If your child can identify a steam engine before they can spell their name, then the Strasburg PA area should be on your radar.
This tiny town in Lancaster County is a dream for train-loving kids… real locomotives, model train displays, meals in a train car, options to sleep in a caboose, and just enough pint-sized extras to make it feel like a full adventure.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or a weekend, we’ve mapped out the best low-stress, high-fun things to do in Strasburg, PA with kids.
Consider this your ultimate hit list for your kid’s train phase.
A train-themed playground with farmland views? Strasburg wins again.
Tips for Visiting Strasburg PA with Kids
For such a small town, the Strasburg area has a lot going on.
Between Strasburg, nearby Ronks and Paradise, and even parts of Lancaster, you’ll find enough train rides, model trains, train playgrounds, and family-friendly stops to fill a full weekend… easily.
Most things are within a 20-minute radius, which makes planning easy, but trying to do too much in one day is where it starts to fall apart.
The outdoor trains here are kid magnets... rust, and all.
Here’s what we’d tell a friend planning their first visit to Strasburg PA:
- Don’t try to do it all. Two or three well-timed stops is usually the sweet spot for a happy, meltdown-free day.
- Start early. The train rides are more peaceful in the morning, and you’ll have better flexibility for everything else.
- Check seasonal hours. Some attractions (like the Toy Train Museum or Cherry Crest Adventure Farm) don’t operate every day and often close earlier than you’d expect.
- Pack layers and backup clothes. You’ll be inside, outside, and possibly climbing through a locomotive.
- Break up your day. Alternate high-energy stops (like Cherry Crest Adventure Farm or the Railroad Museum) with calmer ones like Choo Choo Barn or the Toy Train Museum.
Best Train Attractions in Strasburg PA for Kids
You don’t have to be a train expert to appreciate just how much is packed into this area of Pennsylvania.
From full-size steam locomotives to miniature towns powered by buttons, these stops are the reason families with train-loving kids keep coming back.
For little ones, nothing beats seeing Thomas in real life.
Strasburg Railroad PA
The Strasburg Railroad is the oldest operating short-line railroad in the country, and the 45-minute ride through Lancaster’s farmland is just the right length for younger kids.
You can choose open-air or enclosed cars, and in warmer months, there are extra rides and themed events to keep the train magic going.
Once you’ve explored the Strasburg Rail Road, you’ll want to see where the tracks lead next… our Fall Foliage Train Rides guide has you covered.
Pull up to the platform... step back in time.
Strasburg Railroad
📍 Location: 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA
🕐 Hours: Daily 10 am – 4 pm; hours may vary by season
🎟️ Tickets: $17–$39 depending on seat type; kids under 2 ride free
Book your tickets online to secure your time slot and check for seasonal events
TLJ Tips:
- Go early…morning trains are less crowded and easier with little kids.
- Skip the first-class cars unless your kid loves velvet and mahogany. The open-air cars are breezy and more fun.
- Don’t miss the small train-themed play area behind Café 1832—it’s a great post-ride pit stop.
- Café 1832 is grab-and-go friendly but also offers indoor and outdoor seating, plus a selection of sandwiches, wraps, and a solid kids’ menu.
Need a little more adrenaline between train rides?
Check out our guide to thrilling things to do in Lancaster County… zip lines, ropes courses, monster trucks, and roller coasters included.
Choo Choo Barn
This isn’t your average model train display. The Choo Choo Barn is a massive 1,700-square-foot miniature world packed with animated scenes, glowing lights, and surprises around every corner.
There are over 150 moving parts, from fire trucks and construction crews to a ski slope and a full-on house fire… plus 22 trains zipping through it all.
This miniature village moves, lights up, and runs on train power.
Choo Choo Barn
📍 Location: 226 Gap Rd., Strasburg, PA
🕐 Hours: Daily, 10 am – 5 pm; check Choo Choo Barn’s Website for seasonal updates.
🎟️ Tickets: $12 for adults, $8 for kids 3–11, free under 3
TLJ Tips:
- You only need about 30–45 minutes here, but your kid will want to circle back. (They offer multi day passes)
- Kids love pressing the interactive buttons to activate the scenes.
