With Pesach around the corner and all of the preparation it entails, let’s not forget there is a full week of Chol Hamoed days to fill with family fun. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic or surrounding area, there are some great options. Most all of these locations are also drivable from the New York metropolitan area!
Editor’s Note: We will be updating this list as further information comes in.
Washington, D.C.:
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours: Bus tours that take you all around the city. You can get off at any stop that interests you and then get back on when the next bus comes around. This is a great way to see many exciting sights of the city without having to worry about driving and parking! Check Groupon and CertifiKID for a deal.
International Spy Museum: For the mystery enthusiasts, learn all about different missions and trade secrets! Buying tickets ahead of time is recommended. This is the first and last stop on one of the bus tours mentioned above.
The National Zoo: Free and large. Plenty of room to ramble around. Bear in mind you will have to pay for parking.
Kosher Food Options:
Philadelphia:
The Franklin Institute: – a fantastic science museum in Philadelphia, good for many ages. Maryland science center membership and/or a teacher ID will get you in for free.
Hop on Hop Off Bus Tours: These will take you all around the city. You can get off at any stop that interests you and then get back on when the next bus comes around, a great way to see many exciting sights of the city without having to worry about driving and parking! Check Groupon and CertifiKID for a deal.
Philadelphia Zoo: A large zoo which is fun for all ages. A great outdoor activity.
Kosher Food Options:
Delaware:
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science: Just under 90 minutes from Baltimore, this small museum has a lot to offer. If you have a Maryland Science Center membership, you will get in for free! You could pair it with the nearby Brandywine Zoo to make it a more full day trip.
OTHER NEARBY SPOTS:
The Crayola Experience: Located in Easton, PA is a really fun place. Recommended for children about age 10 and under, there is so much to do and so much to create. It’s about 3 hours away from Baltimore and just about 1.5 hours from NYC, so an overnight stay in one of the many nearby hotels is an option. You can make it more of a trip by including a visit to the Da Vinci Science Center, in nearby Allentown, PA.
Kosher Food Options:
Muhlenberg College Noshery South: Allentown, PA (certified by Star-K Kosher) is open Chol Hamoed from 11 AM – 8 PM Tuesday – Thursday if you are visiting Crayola or Da Vinci Science Center.
More Fun:
Clark’s Elioak Farm: Just about 25 minutes from Baltimore in Howard County, MD, is fun for the whole family. There are many animals, rides, and playground areas.
American Dream Mall: Many activities for all ages and is a popular destination. Chickies (Kof-K), Bravo Pizza (Kof-K), and Geoffrey’s Cafe (Tarnipol) will each have Pesach menus on Chol Hamoed on the 3rd floor kosher food court. More information about American Dream Mall activities, parking, and deals can be found here at at Kosher Epicurean Society.
PLAYGROUNDS:
Blandair Park: Columbia, MD (25 minutes from Baltimore)
Centennial Park: Ellicott City, MD (25 minutes from Baltimore)
Wheaton Regional Park: (49 minutes from Baltimore)
Watkins Regional Park: (58 minutes from Baltimore)
Baltimore:
The Maryland Zoo
The Fire Museum of Maryland (open 4/16, see flyer below)
Hyper Kidz (Owings Mills or Columbia, MD)
Kosher Food Options:
There are no restaurants opening in Baltimore for Pesach, but Seven Mile Market has a great takeout counter.
Fallon Saposnik is a mom, teacher, kosher food enthusiast, and founder of Camp Mommy (the go-to place for Baltimore family activities). She has a love of helping connect kosher travelers with various options for vacations or day trips. Fallon has a degree in culinary arts from the Center for Kosher Culinary Arts and loves cooking and baking for friends and family. She leads a monthly Cookbook Club with local moms and enjoys trying new recipes from different cookbooks. Fallon is locally recognized as the go-to expert for any questions about kosher products at Costco or Aldi. She can be reached at fallon144@gmail.com.
Kosher Food and Drink 
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