Hotels at York and Other Attractions?

Why not stay at the 'Red Caboose'. It would mean a bit of a journey to York itself, but it's very handy the museum, Strasburg Railroad and other attractions. Plus, what could be better than staying in a real caboose?   I write this assuming that the Red Caboose motel is still there. It is almost 20 years since I last stayed there.

It is NEVER too early to book hotel reservations in the York area if you know where you want to stay.  Deciding where to stay is pretty much a personal decision since different folks have different wants and needs in that regard.  You probably can't go wrong with the likes of Hampton Inns and others of that caliber, but some folks just like a cheap place to lay their head.  Different strokes for different folks.

There are a multitude of hotels in the immediate York area and along the route (U.S. 30) to Strasburg in Lancaster County where you'll find the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Toy Train Museum, the Strasburg Railroad, the Choo-Choo Barn and other attractions practically within walking distance of each other.

Further south from York you can visit the B&O Museum in Baltimore as well as the Inner Harbor and other attractions (rail and non-rail) in that area.

If it is still open, the Harley factory tour is very good. You don't have to be into motorcycles to enjoy it.

Gettysburg isn't too far either.

Amen to that!!!  When my wife and I attended York more regularly and made it a weekend trip, we'd ALWAYS book our reservation at our favorite B&B for the "next" York on the day we checked out.   That was pretty much standard practice.

If you run into a situation where "regular" hotel chains are booked, there are lots of B&B's tucked away in neighboring towns, that still remain "hidden" to the masses -- or so it would seem... even in this Internet era where everything is online.

David

 Its still there, I slept in a caboose there a month ago, although I dont know if I'd want to spend a long weekend in one. It was fine for a night, but I think for 4 days, I'd want an actual hotel room.

Half way between strasburg and York is Lancaster and there's all sorts of places to stay there. Shouldnt be a problem to find a convenient place to stay.

After investigating several options and hotels, we settled on the Courtyard York Marriott. Their rate of $95/night is reasonable when compared to other hotels with the same quality rating. According to Google maps, it is East of the Expo Center, about 7-1/2 miles, and is about 32 miles from the Railroad Museum in PA.

I plan to spend Thursday and Friday at the show, and then Saturday at the RR Museum and surrounding attractions. We'll leave sometime Sunday.

Are there any forum gatherings Thursday and/or Friday nights? I sure would like to meet as many OGR forum members as possible

Thx!

Alex

A good choice, Alex, and a good plan.

Plan to join your fellow OGR Forum members at Friday's restaurant in York on Thursday evening for our "Thursday at Friday's" get-together, and plan to attend the OGR Forum meeting in the York Expo Center grandstand at 2 p.m. on Friday.  Both events attract a good number of participants and their families.

TGI Fridays

1411 Kenneth Road

York, PA 17404

717-767-6878

CW Burfle.. What do you mean if its still open?

Alex:

Clem Clement’s York Primer is the Bible for learning about what goes on during York week including other attractions, restaurants, motels, bandit meets, etc.  Allan has a link to the April 2012 edition of the Primer near the top of this page.  Perhaps Allan could post a link to the October version as I’ve read on another Forum that there is some updated information in it.

HTH,

Bill  

Alex, you have an e-mail.

And also, I would agree with Allen, you MUST GO to the OGR grandstand meeting at 2 of Friday.

Although I've stayed at the Red Caboose MANY times with kids, then grandkids (2 weeks ago was the latest), it is NOT the place to take your wife if you want to continue your marriage.

Strasburg is about a 45 minute drive from York. Nearby is www.nationalchristmascenter.com which will be a big hit with your wife (I have been to it 5 times).

A dowloadable PDF version of Clem's York Primer, updated for the October 2012 meet, is available here:

http://www.easterntca.org

Just scroll down the page, and on the left hand side you'll see the proper link to click.

The RED Caboose is for RED NECKS.

