Highway Drive-In
The highway drive-In is a drive-in theater located in the hills of Ligonier, PA. As one of the only remaining drive-ins in the area, it is quite popular with the locals and even people from miles away. We go probably once a month in the summertime and spring. They play a double feature every night, and it is always the most current, up-to-date, popular movies showing. If there is a kids movie included, it is always the first one to start, so the kids get their movie first, the adults second. There is ample parking at the drive-in, and the cost is only 5 dollars per person for ages 12 and up. That includes both shows! Kids 12 and under get in free. There is a snack bar with your typical popcorn, snacks, and soft drink selections, and you are allowed to bring in whatever food you want. We typically pack a cooler, bring a blanket and chairs, and camp out for the night. The drive in is a cheap but fun place to hang out with your family or friends for the night!
Monroeville Mall
Monroeville Mall is located in Monroeville, PA. I frequent this mall all the time. For shopping, its a fabulous place to go. Stores such as 21, Yankee Candle, Body and Bath, Victories Secret, Kings Jewelry and more can be found here. Not to mention the higher end department stores such as JC Penney, Macy’s, and sears. There are tons of kiosks selling specialty items, and alot of unique shopping options you won’t find elsewhere. There is plenty for the kids to do, too. Monroeville Mall has a Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood play area, a huge playroom just for the sole purpose for young children to run and let off steam. An indoor merry-go-round graces one end of the mall all year round, and a train is set up each year for the holidays. Add that to the bunches of quarter rides scattered throughout the mall, and you can bring in your whole family for a day of fun! If you’re hungry, try the mouth-watering pretzels at auntie Anne’s, or a loaded, fresh baked potato at The Potato Shak. Monroeville Mall is a great place for shopping and fun, and I will continue shopping there for as long as I can.
Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center, located in Pittsburgh, PA, is a wonderful, interactive learning center great for all ages. For a minimal amount of money to get in, you and your kids can spend all day here looking around at the various displays. Four floors hold hundreds of different displays and creations, all designed to get you playing and learning. Exploration Centers, an aquarium, a huge train set, and so many hands-on activities are littered throughout the building. Catch a show at the Omnimax and watch the domed screen with over a hundred speakers playing for a spectacular show. Theres a real-life submarine to walk through outside-see what is was like to live in such cramped, underwater quarters! Kids and adults love the science Center, i know my kids and I certainly do! A must if you are in the area of Pittsburgh.
The Center for Creative Play
The Center for Creative Play is located in Pittsburgh, PA. I took my kids there one rainy afternoon as it was recommended to me by a friend who said it was a great place for children. For 5 dollars for children, 8 for adults, you are introduced to an indoor playground of immense magnitude. Everything to play with that a kid would want is here, from baby activities to toddler activities to ages 6-10. The center was clean, brightly lighted, and easy to navigate. The staff was helpful and friendly, and eager to point out the different activities for various age groups. The center is easy to get to and a great place to just let your kids run wild in! Especially if they want to burn off some extra calories, as there is everything from climbing, to games, to puzzles, just about everything for a child’s active imagination.The Center for Creative Play is definitely a place I will be visiting again!
Kennywood Amusement Park
Kennywood Park is a historical amusement park located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Kennywood has been around for over 60 years, and remains THE place to go for family picnics, school and work picnics, or just to hang out! With many old yet still popular rides, and the ever-changing list of new rides being put in, Kennywood Park keeps up with the amusement industry. Water rides are available for those hot summer days, roller coasters abound for the coaster enthusiast, and thrill-seekers can do the bungee jump for an additional price. For the kids, theres a huge area with both toddler rides, and a rides big that are perfect for the kid who is too big for the baby rides, yet too small for the grown-up rides. Theres plenty of food, fun, and excitement at Kennywood Park, located in West Mifflin, PA.
We go to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, every year for two days. You need two days if you want to fully enjoy everything in the park! Cedar Point is the roller coaster capital of the world, with literally dozens of the fastest, tallest, and newest roller coasters interconnected throughout the park. Top Thrill Dragster reaches speeds of over 100 miles per hour within seconds and shoots you straight up. Millenium Force is one of the fastest in the nation, and glides smoothly on a steel track. There are thrill rides, water rides, kids rides, and so much more in this beautiful amusement park. Many resorts are actually connected to the park, so you can actually spend the night in a hotel and walk out the door into Cedar Point! Cedar Point is a must-go for all amusement park lovers. It has certainly thrilled me on dozens of occasions, and gets bigger and better with each passing year.
Idlewild Park
Idlewild Park, located in Ligonier, PA, is one of the best theme parks around. It is aimed at children of all ages and adults, but is mostly geared for an age group of around 2-8. Included in the park is a real-life Story Book Forest, a huge walk-through where you’ll meet real characters from popular Grimm books, and walk-through their houses and structures. Jump on the old train and head to the other side of the park to ride on the trolley at Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood. Filled with all the beloved characters from the hit children’s show, the neighborhood is an interactive delight for everyone. Idlewild also has a huge children’s ride area, with dozens of smaller rides for the young ones in your group. Cool down at Soak City, the parks water park, watch a dancin’ and singin’ show in Hootin’ Holler’, or grab a bite to eat at many of the stands located around the park. Idlewild is a delight for both young and old, and my kids love to go there each year!
