Reviews of Steamtown National Historic Site (Museum)

Kathy Bufford

Took my granddaughter for a trolley ride. Loved the surroundings. I was born & raised in Scranton. Good to see some of the changes. Informative.

Dan Fletcher

Bring your kids for a fun day of trains. My 2 year old loved every second. Its simple lay out and interactive exhibits really sealed the deal. Oh I haven't told you the best part, its FREE to get in.

Judith Ross

A very nice place to visit and learn about the trains

Frank Sattler

Very educational, and fun. Great presentation of Railroading.

D Kingore

Fantastic collection! Some need cosmetic work, but there are so many! It is obvious they are making progress and the displays are very well done!

Deborah Slater

Had a great time browsing around and the train ride to Tobyhanna with the walking excursion was wonderful.

Susan Nurmi

If you love steam trains this is a must see. Beautifully done..... And it's free.

Robin Thompson

Not only educational but nice area to take your time and learn the history and mechanics of the trains. Children can climb up a real train in the conductors area. If you choose you can take numerous train excursions as well as a trolley ride. Plenty of parking for cars and buses.

Katelyn Bendig

We absolutely loved this place. The kids were in love with the trains. Best part was, its FREE. Highly recommend.

Shawn Johns

Really interesting trolley museum and the the trolley ride was really informative and the views are great

Mike Reed

If you are into old trains this is the place for you. You can spend 3 to 4 hours no problem if you read all of the information on the different displays. It has a working reconditioning/maintenance shop. A trolley museum on site also. Parking is not a problem and easy to locate.

Andrea Fife

Amazing and free. Kids and adults agreed this was one of the best museums we've seen. We spent 4 hours, but I could easily have stayed a day.

Greg Allen

Well maintained facility, diversified roster, friendly staff.

Mitko Blazeski

One of the best museums I have been to. Awesome to be able to your the behind the scenes side.

Billy Tucker

Really good to view if your out of state and just want to get some history this teaches you alot of history with steam engines and you even get a free tour of the shop to see what engineers did back in earlier times! Highly recommend

Alex

Very well taken care of a lot of fun exhibits and information - hands down would recommend everyone visiting

David Hartley

A great historic area. Great exhibits

Matthew Hickey

A fascinating historic site full of industrial artifacts. Will have to visit for the labor day steam workshop and locomotives. I can't believe these things still run. It's like visiting another time and place. One of America's prides. Steam locomotives don't get bigger than big boy.

Ethan Hubbard

This place was amazing!!! I'll definitely be going back!

devin lockwood

great place to take the family or even enjoy a peaceful day to yourself

Megan Sherman

A really neat museum with a lot of great history. Loved it!

Anthony Blacker

Amazing history and a very nice tour. We were very lucky and were the only couple on our walkthrough and had an extra special experience, fantastic time!

Daniel Emerson

Great place to visit lots of stuff for kids to touch. Totally free to visit.

Ross Belovich

If you are a railfan or just a history buff, this place is awesome. As it's actually a federal park there is no cost at all to visit and take the tour of the backshops. Lots to see and enjoy.

Jen Jen

What a wonderful place to step back and explore a moment in time in our nation's history. Beautiful old train cars and locomotives inside the museum that you can walk through and imagine what it would have been like to travel by rail. Movie theater shows an interesting short film to get you started on your way. The entire facility is spotless right down to the restrooms.

Lori Kiger

Very impressive! Seeing a Big Boy up close was awesome. I would highly recommend visiting Steamtown.

Frank Auge

If you are at all a train buff, Steamtown should not be missed. I had a great time showing my Granddaughter the trains. You cant beat the price FREE

Josh Walling

For anyone interested in train history this is an excellent museum to visit. I love that the have walk through exhibits of many types of train cars and a cutaway of a steam locomotive.

Barbara Schaffer

Great place great prices only cost 5 dollars.for train ride kids under 6 free family of 5 $20 dollars

Thomas Spinner

Awesome place! Great to see all the trains up close and grab an out and back train ride!

