Looking for a family-friendly getaway during Spring Break? We have picked out some of our favorite places to visit.  All of our picks are driveable and no more than a few hours from the Philadelphia suburbs.

If you have been following me on Instagram or Twitter you know that my family and I were invited to spend a few days at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey. Crystal Springs in about 2 1/2 hours from the Philadelphia Area, located in the Mountains in New Jersey and 1 hour away from NYC.

Resort

Entrance of the resort

If you've been following me on Twitter or Instagram you may saw that I visited the new indoor water park located in the Poconos called Kalahari Resort.  Kalahari is just under two hours away from the Philadelphia area. When you visit Kalahari you certainly feel like you've been taken on a tour to Africa.

For more information:  http://www.marriott.com

Location:  Residence Inn National Harbor Washington, DC-192 Waterfront St National Harbor Maryland 20745

Disclosure: Thanks to the National Harbor Visitors Bureau and The Residence Inn National Harbor for arranging for our complimentary stay at the Residence Inn to facilitate this review. As always all thoughts and opinions are our own.

A must see event this holiday season is ICE at the Gaylord National in National Harbor MD. Each year the Gaylord plans out a different theme to recreate all in ice.  This year's theme is Frosty the Snowman.   Join Frosty and his friends through the retelling of a holiday classic.   Favorite scenes come to life in more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, including a two-story tall ice slide.





What you need to wear
Hats, gloves, winter coat, Anything else that will keep you warm, layers is the key.  Once you get your tickets you will make your way to the blue parka section.  They have coats in all sizes, believe me the coat will be a welcomed layer once you step into the exhibit.  





Once inside
After you get your blue parka you will make your way to a tent to get your photo taken.  Then you proceed to the ICE tent, once you are inside you will be happy that you wore those extra layers so you can enjoy the story of Frosty.  

ICE features:

• Walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees
• Two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures
• Four ice slides
• Six individual rooms depicting the story of Frosty the Snowman
• The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone

Tips 

• Purchase you tickets in advance online (they do sell out)
• Bring a camera to take plenty of pictures (but make sure your camera can deal with the frigid temperatures).  Just make sure you can work it with your gloves on
• Try to visit during non peak hours 
• Take you time walking through there is so much to see
• Definitely take a trip or two down the ice slides
• No strollers are permitted inside the ICE exhibit
• You can park at the The Gaylord National, or there are parking garages throughout the National Harbor area

Visiting ICE put my family and I in the mood for the holiday season.  From the Philadelphia area National Harbor is about an 2 and 1/2 hour drive.  Because there is so much to do in the National Harbor you can do this as a day trip or an overnight stay.  Click here to read more about the National Harbor.





For more information:  http://www.marriott.com

Location:  Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street National Harbor Maryland 20745 

This event is appropriate for:  the whole family

Price: $16-$34

While we were staying in Virginia Beach we stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites Oceanfront hotel.  This hotel is located 2015 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach. All of the rooms have an ocean front view.  If you are staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites during off peak months or during the summer this hotel and location has something for everyone in your family. Because this is an oceanfront hotel you are steps away from the beach and boardwalk.

Arrival

I have to say Virginia Beach has the most pleasant hospitality staff around.  No matter where we went everyone was so nice and courteous.  This started the second we arrived at Comfort Inn and Suites Oceanfront hotel.  We were greeted by friendly staff, they gave us great suggestions on where to get a bite to eat after our long car ride.  Our check in was very quick and no hassles.


The Room




We had a room on the 6th floor, very easy to get to from the parking garage and the lobby elevators.  I loved the the room because it had two separate bedrooms.  This is perfect for families because everyone doesn't have to go to bed at 8:00 when the kids go to bed.  I also like the small refrigerator, sink and microwave that are in the room.  Perfect to make a small snack when coming back from a day at the beach.

The bathroom was roomy and had a plenty of counter space for everyone's essentials.  My kids loved the dual shower heads in the shower.


The view from our room was absolutely gorgeous. I loved watching the sunrise each morning, it was so peaceful.  The room also had a small balcony so you can have a front row seat to watch the beach and ocean.

Complimentary Hot Breakfast

A great way to save money on a family vacation is to find a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast for their guest.  My family and I loved that the breakfast had many choices.  Waffles, eggs, cereal fresh fruit, muffins, danish and much more.  This was a great way for us to start our day off.  The dinning area faces the ocean and boardwalk so you have a gorgeous view while eating your breakfast.

