Themed train ride excursions and fun train station-based/locomotive activities onsite are forever high on the list of family-friendly endeavors any time of year. But Easter trains, in particular, tend to be the ultimate springtime hit with children and accompanying adults alike.
Because the Mid-Atlantic is so rich in renowned rail destinations, you know you can expect plentiful possibilities for such offerings at various venues across the region. From Maryland to Pennsylvania, and even Delaware, here are eight great suggested Easter Train happenings you’ll want to hop to this season.
Bunny Trains—Walkersville Southern Railroad
Originally built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1872, today the Walkersville Southern Railroad is one of Frederick, Maryland’s top tourist destinations. During the weekends between May and October, they offer regular scenic excursions aboard their vintage 1920s passenger cars and open flatcars. They also boast special events and themed engagements year-round in tandem with the season and specific holiday happenings.
The Easter season in particular brings about one of their most happening and hopping ride experiences of the year—their famed Bunny Trains. Taking place on select days leading up to Easter, these one-hour and 10-minute rides allow children and attending guardians the chance to enjoy personal one-on-one visits with Mr. Bunny himself, as he makes his rounds stopping for photo ops along the way. In addition to the memories gifted to each guest, every child rider will receive a special Easter surprise.
This year’s Bunny Trains will be taking place on March 23, 24, and 30. Available timeslots for these rides are 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Visit the Walkersville Southern Railroad website to learn more about this event and all others.
Easter Weekend Celebration—B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore is providing full-fledged Easter Weekend Celebration events beginning on Friday, March 29, and running through Easter Sunday, March 31. Children 10 and under are welcome to join in the fun of the B&O’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt through the Roundhouse with the chance to win special prizes on Friday (sensory-friendly) and on Saturday (for the general public). The Easter Bunny himself will be on site for photo ops throughout the weekend as well. You’ll even find him visiting the Museum’s Roundhouse on Easter Sunday live and in person (or rather “in bunny”)!
The B&O Railroad Museum is a great place to visit any time of year, providing entertaining and engaging activities for all ages and interests. Visit the B&O Railroad Museum website to learn more about all events and attractions here.
Easter Egg Hunt Layover—Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
With so many awesome rail excursion options available throughout the year, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers some of the most awe-inspiring views of the majestic Allegheny Mountains. In addition to the scenery, voyages from Cumberland to Frostburg provide a plethora of fantastic riding engagements, with even on-train dining options, murder mysteries, and other themed specialties serving as viable highlights.
While their upcoming Spring Fling rides, which begin in late April, are not at all Easter-related, one of their upcoming Alleghany Winter Express options is. It comes in the form of a special Easter Egg Hunt Layover at Wills Creek Ranch and will take place on the March 30 Allegheny Winter Express at 1 p.m. for Frostburg passengers. Learn more about this opportunity and all others, including other ongoing Allegheny Winter Express rides (running through April) by visiting the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad website.
Eggspecially Fun Bunny Run—Northern Central Railway
Northern Central Railway of York ranks high as one of the leading must-do endeavors to check out in Pennsylvania. There are just so many themed excursions and year-round offerings, not to mention very historic callouts to take note of, all part of the package deals with the rides they offer, appealing to folks of all ages and interests.
On that note, young adventurers have one very “eggspecial” pursuit to look forward to every spring—the ever-popular Eggspecially Fun Bunny Run. Here riders get to take an enticingly scenic ride along the renowned Heritage Rail Trail County Park in the company of the one and only Easter Bunny! Note, that in addition to enjoying one-on-one Easter Bunny photo ops, all children in attendance will also receive a special treat bag. Then, weather permitting, all children get to participate in an egg hunt at the station.
The Eggspecially Fun Bunny Run will be offered on March 23 and 24, and then again on March 29 and 30. Rides are approximately one hour each, with the follow-up egg hunt lasting an additional half hour. Learn more about this event and others by clicking on the official website link for Northern Central Railway.
Easter Bunny Train—Strasburg Rail Road
The famed Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster County has several unique claims to fame. Not only is it the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge railroad in the entire Western hemisphere, but it also happens to be the oldest public utility in the state of Pennsylvania. And there are just so many exciting excursions offered here year-round, from themed tours to lively event offerings that pack a performance. Dining is also an option!
Among the various train events they make possible is their annual Easter Bunny Train offering on Easter weekend, no less. Presented as a 45-minute excursion, what makes this train ride even more special is that Peter Cottontail is the conductor! Enjoy Easter Bunny visits from car to car while enjoying one-on-one meet and greets and photo ops in addition.
Easter Bunny Trains will run from March 29 through March 31. Go to the Strasburg Rail Road website to learn more.
Easter Bunny Express—Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
The shortline Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad, also located in Lancaster County, also has some Easter ride specials in the works. They take the form of special Bunny Trains, which will be offered on select days, beginning on March 17, with the last ride taking place on March 29. Here, tykes and accompanying family members get to ride the rails in style, in the presence of the one and only Easter Bunny, no less! For this fun folly, slated to last just over an hour’s duration, the Easter Bunny will hand out candy to all children between the ages of three and 11. Infants and toddlers up to two will receive a plush bunny instead. All children have the option to pose with the Easter Bunny for memorable photo ops (bring your own camera).
The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad is an excellent lower-key rail experience that operates both a freight line as well as fun-themed passenger train endeavors between Middletown and Hummelstown. To learn more about all their offerings, or to book your upcoming Bunny Train, go to the official Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad website.
Easter Bunny Hop Express—Stone Gables Express
Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown plays host to so many exciting and awesome events throughout the year. As part of their extended onsite Easter celebrations, particularly, they’re offering ongoing Easter Bunny Hop Express train rides via their resident Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. These “hippity-hoppity” narrated train excursions will take attending passengers on a memorable journey to Bunnyland. Upon a detour into a festive decorated train shed, children will be charmed and delighted by various Easter characters and wondrous themed displays.
Tickets for this train ride experience also include entrance to the Estate’s ongoing Easter Celebration at the Star Barn. Learn more about this and all other offerings and events at the Stone Gables Estate website.
Easter Bunny Express—Wilmington & Western Railroad
Delawareans too have something delightful to look forward to in the way of Easter-themed train excursions. It’s the Wilmington & Western Railroad’s own Easter Bunny Express! Offered on March 23 and 24 and then again on March 29 and 30 (at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on all days), these 90-minute rides to Ashland are even more special. That’s because the Easter Bunny himself will be hopping aboard to join in all the fun and to visit with all guests, even posing for photos.
This event adheres to a strict reservation policy as well as assigned seating. To learn more about it and other event excursions, visit the Wilmington & Western Railroad official website.
Scheduled holiday events are always subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check with any location you may consider attending for all of the Easter excursions highlighted here. Furthermore, many of these rides fill up fast, so be sure to book your reservations and tickets well in advance.