Strasburg Railroad Holiday Train Rides 2014 (and GIVEAWAY!)

We've been longtime fans of the Strasburg Railroad. Both Hubby and I loved have fond memories of visiting Strasburg when we were kids. My parents took me and my sisters once on a family outing, and Hubby has the very special memory of going with his grandparents. Now that we are parents, it has been so fun to give our girls the experience of this fun train ride. 

This year, we'll be hitting the rails for the holidays, because Strasburg Railroad has some amazing holiday events that we don't want to miss. Bring the kids to ride with Santa (like your own Polar Express!), hear the traditional tale of The Night Before Christmas or even take the train to cut down your own tree! 

Here are the three ways you can enjoy holiday train ride at Strasburg Railroad:

Santa’s Paradise Express

11/28 - 11/30, 12/6 - 12/7, 12/13 - 12/14, 12/20 – 12/21, multiple times throughout the day

Santa will ride aboard the train with a special gift for good boys and girls. Santa will greet each passenger in their seats and families will have the opportunity to visit with him and have their photo taken. At the station Mrs. Claus will be available to help finalize letters to Santa and visitors can enjoy a ride aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motorcar, and hear storybook readings of holiday classics aboard a heated stationary Caboose.

Adults $17, Children (ages 3-11) $11, Children (ages 2 and under) $3

Night Before Christmas Train

November 28, December 5, 12 and 19 at 6:30pm

The magic of Christmas Eve is recreated on this special train ride. Visitors can wear their pajamas and enjoy cookies and milk as they travel down the tracks. On board, a reader dressed in a Victorian nightshirt and cap will read aloud the classic poem, "The Night Before Christmas.” At the station visitors can enjoy storybook readings of holiday classics aboard a heated stationary Caboose and a ride aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motorcar.

The Strasburg Rail Road will donate $5 from every adult ticket sold to the Clinic for Special Children located in Strasburg, PA.

Adults $17, Children (ages 3-11) $11, Children (ages 2 and under) $3

Christmas Tree Train

12/6 at 9am

Visitors won’t forget selecting this year’s Christmas tree with a ride aboard the Christmas Tree Train at Strasburg Rail Road. Travel aboard an authentic, vintage steam train to Leaman Place Grove to select a fresh-cut, locally grown tree. As passengers board the train to ride back to the station their tree will follow along on a vintage flatcar. 

Adults $17, Children (ages 11 and under) $1
(Note: Cost of Christmas tree is an additional fee. Prices range by tree and average about $40).

And guess what?

The good people of Strasburg Railroad are giving you a chance to be the lucky winner of a family 4-pack of tickets to the Santa's Paradise Express ride on Sunday, Dec 21 at 1pm! How awesome is that?!

Are you feeling lucky?  Enter below! 

The giveaway will run from today until noon on Wednesday, 12/10. Good luck! 

Have you visited Strasburg for the holidays? I'd love to hear about your experience.  Leave a comment and tell me all about it!


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Percy and Thomas the Tank Engine Visit Strasburg Railroad {Giveaway}

Chica turned 6 a few weeks ago, and as a special treat we whisked the family to Lancaster County (about 30 minutes away) for a fun ride on the Strasburg Railroad.  We decided to go all out and enjoyed the dining car. For a glorious hour, we rode along the bucolic Lancaster countryside while noshing on tasty food. 

Trains are truly a treat!

Kids, especially, find something truly magical about locomotives. And there are few things more exciting than meeting your favorite train in person! Several precious times a year, Strasburg invites Thomas the Tank Engine to visit. Day Out with Thomas is one of the most popular events of the year!

Until now.

This year, Thomas will be bringing a very special friend along! Percy will be chugging along with Thomas to the Strasburg Railroad this September. Little engineers and their families have the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine AND Percy, stars of the popular Thomas & Friends® series.

A Day Out With Thomas and Percy Activities

• A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and hear Thomas greet his fans!

• Pictures with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway.

• A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets.

• Thomas & Friends video viewing and storytelling.

• Fun extras including rides aboard vintage Pump Cars, hand-propelled Cranky Cars, a Pint-Sized Pufferbelly train and an LO&S motorcar train.

When

September 13 – 21, 2014.

Trains departing every 30 minutes:

• Saturday 9:15 am – 3:45 pm
• Sunday, 9:45 am – 3:15 pm
• Monday – Friday, 10:15 am – 1:45 pm

Ticket prices are $21.00 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).

