Okay, so, this weekend, I was like, “We gotta get out of the house!” My kids were bouncing off the walls, and honestly, I was about to join them. New Jersey is great, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery, you know?
So, first thing I did? Hit up Google, of course. I typed in something super original like “kid-friendly weekend getaways near NJ.” I know, I know, groundbreaking stuff. But hey, it works!
Planning The Trip
I scrolled through a bunch of articles, some were, other were helpful… I started making a list. Criteria number one: It had to be within driving distance. No way was I dealing with airports and tiny humans on a short trip. I wanted something we could easily pack into the car and drive within like, 2-3 hours, max.
- Drivable Distance: 2-3 hours max.
- Kid-Approved Activities: Playgrounds, maybe a children’s museum, something to tire them out!
- Decent Food Options: Because picky eaters are a real struggle.
- Accommodation: A hotel is fine.
Narrowing Down the Choices
After looking at a few lists, I narrowed it down. The places that looked promising: places that have a children’s museum, or maybe an aquarium.
I checked out some reviews online. I wanted to see what other parents were saying. Were the lines crazy long? Was the food overpriced and terrible? You know, the important stuff.
The Actual Getaway
We packed our bags – snacks, toys, extra clothes (because, kids), and hit the road! The drive was… well, it was a drive with kids. Let’s just say there were a lot of “Are we there yet?” questions and a few emergency bathroom stops. But, we made it!
The hotel was surprisingly nice. We immediately checked in, dropped our bags, and headed out to explore. We went to the children’s museum, which was a total win. My kids ran around like crazy, played with everything, and basically had a blast.
The next day, we checked out a local park with a huge playground. More running, more playing, more happy (and tired) kids. We grabbed some pizza for dinner (because, again, picky eaters), and then headed back to the hotel for some much-needed sleep.
The Verdict
Overall, it was a great little getaway! It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was exactly what we needed. A change of scenery, some fun activities, and most importantly, some quality family time. The kids were exhausted (success!), and I felt like I actually got a little break, too. Would definitely recommend it for any parents feeling that cabin fever!