Kitten kit

Its been some time since I've been there. My daughter was once in love with Thomas the tank engine but unfortunately outgrew it. However, as for myself, I love this place! All those beautiful trains! My absolute favorites are going inside the old passenger trains and looking inside the private compartments. And they have taken great care restoring these trains and it really shows! I am so glad that there were people willing to see just how important it was to save these trains as they are such an important part of our local history. We have also taken the train rides several times. Never grow tired of it! Just like going back in time! If you ever have the opportunity to go there, Please take it! You will love it and definitely won't regret it!

David Roger

Awesome place to go, they have so many exhibits on steam locomotion and very cool and rare engines to check out... They do small train rides during the days ( check schedule) and exhibition rides though the summer. I spent 4 hours there and the time flew by. Glad they are doing they're part to preserve history!

Edgar Gomez

Very educational. The people were nice and the exhibits were very well kept. Really interesting and they have many trains in display. You can even go inside a few of them and see how they accommodated passengers. Really very interesting.

Doris Viviano

Very nice, I'm so glad the history of the Steam Train is preserved, lots of things to read and see in the museum. Years ago my husband and I were able to tour the round house, where they store and work on trains, by our selves, no guide then. It was nice.

Ellen Cuffari

Really enjoyed this place, great day trip, learned alot

John Howcroft

We spent a whole day there, and we didn't get to the trolley museum next door! These folks do a great job of preserving the past!

Rupa Kale

A total hidden gem! It was a little challenging to find on GPS and the name doesn't quite justify the magnitude of this space. It's a massive museum filled with memorabilia and history along with a real life "Thomas The Train" yard. Watch the film first and then walk around to experience old steam engines as well as train cars from earlier in the century. You can also take a train ride. If you have little people this place is a must visit. My 8 year olds (and we) loved it.

Jeffrey Hoelscher

Very helpful staff and well laid out museum. If you’re military you can get your annual pass here but the pass office is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Very neat walk through of the workings and maintenance of old steam trains

dropdfocus

Great place to take the family! We went on the short train excursion and learned quite a bit about the Scranton area.

glen remaly

Great place for the whole family. My only complaint was there was no place I saw to grab a bite to eat. Even the mall had very limited food choices. Next time we'll pack a lunch.

Mike Frazer

This place is awesome and don't miss the 4884 Big Boy on display with all the other historic locomotives in the roundhouse.

MaryAnn Matlaga

If you love trains you have to visit. Free except for the yard train ride but it's only $5

Danielle Doll

The whole family loved this visit. And especially the train ride. Easy to get to and easy parking in mall garage.

Daisy Duke

Great history lesson! I love trains!

Lourdes Salvador

It was Awesome! Very interesting

Tina Stipak

So much fun and the boys learned a lot! The special weekend we attended was great - lots of demos and train rides on the different trains that have been put back in service (park only and limited excursions on main lines). My one son plans to move to Scranton and work at Steamtown ;) they couldn't get enough and they kept talking about it for months & keep asking to do it again. It is a large place so be prepared to walk!

Jackie D

The trolley ride was very informative, and cheaper than Disney World for my three year old

Bikas Ranjan

I am big fan of train. This place specifically the theatre video will remind the unforgotten memory of train. The hissing sound of train with the bell sound is heart touching. This place is free of cost and worth visiting to understand the north east pensylvania locomotives. Very nice staff with great facility. Dont miss to see round house and train ride which comes in 5$ ( around 20-25 minutes)

Phil Thornborrow

Good place for a day out. Lots of history to see and learn about. Free entry and the rides on the steam train and trolley are very reasonably priced. Park rangers are volunteer guides are around to ask questions if needed. Nice gift shop and direct access to the mall via ramp for food and additional browsing.

Miranda & Brad Luppino

This place is great for kids and adults as well! Lots of hands on things to do. Loved the archeological exhibit!

George Lundberg

Wonderful piece of history. An incredible place to see the past truly come to life and learn about the machines that drove the American Industrial Revolution.

David Hendricks

Lots to learn and see. Knowledgeable volunteers are the best.

Mike Christel

Love trains. Love history. So, of course, love train history! Lots here to see and read.

James Brouillard

What a great place for kids, gets them out of the house

Thomas Steffek

Loved it. If you are interested in old steam engines this is the place to visit.

N10 Fit

As a train lover and enthusiast, I found a train heaven of various freighters and historical information. The visitors center displayed pictures in a 2nd Fl gallery, 1st Fl has historical data and that day the theater was closed. There are over 35 trains on display in the turnstile and along the walk from the mall's food court, you can walk down a wooden path to the train platform.