Indoor Pool



The hotel has an indoor heated pool for guests to use.  This also faces the ocean so you can still see the beach on rainy days.


Other Hotel Features
Free Wi-Fi
Exercise Room
Business Center
Indoor Parking

Location:   2015 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA, US, 23451


Note: Thanks to the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau for arranging for our stay at the Comfort Suites and for helping with our travel expenses. As always all thoughts and opinions are our own.

During a recent break from school my family and I traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Virginia Beach is about a 5 hour drive from the Philadelphia Area depending on traffic and weather conditions.  Since we were in Virginia Beach in November it was neat to see how the town was decorated for the holidays. One of the neatest holiday events is McDonalds Holiday Lights at the Beach.  This is the one time a year that you can drive your car on the boardwalk to see a half million twinkling lights.

The town is very welcoming and so was everyone we interacted with.  Everyone was so helpful and wanted to make sure we discovered everything about this fun beach town.  It's also very easy to get around by car, bike, or even walking.

Yes, Barbie will be cruising with Royal Caribbean starting in the next few weeks. This new experience will  only be available on select ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, both sailing from Fort Lauderdale, FL. 



Hopefully the experience will be expanded to other ships in the fleet. With Royal Caribbean sailing from ports as close as Baltimore, MD and New York, NY, taking a cruise (without the cost of airfare) could be a great vacation value for local families.



Here is the scoop in the Barbie Premium Experience. 

The Barbie^TM Premium Experience is the ultimate indulgence for Barbie enthusiasts. Girls can enjoy staterooms decorated in the iconic doll's signature style as well as exclusive, themed activities throughout the duration of their cruise - from an invitation-only tea party and mermaid dance class to a fashion design workshop and Barbie Girls fashion show. 

Highlights of the Barbie^TM Premium Experience include: 

• A Barbie stateroom, adorned in the doll's signature style and featuring keepsakes such as a Barbie^® doll and fashions, blanket and pillowcase, tote bag, toothbrush and toiletries bag. From the moment they step into their staterooms, girls will be drawn into Barbie's distinct world of style - and of course, pink! 

• Tiaras & Teacups party, an invitation-only affair, featuring a whimsical palate of pink pastries and pink lemonade served on dainty dishes all while having fun learning tips on table etiquette.

•  Mermaid dance class where girls can shimmy and shake while learning the latest dance moves from the hit movie Barbie ^TM  in a Mermaid Tale 2.

• Fashion Designer workshop where girls can channel their inner fashion designer with Barbie inspiration boards and sketch materials. Girls also will have the chance to sketch and create their very own Barbie doll fashions.

• Fashion Show where girls can dress up to walk a pink carpet to the admiration and applause of their family and friends. Girls also will have the chance to perform their amazing dance routine as well as display their Barbie fashion creation. It's the ultimate celebration of a truly memorable experience with Barbie and Royal Caribbean. 

For more information:  www.royalcaribbean.com



Location:   On the High Seas: Royal Caribbean International Cruises



This event is appropriate for:   Kids of All Ages

From MEGA sharks to MEGA savings, there are always more NEW things to see and do at Adventure Aquarium, especially during the final dog days of summer.

But don’t take our word for it…check it out yourself!

5. BUY TWO TICKETS ONLINE, GET ONE FREE NOW THROUGH AUGUST 30TH

Are there 3 or more in your family or group? If so, save big with our Buy Two, Get One FREE promotion! Visitors who purchase two adult admission tickets online at www.AdventureAquarium.com now through August 30th, 2012 are eligible to receive a third admission ticket FREE online* when they enter the promotional code “AUG12”.

*Offer valid online only and is subject to 7 percent sales tax and a $1 processing fee per ticket. Tickets purchased using the promotional code AUG12 must be used by Friday, August 31st, 2012.

4. SEE MEGALODON BEFORE HE BECOMES EXTINCT…AGAIN!


With teeth the size of a human hand and a length that rivals a Greyhound Bus, Megalodon was unquestionably one of the world’s most massive predators. At 60 feet long, Megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived, clearly the dominant marine predator of its time. Though Megalodon vanished over 2 million years ago, its fascinating story continues to inspire lessons for science and shark conservation. This national traveling exhibit, MEGALODON: LARGEST SHARK THAT EVER LIVED, produced by the Florida Museum of Natural History and sponsored locally by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, is only on display at Adventure Aquarium through September 3rd, so be sure to see Megalodon before he becomes extinct…again!