And?

One lucky reader will win a Family 4 pack to visit Thomas & Percy for Sunday, September 14 to ride the 12:45pm train!

Note: please only submit an entry if you are able to accept the tickets and attend on Sunday, September 14 at 12:45pm.

Good luck and happy winning!

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National Train Day is May 10th + Strasburg Railroad Giveaway

I remember the first time I rode a train. I was in 7th grade, and my parents had decided to take the auto train from Virginia to Florida for our trip to Disney World. I found the the experience thrilling, from the cozy seats, the yummy dining car, and the mesmerizing observation car whose roof was a dome of windows. There is something magical about trekking across the country by train, knowing the long history trains have had in our country.

I love the festive feel May brings, with it's beautiful weather and promise that Summer is just around the corner. The month of May offers a great many celebrations: The Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day.


But did you know…

 May 10th is National Train Day?

Trains are amazing machines. Here are a few fun facts for you:

• The longest train station in England is little over 600 meters long. That’s as large as 6 football fields.

• Trains can be powered by a variety of energy sources including steam, diesel and electricity.

• Early trains relied on ropes, horses or gravity.

• Opened in 1994, the Channel Tunnel carries passengers between the UK andFrance on a high speed railway.

• Longest stretch of perfectly straight railway track is located in Australia. It is 478 kilometers long.

Super cool, right?!

So what's the best way to celebrate National Train Day? The Strasburg Railroad, our local train attraction, has this fun train craft for kids:

(To download, right-click and choose "download")

I also found these adorable train-themed snacks just for the occasion on Pinterest!









So many great ideas!

In honor of National Train Day, the Strasburg Railroad will be giving one of my lucky readers a Family 4 Pack of tickets to visit the railroad!

Whether you win or not, Strasburg Railroad is the perfect day trip to take your kids on for National Train Day!  There are lots of fun things to do in Lancaster if you want to make it a fun-filled day or weekend. Check out my Lancaster County Review for ideas! 

If you hop on for a train ride, be sure to download my Strasburg Railroad Scavenger Hunt to make the ride even more fun!

(To download, right-click and choose "download")

In the meantime, you can enter the giveaway below.


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Best of luck! 

And Happy Train Day!

Philly Staycations: Lancaster County, PA

While the economy is improving, people are still simplifying and reducing their budgets to make ends meet. Our family has not been able to afford a big (read: more than an overnight in the local area) vacation for the past several years. Luckily, we live in the Philadelphia area, and there are so many great destinations to visit for fun staycations within a 2-hour drive.


What can I say? You all should move to Philly!


I recently had a chance to do a local staycation in Lancaster, PA.  Having lived outside of Philadelphia my whole life, I've been to Lancaster lots of times.  I've never stayed over though!  And what surprised me most is that there is a ton to do in Lancaster.  I took Hubby and Chica for a one night stay and visited three area attractions.  We were kept busy all of Saturday, welcoming sleep when bedtime rolled around.


Thinking of trying to stay local this Summer? Or are you visiting Philadelphia and looking for a fun day trip?  Here's my quick recap of a very fun overnight in Lancaster:

The Accommodations

Doubletree by Hilton Resort 

I have never stayed in a Doubletree before, but after this experience I will certainly be going back.  Every guest is welcomed by a friendly staff and sent on to their rooms with freshly baked cookies.


YES.


Upon check-in, guests are given the most amazingly delicious cookies to enjoy while they make their way to their rooms.  Lovely.


Hotel rooms are spacious, comfortable and (most importantly) clean.  The resort has 2 restaurants on-site, and an easy drive to many more.  If you are getting away for a little fun and relaxation, the Doubletree Resort boasts both an indoor and outdoor pool.  Families can take advantage of the indoor Water Playground, which is perfect for young kids to enjoy.


I would highly recommend the Double Tree Resort in Lancaster to anyone looking for a quality place to stay in Lancaster, PA.  Want a quick peek at our room?  Check out my very impromptu video below:

The Attractions

Strasburg Railroad

I have memories of riding the train at Strasburg way back from when I was a little. So it was a joy taking Chica on the leisurely hour-long round trip through the Lancaster countryside.  There are different cars for the train, from a simple open-air car to the air-conditioned and luxurious President's Car. Regardless of your seat, everyone has a fantastic view.  The Strasburg Rail Road has special events throughout the year, including a chance to ride Thomas the Tank Engine! The Easter Bunny and Santa also make visits during their holiday seasons.  If you want to do a fun evening without the kids, the Strasburg Railroad offers a fun Wine and Cheese car as well as a Murder Mystery Dinner!