- Keep an eye out for hidden seasonal Easter eggs (literally… during spring, they hide tiny eggs).
- It’s indoors, air-conditioned, and stroller-friendly, a great backup if the weather’s rough.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
If your kid wants to see a real engine up close… and by up close, we mean stand under it… this is the place.
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is filled with full-size historic locomotives and passenger cars, many of which you can climb into or walk beneath.
It’s surprisingly engaging for younger kids and impressive enough to hold the attention of any train-curious adult.
Climb aboard real train cars inside this massive museum.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
📍 Location: 300 Gap Rd, Strasburg, PA (right across from Strasburg Railroad)
🕐 Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
🎟️ Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for kids 3–11, free under 3
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania info + tickets
TLJ Tips:
- Save this for mid-day when kids need space to move. It’s stroller-friendly and huge.
- Check out Stewart Junction, the kid-focused play and learning area inside.
- Some of the trains are open to climb aboard (great photo ops, too).
National Toy Train Museum
This one’s a quieter kind of wow.
The National Toy Train Museum is all about vintage model trains in every scale imaginable.
It’s less flashy than Choo Choo Barn but has a more classic, collector vibe that still totally clicks with younger kids.
Toy trains taken to a whole new level (and then another level above that).
National Toy Train Museum
📍 Location: 300 Paradise Ln, Ronks, PA
🕐 Hours: Daily, 10 am – 5 pm (seasonal hours vary)
🎟️ Tickets: $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for kids 4–11, free under 4
National Toy Train Museum Tickets + Visiting Info.
TLJ tips:
- Best for kids who love pushing buttons and watching trains move (so… most kids).
- Some layouts are up high. Prepare to lift smaller ones for a better view.
- Quieter and more low-key than other stops…great for when everyone needs a sensory break.
- They offer a “Family Ticket Deal” for $25 (includes 2 adults and 3+ kids, or 1 adult and 4+ kids)
Where to Eat and Sleep in a Train in Strasburg PA
You could stay at a chain hotel nearby, or… you can sleep in a real caboose and wake up to pancakes in a dining car.
Photo Credit
These train-themed spots in the Strasburg PA area take the whole experience to the next level… and they’re just minutes from the main attractions.
Red Caboose Motel
Sleep in a train car.
Yes, really.
This local favorite lets families stay overnight in multi-colored cabooses lined up on a quiet stretch of track.
It’s quirky, a little kitschy, slightly like glamping and unforgettable for kids deep in their train era.
Some of the rooms have bunk beds, others have lofted beds with ladders… each caboose a little different.
Your hotel room IS an actual caboose. (Go ahead and read that twice.)
Red Caboose Motel
📍 Location: 312 Paradise Ln, Ronks, PA
💵 Price: Rooms start around $100/night
Check Prices and Availability at Red Caboose Motel
TLJ Tips:
- Some cabooses have updated interiors… others are more “retro”. Call if you want something specific.
- There’s a small petting zoo, playground, and arcade machine right on site… great for downtime.
- If bunk beds + ladders feel tricky for your kid’s age, ask for a single-level room when booking.
Casey Jones’ Restaurant
Right next door to the Red Caboose Motel (and run by the same folks), this train-themed restaurant sits inside a replica dining car… and the view is part of the draw.
You can often catch a Strasburg Railroad train rolling past while you eat, which is pure magic if you’re there with little ones.
Real train. Real food. Zero risk of spilling during departure.
Casey Jones’ Restaurant at Paradise Station
📍 Location: 312 Paradise Ln, Ronks, PA
🕐 Hours: Daily 7:30 am – 8 pm (hours can vary by season)
💵 View Casey Jones’ Menu here.
TLJ Tips:
- Breakfast is a low-key hit… especially if you’re staying in a caboose.
- Ask for a window seat for the best train-viewing during lunch or dinner.
- There’s a gift shop right outside the dining area with train toys and Strasburg souvenirs.
Looking for a spot where the kids can play while you finish your fries in peace?
We rounded up our favorite Lancaster restaurants with playgrounds that are worth the detour.
Café 1832
Café 1832 is located right on the platform at Strasburg Railroad Station, which means you can sip your coffee or grab a sandwich while the steam trains pull in just feet away.