3. GET A FREE DISCOVERY JOURNAL!

Kids who visit Adventure Aquarium now through September 4th receive a FREE Discovery Journal* specifically designed to encourages kids to make the most of their Adventure Aquarium experience. The Discovery Journal engages youth by inviting them to learn more about the animals before, during and even after their visit by answering fun trivia, drawing pictures, playing games and more.

*Discovery Journals will be distributed to children at Adventure Aquarium’s Information Desk while supplies last.

2. LAST CHANCE FOR EXTENDED SUMMER HOURS

This Saturday and Sunday (August 25th & 26th) are the LAST opportunities for visitors to enjoy Extended Summer Hours at Adventure Aquarium, as the Aquarium remains open until 7:00 pm for two additional hours of fun. Use the added time to take in a show, get a face painting, touch and hand-feed stingrays, or stay and have dinner on the Waterfront. Extended Summer Hours allow visitors to relax, visit Adventure Aquarium at their own pace and still make it home before dark!





1. SHARKS, SHARKS & MORE SHARKS!

The Discovery Channel’s Shark Week may be over, but there’s certainly no shortage of shark-infested fun at Adventure Aquarium! Get face-to-face with the ONLY Great Hammerhead sharks on public display in the U.S. and check out the largest and most impressive shark collection on the East Coast, including 16 unique shark species and over 70 sharks in total. Roll up your sleeves to touch sharks, enter a suspended 40-foot Shark Tunnel to get face-to-face with sharks, or even go behind the scenes to suit up to SWIM WITH SHARKS! What can we say? At Adventure Aquarium, EVERY week is Shark Week!

Pop-up event experience at DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia City Center and brings travelers “little things” they said would make travel better, surprises locals with real-time requests to revitalize their days.

DoubleTree by Hilton knows the “little things” mean everything when it comes to a memorable travel experience, which is why the hotel brand asked through social media what “little things” would make their travel experiences brighter. Based on the nearly 5,000 responses so far, the fast-growing hotel brand is taking the valuable feedback and hitting the road for a year-round, 50-city tour to share some of those “little things” they requested. What’s more, the brand will be “swarming” the city to deliver real-time “little things” requests the brand receives on Facebook and Twitter. Surprise stops to deserving community groups and charities are also planned along the route.

On Sunday, May 13, the DoubleTree by Hilton Little Things Project will visit Philadelphia’s DoubleTree by Hilton City Center property for a unique pop-up event experience to offer tourists and locals a welcome break from a hectic day. The experience will be marked by the landmark “Tell Me Tree,” an inviting respite where residents and travelers will be able enjoy a variety of “little things” experiences and giveaways they told us would make their travel brighter, including:

· Local deals and offers, to provide visitors and residents alike an exclusive bargain while they’re traveling in the city. In Philadelphia, we’ll be providing event visitors with exclusive local giveaways

· The sweet treat of one of DoubleTree by Hilton’s chocolate chip cookies – our brand’s legendary icon for warm and welcoming service

· Free WiFi for visitors to stay connected during their day, relaxing in our lounge to send an email or go online;

· A “power bar” where visitors can take a moment to “recharge” by powering their electronics before heading to their next destination;

· And DoubleTree by Hilton will continue to listen and deliver those “little things” event attendees are telling us would brighten their days as the tour makes its way from city to city.


In addition to the event experience, Little Things Project ambassadors will be driving a “Swarm Car” throughout the city today, asking travelers via Twitter what “little things” would make their day brighter and surprising select lucky people by fulfilling their request. Caught in the rain and need an umbrella? Spilled coffee on your shirt and need a new one? Like a free cab ride to the airport? Consumers can tweet to @DoubleTree with their requests using #LittleThings for the Swarm Car to turn their request into a reality.

People can also follow the journey and submit new “little things” by visiting the DoubleTree by Hilton Facebook Page. Here people can also enter the Little Things Project Sweepstakes to win instant prizes and a $25,000 dream vacation getaway. Additionally, consumers can get an inside peek at tour stops through Instagram using #LittleThings, as well as follow the tour on Twitter (www.twitter.com/doubletree) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels).




Location:    DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia City Center

During Spring Break I had the wonderful oppurtuinty to visit Bush Gardens in Williamsburg VA.  The first thing I noticed about this park is how beautiful it is, there were tulips  and spring flowers everywhere.  Now I understand why it was named the World's Most Beautiful Park.