Winter break is over. Summer vacation seems so far away. But there are plenty of other things happening between now and then. Here’s what’s new for 2020.
Open now
The world’s first Cartoon Network Hotel has opened in Lancaster County next to Dutch Wonderland. The 159 themed rooms started accepting reservations Jan. 10. If you want to be one of the first to stay there this winter, the hotel includes an indoor pool (along with an outdoor pool when the weather warms), arcade and two restaurants. Each room can be customized to fit your child’s favorite Cartoon Network shows, from Adventure Time to Powerpuff Girls.
While the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek in Sussex County had its grand opening in September, this will be the first year to see its full cycle of spring, summer and fall displays. It opened with a meadow garden and has a 10-year plan for its 37 acres that includes special features for children to explore, a pond, visitor’s center and trails.
Coming this spring
Please Touch Museum opens a new 5,000-square-foot permanent gallery called Centennial Innovations inspired the World’s Fair held in Philadelphia in 1876. The exhibit will expand on Please Touch’s large model of the World’s Fair to provide colorful, interactive activities designed to inspire kids to think creatively and critically to change the world. The $1.75 million gallery is part of a larger planned transformation of the museum’s lower level.
Opens early summer
Diggerland, the popular construction-themed adventure park in West Berlin, NJ, is opening a pool and water park on Memorial Day weekend. The Water Main will include two pools with a slide tower, water obstacle course, in-pool basketball court and splash zones.
Planned for late summer
Valley Forge National Historical Park is expected to open a new, $12 million Visitors Center this summer or fall that will include a new $2 million museum with 300 artifacts. There will be interactive family activities as well as displays that will allow visitors to feel, hear and see what it was like for the Revolutionary War soldiers who were encamped there.
