Strasburg train ride is lots of fun. Didn't have time to do the museum but assume that's fun too.
Easy to believe that the Caboose motel is horrific, but the diner there wasn't bad.
The Central Market in Lancaster was fun for the foodie adults, but not really the 5 yo. If you have the ability to cook where you're staying, it was good for shopping. (Even if you don't, there were good sources for cold cut/sandwich/picnic type items.)

OP here. Thanks, everyone. We weren't planning to do Dutch Wonderland on this trip.

definitely stop at the Turkey Hill experience on the way. it's worth a couple hours (and unlimited scoops of ice cream included with admission)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Near the train stuff in Strasburg, our child had a blast:
http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com

Do NOT stay at the nearby "Caboose Motel Lodge". Horrible. Filthy.

I will say this for the red caboose motel - they had great customer service. But it's not a good place to stay in winter (probably not in summer either), because those rail cars aren't exactly well-insulated. My DS, who LOVES trains and all things train-related, hated staying there.

But again, the woman who was working at the desk when we stayed was lovely, and that made our stay not totally horrible.

You realize Dutch Wonderland will be closed, right? It is really great, btw if you decide to go in summer.

We did a trip once during the late winter and did the following:

Strasburg Railway
Choo Choo Barn
Train Museum
Hands on House (small kids museum - fun for an hour or two)
Kitchen Kettle Village - cute shopping area with various activities for kids to do, place to have lunch, etc...

Anonymous wrote:Near the train stuff in Strasburg, our child had a blast:
http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com

Do NOT stay at the nearby "Caboose Motel Lodge". Horrible. Filthy.

Turkey Hill ice cream museum/tour

There's a great childrens museum there.

We recently visited Lancaster (older child) and had a very nice time and if you are looking for a place to stay downtown, the Marriott was really quite nice with a good pool, and service.

Near the train stuff in Strasburg, our child had a blast:
http://www.cherrycrestfarm.com

Thanks for the replies. We would definitely do the train stuff in Strasburg; just wondering what else was in that area.

Sesame Place isn't exactly in Lancaster. We like Strasburg (which is just a few minutes away) and all the train museums and activities there. Hershey Chocolate World may also be open this time of year. Admittedly, the big draw for us is Dutch Wonderland, and there definitely isn't as much to do in the winter with a 3 year old there.

-Sesame Place
-Amish County (markets, buggy rides, etc)

I've heard a lot of vague but good things about Lancaster, PA. Aside from Dutch Wonderland, what is there to do there? What sorts of activities or places to see? We would have a 3 yo with us, and it would be in winter.

Thanks in advance.