Some of the cars and certain events offer dining on the train.  If you are hungry before or after your trip, the Strasburg Railroad has you covered.  The recently opened Trackside Cafe offers a spectacular selection for all palates: pizza, quesadillas, and sandwiches, as well as whoopie pies and ice cream! We had a delightful lunch before our train ride, complete with dessert.  I had Shoo Fly Pie (a classic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert) for the first time in my life (spoiler alert: it is not made with ground up flies, despite what my dad used to tell me).


Even the most train-loving kids can get wiggly during the train ride. So when you plan your trip, make sure to download and print the fun Strasburg Railroad Scavenger Hunt I've created.  Challenge your kids to find every item, or see who can find all the items first!  Each and every item can be found during the train ride!

Choo Choo Barn

I was really not sure what I would think of the Choo Choo Barn when it was first placed on our agenda. But can I tell you I could have stayed there for hours?  I didn't realize I would find miniature tableaus so interesting, but there was SO much to see! The Choo Choo Barn is a gigantic (like, 1700 square feet - which rivals my house, people) model train layout.  The huge room is the setting for a circus (complete with a taco truck in the parking lot), a campground, various houses, a zoo, a rave in a cave (seriously) and even a mini Dutch Wonderland! I walked around the structure several times, gazing and trying to see every little detail.  To give guests a different perspective, the lights are dimmed and it becomes "night" every 10 minutes.  Every 5 minutes, there is a road accident, for which police and fire fighters are called for.  Very fun for little kids! And let's be honest. Adults too!

The Amish Village

In all my years living in Pennsylvnia (i.e.: all of them), I have never been to the Amish Village.  The Amish Village is a must-visit for anyone who is a Pennsylvania resident, and a can't-miss for anyone visiting our awesome state!  Started by a woman from Texas, believe it or not, the Amish Village is a learning experience that really sheds light on the daily life of the Amish people.  The property holds a traditional Amish home, Amish store, Amish market and an Amish school house, as well as buggies, farm animals and a beautiful landscape.  During the tour, our tour guide shared many facts that I had never heard before about the Amish, including their history or origination to family life.  Saturdays from 10am-4pm, there is an actual Amish school teacher who you can hear from at the Amish school house on the back of the property.  On the day we visited, our school teacher fielded many questions and gave a great overview on her role as a special education teacher in the Amish community. Very enlightening!  We stopped in the Amish store, which is home to many souvenirs, including beautiful handmade quilts.  If you think you know everything about the Amish culture, see if your knowledge passes the test at The Amish Village next time you are in Lancaster!

~~~~~

I feel fortunate to have so many travel opportunities near by, and at a price that is easy on the wallet.  Even if you've been to Lancaster a thousand times, an overnight and new fun attractions can really make your visit brand new.  Looking for more to do?  There is mini-golf course in the area, as well as the shopping wonders that are Tanger and Rockvale Outlet Shopping, Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, restaurants and more. This is a great central location when planning a stay to Lancaster County!


Have you been to Lancaster, PA? Hoping to plan a visit this Summer? Share your story and leave a comment below!







Disclosure: I was provided lodging and entrance to the attractions. As always, all opinions are my own. Always trying to keep it real!

Steph Stays: Lancaster County, PA (COMING SOON!)

LANCASTER, PA

This weekend, I will be whisking Hubby and Little Chica away to Lancaster, PA. We'll be riding trains at the Strasburg Railroad and Choo Choo Barn, learning about the Amish Ways at the Amish Village, and enjoying a relaxing stay at Willow Valley Doubletree by Hilton.  


Y'all know I LOVE me some food, so know I'll be posting my meal pics for all to see! 


I want you to come along for the ride!


Ok, not literally.


Do you have any questions you'd like me to answer while I'm on my trip?  Is there something you'd like  to challenge me to do while I'm visiting (take a picture with a horse and buggy? Drink a milkshake? Report on the toiletries at the hotel? Grab a picture with the train conductor)? 


Leave a comment here or on the CSHM Facebook page, and I will take on your challenges!


Follow my adventures this Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 on the Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom Facebook page. Since I like to keep it real, I will also be tweeting it up on Twitter (@donnareedsteph) using the hashtag #LancasterPAFun.


Join in the fun - and take copious notes so you can take your own Lancaster Staycation this summer!