Mid-Atlantic - Ideas for stopover LEX - PHL

I am driving from Chicago to Philadelphia with a 3 year old boy and 20 year old young women. The trip is because the 3 year old's mother is having a radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer and the 20 year is my daughter.

I was thinking Chicago to LEX and stopping in Louisville to see baseball bats being made. Spending a day in LEX, seems like lots to do there.

We are spending two days in PHL and want to spend an evening somewhere between LEX and PHL. Does anyone have any ideas of a stop that we can see some nice things before our trip to PHL?

On way back we are going to stop someplace or maybe two stops taking route through CLE or near that angle.

Thanks

New River Gorge is nice if you're into that sort of thing.

We did a similar drive last year and made the mistake of stopping overnight in Morgantown, WV. This is pretty much halfway and one of the few places in the area with a decent supply of accommodations, so it is likely to come up on your radar screen, but try and avoid it if you can. Morgantown seemed to us to be a real armpit. I have no problems with West Virginia in general (we stayed elsewhere in the state on our way back), but Morgantown was just nasty.

The areas just east and south of Morgantown (from Cumberland, MD to Elkins, WV) are very pretty though. Nice hiking if you are up for that, and also nice river sports.

We are spending two days in PHL and want to spend an evening somewhere between LEX and PHL. Does anyone have any ideas of a stop that we can see some nice things before our trip to PHL?Pittsburgh? (although you might want to include that on your trip home since you are thinking about Cleveland)

If you can time it right, a trip to Pittsburgh could be a lot of fun. Now that the Pirates are in 1st place, baseball fever has struck the town. The city is very walkable. And with a 3yo, a walk to see the Mr. Rogers statue could be exciting.

We did a similar drive last year and made the mistake of stopping overnight in Morgantown, WV. This is pretty much halfway and one of the few places in the area with a decent supply of accommodations, so it is likely to come up on your radar screen, but try and avoid it if you can. Morgantown seemed to us to be a real armpit. I have no problems with West Virginia in general (we stayed elsewhere in the state on our way back), but Morgantown was just nasty.

The areas just east and south of Morgantown (from Cumberland, MD to Elkins, WV) are very pretty though. Nice hiking if you are up for that, and also nice river sports.
I think you've about summed up Morgantown. :D I'd avoid it. :)
Pittsburgh? (although you might want to include that on your trip home since you are thinking about Cleveland)

If you can time it right, a trip to Pittsburgh could be a lot of fun. Now that the Pirates are in 1st place, baseball fever has struck the town. The city is very walkable. And with a 3yo, a walk to see the Mr. Rogers statue could be exciting.
I'd suggest that you stop at Pittsburgh at some point too, although if you're headed through Cleveland on the way home, that's probably a good stop then.

You could do Cincinnati and swing to Wright-Patterson AFB for the National Museum of the US Air Force, although that should probably be coupled in to your trip to Louisville.

You could visit Dolly Sods, WV, and other areas of the Canaan Valley.

You might want to consider swinging through Hershey, PA at some point, and doing the Chocolateworld tour and such.

Thanks for the replies.

Still not going for a couple of weeks but thinking of going from LEX to York and staying there one night before PHL.

I do like PIT as an option on way home. We have plenty of time to get back because need to get back on Aug 8.

You might want to consider swinging through Hershey, PA at some point, and doing the Chocolateworld tour and such.Excellent suggestion...especially since Chocolate World is FREE!

Excellent suggestion...especially since Chocolate World is FREE!

Yes, and they hand out samples at the end, but they usually get you to buy something in their store. As a note, I've found that the candy in their store is priced higher than what other stores want for the same candy and same size of bag. :)

Yes, and they hand out samples at the end, but they usually get you to buy something in their store. As a note, I've found that the candy in their store is priced higher than what other stores want for the same candy and same size of bag. :)A couple of years ago, both my kids got to participate in a taste test (in that little shed-like room on the ramp down after you finish the ride).

In addition to the not-so-cheap candy prices, the food there can be expensive, too. Jeez, why are we recommending this to the OP?

Gettysburg is a nice place for a day trip and not too far from Hershey.

If you go to Gettysburg be sure to visit Boyd's Teddy Bear Store, your three year old will love it.

http://www.teddybearandfriends.com/archive/v23i4/coverstory.html

A couple of years ago, both my kids got to participate in a taste test (in that little shed-like room on the ramp down after you finish the ride).

In addition to the not-so-cheap candy prices, the food there can be expensive, too. Jeez, why are we recommending this to the OP?
LOL, because it's still a lot of fun, especially if you eat elsewhere. :)
Gettysburg is a nice place for a day trip and not too far from Hershey.

If you go to Gettysburg be sure to visit Boyd's Teddy Bear Store, your three year old will love it.

http://www.teddybearandfriends.com/archive/v23i4/coverstory.html
Boyd's Bears Country closed early in 2011.

http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/article_edcbec9c-0deb-11e0-8c15-001cc4c002e0.html

Boyd's Bears Country closed early in 2011.

http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/article_edcbec9c-0deb-11e0-8c15-001cc4c002e0.html


Thats too bad, kids loved the place.

how about Lancaster, PA and go to Dutchwonderland?? i just took my friend and her 3 year old daughter who loved it!!! it's definitely a park for little little kids and there are plenty of hotels and places to eat - very family-oriented and lower prices. if you need some restaurant recommendations, let me know..:)