Bud Emerson

Excellent, step back in time. Now free admission. Take the kids.

adrienne Morrell

I went with friends and was absolutely amazed at how awesome this place is! Great for kids and adults!

Shannon Drylie

Wonderful museum for kids and adults!! The staff is great!

John Cudo

Steam Locomotives and Diesel Locomotives being restored in their Roundhouse as well as other railroad equipment from days gone by. A must visit for all individuals who are interested in the history of railroading in America. Static displays and short train trips powered by steam locomotives at a nominal cost.

Paul Hofle

One of the best uses of my tax dollars!

Mike Y

What a great time we had at the museum. It is super clean and the staff was very knowledgeable. Still in awe about the size of some of the trains there. Will go back again!

Kristina Solan

What a fun experience!! It is so interesting to see the trains and trolley cars from the past. The trolley car ride is well worth it!!

Katie Reiche

Great train museum. The round house and sheds are wonderful to explore.

Paul Lichstein

Not worth the drive from NYC. The collection is pretty small compared to Green Bay WI.

Robert Dinsmore

Had such a fun time here! Educational and very interesting!

Humayun Kabir

Great place for train enthusiasts and history bluffs. Other wise bit boring. The exhibits are bit static and the train ride was just okay.

Mariena Silvestry Ramos

Made it barely in, but what a gem this is. First of all: friendly employees. They answered all of our questions and gave us pointers to see as much of the museum as we could in what little time we had. They have various types of engines, a historical area and a technology area, plus lots and lots of steam-operated trains. We got to see the machinists and mechanics getting the trains ready for the end of the day. Wear comfy shoes. Can go up and aboard some of the engines. Definitely worth the time and donation. Can't wait to go back.

Melanie Roper

Great local history, informative and friendly staff and rangers.

Biks Videography

I am big fan of train. This place specifically the theatre video will remind the unforgotten memory of train. The hissing sound of train with the bell sound is heart touching. This place is free of cost and worth visiting to understand the north east pensylvania locomotives. Very nice staff with great facility. Dont miss to see round house and train ride which comes in 5$ ( around 20-25 minutes)

Rick Pitts

Great History. Awesome Excursion!

abhijith shekar

Historic and also very informative. Very good place to visit especially with kids. Activity area for kids with model trains are nice. Restored models of actual rail cars is very neat for experiencing a piece of history. Trolley ride is like traveling in a time machine, complete with old ad boards to look the part.

Dave Jones

Great fun and our three year old son loved it!

Loryn Petrik

Clean, well laid out, and has plenty of authentic exhibits and informational presentations.

Bradley Duncan

Great place to at the very least keep alive steam railroading' as it once was.

jessica del rosario

So much history... Great information. People are so helpful.

bob h

Fantastic place to see trains for free

Susan Ward

Lots of history and information was well displayed. Staff was very helpful and knowledgeable.

Jayne Klenner

Great place to bring your kids. Awesome day.

Debbie Tindall

They new there stuff my 2 grandsons love it. The only think wins they had Thomas train. And more to do in kids playroom.

Care To Dine LTD

My 2 year old girl loves trains. We come here all the time. May be a bit boring after the 51st time. But its an amazing look at what these beautiful machines did not only for the area I live in but for the history and growth of this country. It is free to take a look around and only $5 a ride in the yard 3 days a week. Not many things to do for free these days and especially that hold this much.

Hell Blazers

Great area to look at some history of Scranton PA. This place is huge so a bit a walking around cant hurt anyone. Speaking of which this place is great for handicapped people. Place stays clean and staff is very friendly and kind with warm hearts to go around. Been here a while and 5 out of 5 is what it deserves from me. I take in every detail of the place and there is a lot to be discovered with beautiful scenery.

