Choo Choo Barn
Choo Choo Barn
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Over 70 years in the making, this gigantic model train layout is still owned and operated by the Groff family. Master modeler, Tom Groff, designs and adds new animations, scale buildings and local scenes each year. See a fire engine race to the rescue to put out the fire at a burning house – with real water! Watch in awe as night falls over Traintown, USA. You’ll recognize local landmarks like Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad – in detailed miniature! This is much more than a train display – it is an amazing, hand-built work of art.
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See what travelers are saying
- LuvTravel2011KDNeptune, New Jersey80 contributionsChoo Choo Trains!!!!A large warehouse full of mini train exhibits. Amazing work in the details. Fun for all ages. You walk around the exhibit at your own pace. Lots of fun items in the lobby gift shop for children. Check Groupon for discounted tickets.Visited November 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 22, 2023
- michaelaEast Berlin, Pennsylvania6 contributionsWhat a display!Wow! The model train layout is incredible. You could spend hours there and not see everything. I thoroughly enjoyed all the different trains and scenery, especially the tie ins to local attractions. It can be pretty tight walking around the display if it is a busy day, but it wasn’t too bad. The only downside was a family that was not watching their children at all and allowing them to run around the display and scream at the top of their lungs and run into people. Definitely not the staff or owners’ fault. The only other thing is that the price point seems a little high.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 1, 2024
- stephen g265 contributionsSo much detail!There is so much detail to the models. Every time you look you see something new. The trains are on several tracks and interact nicely between things. One train reversed direction. One stops. It’s really extensive. Pay attention to the little buttons on the glass. They allow you to interact with the model. Pay attention to everything. You could probably do two or three loops and not see it all. The gift shop is wonderful too. And very well priced. Totally a great place for a few hours with kids and adults!Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
508 reviews
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veryyellow
Princeton, NJ163 contributions
Jul 2021
We are family of 3 grown adults, just try to pass time before our next tour. So happy we stopped here! The attention to detail of each and everyone of both moving and non-moving parts were amazing. The ticket lady gave us a paper to spot/test our observation skill. So much fun whan we 'find it!' Ha ha ....Do not want to go to detail. One must experience by oneself. The company's ornament will be hanging at my Christmas tree this year, to remember the fun time with family!
Please wear mask my friends. This place is small and packed. We love people and want everybody to live to explore all these beautiful things for a long time.
Note: PA has already relaxed the mask rules at the time of our visit. The company did not require mask wearing. They did not do anything wrong.
Please wear mask my friends. This place is small and packed. We love people and want everybody to live to explore all these beautiful things for a long time.
Note: PA has already relaxed the mask rules at the time of our visit. The company did not require mask wearing. They did not do anything wrong.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MT5211
Northeast US245 contributions
Oct 2020
We stopped in on a rainy weekday in the off season and had the place to ourselves.
I'd been by a jillion times but finally decided to visit now that my little boys are old enough to appreciate it, and they did.
The attraction is well run, clean, interesting and the staffer was polite and accommodating. It was a nice treat to deal with customer service people who aren't bossy and act like you are inconveniencing them with your paid presence.
There was a nice shop (of course) to buy souvenirs and next door was a larger store for more serious trains and modeling supplies.
I also received a nice surprise when they offered me a veteran's discount that knocked a third off the entrance fee for my entire family of four.
I highly recommend you support this business. They are deserving of your money and it will be well spent.
I'd been by a jillion times but finally decided to visit now that my little boys are old enough to appreciate it, and they did.
The attraction is well run, clean, interesting and the staffer was polite and accommodating. It was a nice treat to deal with customer service people who aren't bossy and act like you are inconveniencing them with your paid presence.
There was a nice shop (of course) to buy souvenirs and next door was a larger store for more serious trains and modeling supplies.
I also received a nice surprise when they offered me a veteran's discount that knocked a third off the entrance fee for my entire family of four.
I highly recommend you support this business. They are deserving of your money and it will be well spent.
Written October 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJ Brian Crow
Calvert County, MD95 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Great place to let your imagination go. So much detail and creativity has been put into this amazing display. A lot of moving parts and action. This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. It is a must see if you love miniature cities and trains. See for yourself. They have a store with all kinds of hobbyist pieces and toys. Takes about 45 minutes to really appreciate the display and there’s a seek and find guide they give you so you can find various details in the layout. Very fun.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
briankeh
Waterford, MI386 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
This is a layout with a lot going on. It is highly detailed. There are animated scenes everywhere you look. Some are quite sophisticated such as a fire truck driving from the station to the fire and the crew spraying real water before the truck returns to the station.