I stay at the Motel 6 on Arsenal Road. It's 2 miles from the fairgrounds, clean and very reasonable rates. I make my reservation for the next York Show as I am checking out from the last one! I did check and they do still have rooms for this October, but I would hurry.

There are some really nice things to do in the area. I travel on the Tuesday before the show and I go to Strassburg on Wednesday. There you will find The Choo Choo Barn, the Pennsylvania State Railroad Museum, right across the street is The Strassburg Railroad Steam Train you can ride and right down the street is the TCA Museum where the big Train Manufacturers give talks.

Down the road in Paradise is The National Christmas Center, which is a museum devoted to Christmas. It is Spectacular!! The Owner, Jim Morrison, is a TCA member and ALWAYS is ready to talk with you.

I go to the Train Show all 3 days, you will need that long just to see everything! Don't miss the Free Ice Cream Social on Friday Night and the Free Maple Doughnuts and Coffee on Saturday Morning!

On Saturday after I leave the show, usually around noon, I head to Gettysburg. That is a Great Town! You can take a Battlefield Tour, go to some of the Museums, Take a Ghost Walk at night, THAT is WAY COOL!!! Check out Mark Nesbits Ghosts of Gettysburg Tours. Have dinner at The Farnsworth House (Make reservations) Tour The Jenny Wade House. It is Great.

Before you leave on Sunday Morning, stop at a Maple Doughnut Store and pick some up!!

Strassburg is 30 Miles from York one way, and Gettysburg is 30 miles the other way, both on Route 30 which is where most of the hotels, including Motel 6 are. Also there are a LOT of nice places to eat on Route 30. Please do check out Clems Primer

Have a Great Time

Bob

I agree! My 5th visit was 2 weeks ago with 5 grandkids. Jim, the owner, always has a table in the Silver or Blue Hall (the one that does NOT have registration). He looks like Santa in street clothes.

Another recommendation for the National Christmas Center. One of the highlights for me was the 5 and 10 cent store re-creation with lots of Christmas and train items in crisp original boxes.

Jim

I forgot to mention that The National Christmas Center has several Train Displays. In fact the first thing you see as you enter on the right is a very large wall display case full of trains! There is also the Train Room with wall display cases all around it full of trains. When I was there last October, Jim told me he had to sell his train collection to start the museum, all except for one set, which was the first train he ever got as a kid. He pointed that set out to me in the case! I am amazed at all the Mint displays in the Woolworths Display!

Here is the Website for The National Christmas Center

http://www.nationalchristmascenter.com/

Here are some other websites for the attractions I mentioned in my first post

The Choo Choo Barn http://www.choochoobarn.com/

The Pennsylvania State Railroad Museum http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/

The Strasburg Railroad http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/

The TCA Museum http://www.nttmuseum.org/tca/index.htm

Mark Nesbitt’s Ghosts of Gettysburg Tours http://www.ghostsofgettysburg.com//tours.htm

The Farnsworth House Inn http://www.farnsworthhouseinn....segettysburg_014.htm

The Jennie Wade House http://jennie-wade-house.com/

One of the Gettysburg Battlefield Tour Companies http://www.historictourcompany.com/

Hope this helps you and Have a Great Time!!!

Bob

Alex,

You have an invite to tour my layout if you wish. I'm about 30 miles north of York.

Cesar

Cesar---that's a nice gesture and what makes this hobby so great!

--Greg

Thanks Greg!

Cesar

Cesar,

I just read your post - I will most certainly consider it and get back to you.

THANKS!

Alex

Allan,

"Plan to join your fellow OGR Forum members at Friday's restaurant in York on Thursday evening for our "Thursday at Friday's" get-together, and plan to attend the OGR Forum meeting in the York Expo Center grandstand at 2 p.m. on Friday.  Both events attract a good number of participants and their families."

Yes, I am planning on both. Do I need reservations for my wife and me?

Thx!

Alex