Carrie Lander

Beautifully designed spaces, many hands on attractions. Great for the whole family

Mike Venezia

Phenomenal Museum operated by the National Park Service brings the history of the Lackawanna Railroad in the Scranton area to life would like to see some of the outdoor displays kept in a little bit better condition as the Rolling Stock excursions are real nice at certain times of the year when they make long distance run and the crews are exceptional if you're planning on making a visit here you should do it on a day when they are running one of the long-distance Excursion the Baldwin 26 runs the local yard shuttle on a quick hop for folks to have a ride behind real steam engine and the history throughout the museum and multi-level layers of the floors in the round house and Exhibits are definitely worth seeing figure on spending a whole day there and when you have time as well ride the trolley down to Montage and back from the Electric City Trolley Museum Steamtown is without fail worth your visit I look forward to them getting a Mainline steam locomotive back on track and riding the rails again

Chris Gatti

Great place to visit for all family members. Lots to see including a turntable and workshop. Plenty of RV parking that easily accommodated our 34’ motorhome. Everything was clean and enjoyable. Staff wasn’t very attentive to visitors, but they were polite and helpful once we got their attention. Even on a rainy day there was plenty to see and it was a very enjoyable visit.

Cheryl Petroski

It's a wonderful place to visit for adults and children and to teach them the history of Scranton.

Matt Mursch

Great place for anyone looking to know more about NEPA history

Jonathan Linder

Had a wonderful time. Spent three hours there comfortably. Great for adults and children.

michael spencer

Awesome place! Highly recommend doing the engine shop tour. Tony the tour guide had some great stories and insights into what it was like to work there.

Zak Pindell

We really enjoyed our time looking around here. I was very surprised that there were at most 30 people there on a Saturday. The staff was all friendly and helpful. There just weren't alot of trains to see. Only a few steam engines and train cars. The big boy is just rotting in the parking lot.

Bryan Melliand

Great place to go learn about the history of railroads. Very family friendly and easy to find. When you are walking through the yard be sure to check all the tracks you're crossing since it is still an active railway

Ehud Zion Waldoks

Stopped very briefly here. Seems like it would be more fun on a weekend. No train rides during the week.

Loot Looters

We went to Steamtown Mall to go to the play place which is pretty cool. But we got distracted by all the trains wanted over and end up spending the entire day riding trains and learning about training history.

Greg Dyer

If you love trains.. that this was the mother of all train displays… very cool! Great family visit!

Michael Ferstendig

Beautiful restored old trains. Interesting exhibits. Knowledgeable staff. Very worthwhile.

Jim Dougher

Great time! Nice train ride and very informative

lex que

If you like history this is the place for you. The larger then life engines that crossed the Rocky Mountain, connecting the east coast to the open lands of the west were on display. Many were accessible for you to enjoy , climb onto and touch. You can enjoy a train ride also.

Serene Survivor

My son's favorite place! He's autistic and loves trains, plus it's free!

David Maher

Nice, interesting facility but they didn't accept the forever Senior Pass for Railfest. Either they have the pass, and honor it, or don't have the pass at all. 4 stars for the facility but no stars for the administration.

David Schainen

Very great museum I would recommend this for anyone to go and if you have to sleep somewhere I can find a hotel nearby.

Tom Nardi

Outside of something like the Smithsonian, I don't know if I've ever been more impressed with a museum than I have been with Steamtown. Even if you don't think a "train museum" is your kind of thing, you should really give it a shot. The exhibits are plentiful and all very interesting, and there are some legitimately unique experiences to be had such as the regular rides on a coal-fired locomotive.

Linda Ardo

History at it's best, especially the working Roundhouse. We were able to see it moving a train to a repair shop! If you love trains, it's a must

Nicholas Augusta

Free admission to the grounds. They offer guided tours, but we just walked around. Lots to see. Could easily spend a few hours here. We opted for the short 30 minute train ride. ($5) Was not disappointed. Staff were very friendly and greeted you as you enter. You can really tell they love what they do. Environment is clean and family friendly. Date of experience: October 2019

Robin Davis

A well done reminder of an era long gone.

jimmy wilk

I love this place. I stop by like once a month just to see what's going on and to get inspired for my model railroad.

Linda Carr

Really enjoyed the tour, living history. I’m not a train buff

Bill Schauman

Steamtown does offer the opportunity to ride behind a steam loco but this service seems to be strictly limited to an 0-6-0 switcher, and not every day. Persons interested in live steam should check in advance for steam excursion dates. Diesel excursions are more numerous and the vintage diesels are interesting in their own right. The display (i.e. dead) steam is interesting, including an unrestored CN 4-6-4 T once used in Montreal commuter service. In short, a more accurate name for this park would be Diesel and Some Steam Town.

