAND – Poconos. Great Wolf Lodge. www.greatwolflodge.com. The lodge is decorated in a winter scene. It snows 3x daily, hot cocoa and live music, clock tower sing along, Rowdy the Reindeer Storytime. Attend the North Pole University for Elves. Admission (includes lodging and indoor waterpark passes). (month-long in December)

SW – KIDS HOLIDAY CRAWL – Pittsburgh. Presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. www.pgharts.org/education/gallerycrawl.aspx. The Cultural District is crawling with fun activities for the whole family from cookie decorating and caroling to card-making and storytelling. Join friends at SPACE, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, Three Rivers Arts Festival and the African American Cultural Center as they celebrate the holiday season at over 10 venues throughout the Cultural District. Children can sit on Santa's lap, create crafts with the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, meet the Radio City Rockettes and so much more. (first Saturday in December)

SC – Gettysburg, SHEA’S MAZE @ OLD SWORD FARM. 2278 Hanover Road (intersection of Low Dutch Road & Hanover Road). (717) 338-1696 or www.oldswordfarm.com. Hayrides, corn maze (open July –Oct.), hands-on agricultural educational activities, sheep, beef, chickens and other farm animals and free roaming wild turkeys.  Tea Room, too.

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Last modified: 05/02/06