<p>College tours over Labor Day weekend. We will have Sunday and maybe much of Monday free to be tourists. We’ve been to DC before and would happily go back so that is a possibility but I am looking for ideas of things to do either in the Pittsburgh area or the Washington DC area. One option the kids would like would be to go to the ocean and swim. My guess is that Labor Day weekend on a beach in that area will be like going to Disneyworld at Christmas (packed and no fun). Correct? I have never been to Pittsburgh so it would be fine doing the tourist thing there if there if that is an option too.</p>
<p>We are probably flying in/out of Harrisburg Airport so anything in that general area is fine too. I don’t mind driving say, 3 hours or so from that airport. We will start the tour at some schools in the Harrisburg area, finish the tours in the Pitt area so anything between those is fine or again, 3 hours from Harrisburg.</p>
<p>Beaches are a bit of a drive from the DC area. Yes, they will probably be packed. Plan for extra time on the roads in the DC area, they are always crazy.</p>
<p>In PA you are close to Hershey Park if you are interested in amusement parks or Chocolate World (which can be done in a much shorter time than the amusement park–and they have chocolate–win!) If you head from Harrisburg down to DC, the Baltimore area has the aquarium, science center and inner harbor. </p>
<p>DC has all the museums you could ask for and then some.</p>
<p>Maybe Hershey Park? It is very close to the Harrisburg Airport, and they have water rides, which might compensate for the shore. Plus you can visit Chocolate World, which is always a special treat, no pun intended. </p>
<p>Definitely do not attempt to go to the shore that weekend, although the only way you would be able to get accommodations there is if you booked four nights, so it’s probably not a feasible option for you anyway.</p>
<p>Perhaps you would be interested in touring the Amish Country of Lancaster County. It’s about a 45 minute drive from the airport, and most of the locals will be away that weekend so it shouldn’t be real crowded.</p>
<p>What kind of tourist attractions is your family interested in? Historical? Shopping? Amusement? There’s a lot to see in the greater Harrisburg area without driving to DC, although DC is a family favorite place to visit, and we never run out of places to tour while there.</p>
<p>As sylvan says, Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob( Frank Lloyd Wright) are near Pittsburgh.
Interesting things in Pittsburgh-the inclines to Mount Washington,Phipps Conservatory,Heinz History Center, Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum,Kennywood Amusement Park. Maybe see a baseball game if the Pirates are in town.</p>
<p>The kids are high school seniors to be-thus the campus visits :D. The ocean would be the attraction of going to the beach so probably not an option with the crowds as I assumed. Not sure they would want to do an amusement park but chocolate is always good. Probably looking for something more historic to do vs shopping. Lancaster is a good idea. I will run that by them.</p>
<p>Colonial Williamsburg is about 2.5 hours SOUTH of DC on a good day. Crowds there will be thick as well - Busch Gardens is a great park. It’s about 5.5 hours from Harrisburg, though, so probably not what the OP is looking for.</p>
<p>My DD attends college just north of Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock University. She will be a sophomore and absolutely loves her university, in case you are looking for another PA school on your trip. There is an outlet mall right near the university, great shopping area - and there is no tax on clothes in PA. I am not a Pittsburgher but my husband was and so I have been there countless times. There is a lot to do in the Pittsburgh area. Kennywood is an amusement park, right outside the main city, it is known for it’s roller coasters. They have one that was hand-carved by Polish immigrants. There is also a National Aviary that has some cool shows if you like birds. The zoo is pretty good too. There are river boat cruises, some just an hour, others are dinner/dancing cruises, you get on them at Station Square. At Station Square you also can go on the incline, kind of a cable car up the mountain and then you can see the whole city, quite a lovely view. Primanti Brothers is a great place to get unique sandwiches, just about any kind of meat and then coleslaw and french fries on the sandwich. Trust me they are awesome. There is also a great place to shop and browse called the Strip District, kind of an outdoor market area. Really good places to see in the Strip. Driving is difficult in the area due to all of the bridges and rivers - I think I heard there was over 700 bridges in the area. There is a subway system downtown that can take you all over, very clean and convenient. Hope you have a good time and feel free to PM with any other questions.</p>
<p>DC is surprisingly not as crowded on Labor Day as it is on Memorial Day, as most out of town tourists have gone home to get ready for school and the locals leave town for the long weekend. You might be pleasantly surprised that it’s calmer than you might think.</p>
<p>Another vote for the incline in Pittsburgh although it would only be a snippet of your day. We really liked the Phipps Conservatory. I’m not a fan of Primanti’s but you really should try it along with Pamela’s for breakfast. Grove City Outlet Mall is a good choice for shopping. Any interest in Gettysburg? Some friends were pleasantly pleased with a stop in Harpers Ferry although I can’t recall what the appeal was.</p>
<p>Most of the tourists pay to go to one of the many tourists’ traps in the area, but the best way to see and understand the Amish is to drive on some of the back roads and watch them working on their farms. Many of them have roadside produce and craft stands that you can visit, but they never do business on a Sunday. You could go to Central Market in downtown Lancaster, one of the top 10 markets in the world. While you are in downtown Lancaster, take the walking tour and learn some fascinating history about the town. Drive east of Lancaster and visit the home of President James Buchanan. Travel a few miles north of Lancaster, and spend a day in the quaint town of Lititz. Be sure to make a stop at the Wilbur Chocolate factory. And yes, as someone suggested, you could eat at one of the many Pa Dutch restaurants.</p>
<p>You could also go to the outlets, but you can do that almost anywhere.</p>
<p>If you like history, then may I suggest Olde Town Philadelphia? You could tour Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell, and visit the Betsy Ross House just to name a few. There are tons of things to see and do in that area. That’s another family favorite destination.</p>
<p>You’re welcome, ggd. If you should decide to travel to Lancaster County, feel free to PM me for the inside scoop on how to tour the Amish country.</p>
<p>Gettysburg is now on the list. DD wants to go to DC again so we will probably do that as well. We will drive to the farthest out metro stop and get on there. No way would I drive into DC :D.</p>