Scoob Doo

Steamtown and Strassburg, Pa. are the two best places to be for Rail fans, train collectors, and train fans! Fun for the entire family!

Ken Dickson

What a place - must visit! Lots of space to explore, easy to find, easy parking and a pedestrian footbridge to downtown.

Iam noodlez

Excellent park. Really nice to see the live steam in action. Admission is free you only pay for the train rides. Would definitely visit again!

Shrikant Bhardwaj

Nice place to know about how trains work, covers historical trains and includes real train rides too. For food they have a restaurant inside train car and other snacks option.

Rene Dingle

The prices are not economic but the experience is very good, I recommend it.

luisa doraz

I was very impressed with everything here and found it well worth my time! Hope you will have time to also visit.

Christopher Burk

This is a fun place to explore especially if you love history and trains!

Joe

Great place. Plenty to look at.

Daniel Drumheller

Had a great time looking around the museum. And my daughter had a blast on her first trolley ride, especially with Mickey n Minnie Mouse being there

Kevin Rush

Very cool place with an excellent museum showcasing the history of steam engines and trains in general. If I am ever up this way again I will definitely return!

Darlene Schenck

Museum was interesting...Liked being able to walk up into the steam, passenger and mail cars to view the inside of each! Especially enjoyed taking a trolley ride with the knowledgeable staff!

Lloyd M Thayer

A complete exhibit of railroad history and its importance to industrial America. Back shops tour is fascinating.

Randi Santos

We visited Steamtown on a family trip. It was an excellent experience. We enjoyed being able to view so many trains. The museum is an excellent educational experience. The cost is $10 per adult $7 per child. Don't let the cost discourage you from this experience, you can literally spend open to close here with the vast amount of information. If you are a photographer you'll be blown by opportunities of amazing shots!!!

Mark Miller

Love the history. They need to spend more money on painting the trains in the yard. Maybe take some money out of the budget and put it into the parks. Staff was friendly and informative.

Tung Fu

Fantastic place to visit, very family friendly and its FREE

Linda Kline

We've been bringing our grandson every summer for three years now. We all love it!

Anne Tepperan

What a wonderful time! All the locomotives and trains on-site are extraordinary

Adam Raniero

Lots of fun things to do and see especially if you're a fan of trains such as I am. Or if you're just interested in local history and how trains played a vital part of making Northeast Pennsylvania like it is today. Also, kids love it there because there's so much that they can learn from including a few trains that they can climb on and walk through. Totally recommend it if you want a nice day trip

Rufus Walker

Great place to visit, I visit the site at least 3 times a year. Always something new to learn.

Cynthia P

If you’re are a train aficionado or just like trains, this is a must see. Restored and non-restored trains and on the weekend, you can take a short train ride on a vintage train. A luxury train car and mail car are restored and quite interesting. Including the train ride we spent about 3 hours. Could have easily spent more time but we had to move on.

Melissa

Great place for train lovers and families! My daughter especially loved the trolley ride.

Zeira Pacione

U can enjoy the train ride even for 30 mins...its so knowledgeable...first time to visit pa history

Ll An

Very interesting. Would take days to see it all.

edwiin sUarz

Great place !! Have some fun with my family and learn about this awesome machines nice staff and super clean don’t forget to make your donation because it’s free and they also have a nice souvenir shop

Edward Vazquez

Excellent. Like walking back through time.

Big O

Steamtown is awesome. Especially on the special event days like railfest where they have equipment demos and tours.

Stephanie Latini

Love love love this place. This historic site is FREE. You will pay for any train rides or extras. This is a great place for families, couples, or just the individual train enthusiast. My small children loved every minute, but it has many interactive exhibits for older children and adults too. Lots to see and do and visit. Definitely worth a side trip or to come and visit from far away. There is also a little connecting bridge that goes right to Steamtown Mall so you can stop there and eat or shop as well.

bruce a

Great place to take kids to see the past and the museum

Joanne Balay

Great place to take the kids. Interesting things to look at and learn about. Staff and rangers are friendly and willing to help. Also very accessible for the handicapped.

Lizzy Fosters Kittens

One of the best train locations to go to if you love steam engines.

