I know you want something better than this idea, but it sounds like you spend a fair amount of time together. Maybe getting some Escape Room adventures would be fun at some point.
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I thought they wanted to go in May or June. I don’t think the camden snow bowl is open then…
That sounds like a lot of fun!! I enjoy escape rooms a lot!
My kids have winter birthdays. One year we gave them a deferred gift, $100 “IUO” to pay for private bike tour on our May trip, outside of Rome. They both thought it was the best gift ever, got to cycle on the Apian Way. Now I realize a Europe trip is not in the cards this year for the OP, but perhaps there is a closer location with same idea.
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I was actually thinking if they spend a lot of time outdoors a city break might be a nice change. Manhattan has some great fun options that are not “museums”… (maybe not ideal in summer) - escape room, spyscape (lots of fun), summit one Vanderbilt, a broadway show etc.
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That’s not a bad idea. I think older S went here when he was once in nyc Highest Outdoor Sky Deck in the Western Hemisphere | NY Edge
This is the kind of stuff I love to do… not for everyone though…
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One summit is quite a different experience to the others, which is why I highlighted that one specifically. The revamped Empire State experience is also fun, and one World Trade Center is great too. I haven’t actually been to edge, but it looks pretty cool. But going to all these different spots can add up for a family after a while! (I personally thought Rockefeller center was not as much fun as the others, though the views are great)
We loved spyscape - it seems to fly under the radar a little but it was so much fun.
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Our oldest is a recent college grad who is living and working in NYC, so we visit her a few times per year and we’ve all done World Trade Center, Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, etc. Last year, for our family adventure/gift, we paid for her train fare to meet us for Memorial Day weekend in the Adirondacks where we stayed, went white water rafting, etc. It was a nice city break for her. BUT, I’m not opposed to the gift idea to be something that occurs in or near NYC, but having the gift be a trip to NYC doesn’t make sense for her/us since she lives there and we visit her regularly…
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Appreciate the suggestion. My kids have done Escape Room multiple times with cousins, sport teams bonding, etc. and they’re not huge fans, lol.
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Is there some type of biking weekend type thing to do on the east side of the country? May-June would be nice biking time , physically active, outdoorsy. Maybe a day of biking followed by a spa day? (Massage, pampering)
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Ok, got it. Then I think I’m leaning more towards dude ranch (I don’t know what the options out east for that are though),
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Hang gliding off the sand dunes in North Carolina? Combined with a lovely beach vacation for the non-airborne times?
If OP is interested in a 3ish day bike trip, there are lots of options, including Maine, NY and Vermont. Try googling east coast 3 day guided bike trip or something similar. Do be careful to pick a trip that’s for families, and not likely to be almost all retirement age people. Companies include Trek, Backroads, Summerfeet, VBT, Sojourn, REI and Wilderness Voyagers.
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Another bike related idea is to bike the carriage trails at Acadia Nat’l Park. My son, wife and a friend (mid to late 20s) went to Acadia for vacation and liked biking the carriage roads so much they did it twice. You could go to a lobster dinner while you’re there, and maybe get a hike in too.
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The carriage ride at Acadia park was fun too. Walking around Maine, especially thdd ed harbor was also very nice, as was walk-in on the sandbar during low tide to the island and back was fun too. Lots to do & see in Maine. Several lighthouses, if those are of interest.
There are some things like this in NY state. Might be worth checking out.
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I second that idea! I’m happy that my daughter lives in Philly now. It’s a wonderful city to explore. And we have family who live in Lancaster, and that area is beautiful.
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And come summertime, the Jersey shore is very close by and has some wonderful beaches!
Ooh, that’s good to know. She’s going to miss Maine beaches so I’m glad she’ll have somewhere to go. 
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If she goes to Atlantic City (probably the closest) and it’s too crowded with all the casinos, etc – there are lovely residential neighborhoods just to the south with a lot of airbnbs etc – Margate, Ventnor, Longport. And a lot of younger people like Ocean City, which is somewhat more to the south.
Cape May is beautiful and historic and a nice place to visit, and has a fun ferry to Delaware (although not much to do there once you arrive!)
I’m sure her new colleagues and friends will have lots of suggestions. At least when I lived there, the Jersey Shore was basically considered Philly’s back yard!
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