Things to do in Harrisburg, PA area (not during York)

[trestrainfan]

Hi:

I'm going back to visit my brother and his wife in June for about a week. They live near Harrisburg. My Mom is going to visit during that time as well. Looking for ideas for things to do in general, as well as train related things.

My brother lived in Lancaster for a few years, so on previous trips we've covered Lancaster and the Amish areas. We've also covered Gettysburg and Baltimore including the National Aquarium and the B&O Museum. I really like Longwood Gardens and have been numerous times, but probably won't go this trip. My brother and his wife are avid canoe paddlers, so we'll do that one day. I've been to Strasburg once before years ago. Planning a day trip there. It looks like the following train related activities in Strasburg: TCA National Museum, Strasburg Railroad, Choo-Choo Barn, Strasburg train shop, & Pennsylvania RR Museum. Besides me, there is going to be my brother, his wife, and my Mom. How would you rate the different things to do in Strasburg, keeping in mind the train interest varies from high to low? If you had a day in Strasburg with relatives, what would you see or skip? Looking at the railroad site, I think we'll be back there during one of their Thomas the Train weeks. I'm somewhat allergic to thousands of screaming kids, so that may cross the railroad off the list.

Also, are there any LHS's you would recommend in the Harrisburg area? I'm giving my brother a Lionel North Pole Central starter set, so he may get interested in toy trains, and I'd be interested in checking out some good hobby stores. My interest is mainly Lionel. From what I read on the board, it sounds like there are almost as may train stores back east as there are Starbucks out here in California. Well, I guess there can't be that many, or there would be a train store on every corner :)

Looking forward to seeing miles upon miles of tree-covered rolling hills and rivers with water in them. Hope the humidity won't be bad yet. Any ideas or comments are appreciated. Thanks.

[laz 57]

TTFAN,

  When in HARRISBURG, PA. you can visit the train station on WALNUT ST and see a GGI down at the tracks along with a PA caboose.  Or you can go to Straussburg and check out the Railaod Museum.  Or go about 2 hrs drive north on I 81 to Scranton, Pa. and see STEAMTOWN, the National Steam Muesuem. and also see the trolley museum next to it .   While there in Scranton go to GRYZBOWSKIs Train Store just up the block.  In LEYMOYN across the river from Harrisburg there is THE TRAIN SHOP on 9th St. or go 15 minutes east towards Lancaster in Elizabethtown, you'll find BARRYs TRAIN STOE, on 2nd and HIGH streets.  Or you can go about 30 minutes down on 11-15 and go to GETTYBURG.  Or beyond that to BALTIMORE and check out MTH.

Hope this helps?

laz57

[phillyreading]

Another place to see is Roadside America in Shartlesville PA along I-78, east of Harrisburg about an hour or so drive, a few miles before Hamburg exit.  All O gauge size trains there, some are post-war Lionels.

Lee F.

[ChiefEagles]

I must admitt.  You get the PA Yanks to escort you around.  They do a good job of it. 

 

 

 

 

BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO FEED THEM GRITS.  

[jefelectric]

TTFAN,

  When in HARRISBURG, PA. you can visit the train station on WALNUT ST and see a GGI down at the tracks along with a PA caboose.  Or you can go to Straussburg and check out the Railaod Museum.  Or go about 2 hrs drive north on I 81 to Scranton, Pa. and see STEAMTOWN, the National Steam Muesuem. and also see the trolley museum next to it .   While there in Scranton go to GRYZBOWSKIs Train Store just up the block.  In LEYMOYN across the river from Harrisburg there is THE TRAIN SHOP on 9th St. or go 15 minutes east towards Lancaster in Elizabethtown, you'll find BARRYs TRAIN STOE, on 2nd and HIGH streets.  Or you can go about 30 minutes down on 11-15 and go to GETTYBURG.  Or beyond that to BALTIMORE and check out MTH.

Hope this helps?

laz57

Laz, Barry's is on Market and High Street.  No 2nd Street in E-town. 

[Buckeye Riveter]

There is the Bear wrestling tournement at Laz's house every Saturday night northeast of Harrisburg.

[trestrainfan]

Thanks for all the replies and info.

Steamtown sounds really neat. Don't know if I'll be able to talk everyone into two days of trains; one at Strasburg and one at Scranton, but it's worth a try. Don't think I'll be able to fit the bear wrestling in, though.

[laz 57]

There is the Bear wrestling tournement at Laz's house every Saturday night northeast of Harrisburg.

 

LOL, Come on in and try your luck?  Just don't bring any GRITS.  Old MILWAUKEE will get you everything you want.

laz57

[laz 57]

TTFAN,

  When in HARRISBURG, PA. you can visit the train station on WALNUT ST and see a GGI down at the tracks along with a PA caboose.  Or you can go to Straussburg and check out the Railaod Museum.  Or go about 2 hrs drive north on I 81 to Scranton, Pa. and see STEAMTOWN, the National Steam Muesuem. and also see the trolley museum next to it .   While there in Scranton go to GRYZBOWSKIs Train Store just up the block.  In LEYMOYN across the river from Harrisburg there is THE TRAIN SHOP on 9th St. or go 15 minutes east towards Lancaster in Elizabethtown, you'll find BARRYs TRAIN STOE, on 2nd and HIGH streets.  Or you can go about 30 minutes down on 11-15 and go to GETTYBURG.  Or beyond that to BALTIMORE and check out MTH.

Hope this helps?

laz57

Laz, Barry's is on Market and High Street.  No 2nd Street in E-town. 

 

Sorry JOHN, his address is 2 E. High St. ?

laz57

[Anonymous]

Fife took the lot of us down to the NS tracks for some railfanning... we stopped by the Rockport (?) Bridge and got to see some UP Engines pulling a load of MOW hoppers full of stone.  Got some good shots of it!

[phillyreading]

I must admitt.  You get the PA Yanks to escort you around.  They do a good job of it. 

 

 

 

 

BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO FEED THEM GRITS.  

 Chief,

You might get in trouble feedeing a northerner grits. What cha really need to do in that part of PA is to feed them Shoo Fly Pie, pretzels and Yeungling Beer.   Unless you are trying to raz Laz57, don't feed a PA boy grits.

Lee F. 

[dk99358]

I thought I posted this earlier but???

If you have any interest in the outdoors, Cabelas near Hamburg is a great place to go.  It is just a little further beyond Roadside America on I 78.

Also, Hershey and Hershey Park are nearby

Dale

[Pennvalley]

1st time around, I would go to Strasburg. Real trains, toy train layouts, toy train museum, PRR train museum, ride real train & the area is just beautiful.

 

[laz 57]

I must admitt.  You get the PA Yanks to escort you around.  They do a good job of it. 

 

 

 

 

BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO FEED THEM GRITS.  

 Chief,

You might get in trouble feedeing a northerner grits. What cha really need to do in that part of PA is to feed them Shoo Fly Pie, pretzels and Yeungling Beer.   Unless you are trying to raz Laz57, don't feed a PA boy grits.

Lee F. 

ROCK ON, LEE.

Yuengling Premium Beer.  You can even take a tour of the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, Pa. just up the road, they give free beer to you after the tour.

laz57

[phillyreading]

That's cool Laz, didn't know that Yeungling would give you free beer, not far from where I used to live either.

Lee F.