Pennsylvania Dutch Country
By Janene Mascarella
The Long Island Exchange

I was looking for a fun place to take the kids for a couple of days—that didn’t involve plane tickets. Something cool and different and reachable by car. So I did what most parents do these days, I hit the net. I surfed around a while for ideas and inspiration, but came up empty.

My son was playing with his ‘Thomas’ trains on the floor making such a racket, I couldn’t even think clearly. He’s obsessed with those trains—it’s a sickness, really. Anyone with young children might know the symptoms: Rattling off the names and numbers of ‘Thomas’ and his many ‘Friends’, humming that silly rail road song, a sudden invasion of wooden tracks. I tripped over one of those trains running for the phone. This gave me a brilliant idea. Some moms mentioned that kids can actually ride on a life size ‘Thomas’. The event is called A DAY OUT WITH THOMAS and it travels around the country. Maybe this little blue train that I almost broke my foot on, is a really useful engine after all. I hobbled back to the computer.
A click here and a click there—and bingo—‘Thomas’ will be at the Strasburg Rail Road. Perfect. Strasburg is located in Lancaster County, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, famous for its landscape and rolling farmlands. I learned there was plenty to do: there’s the Amish, shopping, amusement parks, museums, theaters. Sure sounded fun. Not too far, definitely something different. Its official… to Lancaster County we go[…]

[…]I had no idea what a big event this was. And how crowded. Here’s another tip: make sure you buy tickets well in advance. The lines are crazy. At the Strasburg Rail Road, this event is huge. When we heard that parking would be a nightmare, we were so relieved to learn that the Netherlands Inn & Spa provided shuttle buses going back and forth to the rail road all day. Whew! We thought it would be best not to bring the stroller. Bad move. The shuttle bus left room for strollers in the front seats and when our young kids tired from walking around all day, we had to carry them, along with ten bags full of goodies and treats.

When ‘Thomas’ is in town, the event attracts nearly 50,000 people—but for kids who love that little tank engine, I assure you, they won’t be disappointed. This year, the life size ‘Thomas’ (a real train) blinks his eyes and what’s really great is you hop aboard for a 25 minute train ride through the Amish countryside. My kids were thrilled beyond words. The lines were long, the day was hot, but would I do it again? Yep. We plan to return in December when the event returns. Here are the other cool things that happen at the Strasburg Rail Road during ‘A Day Out With Thomas’. The kids can:

* Get pictures taken on Percy- a life size blow up version of Thomas’s friend.

* Learn about farm animals - with a chick hatching display – a real tractor - and other farm-related fun.

* Ride the Cranky Cars - which are just the right size for young children.

* Go on the pump cars (for the whole family)

* Take a ride on a caboose.

* Ride on a pint sized steam locomotive – the Cagney.

* Find their way through a child sized hay maze.

* Get faux tattoos of Thomas and Friends.

* Shop through an infinite number of Thomas Merchandise.

Take This Trip Tip: Do It Again In December!

We all had such a great time in Strasburg, PA—we are now making plan to return in December. Strasburg is the home of The National Christmas Center, and there are plenty of events and festivals to celebrate the Christmas season. We plan to ride Santa’s Paradise Express. December 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17th, the Strasburg Rail Road transforms into a winter wonderland and the family can take a train ride with Santa! There are also carolers, musicians, storytellers and much more[…]

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