Ideas for Oct. mini-vacation with kids(teens) - HELP!

Hello! We are new to PA (lived near Reading 6 mo). Looking to take a few days and getaway the 5-9 of Oct. We want to drive, but not more than 3-4 hours tops.

After doing research, I considered Knobel%26#39;s. But it looks like this would be the last weekend the park is open. Also there is a big annual Covered Bridge Festival that weekend. All hotels in surrounding areas are booked. I%26#39;m sure we could find a place within driving distance to stay 2-3 days. But was wondering if anyone familiar with the area could chime in and tell me if you think it would be enjoyable for parents and teens to have a full day/night at the park, enjoy the craft fair then see some of the surrounding sights for the rest of our trip? I thought about seeing the Bison farm nearby and things like that. Ya know, your old fashioned corny family vacation.

For other options we thought of Hershey, but it%26#39;s closed. Dorney is nearby but there%26#39;s not much else in Allentown (I hear). Lancaster is beautiful, but we aren%26#39;t sure the kids would like it.

NOTE: our older son is 16 but has Downs syndrome, so he%26#39;s much more into kid stuff. Our 14 y.o. daughter is still young enough to like museums etc. but starting to hit the moody stage.

Thanks in advance for your time and any ideas or suggestions!!! We could use the input! This family needs a vacation! :o)

Ideas for Oct. mini-vacation with kids(teens) - HELP!

(To add to my own post) We are also considering day-tripping in and around Reading (and/or Phili) for this week and spending what we would have shelled out on hotels and a pet-sitter to enjoy other activities such as a day at Dorney, hitting a Phila Phillies game, a day at the sportsplex for go karts etc., Lancaster for one day....

Any ideas within an hour of Reading? Would LOVE to hear them!

Ideas for Oct. mini-vacation with kids(teens) - HELP!

Hi PA fam -

You%26#39;re willingness to travel 3/4 hours for a PA vacation is great, because you can get to almost anywhere in the state from Reading in that time. How about the Gettysburg area? It%26#39;s under 2 hours from you %26amp; there%26#39;s tons to do %26amp; see - the battlefield, of course, but also museums (historic %26amp; otherwise), shopping, lots of outdoor ';fall'; things like farm markets, scenic train excursions, ghost walks,... It%26#39;s close to places like Harrisburg %26amp; Lancaster, too, so you can make Gettysburg your home-base and day trip from there.

If you are planning to make fall foliage part of your experience, I%26#39;d suggest picking a destination farther north, since Gettysburg tends to peak at the very end of the month. The Poconos (90 mins away) are beautiful at this time of year but so spread out, much time is spent driving from one attraction to the next. Your best bet would be to decide what kind of things you%26#39;d like to do and mapping out an itinerary before you go - if this sounds like something of interest to you, let me know what you%26#39;re looking for and I can give you some specific suggestions.

How about the Clearfield/Elk Counties area? Lot of state parks, festivals, museums, etc. - plus, you may catch a glimpse of the resident elk herd! And Elysburg is only 2 hours away, so a day at Knoebel%26#39;s is doable.

Hope this helps - let us know what you decide, or if you need more suggestions. Enjoy!!

We%26#39;re headed to Knoebels the weekend of Oct. 5-7, too. I%26#39;ve rented a house about 300 feet behind the park for the last few years. The majority of the crowd will be in the pavillion areas with the arts and crafts. There will be very little waiting for any rides. We also have a handicapped son (10 Y.O. and wheel-chair bound), but he enjoys the rides we can get him onto with help of the other two kids. The park bends over backward for this disabled. We%26#39;ve been allowed to stay on the rides a second time without paying!! There are plenty of nearby motels, hotels, B%26amp;B%26#39;s and campgrounds, too. Go to the Knoebels website and click on lodging. We%26#39;ve had to stay as far away as Shomokin Dam, but it was worth it. Besides the Bison Farm here is a list of other nearby attractions: Red Tail Deer Farm, Pioneer Coal Mine and Steam Train ride in Ashland, Reptileland in Allenwood, Little League World Series Museum and Ballpark in Williamsport. The Rorbach%26#39;s Farm Market (a few miles north of the amusement park on Rt 487) will be having an open house with carnival rides, games, food and entertainment, too. Lancaster will be enjoyable for the kids if you visit the Strasburg Railroad, Choo Choo Barn, Hands-on House, Landis Valley Museum, go for a buggy ride and make pretzels or decorate cookies.

Enjoy, Steve