A railroad chartered in 1832 still pulls families behind a steam locomotive, and the day after Thanksgiving, Santa climbs aboard. I love that a turkey hangover can end with a train whistle.
Pennsylvania goes big once the pie plates are cleared. One chocolate-scented park strings up more than five million lights, and a zoo turns its paths into a glowing walk after dark.
The lights don’t care that the calendar still says November.
Then there are quieter wins. Kids can melt crayon wax into art projects, wander under glass roofs full of flowers, or hunt for treats in a market that opened in 1893.
None of it needs a fancy plan, just a car and a little curiosity. Mittens optional, snacks required.
The long weekend is short, and kids remember the outings more than the leftovers. So which glowing, steaming, sugar-dusted stop should land on your calendar first?
1. Hersheypark
Five million lights is a lot of sparkle for one holiday, but a chocolate-themed park makes it look easy. Christmas Candylane has been a tradition here for more than 40 years.
The event spreads across the 121-acre park on select dates from mid-November into early January. Check the park calendar before you go, because open days and hours shift through the season.
Little ones usually ask one question first: where’s Santa? He hangs out in the Reindeer Stables, and all nine of his reindeer are there too.
Yes, that means the whole sleigh team. Your kids will probably count them twice just to be sure.
Some rides keep running in the cold, weather permitting. Twin Turnpike and Holly Jolly Laff Trakk get holiday themed makeovers for the season.
New for 2026 is the Fire and Ice Experience, which mixes icy lights with blazing flames. It sounds like a winter wizard showdown, and kids will eat that up.
Hungry? Chocolatetown has shopping and chocolate-inspired restaurants, so dessert planning won’t take long.
Grab the park’s drink cup if you’ll stay a while. It gives free refills at drink stations every 10 minutes, which helps on long nights.
Buying tickets in advance is a smart move, since waits are common. Parking is in a paid lot, so build that into your plan.
Thanksgiving weekend in Pennsylvania rarely smells this sweet. Bundle up, pick a meeting spot, and let the kids lead the way.
Address: 100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033
2. Shady Brook Farm
Fourth-generation farmers know a thing or two about timing, and this Bucks County farm saves its brightest crop for winter. The Holiday Light Show runs nightly from November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
One quick heads-up: the show is closed on Thanksgiving Day itself. The farm market and Farmer’s Kitchen take the day off too, so aim for Friday or the weekend.
You get two ways to see the glow. Hop on an open-air wagon ride, or stay snug in your car for the drive-through route.
Wagon rides start at 5 PM and wrap up earlier than the drive-through. Little kids who fade fast might enjoy the wagon, then head home for pajamas.
Expect millions of twinkling lights, animated displays, and festive tunnels. Large holiday scenes pop up along the way, so keep phones ready for photos.
The 2026 season matters for another reason. It’s the final year for the classic two-mile drive-through route, since the farm is reimagining the show for 2027.
Santa’s Village sits nearby, open before or after the lights. Food and drink stands there help with the inevitable ‘I’m hungry’ moment.
During the day, the farm has a market, a deli, and a play area for kids. It grew out of a produce farm that’s more than a century old.
Friday and Saturday evenings tend to be busiest. Book tickets ahead, then pick a weeknight if your schedule allows.
It’s a fun Pennsylvania twist on the post-turkey stroll. Nobody has to wash dishes in a wagon, either.
Address: 931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA 19067
3. Strasburg Rail Road
Turkey on Thursday, steam engine on Friday sounds like a pretty great weekend lineup. Christmas trains run on Friday, November 27, 2026, plus weekends from November 21 to December 20.
The railroad was chartered in 1832. It’s recognized as America’s oldest continuously operating railroad company, a fun fact to drop at the dinner table.
Each holiday ride lasts about 45 minutes. A historic steam locomotive pulls you through the Amish farmland of Lancaster County.
Santa’s Paradise Express is the big, bustling option. Carolers and brass players set the mood, and Santa stops by while his helpers hand each child a gift.
Back at the station, live Christmas revue shows play on the Town Square Stage. That gives kids something to watch before or after the ride.
Got a child who gets overwhelmed by noise and crowds? The Santa Claus Limited runs on weekday evenings and is noted as a more sensory-friendly option.
The Night Before Christmas train leans into storytime. A cast recites Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem, shares other stories, sings carols, and serves milk and cookies.
Pajamas wouldn’t feel out of place on that one. Then again, you know your kids and their bedtime limits better than anyone.
History buffs, train fans, and preschoolers can all find something here. That’s a rare trick for a single Pennsylvania outing.
Advance tickets are recommended, so book early. Parking is free and right on site, which makes the evening easier.
Address: 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
4. Longwood Gardens
Half a million lights and a galaxy made of moss and poinsettias? That’s the 2026 version of A Longwood Christmas, and it’s out of this world on purpose.
The display runs from November 20, 2026, through January 10, 2027. Hours stretch from 10 AM to 11 PM daily, so you can come for daylight blooms and stay for the glow.
This year’s theme is cosmic. Indoor displays draw from galaxies, stars, and space telescope images, paired with the gardens’ horticultural centerpieces.
Look for a gilded supernova and giant glowing stars. The Music Room turns into an astronomer’s observatory, which might spark a future scientist.
Kids who love trains won’t be left out. Miniature model trains roll through a landscaped setting, and that alone can hold a toddler’s attention.
