Summer Vacation Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey

[cotsy]

It has been a few years since we did the Zoo Trip but we hit the Omaha, Kansas City Mo., St Louie, Indianapolis, Toledo, & the Cleveland zoos all in the same month. We have been to the Cincinnati & Columbus Zoos, quite a few times as we are closer to Columbus and Cincinnati is easier to get around in than Cleveland. Each Zoo has its good points and bad points. It really depends on your interest. I thought the rain Forest at the Omaha zoo was awesome. The hands on at the St. Louis Zoo were really great too, both of these zoos have a rich history and the St. Louis Zoo is free. Was not impressed with the Cleveland zoo. Rated Based on Omaha as a 10,
St Louis is a 10
Columbus 10
Cincinnati 10
Toledo 9 but the bird exhibit was a 10,
Kansas City Mo. 9 but only because it is smaller,
Indianapolis 9 because of size.
Cleveland 8
National Zoo is a 10 +
Consider making Sandusky Ohio (Cedar Point and the Lake Eire Beach.)
We stay at Motel 6s on all of our trips economical and they allow at least one pet. They also put out a book of all their Motels with directions from the Inter States.
I would have put down what each Zoo’s specialty, but that changes from year to year and it has been a while since we have been to most of them.
Hope this helps.
The best time for Ohio is Mid June to Mid July

[iggysbirds]

Thanks that helped a lot! I think we will go the Cincinnati route instead of the Cleveland way. We are now set to leave on June 10th and head back the 12-18th. We can make Cincinnati in one day with no problem so that will work. I think we may try to Popcorn Park zoo/rescue as well. Now just have to get everything in between set up LOL! We may try Sandusky, Lake Eerie will just have to see if we can work it in. We haven't really been to any of the north central to eastern states before so this will be a really new experience for us. We have been all over the eastern coast and down to Florida etc or of course nearer us like Nebraska, Illinois etc but this will be all new territory

Still wondering if anyone knows about which zoo the hot air balloon is at? I am scared to death of heights and rides like that but my husband, daughter and oldest son think it would be really cool.

Once we find some specific hotels in the areas I will see if anyone has any experience with them. We have went to ones (motel 6's on up to Holiday Inns) that had really good ratings but had went down hill since rated LOL! So I like to get peoples recent visit experiences on them if at all possible.

[Peregrine Harlequin]

The Phila. Zoo has the balloon. And I've never been to Pittsburg, but I can think of a few extra things in Philly. Have your kids ever seen the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall? It might be a bit boring, but afterwards they could run up the Art Museum steps like Sly Stallone in the first Rocky movie.

I remember having trouble finding the Popcorn Park Zoo. Then again, an elderly gentleman was driving with his memory as our only guide.

There's a Cape May County Zoo, with free admission and a playground.

Speaking of free zoos, there's also another one in Bridgeton, NJ. It's called the Cohanzick Zoo, and it's roughly halfway between Philly and Cape May.

As for the best beach or coastal area, I'm probably not the best resource. Anymore I tend to go for the swampy birdwatching spots over the populated, kid-friendly ones. And being from south Jersey, I'd naturally be inclined to recommend places closer to me. And I don't know if your husband would rather let the kids play in the water or do some surf fishing.

Oh, and we have lots of diners scattered across New Jersey. So if you get tired of hastily made sandwiches and fast food, it might be good to get a decent meal without spending too much. (I don't know how you travel, but when we got back from Kentucky last year I couldn't stand Underwood Deviled Ham and those golden arches) Hope this helps a bit.

[jplinville]

If you are in Cincinatti, stop by the Union Terminal Museum and see the Titanic Exhibit. I saw it a few weeks ago! Quite amazing!!

[Star]

Philadelphia zoo. NJ has the Popcorn park zoo and the Cape May zoo, not much else I can think of in NJ.

[mynaughtybird]

Oh yes, our Omaha zoo is wonderful!! They have some very nice exhibits that just went up. I haven't been to any other zoo except in Florida, so I can't really help. I just wanted to boast about our zoo!!