Lancaster PA for kids 5 and under

[Anonymous]

We are doing Dutch Wonderland but have some time for another activity or two. Deciding between the Strasburg train (Thomas) or the Amish House. I have a 5 and 2 year old. Any other nearby recs?
Its' our first time. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We were just there last weekend! We also enjoy the Choo Choo Barn and the Toy train museum. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were just there last weekend! We also enjoy the Choo Choo Barn and the Toy train museum. Have fun!

These.

Unless your kids are diehard Thomas fan, I'd save the Strasburg Train visit for another time. (Also, don't be surprised if your post moves to the travel forum.)

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PPs! they are not into Thomas at all... I just thought the train ride would be enjoyable.
sorry if I posted in the wrong place!

[Anonymous]

I'd go to the Children's Museum, Hands on House. My kids LOVED it around age 3-6.

[Anonymous]

Buggy ride! We were just there as well.

There's also the PA Railroad Museum (real trains) across from Strasburg railroad. Is it day out with Thomas next weekend? If not, the regular train ride is worthwhile!

[Anonymous]

Hi! We literally just returned from Lancaster an hour ago.

DW was great! We had a good time. Your kids are the perfect age for it. Even our 15 month old son was able to ride some rides!

If you can, do DW on Sunday and everything else on Saturday. We really wanted to do more "Amish" stuff but everything was closed on Sunday, naturally. We wanted to visit more Amish-run shops (NOT the fake tourist traps) but having arranged with friends to do DW on Saturday, we were stuck.

We ate at Katie's Kitchen and it was delicious! We tried to get into Dienners but it was an hour long wait. Katie's had about a 20 minute wait. Delicious, and Amish run. Whoppie Pies for the win.

Restaurants (not chains) close early (7pm) and fill up fast.

We found Intercourse (the town) to be a total drag. Very touristy, lots of tour buses, blah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! they are not into Thomas at all... I just thought the train ride would be enjoyable.
sorry if I posted in the wrong place!

The train ride is great. On Thomas day it's over run with kids and makes the experience very stressful and chaotic for kids. So if it's a non-Thomas day, it should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Train. I agree don't do it on Thomas Day. Just as fun another day and a lot quieter, cheaper and nicer.

Or, this place is fun:

http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com

[Anonymous]

Amish or Mennonite farm stay. Kids can help with chores. Totally fun!

[Anonymous]

My train-obsessed preschooler was scared of the Strasburg train -- the whistle is really loud.

But he loved the Choo Choo barn. After 3 hours (when the rest of the family was more than ready to go) we had to bribe him to leave.

[Anonymous]

We are going during the week. Will DW and the Thomas train be busy even on a weekday??
-OP

[Anonymous]

DW shouldn't be too busy--you can even get in the night before (three hours before closing) with your ticket. It's even less crowded then.
Agree on the Hands-On House, though there's more to do for the 5-year-old there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are doing Dutch Wonderland but have some time for another activity or two. Deciding between the Strasburg train (Thomas) or the Amish House. I have a 5 and 2 year old. Any other nearby recs?
Its' our first time. Thanks!

Take them to Lititz, about 7 miles up the road. Visit the Wilbur chocolate factory museum (the factory itself just closed down) and make a pretzel at Sturgis.

[Anonymous]

Some Amish farms have miniature horses you can ride. Look for a print ad in one of the hotel/tourist center newspaper circulars. You have to call and leave a message with someone since the Amish cannot use phones.