We often like to go on adventures for our birthdays and with everything going on, we didn't want to travel to far. My 2nd oldest was turning 9 years old and he absolutely loves everything about trains, like he dreams about his future as a train engineer and living aboard a train. To some his dream of living aboard a train might sound a bit crazy, especially if you have never visited the Red Caboose Motel in Strasburg, PA. While we knew his dream wasn't crazy, we never had the opportunity to stay at Red Caboose Motel until last weekend. Once I had the opportunity to arrange our stay with Kat & Tyler Prickett, I knew I had to keep it a secret or my kids would all be bugging me daily regarding, when we are leaving to go. Please tell me my kids are not the only ones that do that?
While it was definitely hard for me to keep the secret, I knew it would make such a great surprise for not only my soon to be 9 year old, but also his older brother and sisters. Operation keep it a secret was underway. Probably the hardest part of the secret was trying to pack without them realize what I was doing, but somehow I pulled it off and we were on our way to Strasburg, PA to sleep in a caboose at the Red Caboose Motel. All the kids were under the impression that we were only headed somewhere, so that I could pick something up for Macaroni Kid Lancaster, PA as that was not out of the norm for them.
We pull into the Red Caboose Motel and my 9 year old goes, we have eaten here before, can we eat here? It was raining and with everything currently going on the dining car is closed. Sadly I told him no and that we were only there to pick something up. I proceed to go inside to "pick something up" which was actually to checkin for our stay and get the key to our caboose. When I returned my husband said why don't we drive around and look for caboose #9, since you are turning 9. Ironically we were also scheduled to stay in caboose #9, so this worked out perfectly. As we were driving around he was looking at the cabooses and his face was lighting up. Once we got to the #9 caboose my husband parks next to it. I turn to my soon to be 9 year old and go here is the key want to go check it out? Or better yet stay for 2 nights? To say that he was shocked is an understatement, in that moment he was beyond excited and overjoyed.
Our family had the chance to experience what it is like to stay inside a renovated caboose and it was better than we expected. The cabooses are very roomy, we stayed in the large family caboose, which has 4 bunkbeds, a double bed and a bathroom. Also, for convenience the room had a mini fridge, microwave and tv. The cabooses are also equipped with AC and heat, which we were thankful for the AC with how humid it got during our stay.
On site you can find 3 playgrounds for the kids to burn off some energy, our favorite was the one just outside our caboose that had a wooden train. The 2nd playground is smaller and is located next to the path to The National Toy Train Musuem. The last playground had a little playhouse and 3 slides, which was another favorite for the kids. On site you can also climb the cylo and take in the view of the countryside.
Can't wrap up without mentioning the free petting zoo on site at Red Caboose Motel & Casey Jones' Restaurant. Everytime we walked outside the kids wanted to walk over to see the animals and also try to find some of the cats that call the Red Caboose Motel & Casey Jones' Restaurant home.
Casey Jones' Restaurant has outside dining on their deck and that was the birthday boys choice for his birthday dinner. My husband and I got the famous pulled pork, it was amazing! You can actually find their famous barbeque in their gift shop, which is also open. Between all 4 kids no one got the same thing and they all finished their meals with nothing to take with us. I would call that a definitely win, when it comes to dining out. We will definitely be back to Casey Jones' Restaurant as well all really enjoyed our meals.
While at the Red Caboose Motel we did all things Strasburg and did a mini tour of the area visiting our favorite spots. During our mini tour of Strasburg we visited Casey Jones' Restaurant, which is located on site, along with Strasburg Pizza, Speckled Hen Coffee, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm and Down on the Farm Creamery. We had such a great time visiting Strasburg and we look forward to doing it again.
Stayactions can be so much fun and we enjoy them just as much, if not even more, because we know the area we are traveling through and where to have FUN! Mission to entertain & exhaust the kids accomplished. Until next time!
Visit Red Caboose Motel & Gift Shop, plus Casey Jones' Restaurant: 312 Paradise Ln, Ronks, PA 17572
The Red Caboose Motel & Gift Shop is OPEN and operating regular schedule, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Reservations are being accepted!
Casey Jones' Restaurant is open for carry-out and room service as follows: Tues-Fri 4-9 p.m., Sat & Sun 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Temporary hours).
BEGINNING FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH, CASEY JONES' WILL BE OFFERING FULL-SERVICE OUTDOOR DECK DINING. ENJOY THE GORGEOUS STRASBURG COUNTRYSIDE WHILE YOU DINE ON LANCASTER COUNTY'S BEST BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER.
Please check back for updates on our hours as the Coronavirus situation unfolds. To support the Red Caboose Motel & Restaurant please purchase a gift certificate for future use at our Online Depot Gift Shop . Other gift shop items including train-themed face masks and your favorite Red Caboose Motel swag is available too! The Depot Gift Shop
New content is available on Red Caboose Motel Facebook page . Enjoy!
NOTE: Red Caboose Motel hosted our family to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own.
