Suggestions for Where to Book a Reunion / Birthday Weekend in the Northeast in April? (1 Viewer)

[Lehigh98]

Looking for the wisdom of the crowd here and some suggestions of places I may not be aware of.

We're got a group of grade school / high school friends that will all be turning 50 next year. We've been kicking around the idea of a 50th birthday weekend vacation trip. The only thing we've done so far is check on possible dates and it looks like April 24-26 is the only weekend that works for everyone. Due to schedules / budgets of the crowd, it looks like we're looking to stay within "driving distance" of the NY/NJ area. (Some think flights may cost too much for some or take up too much of the time we have). We'll just be into spring but expecting weather may still be a little cool / rainy so not really beach weather yet.

First thought was to rent a house somewhere like the old days, but we'd also like to open up invitation to a larger group of friends from our class and area. More difficult to change the size of a house of get people to commit to multiple houses than it is to just stay at a hotel / resort in separate rooms. (Will also allow some people to arrive / leave a day earlier / later, if necessary) If we did that though, we'd want to hang out together in common areas, bars, maybe pool or spa? We'd also be looking for restaurants / bars / live music / fun stuff to do at night each of the days.

Initial thoughts are Atlantic City / Ocean City, MD / Etc (big hotels, stuff to do, offseason rates) but I'm sure I'm missing some other good options in the area.
Anyone have some good experiences / suggestions for a good spot?

(Would be cool to book around an event we could use also: music festival, beer fest, etc but I haven't looked around much for those yet either)

TIA!

 

[Don Quixote]

What sort of speed are you looking for? Some more quiet watering holes to sit down and catch up with friends, or want livelier pace?

I’m not really a fan of Atlantic City, but may be a “me” thing as not much of a gambler and don’t like people and lights. For NJ beach towns, I prefer the chiller vibe of something like Cape May (Congress Hall is my pick for a historic hotel with some good bars on site), but depends what you and your friends are looking for. Cape May won’t have the live events to pick from like AC (ETA: Maybe Asbury Park would have more of a lower-key feel, but with live music, but not sure how the hotels are there).

Maybe some of the Delaware beaches? Rehobeth might be the best mix for 50 year olds looking for nightlife. Stuff like Dogfish Head Brewing around there. Dewey Beach is a short Uber trip for something livelier.

 

[Lehigh98]

What sort of speed are you looking for? Some more quiet watering holes to sit down and catch up with friends, or want livelier pace?

I’m not really a fan of Atlantic City, but may be a “me” thing as not much of a gambler and don’t like people and lights. For NJ beach towns, I prefer the chiller vibe of something like Cape May (Congress Hall is my pick for a historic hotel with some good bars on site), but depends what you and your friends are looking for. Cape May won’t have the live events to pick from like AC (ETA: Maybe Asbury Park would have more of a lower-key feel, but with live music, but not sure how the hotels are there).

Maybe some of the Delaware beaches? Rehobeth might be the best mix for 50 year olds looking for nightlife. Stuff like Dogfish Head Brewing around there. Dewey Beach is a short Uber trip for something livelier.

Thanks for the ideas. I've stayed at Congress Hall and it's great but not sure of things to do in the hotel or the area.
We grew up going to OCNJ, Sea Isle, Avalon, etc so a reliving a night out with a band at a bar or an OD No Shower Happy Hour would be great.

I like Dewey and Rehobeth and lots of options there and a hotel or two I like to stay at in the offseason for work.
I just mention AC as an example of a place with a lot of restaurants, bars, activity built in.

This crowd has little to no interest in gambling or clubbing.

 

[Runkle]

I think there's an Applebee's in Hackensack

 

[comfortably numb]

How big is this group realistically?
5? 15?
All men?
Partners/Spouses joining?
Kids?
Longest you would want to drive?
3HR 6HR?

 

[comfortably numb]

Some suggestions.