Brandan Gaspar

Very fun. Excellent for children. Fun "excursion" rides through the trainyards. Looking forward to one of the novelty excursions coming up

Michele Rushworth

What a beautiful place showcasing our area's locomotive history. We will definitely be back

Dave Emery

Fabulous tour and beautifully upkept equipment. A great experience.

martin mata

Loved it!! Got to tour the museum for free and ride a train for $5. Good place to go, if you want something fun to do, for cheap. There are farther train rides too, if you have more to spend.

zach harp

Totally awesome. I was only in Scranton for the office, but it was really nice learning a big piece of American history and one of the nicest little museums I've ever seen, offering actual rides on the trolleys certain days of the week

Terry Smith

If you love trains or trolleys you'll love this place Take a scenic small your or a longer excursion it's worth it!! I'm not a train expert like my husband but they have a Big Boy here and those are rare. I'm told there's only one in the US that's running today. This particular day we got to ride a steam train it was my surprise for my husband's birthday.

tracylyn desilva

Loved the train ride, the guide was exceptional. And the old steam trains so we'll maintained

Amanda Hamstra

Really went downhill. The only interesting things here now are the trains. There are only a few stores open and there are lots of places to eat but only a couple are open at any given time. Disappointing.

william tollett

It is full of awesome trains with a lot of history and have a big museum

Uwe Jedlitschka

This railway museum is a very worth seeing place for anyone interested in railway technology and history. There are exhibitions and a variety of vehicles shown. To go the complete tour, you have to calculate about 3 hours.

Chas Anderson

Lots of history, from the early invention of steam locomotion thru to the Scrantons and the development of the Susquehanna rail system in Pennsylvania and the east. Ride the caboose, climb on some steam locomotives. Steamtown is worth the trip !

R D

Loved the trolley ride and the tour. The guide was fantastic, didn't get his name, but he was knowledgeable and now we know why it's called "trolley". Also, when the ride goes through a mile long tunnel, it feels like time travel/ tunnel. We stopped by here on our way to upstate NY. Also the John Oliver thing is pretty funny. Wished we could spend more time here, loved the train displays and the turntable. Spend a few hours here including the trolley museum.

dfir

Steamtown is a National Park and a working Rail Yard. You can get up close with Trains old and new, self guided with a lot of information and displays. The area is indoor and outdoor. There are train rides during the day and a nice gift shop. Great experience for kids and adults. We showed up mid afternoon and it was free.

Juliet Will-Robinson

Fun and educational. Loved every minute. The excursions out to NayAug was beautiful and the ranger was so informative and excited to tell us about local and national history.

ClaudeZ

What a wonderful time! All the locomotives and trains on-site are extraordinary! Not only did it bring me back to the days of black and white films, but I was able to envision myself as a passenger on numerous trains that I never had an opportunity to ride.

Arun Jain

Loved this place. Has a good relaxing picnic spot right outside. Toilet is also clean.

Evan Kontos

Great place to go look at some history although the town it's in has seen better days. Plan on a couple of hours of walking around and seeing some movies.

Raymond Troth

Great railroad museum. No admission fee, $5.00 fee for train ride to Nay Aug Gorge. Spent almost 4 hrs here. Be sure to see technology and history areas. This will give background for the equipment displays. Roundhouse is accessible also. Bring your own food, there are picnic tables near the parking area, which has just been paved. Friendly staff and volunteers. Ties history of the railroad and the region together. I did this and the Electric City Trolley Museum on separate trips. They both deserve your attention.

Michael Melisky

This gem of historical and educational artifacts is right up the street from my home and is still a regular stop of mine when new kids come into my circle of family friends. It's not only a nice tourist attraction but I also love to take pictures of my clients there on the grounds. My grandson likes to just roam around and explore the tracks and old engines. If you have kids, don't miss it!

KJS

Love love love, this place. If you're into history, locomotives, and just an all-out family-friendly good time I recommend coming here. My girlfriend and I stopped in during their Railfest event and it was great they offer Train Excursions and a neat Museum that you could walk through on your own or go with a guide, you can walk inside train cars and check out how people lived back in those days of train travel, how they ate in the dining cars, it was just really really cool and I recommend checking it out. Also the staff or very helpful and courteous.

Holly Rife

Interesting story, good locomotive shop tour, clean, well organized