It’s a fast-casual spot with a locally sourced menu, and plenty of kid-friendly options.
A kids' meal with a view of a passing train? Iconic.
Café 1832
📍 Location: 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA (part of Strasburg Railroad)
🕐 Hours: Open seasonally during train operating days, typically 11 am – 4 pm
TLJ Tips:
- Order at the counter and grab a seat outside for the best views of arriving trains.
- If you’re riding the morning train, plan to eat lunch here… it’s convenient and surprisingly good.
- Don’t miss the train-themed play area behind the cafe!
What Else Is There to Do Near Strasburg PA with Kids?
Thought you were just coming for the trains? Think again.
From farm adventures to scooter tours to indoor places that’ll save your sanity on a rainy day, there’s a surprising amount of kid-friendly fun packed into this 20-minute radius around Strasburg PA.
The only thing cuter than this train is the grin on your kid's face.
These are the extra stops that make the trip feel like a full-on getaway… even if you’re only staying a night.
Dutch Wonderland
If your kid’s not done with trains after the Strasburg Railroad (or you’re staying overnight nearby), Dutch Wonderland gives you one more track to ride.
This retro amusement park is built for the 10-and-under crowd, and their Wonderland Special Train Ride is a gentle, loop-around-the-park train that adds to the magic… without the steam or soot.
Tiny adventurers, meet your first thrill ride.
Dutch Wonderland
📍 Location: 2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA
🕐 Hours: Open seasonally from spring until the end of the year.
🎟️ Admission: $39.99+ for ages 3+; under 3 free (VIP access and discounts available through the Cartoon Network Hotel) Plan Your Dutch Wonderland Trip here.
If you’re planning to hit Dutch Wonderland, staying next door has its perks… the Cartoon Network Hotel offers discounts and VIP park access.
Plus , themed rooms, the kids will lose their minds over.
TLJ Tips:
- If you’re already planning a day at Dutch Wonderland, the train is a great low-key ride between the bigger attractions.
- For younger kids who aren’t into roller coasters, the train + Choo Choo Charlie (a self-pedaled engine) will make their day.
- Not worth the admission just for the train… save this for when you need a big outing.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
When your kid hits their train limit (it happens), this is the place to go.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is a sprawling outdoor play paradise with over 60 farm-themed attractions.
From giant slides and pedal carts to corn mazes, animal encounters, and water play zones. It’s the perfect energy-burner for preschoolers and big kids alike.
Friendly competition, farm-style.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
📍 Location: 150 Cherry Hill Rd, Ronks, PA
🕐 Hours: Open seasonally (spring through fall); usually Tues–Sat, 10 am – 5 pm
🎟️ Tickets: $26.95+ online; kids under 2 free
Explore Cherry Crest Adventure Farm here!
TLJ Tips:
- Wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes and expect to get a little dusty.
- There are shaded rest areas, picnic tables, and plenty of food stands on-site (including fresh lemonade and local ice cream).
- Multiple options for the corn maze... stick to the 15-minute mini version with younger kids.
- Parking is free, and there are indoor bathrooms (a farm miracle).
Strasburg Scooters
A fun detour from the train circuit.
Strasburg Scooters offers guided tours through scenic Amish country, on three-wheeled Scoot Coupes that are surprisingly easy to drive and safe for families.
Kids ages 4 and up can ride as passengers, making this a great pick if you’re traveling with a slightly older crew or want to sneak in a little adventure between museum stops.
Yes, you can drive a scooter through Amish country. And yes, it’s fun.
Strasburg Scooters
📍 Location: 246 N Decatur St, Strasburg, PA
🕐 Hours: Tours run seasonally, spring through fall; check schedule
🎟️ Price: Varies by tour; Scoot Coupes add a small upgrade fee
Find Strasburg Scooter Prices and Booking Information here
TLJ Tips:
• Kids must be at least 4 years old to ride in a Scoot Coupe with a licensed adult.
• Tours range from 1.5 to 3.5 hours and often include covered bridges, ice cream or scenic backroads.
• No need to know how to ride a bike… the three-wheel scoot coups are easy to handle.
• Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and the safety rundown.
Busy Bodies Play Café
If the weather takes a turn… or you just need an air-conditioned break with your little one—Busy Bodies is a great indoor option.
It’s a modern play café with soft play structures, sensory-friendly areas, and a separate infant zone.
Designed for kids 6 and under, it’s a contained space where you can actually sit with a coffee while your littles burn off energy.
Where toddlers burn energy and you drink coffee in "peace".
Busy Bodies Play Cafe
📍 Location: 35 S. Willowdale Dr., Lancaster, PA
🕐 Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm; closes at 2pm on Wednesdays
🎟️ Admission: $17 per child (2 hour play session)
Check Busy Bodies availability and book a play session here.
TLJ tips:
- Walk-ins are allowed, but reservations are smart.
- Socks are required for both kids and adults.
- There’s a cute little coffee bar and snacks for sale, plus some tables to hang while they play.
Speckled Hen Coffee
A favorite morning stop (or mid-day reset), Speckled Hen hits the rare combo of great for grown-ups and fun for kids.
The food is fresh and local, from egg sandwiches to baked goods…and the coffee is legit.
There’s a large outdoor playset next to the seating area and an indoor pretend play café that’s perfect if you need a longer pause or a weather-proof break.
Coffee for you, swings and slides for them. Everyone wins.
Speckled Hen Coffee
📍 Location: 141 E. Main St, Strasburg, PA
🕐 Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7 am – 3 pm; Sunday Brunch 8 am – 2 pm
💵 No reservations needed; counter service. See Speckled Hen Coffee’s Menu here.
TLJ Tips:
• One of the best lattes in the area… don’t skip the seasonal specialty drinks.
• The kids’ menu is solid, but the pastries are the real win.
• Perfect before your first stop or when everyone needs a place to regroup.
Sample Itinerary:
A Day in Strasburg for Kids Who Love Trains
There’s no one right way to do Strasburg PA, but if you want to hit the highlights without collapsing by 3 pm, here’s a loose plan that’s kid-tested, TLJ-approved, and built for families with short legs and big train energy.
Start with coffee and a playground
Head to Speckled Hen Coffee and let the day ease in. You get your latte, they get an outdoor playset and an indoor play café.
Hop aboard a train
Make Strasburg Rail Road your first attraction.
The ride is just the right length, the scenery is actually lovely, and the mini rides near the station and the train playground are toddler gold.
Refuel where the trains keep rolling
Café 1832, right at the Strasburg Railroad Station, is perfect for lunch.
Kids can keep watching the trains come and go while you eat in peace. (Or at least… relative peace.)
Mix and match your afternoon
- Want more trains? Hit Choo Choo Barn (indoor, animated, magical), the Railroad Museum of PA (giant trains, hands-on kids’ zone), or the National Toy Train Museum (vintage layouts + buttons galore).
- Need a break from train world? Head to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm to run, climb, and pet some goats.
- Traveling with older kids? Consider a scenic ride with Strasburg Scooters in a 3-wheel Scoot Coupe.
Final Tips for Visiting Strasburg PA with Kids
Strasburg PA is the rare kind of place that makes planning easy.
It’s compact, kid-focused, and filled with just the right mix of activities for younger families.
But a few insider tips will make your visit to Strasburg PA even smoother:
- Don’t try to do it all. Pick two or three main attractions and let the rest be bonus. Everything’s close, but kids are still kids.
• Go early when you can. Morning train rides are cooler, calmer, and less crowded. Plus, you’ll have more flexibility to fit in other stops later.
• Alternate high and low energy stops. A train ride or museum, followed by a play café or farm, keeps the day feeling balanced.
• Bring layers and snacks. You’ll be indoors, outdoors, and maybe standing near a steam engine—things shift quickly.
• Check hours in advance. Some spots (like the Toy Train Museum or Busy Bodies) have limited days or close early.
Strasburg PA is one of those rare places where little kids feel like the main character… and parents don’t have to work quite so hard to make the magic happen.
So go ahead and book the train ride. Or the caboose. Or both.
We’ve already mapped it all out… now you just get to enjoy the ride.
Happy travels
