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Steamtown National Historic Site

Awaken your senses by heading to Steamtown National Historic Site near Scranton, Pennsylvania. Feel the ground vibrate beneath your feet as the steel wheels turn to move the diesel locomotives. Relive the excitement of yesteryear as you smell the diesel in the air. Feel the heat rising off the fireboxes as steam locomotives get ready to carry you on an adventure. Sit in one of the passenger cars with their lush velvet seats and imagine that you were one of the first settlers going on a transcontinental trip to start a new life in a faraway place that you had only read about. 

Things to Do

Things To Do Near Steamtown National Historic Site

Start your visit to Steamtown National Historic Site at the information booth to find out about special events happening throughout the park. Then, visit the museum where you can see lots of historical engines, cabooses, and rolling stock. There are fantastic areas where you can enjoy a picnic lunch and go nature watching. 

Hiking Trails

  • Davis Trail

    Park in the parking lot at Nay Aug Park to begin this hike. Follow the trail to see the waterfall in the Roaring Brook Gorge. Then, visit the old railroad tunnel and bridge. Be sure to bring your camera as the tall trees are stunning all along this route. 

    Location

    Easy

    Length

    1.5 miles

    Intensity

    Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510

  • Bruce Lake Trail

    While there are over 50 miles of hiking trails at Promised Land State Park, one of the best is the Bruce Lake Trail. Follow the path from the state park to Bruce Lake, which is located in the Bruce Lake Natural Area. Then, keep hiking until you come to Egypt Meadow Lake, where you may see a beaver building his home. 

    Location

    Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown, Pennsylvania 18426

    Length

    7.5 miles

    Intensity

    Moderate

  • Lackawanna River Heritage Trail

    The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail runs for over 70 miles. It connects over 30 communities in the Lackawanna Valley before finally reaching the New York state border. There are numerous trailheads along the way, but if you are going to hike the entire route, start at the confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers in Pittston. 

    Location

    End of Market Street, Pittston, Pennsylvania 18640

    Length

    70 miles

    Intensity

    Difficult

Sightseeing

  • Lackawanna State Park

    Play on the 98-acre Lackawanna Lake at Lackawanna State Park. There are great picnic spots overlooking the water. This is also a fantastic place to go for a hike. 

    Location

    1839 Abington Road, North Abington Township, Pennsylvania 18414

  • Scranton Iron Furnaces

    Learn about how iron was made into various objects by the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company. Tour the historic furnaces at this site, which were the largest iron producer in the world in the late 1800s. Learn about the lives of the men who worked there. 

    Location

    159 Cedar Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18505

  • Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

    Ride the coal mine car 300 feet below the Earth’s surface to start the one-hour tour of the coal mine. See how miners brought coal to the surface to fire trains and for other purposes. Learn about the bravery it took to work in a historic coal mine. 

    Location

    McDade Park, 1 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18507

Museums

  • Electric City Trolly Museum

    Hop on a trolly at the Electric City Trolly Museum, and take a ride through downtown Scranton. Head to the tunnel to watch workers repair old trollies. There are many different types of trollies to see at this museum. 

    Location

    300 Cliff Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

  • The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art

    Since 1906, visitors have enjoyed seeing the taxidermized animals at the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art. This is also a fantastic place to see art created by residents. Check out their American folk-art display. 

    Location

    1901 Mulberry Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

  • Corky’s Garden Path Greenhouse

    Find indoor and outdoor plants raised with care at Corky’s Garden Path Greenhouse. They also carry pots, candles, and beauty products. Their knowledgeable staff will be glad to answer your questions. 

    Location

    729 Justus Boulevard, Scott Township, Pennsylvania 18411

  • Heaven & Earth Gift Shop

    Select from a wide assortment of home décor and gifts at Heaven & Earth Gift Shop. They also carry a wide variety of gift cards along with religious merchandise. You will also want to check out their jewelry. 

    Location

    400 Wyoming Avenue Suite 100, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

  • Slate Street Grill

    Get one of the unique grilled flatbreads or a sandwich for lunch at Slate Street Grill. Head to dinner a little early to take advantage of their martinis and beer menu. Then, end the evening with one of their fresh fish or chicken entrees. 

    Location

    114 South Slate Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

  • A Little Pizza Heaven

    Since 2006, diners have been loving the pizza and Italian entrees at A Little Pizza Heaven. They also have an extensive soup and salad menu. If you are not in the mood for Italian, try one of their seafood specials. 

    Location

    2015 Boulevard Avenue Unit 1, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509

map-marker-alt-regular How to Get There

How To Get To Steamtown National Historic Site

Steamtown National Historic Site makes a great day trip from Pittsburgh. Start by getting on Interstate 376 East. Then, use U.S. 22 East to transfer to Interstate 99 North. Follow the signs for U.S. 22 East, and get on Interstate 81 North. Take the left exit to get on Central Scranton Expressway. Make a slight right to get on U.S. 11 North. Go straight to get on Spruce Street before turning left on Mifflin Avenue. Turn right on Lackawanna Avenue and left on Cliff Street. 

This park can be bustling at the end of the school year, with classes taking field trips and families exploring the area during the summer. When planning your adventure to Steamtown, keep their hours in mind as they close early in the afternoon.

Address

350 Cliff Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

Fee: Entry fee $0

Appreciate what it took to build and ride the first trains in America by visiting Steamtown National Historic Site. See a variety of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, rolling stock, and cabooses. Then, wander next door to see the trolly museum and learn about this historic form of transportation. A little further away, tour the coal mine and learn about the iron furnaces. There are great places to go hiking in the Scranton area. With so many exciting activities, bring your RV. It makes getting around much easier. If you do not have an RV, rent one on RVshare.com. You will love the easy-to-use system, and each RV is covered by roadside assistance.

National Parks Near Steamtown National Historic Site

Campgrounds Near Steamtown National Historic Site