Outside, the Open Air Theatre fountains dance with holiday color. Classic Christmas music plays along, so expect some humming on the walk back.
The property covers more than 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands, and fields. Comfortable shoes are a smart choice for little legs and big ones.
Timed tickets are required for everyone, even members. Buy them ahead, because showing up and hoping for the best isn’t the plan here.
Parents of babies get a break too. The gardens have changing tables and a nursing room.
Want a sit-down meal? Holiday dining at the 1906 restaurant requires reservations.
Parking is free, which leaves more room in the budget for souvenirs. Your kids will likely talk about the space theme all the way home.
Address: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
5. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Victorian greenhouses were built to show off plants, but at holiday time this one shows off its light switches too. The steel-and-glass glasshouse sits in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park.
Its holiday tradition blends lights, color, and music with seasonal flower shows. The displays open ahead of Thanksgiving, so the long weekend fits right in.
Indoor gardens are a real gift in late November. When Pittsburgh weather turns gray and chilly, kids can still roam among green plants under a glass roof.
The conservatory also brings in rotating exhibits. Art, music, and even fashion sometimes mix into the plant displays, which keeps return visits fresh.
Younger visitors have their own outdoor play space. It’s a handy reset button if someone gets wiggly after looking at flowers for too long.
Timing helps a lot here. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, while Saturday and Sunday afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
Regular Friday hours run later, with doors open until 10 PM. Evening visits let kids see the lights at their best, so check the holiday schedule before you go.
A cafe on site handles snack breaks. The gift shop is there too, so maybe set a souvenir budget before you head inside.
Tickets in advance are recommended. Then let your kids pick a favorite room and explain why, because their reasons are often hilarious.
Address: 1 Schenley Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
6. Lehigh Valley Zoo
Bison in the daytime, glowing lights after dark. This Schnecksville zoo hosts its Winter Light Spectacular, a walk-through holiday light event that runs through the Thanksgiving season.
The zoo is small, and that’s good news for short legs. Kids can see animals up close without a marathon hike between exhibits.
The roster includes kangaroos, cockatoos, bobcats, and bison. There’s also a penguin pavilion for kids who can’t resist a waddling bird.
Activity stations around the grounds give children hands-on ways to learn. Educational programs add more for curious kids who ask a hundred questions.
A playground gives everyone a break between animal stops. A cafe can handle snacks, and the gift shop sells souvenirs.
Daytime hours run Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Check the light show schedule separately, since evening events keep their own hours.
Weekdays tend to be quieter than Saturdays. If your family can swing it, a midweek visit means more elbow room at the exhibits.
The zoo sits on Game Preserve Road in a scenic spot. Parking is free, which is always a nice surprise.
Grandparents can enjoy this one as much as the kids. It’s an easygoing Pennsylvania outing that works for a wide range of ages.
Plan to snap a family photo under the lights. Those pictures tend to end up on next year’s holiday cards.
Address: 5150 Game Preserve Rd, Schnecksville, PA 18078
7. Crayola Experience
Melting crayons usually means someone left a box in a hot car. Here, it’s the whole point, and nobody gets in trouble.
This roomy downtown Easton attraction is packed with hands-on stations. It’s a solid indoor pick for a rainy or freezing holiday weekend.
The fourth floor focuses on arts and crafts made with melted crayon wax. Head there early, before the crowds build.
Kids can also catch a presentation on the history of Crayola and crayons. It turns a coloring obsession into a mini history lesson.
A melt down section shows off what happens when crayons get hot. Expect plenty of oohs from kids who never wondered how crayons work.
Live performances add extra fun. Arcade games and a play area give kids a way to burn energy between craft projects.
Lockers are available, so you won’t need to haul coats around. A cafe on site helps when lunch can’t wait.
Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings are typically calmer, so arriving near opening can pay off.
Buying tickets ahead is recommended. Parking options include a garage, lots, and street spots, and they’re paid.
Before you leave, swing by the store for supplies. Your fridge door may never recover from the new artwork.
Got a kid who already colors on the walls? Consider this a smart way to channel that talent somewhere more welcome.
Address: 30 Centre Sq Cir, Easton, PA 18042
8. Reading Terminal Market
Long before food halls were trendy, this market was feeding Philadelphia from beneath a railroad terminal. It opened in 1893 and still bustles today.
It began as a food market below the Reading Railroad terminal. Today it ranks among the nation’s oldest and largest public markets.
More than 80 merchants share one roof. That means plenty of choices, and kids will have strong opinions about them.
For many families, the market is part of the Thanksgiving routine. Turkeys, pies, and festive baked goods make it a natural stop before the big meal.
Pennsylvania Dutch sweets are part of the lineup too. Let each kid pick one treat, then compare notes at a table.
Interactive displays for children give little ones something to explore. That helps while the grown-ups debate too many lunch options.
Hours run daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Sunday mornings tend to be calmer, while Friday and Saturday afternoons get busy.
Downtown parking comes in garages, lots, and street spaces, and they’re paid. Plan ahead so nobody circles the block hungry.
Housewares and regional specialties round out the market. Grab something edible to take home, because leftovers deserve a sidekick.
Kids also get a taste of city history without a single lecture. They just follow their noses from one counter to the next.
The best Thanksgiving memories often start with a simple question. What should we try first?
Address: 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
