This is a ways off but I’d like to plan a family weekend somewhere within driving distance from Pittsburgh. No more than maybe 5ish hours.
Our kids with the grandchild are very nervous parents, driving seems to make them anxious.
We’d like to plan for late fall, if there was a place that had fun Christmas stuff to do in December that would be awesome.
Trying to figure out plans since we have some family members who have to schedule time off 6 months out.
The childless couple says spa, the couple with the kid says an indoor pool. One couples budget is larger than the other, we can help but one couple is saying affordable.
We had an amazing stay at the the Lodge at Glendorn, about 3 hours from Pittsburgh. There are all kinds of winter activities , it’s family friendly, has a spa. Sadly no indoor pool. Food is amazing and the property is gorgeous. Not sure if it’s in the budget though.
These are all 4-5 hours south of Pittsburgh. Salamander Resort in Middleburg, VA; The Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, WV; and the Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. All are very family oriented. All decorate for the Christmas holidays. Not sure about an indoor pool. The Greenbrier has an indoor ice skating rink, indoor pool and bowling! You would have to check specific dates for pricing to see if any quality as affordable.
Are yinz thinking of a resort stay, or just a central location AirBnB with lots of choices for day trips? December is such a brutal month for travel in SW PA. Is the 'burgh the home base (and so you’ve already done all the obvious choices there?)
Both would be great. I think one couple would love an Airbnb, the other a fancy resort.
Last year we went to Philly and that was fun but thought that we could try another place this year.
I know the weather can be iffy. Last year I planned a trip in our neck of the woods but the couple with the child decided it was too far so I guess we need for them to not have to travel too far.
Pittsburgh has a great children’s museum, the Warhol museum, a great science center with a submarine you can tour, and a wonderful Aviary. The aviary is not too big and not too small, which makes it nice for kids. Those are all on more or less the same side of the city. (Pittsburgh is not huge, but all the bridges can be confusing) People may rec Fallingwater, nearby, but I think small children would be super bored. Fall Run Park (or maybe it is Fall River, can’t remember) is nice for some simple hiking and outdoor stuff but maybe not in winter. The Carnegie Museum is in Oakland, has art and natural history. The Phipps Conservatory is over there too, might be a nice change for something inside.
Do you Instagram? There are a few Pittsburgh-centric travel accounts with good ideas for outside, like visitpittsburgh.
If you do stay in Pittsburgh, check out the Warhol Museum. My H grew in a small town 30 miles from Pittsburgh. We were visiting his family one Christmas and H insisted that everyone join us at this museum. His parents and his sister and her husband (who were NOT museum goers) went kicking and screaming. As it turned out, everyone had a great time and loved the museum. My in-laws told all their friends about the trip.
If you’re into plants and flowers, Phipps Conservatory is worth a look. And they have beautiful Christmas displays, although I’m not sure when they put them up.
This might not be what you’re looking for and the location might not be ok for the family ( ) but I’ll throw out Cleveland. A couple hours from Pittsburgh. A not terrible drive for you. An airport for anyone to fly in.
Winter lights at the Cleveland Zoo.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
GREAT food
West side Market
Tons of breweries
Beautiful botanical gardens
Maybe catch a sports game!
) but I’ll throw out Cleveland. A couple hours from Pittsburgh. A not terrible drive for you. An airport for anyone to fly in.