[SmileLaughLearn]

We're thinking of taking a trip to PA with our boys, who are both 2. It seems like Hershey and Dutch Wonderland have enough to entertain them, but I'm not sure if the railroad is good for toddlers or not? They're into Thomas, and they like trains in general, I just don't know if Stasburg has much for todders or if we should wait until they're older.

Also, does anybody have any recommendations for places to stay or other things to do in the area? Is the Hands-On House good for 2-yr-olds?

Thanks for your help!

[DFNY]

My son, too, LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine (he's 4 now). I think your boys will love that area, especially if you take them when Thomas is there, across the street from the RR. See Strasburg Rail Road - Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for A Day Out with Thomas. We're planning to return for the 3rd year this June (June 13-21, 2009), now with our 4 yr old daughter in tow. She's also a Thomas fan even though she's been home only a few months. It's a fun day. You get to ride a train pulled by Thomas and see the beautiful Lancaster, PA countryside. The first time we went, DS was 2. You should have heard his excitement on seeing the "real" Thomas coming down the track! It was wonderful to share that with him. We hope to stay overnight this time so we can then do Dutch Wonderland, something we haven't seen yet.

Oh, and if you go on a Sunday, you'll get to see the Amish people in their horse-drawn buggies. It's a great opportunity to see so much that they're not exposed to on a regular basis.

Enjoy!

Damaris

[whereintheworld]

Wow, the Thomas thing sounds great. I'm sure my kids would love it!!! If anyone has done it, would you mind weighing in on whether you think it is an activity that a moderately slow moving grandparent might also enjoy?

[AngelsMama]

Family Fun Magazine just did a whole article on visiting Strasburg. I don't know if they have it up on their site but it gives ideas on where to stay, eat, and do activities.

[karen nickols]

We are planning to visit friends in PA in June and I had never heard of Dutchworld. We of course are planning to go to Hersey!

[bmarsicano]

Hi. Jumping over from another site. I did Dutch Wonderland and Strassburg last December with my 4 year old daughter. Dutch Wonderland was great because it has many rides that were geared toward the younger age and she really liked Thomas. We did the two-for, Thomas and the regular train. It was a nice weekend and we had some snow and it was not that crowded.

[mturner]

I am working on planning a get together with a bunch of other families that have adopted from Guatemala. We are hoping to do the The Thomas the Train, Dutch Wonderland, and the Please Touch Museum. We helped
8 other families adopt using our attorney and everyone has their children home. I thought it would be fun to get all the kids together and I am inviting other families that we have met over the years. I have 3 toddlers who are almost 3, 4 and 5 and I think all these places would be a blast. We chose to wait another year to do Sesame St. Place because my almost 4yr. old does not like to get her face wet and we were told Sesame St. Place is most water activities. So, this summer we will be in PA in Jun. visiting Thomas, going to Dutch Wonderland, and either the Please Touch Museum or Hershey.

Martina

[SmileLaughLearn]

Thanks for the great ideas! I wondered about the Please Touch Museum, too. I think if we have time, we'll head there.

Thanks for all the help, everybody!