Mini-Vacation ideas for a one year old...(Pittsburgh, PA/Columbus, OH areas)?

Question

I would like to take my 1 year old (birthday 7-31-07) on a mini vacation. I don't want to travel far...however I do live within 2 hours of Columbus, OH & Pittsburgh, PA. They both have a zoo which is good for one day, but what do we do with the rest of the time? Any suggestions are welcome!!!

Answer 1

1 year olds don't need vacations and can have fun just playing in a giant box. Save the money or plan something for the adults that have the kid in mind. Just playing in a hotel pool or in the park is fun for a 1 year old.

Kids really don't need much to have fun!

http://www.cheap-fun-family-travel.com

Answer 2

Hey! Well I actually live very close to Pittsburgh. Their zoo is absolutely amazing :) And while there are many things to do in Pittsburgh (Carnegie Science Center and Kennywood Park are other big attractions), I'm not sure it or anywhere else frankly would be worth it for a one-year-old. He/she really isn't going to remember or be able to do much. Don't get me wrong I know you're trying to do something nice for your child but you can just spend time with them around home..going on walks, to the local pool, etc. If you do decide to go I vote Pittsburgh haha. Whatever you choose I hope you have fun and happy birthday to the little one!

Answer 3

I live in Pittsburgh, and I have a 3 year old nephew that I often have baby sat for the day over the past 3 years.  Here's some of the things he has enjoyed doing:

Pittsburgh Zoo - it is one of the best in the world.  A new elephant and tiger were born in July, and both are out for viewing and are adorable!  The aquarium was recently redone, and is spectacular.  It includes a polar bear exhibit unlike any other.  There's also a Kids Kingdom section build just for kids.  I think you would have fun here!

Raccoon State Park - it's about 20 minutes from Pittsburgh, and is great for kids.  There is a beach area that is child friendly.  My nephew always loved playing in the sand, because he never gets to go to the real beach.  

Kennywood Park - yes, it is a theme park, but there is a child's part of it called Kiddie Land.  My nephew adores it here.  You can ride most of the rides with your little one.  You can also play lots of games and win stuff animals which kids love.

Pirate Game:  PNC Park is an amazing ball field.  Tickets are pretty cheap, and are never sold out.  There are sections that are more open that we would take my nephew to so that if he got antsy we could walk him around.  

Those are just some ideas!  Pittsburgh is surprisingly a very fun place, with lots of things to do for kids.  Should you decide to come here, you will have a great time!  =)

Answer 4

I live in Pittsburgh.  I would say that maybe take him on the Gateway Clipper fleet.  Its a cruise ship that goes up and down the 3 rivers.  They also have a kids museaum in Pittsburgh which is great for tots.  Pittsburgh area is very kid friendly so I would choose Pittsburgh.  Cleveland is nice too because they have a big lake but they are also known as the "mistake by the lake" so I'll let you decide.

Answer 5

I think the Sesame Street amusement park is near you...here's the link...

http://www.sesameplace.com/sesame/pa/ind...

Answer 6

In another year or two I'd say in pittsburgh there is the zoo, the childerens museam, the carnegie science center which has a section for young kids and has the train layout.  Could be ok for a 1 year old too, but would be more worth the trip when is a little older.....trips with 1 year olds are just hard and they dont really dont have the attention or ability to do much that would make much different then having just stayed home and played.