The East Coast is calling to us this summer! Bill's extended family is having a family reunion in Wildwood NJ next week, so we are heading out there! That being said, we aren't a family to sit around, so I have planned for us to do a ton of things! Let's talk about that!
Our adventure will start in Gettysburg! We've never been here and have only heard good things. Some things we will be experiencing include:
- The Spangler Farm in 1863: We will walk near the original farmhouse, summer kitchen and barn, and learn what civilian farm life was like for farmers like George Spangler and his family in the 1860s. We will hear the story of a family and farm in crisis, and how the events of July and August 1863 served as a powerful point of passage for the Spanglers and many others whose lives were forever changed.
- Cyclorama painting of Pickett’s Charge
- The film “A New Birth of Freedom”
- Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War
- Licensed Battlefield Guide car tour
Doesn't that sound amazing? I know we are beyond excited to check out this historical place. My BFF parents recommended the car tour to us, and they last saw it over 20 years ago. It was that good! It was one of the reasons we decided to stop in Gettysburg!
Next, we will head to Wildwood, NJ. Our first fun day will be spent with the Starlight Fleet. We will be taking the kids on a 4 hr deep sea fishing adventure. The kids just got into fishing, so I know this will be right up their alley.
We also plan on spending a day at the hotel enjoying their water park and the ocean.
Our evenings will be spent with family.
We are also going to spend a day at Morey’s Piers:
- Mariner’s Pierbrings your WILD childhood memories back to life with the atmosphere of a traditional seaside amusement park full of classic rides like the Tea Cups, Bumper Cars, Carousel and the Giant Wheel. Swing high in the sky on the new Wave Swinger. You'll also find some of the best games of luck and skill along with Mariner's Arcade, one of the largest arcades in Wildwood! We will also be enjoying some irresistible Boardwalk treats like pretzels, fried Oreos, ice cream and more.
- Raging Waters Water Park will make our hearts race with wet and WILD adventure! Like a shipwreck at the mouth of a mighty river, the park is packed with treasures for the whole family to uncover. With private cabanas and a float-up snack bar serving root beer floats while you float in the River Adventure, you will experience the twists and turns while embarking on this endless expedition of family fun! We may take the whole family over to the activity pool and try out all of the family friendly obstacles. Raging Waters offers two unique kiddie play areas. Discover the water canons Shipwreck Shoals or play boys against girls at Camp KidTastrophe. The three level activity area boasts fun for the whole family with cargo nets, climbing ropes, water guns, water sprays and slides in these interactive children’s play areas.
- On the beach, behind Surfside Pier, lies a tropical island getaway in Ocean Oasis Water Park + Beach Club. Ocean Oasis moves to the beat of its own tropical rhythm. Private cabanas commune around a fire pit forming an atmosphere of tranquility set apart from the most exciting collection of WILD waterslides and play areas at the Jersey Shore. You can take the plunge on the thrilling Cliff Dive slide and drop 5 stories in 3 (aff) seconds! Go head to head in a race to the finish line with your family on the newest slide, six-lane WipeOut! Surfs up at Bonsai Beach where kids and parents can enjoy the interactive play area complete with water jets, climbing ropes and slides especially for the little ones. Getting tired? Lie back and enjoy live music as you float through the Lazy River or indulge in a cocktail at the swim up bar. Bring the little kids to Bonsai Beach, a HUGE interactive children's play area complete with water jets, climbing ropes and slides especially for the little ones.
This is just a small taste of all the things to do here! I'm not sure if we can get it all done in a day!
On our way home (aff), we will be heading to Diggerland! Diggerland USA is a construction themed adventure park where children and their families drive, ride, and operate heavy machinery in a safe family-friendly environment. I think Bill and Will are most excited about this trip!
Lastly, we will be spending a day in Philly before we head back to Chicago. Currently, I don't have anything planned so I'd love to hear some of your suggestions!
What do you think about our vacation to the East Coast? Would you like to do any of these things or do you have some of your own suggestions!
I am only a 6 hour drive from Gettysburg and I have never been. I need to change that. I have always wanted to go.
What a great vacation Lisa has planned! I hope you will get to Gettysburg one day, too, Robin Rue. There is so much to see and experience: the actual lands where brave soldiers gave their all for what they believed was right, Lincoln’s call to a rebirth of freedom for all Americans, the heroic efforts of local citizens whose town and, often, their own homes, became one vast hospital. It is impossible to visit Gettysburg and be unmoved by what they did here.
It looks like you are in for one awesome trip. You get to explore farms, scenic waterways and some theme parks. I hope you get to explore your vacation.
Sounds like you are going to have tons of fun at some great adventure parks this year. Enjoy your family reunion and everything before and after.
looks like you are in for a fun filled fast paced va-cay to the east coast. I can tell you that you are going to LOVE Digger Town USA!!! not only did my kids have a blast but we grownups too!! safe travels!
It looks like you have an awesome vacation planned! The East Coast is one area I haven’t really explored but it looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to go to Gettysburg – I have heard such great things.
Oh my goodness, it sounds like you have an amazing holiday planned ahead of you and it is always great to be able to spend some time with family and catch up on it all.
Sounds like a jam-packed vacation! You are going to have a blast. My husband loved Gettysburg when he visited. So much history there.
Yay for vacations and spending time with family! I would love to visit Gettysburg. Have fun!
All of those places sound like fun! None of my family has been up that way, so I have no suggestions. Lol! Have a blast and be safe. 🙂
We are from that area so I know you will have tons of fun! That said, we have never been to Diggerland and really want to take our kids there one day! Let us know how everything goes!
You’ll have to watch for my post when we get home!
It sounds like youll be going on an awesome vacation. We will be going away several times this summer too. Hope you have a wonderful time.
Oh my gosh, that is so weird! I was just playing around on a trip maker planning a trip for later this summer, and my itinerary is very close to yours. Gettysburg, Philly, the beach. Gettysburg is only 2 hours from me and I’ve never been there aside from driving through, so it’s my number one priority on the trip. Sounds like you’re going to have a great time!
You’ll have to watch for my blog posts when I get back!
You’ll be about 75 minutes away from me. The Wildwood boardwalk is great, it is enormous but a fun walk.
That’s awesome. so close yet so far away. LOL
I have never been to Gettysburg. But you seem to have planned a lovely vacation with the family. It is great to know you would go to farm, check out some theme parks and get to see some scenic waterways!
We have never been to Gettysburg yet but I wished we pushed our limits to visit while we were close the area a couple of years ago. New Jersey sounds great, I’d love to go.
Hello from a fellow Chicagoan! So funny we recently just came back from a week long road trip from Philly! (I’ll be working on my post soon!) We had a fab time from exploring historic Philly – see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (it’s
Free!), eat cheesesteak (We tried both pay and geno’s), see The Rocky statue and run up the steps like he did. If you love food, the Reading Terminal has tons of options. Don’t forget ice cream at Franklin’s Fountain. If you have any questions, let me know!
On our way there, we really wanted to stop by Gettysburg, but we ran out of time. Definitely drive through Lancaster County to see the Amish going about their daily activities and a chance to spot a buggy. We also stopped at Pittsburgh and Columbus (which we loved). I can go in and on but I’ll stop now. Haha
What a great vacation! My husband and kids are dying to try Diggerland. I wish there was one closer to us.
We hope your visit is historic!
We hope you had a fantastic time in Gettysburg!