Most of the scenes depicted and animated are real locations from the local area including the Strasburg railroad which actually decouples the engine and moves it to the other end of the train at each end of the line.
The track is Lionel style 3-rail. Train speeds and motions are geared more to keeping things exciting instead of prototypical operations. The trail control is sophisticated with trains going in opposite directions sharing the same stretches of track.
I would definitely recommend it especially if you have kids.
Most of the scenes depicted and animated are real locations from the local area including the Strasburg railroad which actually decouples the engine and moves it to the other end of the train at each end of the line.
The track is Lionel style 3-rail. Train speeds and motions are geared more to keeping things exciting instead of prototypical operations. The trail control is sophisticated with trains going in opposite directions sharing the same stretches of track.
I would definitely recommend it especially if you have kids.
Written May 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ECoppa
Springfield - Delaware County, PA18 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Reasonably priced; friendly staff; LOTS to look at. I highly recommend going around a few times and definitely do the scavenger hunt sheet they give you. It allows you to see so much more! Very creative for all ages!!!!!
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeachSteelerfans
Daytona Beach, FL28 contributions
Apr 2022
Wow! Reasonably priced way to spend an hour or two. The train layout is overwhelming in detail and fun to find all the little animated characters and actions. This challenge will enthrall kids as well as adults. You don't have to like model trains to appreciate the entire display. You walk out admiring the man who dedicated so much of his life to create this engaging and imaginative display.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck-Maria T
New Orleans, LA28 contributions
Dec 2022
I love this place so much. We could spend hours trying to see everything and still not succeed. There are so many lovely, enjoyable moments in this miniature train community. You don't have to be a train aficionado to appreciate the details and craft that went into bringing this place to life.
Written December 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drimes
Granger, IN15 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
At first when I saw there was an admission fee I didn’t think that it would be worth it. Then I looked online and saw some of the reviews and pictures and decided to give it a try. So glad that I did. It was well worth it. My wife and I spent over an hour looking at the incredible detail of the displays. I took tons of pictures and videos as well since everything seemed to be moving throughout the whole display. I highly recommend.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RYC88
Centreville, VA1,318 contributions
Nov 2022
I could go on and on and on about how fabulous this train display is, but I would just be repeating everyone else. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to look at everything and to walk around the display more than once. The scavenger hunt adds a fun little element and for the holidays, counting the Santas is great fun, too. The craftsmanship and detail and care of the display is truly incredible. There's a little gift store, too, and the staff is super nice. Do not miss this!
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hockey
Pennsylvania50 contributions
Feb 2023
This is a super fun exhibit to experience at least once in your lifetime. It's so detailed, you could probably go through it 3x and find something new each time. My family always visits the train shop that's in the complex at the Choo Choo Barn, so I often sit on the bench and watch families go in and out. I think the pricing might discourage people from going through it, but man, it's worth it. Kids of all ages just as well as adults of all ages will enjoy this display. You'll find yourself smiling and being carefree, something we all need nowadays.
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1)How tall do children have to be to view the exhibits on their own?
2)How how much time should I allocate to spend here?
3) Is it all in one room or are there multiple rooms?
Written August 18, 2019
One large room, you walk along the walls around the edge of the layout. A 4’ person should be able to see all of it well. You could spend 45 minutes to an hour if you took your time to look at all the details they have put into it.
Written August 19, 2019
choochoobarn
Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Hello! The admission is $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for kids (ages 3-11) and under 3 is free! We hope to see you soon!
Written October 22, 2015
Nancy W
Sykesville, Maryland
Is this an appropriate tour for 4 kids ages 3-9? How long does it take?
Written July 13, 2015
Hi!
Yes, the Choo Choo Barn is definitely appropriate for your group! The tour is self guided so you can stay as long as you'd like. We recommend to allow at least 45 minutes, but you're certainly welcome to stay longer!
We pass out a "scavenger hunt" that will keep the kids engaged as you circle the layout. It's a list of about 25 different things to look for - so the older kids can help the younger kids!
Thanks for asking and we hope to see you soon!
Kristi Largoza
Choo Choo Barn, Inc
Written July 13, 2015
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