Train Heaven With Kids 
Do you like trains? Do your kids like trains? Do you like your kids? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, a trip to Strasburg is on order. As always, all suggestions are family friendly and wheelchair accessible!
Why Go
Strasburg is hands-down the best place for train lovers… I’ll be so bold as to say it… in the world. Yes, other places have running steam engines and historic rails (Strasburg is America’s oldest operating railroad and it’s engines and passenger cars are all originals – not replicas). Yes, other places have railway museums (Strasburg’s has more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars). Yes, other places have model train displays (Strasburg has several, including one that’s 1700 sq feet and 100% hand-built). Yes, other places have hotels housed in old caboose cars (ok, not many places, but still…). No, there’s nowhere else you can go to eat, sleep, and breathe trains like Strasburg, PA. The entire community is built around the historic railroad with shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions all blending into the theme.
When to Go
Do you love Thomas? Great! So does the rest of the world… especially toddler boys… So, if you really love Thomas, check out A Day Out with Thomas, which comes through a few times a year. My family especially loves early summer or fall (just before or after the big crowds, but still in the nice weather zone so you can make a day of it) or during Christmas. Actually, there’s no “or.” We prefer both. We go during the summer for a day, or two-day outing, and we go on the Night Before Christmas Train. Oh, a note on that. Strasburg also has the best holiday trains. Yes, other places have train rides with Santa. How about a cozy evening journey in your jammies while someone in a nightcap reads “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” as you nibble on a cookie and drink some milk… and then all sing carols together? There’s just no other experience like it.
What to Do
1. The Strasburg Railroad.
Obviously. The Strasburg Railroad is the center of the action. I strongly suggest you leave yourself at least three hours for the full experience. In addition to the shops and playground (not accessible), you can purchase fun extras like crank cars and a kid-sized train. The kids can happily spend a lot of time at this place. There’s also the option to have the train drop you off at a picnic spot and pick you up an hour later. Plan accordingly. The railroad uses a chair lift to help wheelchair users access the train. I love this, since most historic trains I look at state something to the effect of, “It was built before ADA – sorry we can’t help you.”
2. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
These trains don’t move, but they’re big, and real, and housed in a sort of life-sized train village. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has over 100 real trains to explore – indoors and outside. They also have a model train display and several interactive exhibits for all age ranges – from train tables to operating a G-scale switching layout. The train cars are not accessible (most cars you can only view from the outside, anyway), but the museum has a portable chair lift to allow you to look inside any car.
3. National Toy Train Museum
My kids had so much fun in the lobby, they thought we were done before we even entered. The National Toy Train Museum is a giant collection of toys (ancient to current), including six interactive layouts… which means lots of buttons for kids to push while making things go. They always have a craft and a scavenger hunt to liven things up, in addition to the play area of both wooden and LEGO train tables. All exhibits are easily accessible.
4. Choo Choo Barn
Ok, so, it’s another model train layout. I’m still listing the Choo Choo Barn because it’s 1700 sq feet of hand-built tiny wonders. The pictures can’t do justice to the animations and scenes played out. The village has tiny replicas of a lot of local places… so you won’t even have to visit the rest of the county! The display is wheelchair accessible.
5. Shop/Play/Eat
The area is also known for it’s antiques. I have young children, so we haven’t explored the antique shops! Swingsets Lancaster is a playground equipment shop just outside of town that offers an expansive play area. For a more accessible option, Daniel’s Den is a fully inclusive playground. Unfortunately, it’s almost a 30 minute drive from town.
Where to Eat
1. Casey Jones
Casey Jones is a restaurant in a caboose… as part of a hotel made of cabooses. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
The Red Caboose Motel now has an ADA caboose where you can spend the night!
2. Somewhere Else
If you’re tired of trains (?!?) Isaac’s is a regional chain that makes yummy sandwiches in a laid back atmosphere. Hershey Farm Restaurant is just down the road for some PA Dutch flavor… including some of the best whoopie pies around.
If you’re looking to see more than just trains, check out the Best of Lancaster County and Accessible Lancaster County for Kids!