Catskills
~2 hour ride
Rent a house
Resorts casino is nearby
Monticello for bars/restaraunts

Newport Rhode Island
~5hour ride
rent a house
local downtown scene is good
maybe a local tour

Maryland
Ellicott City/Chesapeake City
~2/3 hours
Rent a house
maybe crabbing or...just eat them
Hit bars
If your lucky and weather is good you can get golf or drive into Baltimore for an Orioles game

 

[Lehigh98]

How big is this group realistically?
5? 15?
All men?
Partners/Spouses joining?
Kids?
Longest you would want to drive?
3HR 6HR?

Core group is about 10-12, could expand to 20+ or more.
Mixed group from HS travelling with spouses, so 50/50.
No kids.
Group is spread out from PA, to NY / Long Island, South Jersey so varies depending on starting point I guess.
Range is probably like Finger Lakes to OCMD / VA Beach maybe?

 

[Lehigh98]

I think there's an Applebee's in Hackensack

Applebee's is too new school for us... any Friendly's? Bennigan's? Ground Round?

 

[Zow]

I think there's an Applebee's in Hackensack

Applebee's is too new school for us... any Friendly's? Bennigan's? Ground Round?

Wow I haven't even thought about these places in 20 ~years. Memories!

My initial thoughts:

Poconos
Rent a nice house in the Tewksbury Towship/Califon area and take advantage of the calm and nice restaurants
Rent a nice house in downtown Bethlehem near the casino*

*Oops, read afterwards that there's no interest in gambling or clubbing. If so, no clue then why you'd consider either Ocean City, MD or Atlantic City, NJ. Waaaay better beaches than those places. My family and I rent a house in Point Pleasant Beach in June-ish every year and it's really, really pleasant.

 

[Runkle]

I think there's an Applebee's in Hackensack

Applebee's is too new school for us... any Friendly's? Bennigan's? Ground Round?

One Ground Round just reopened in Massachusetts

 

[Don Quixote]

What sort of speed are you looking for? Some more quiet watering holes to sit down and catch up with friends, or want livelier pace?

I’m not really a fan of Atlantic City, but may be a “me” thing as not much of a gambler and don’t like people and lights. For NJ beach towns, I prefer the chiller vibe of something like Cape May (Congress Hall is my pick for a historic hotel with some good bars on site), but depends what you and your friends are looking for. Cape May won’t have the live events to pick from like AC (ETA: Maybe Asbury Park would have more of a lower-key feel, but with live music, but not sure how the hotels are there).

Maybe some of the Delaware beaches? Rehobeth might be the best mix for 50 year olds looking for nightlife. Stuff like Dogfish Head Brewing around there. Dewey Beach is a short Uber trip for something livelier.

Thanks for the ideas. I've stayed at Congress Hall and it's great but not sure of things to do in the hotel or the area.
We grew up going to OCNJ, Sea Isle, Avalon, etc so a reliving a night out with a band at a bar or an OD No Shower Happy Hour would be great.

I like Dewey and Rehobeth and lots of options there and a hotel or two I like to stay at in the offseason for work.
I just mention AC as an example of a place with a lot of restaurants, bars, activity built in.

This crowd has little to no interest in gambling or clubbing.

Maybe going that way for the nostalgia makes the most sense.

I know your list was mostly stuff close to the ocean/beach, but if wanted to look more inland at a city… maybe something like the MGM Grand at National Harbor just outside DC. A bit pricey for what it is, but lots of restaurants inside and pool (although April weather can be hit or miss). If you want music, they have a concert venue there, plus proximity to DC opens to some DC venues like The Anthem, 9:30 Club, and Atlantis. I’m sure something that you could see is going on somewhere. Maybe Nats or some Caps postseason going on too (I’ll leave out Wizards postseason because lol).

 

[JAA]

Can I just laugh at the title showing "north east" and the states being talked about are MD?

New England says hello

 

[beer 30]

Best I got for you is don't go to Willie's Bar

 

[Desert_Power]

Newport Rhode Island
~5hour ride
rent a house
local downtown scene is good
maybe a local tour

Maybe it is his avatar, but Newport came to mind too.

