Strasburg Pa

[Anonymous]

We are taking our 2 train loving boys 2 and 3 to Strasburg Pa this weekend to do the train thing.
Does anyone have any specific recommendations?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

stay in the Red Caboose Motel if you can; allot much time for the train museum, because it has a hands-on section that is captivating for that age (they build and run trains, etc).

the model train little museum is cool, and very quick. and cheap, too, it's worth the short time you'd spend there. it's across the parking lot from the Red Caboose Motel.

oh! and my kids really liked "the largest model train layout in the US", I think it's called the Choo Choo Barn.

to be honest, the actual ride on the steam train was really boring after 5 minutes for DS. looking at the engine was cool, but the ride itself was really monotonous. So don't feel like you need to buy 4 tickets for that, if merely looking at the big engine would suffice.

[Anonymous]

Great advice, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:stay in the Red Caboose Motel if you can; allot much time for the train museum, because it has a hands-on section that is captivating for that age (they build and run trains, etc).

the model train little museum is cool, and very quick. and cheap, too, it's worth the short time you'd spend there. it's across the parking lot from the Red Caboose Motel.

oh! and my kids really liked "the largest model train layout in the US", I think it's called the Choo Choo Barn.

to be honest, the actual ride on the steam train was really boring after 5 minutes for DS. looking at the engine was cool, but the ride itself was really monotonous. So don't feel like you need to buy 4 tickets for that, if merely looking at the big engine would suffice.

I actually just asked about the Red Caboose motel on another listserv and from the responses I got (5), only one recommended this motel. It is VERY basic and the rooms are tiny. Check Trip Advisor for more information on it. One they did recommend was called the Steamboat Inn and the Best Western. Looks like there is tons of stuff to do for kids - especially train lovers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:stay in the Red Caboose Motel if you can; allot much time for the train museum, because it has a hands-on section that is captivating for that age (they build and run trains, etc).

the model train little museum is cool, and very quick. and cheap, too, it's worth the short time you'd spend there. it's across the parking lot from the Red Caboose Motel.

oh! and my kids really liked "the largest model train layout in the US", I think it's called the Choo Choo Barn.

to be honest, the actual ride on the steam train was really boring after 5 minutes for DS. looking at the engine was cool, but the ride itself was really monotonous. So don't feel like you need to buy 4 tickets for that, if merely looking at the big engine would suffice.

I actually just asked about the Red Caboose motel on another listserv and from the responses I got (5), only one recommended this motel. It is VERY basic and the rooms are tiny. Check Trip Advisor for more information on it. One they did recommend was called the Steamboat Inn and the Best Western. Looks like there is tons of stuff to do for kids - especially train lovers!

The Red Caboose rooms are tiny and basic--they are converted cabooses after all, if not for kids I definitely wouldn't stay there, but after going there 3 years ago, my kids often remember and talk about how much fun it was to stay in a caboose.It gives the actual feel of what it would be like to travel overnight in a train if you are into that kind of experience vs. something more luxurious!(if you have todlers or infants there may not be floor space to set up a packn'play.

[Anonymous]

I stayed in the Red Caboose Motel once with my husband (pre-baby). I was so excited because I love that sort of thing, but I was really disappointed. Our caboose was soooo dirty and it stunk! There was water damage and the walls of the caboose were pealing, bugs in the bathroom, etc. I should have complained, but we were "upgraded" to the caboose from some other half-trailer room which had absolutely no character at all so I guess I felt like I couldn't complain. You could stop by the gift shop with your kids to look around, but I personally would not stay there with kids.

Contrary to what one PP said, I actually liked the steam train ride. It was a quick ride and the farmland scenery was pretty. We were on the lunch train (which I don't recommend, yuck), but the ride was fun if you like that sort of thing.

Whatever you do, don't forget to get ice cream in Strasburg. There is a little ice cream parlor on the corner in the little downtown area. You can't miss it, and the ice cream is delicious!!!!