 

[Drunken knight]

Stowe

Poconos

Catskills

Lake George

Hamptons

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Elizabeth, NJ.

 

[Lehigh98]

I think there's an Applebee's in Hackensack

Applebee's is too new school for us... any Friendly's? Bennigan's? Ground Round?

Wow I haven't even thought about these places in 20 ~years. Memories!

My initial thoughts:

Poconos
Rent a nice house in the Tewksbury Towship/Califon area and take advantage of the calm and nice restaurants
Rent a nice house in downtown Bethlehem near the casino*

*Oops, read afterwards that there's no interest in gambling or clubbing. If so, no clue then why you'd consider either Ocean City, MD or Atlantic City, NJ. Waaaay better beaches than those places. My family and I rent a house in Point Pleasant Beach in June-ish every year and it's really, really pleasant.

I went to Lehigh and still live near there... and I'm shocked Bethlehem is a suggestion.

Late April so most likely won't be on the beach anyway.
Just looking for areas with multiple hotel / restaurant / bar / activity areas.

 

[Lehigh98]

Can I just laugh at the title showing "north east" and the states being talked about are MD?

New England says hello

My territory is the Northeast for my job, and it includes MD.
"Mid Atlantic" starts at VA and WV.

 

[gianmarco]

Another thing I love ChatGPT for.


Based on what you've said so far…

Here are some good types of destinations in range for April 24–26:

Destinations with Potential Events / Entertainment

Atlantic City / Ocean City, NJ/MD – casinos, breweries, some spring fests

Hudson Valley / Catskills – breweries, music venues, distilleries

Bethlehem / Allentown, PA – SteelStacks events, breweries

Philadelphia suburbs / New Hope / Lambertville – dining, music, wineries


Wine/Beer/Hangout Settings

Finger Lakes (NY) – wineries, lake houses, big rentals

Poconos (PA) – estates, resorts, breweries

Hudson Valley / Catskills – Airbnbs, music spots, cideries


Resort / Hotel / Casino Options

Wind Creek Bethlehem

Mohonk Mountain House (Catskills–splurge but perfect for groups)

Mount Airy Resort (Poconos)

Hard Rock or Borgata in AC


Possible event tie-ins

Spring often brings:

Beer / wine fests

Cover band weekends at casinos and resorts

Early-season music festivals (small to mid-sized)

Food truck or craft events I can pull potential events once we pick 2–3 areas of interest.

 

[Zow]

I think there's an Applebee's in Hackensack

Applebee's is too new school for us... any Friendly's? Bennigan's? Ground Round?

Wow I haven't even thought about these places in 20 ~years. Memories!

My initial thoughts:

Poconos
Rent a nice house in the Tewksbury Towship/Califon area and take advantage of the calm and nice restaurants
Rent a nice house in downtown Bethlehem near the casino*

*Oops, read afterwards that there's no interest in gambling or clubbing. If so, no clue then why you'd consider either Ocean City, MD or Atlantic City, NJ. Waaaay better beaches than those places. My family and I rent a house in Point Pleasant Beach in June-ish every year and it's really, really pleasant.

I went to Lehigh and still live near there... and I'm shocked Bethlehem is a suggestion.

Late April so most likely won't be on the beach anyway.
Just looking for areas with multiple hotel / restaurant / bar / activity areas.

Last time I was back I was impressed with the Bethlehem/Easton area. I grew up on south mountain and never thought much of Bethlehem until more recently.

I also spent New Year's Eve 2000 at a party at Lehigh. Buddy and I rigged the TV and lights to turn off at midnight (Y2K) and it worked flawlessly and everybody was freaking out for a solid couple of minutes. I can still feel that hangover though - I slept on some engineering text books that night. Good times!

 

[higgins]

Per OP’s original preferences (NJ/NY): Hoboken

If geographical area is expanded: Annapolis, MD

 

[zamboni]

I like the Rehoboth Beach, Newport and Finger Lakes ideas, but might not be that many big hotels there that can accommodate that many.

Another idea is Mystic, CT