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National Historic Site

Steamtown National Historic Site

  • Northeast

Plan a Steamtown trip

About Steamtown

Feel the heat from the firebox, smell hot steam and oil; hear the whistle and the "chuff-chuff" from the smokestack, feel the ground vibrate, and watch as one-ton drive rods turn steel wheels. Discover how steam railroading helped shaped our nation's history and culture. Learn about the stories of the people who built, repaired and rode, and about the ongoing work to preserve railroading history.

From the National Park Service.

Region
Northeast
State
Pennsylvania
Designation
National Historic Site
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Steamtown.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Park Hours

Mon
9:30AM - 5:00PM
Tue
9:30AM - 5:00PM
Wed
9:30AM - 5:00PM
Thu
9:30AM - 5:00PM
Fri
9:30AM - 5:00PM
Sat
9:30AM - 5:00PM
Sun
9:30AM - 5:00PM

The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted. For updated information, please check the alerts section at the top of this website. Please plan accordingly. The connecting walkway to the "Marketplace at Steamtown" is not the property of the National Park Service. The walkway is typically closed from November through April due to icy and other unpredictable weather conditions.

Weather and when to go

Warm and sometimes humid summers; cold and rainy or snowy winters. Wear seasonable clothing and good walking shoes. For travel aboard the summer and fall seasonal excursion trains, please note that the commuter-type coaches are not air-conditioned, or may not be heated. Therefore, we recommend that you dress appropriately for the season that you plan to visit us!

Getting there

Our GPS coordinates are: N 41.410730 (latitude), W 75.671329 (longitude) using our Park entrance, Lackawanna Ave at Cliff St, 18503 General Driving Directions: Take I-81 to exit 185. Continue onto President Biden Expressway (formerly known as Central Scranton Expressway) and follow signs to Mifflin Ave. Turn left onto Mifflin Ave. Turn right onto Lackawanna Ave. Turn left onto Cliff St (Park entrance).

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
350 Cliff Street, Scranton, PA 18503
Official site
nps.gov/stea

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Steamtown

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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Things to do in Steamtown

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Get Technical

    Museum Exhibits · about 35 min

    The combination of a working railroad yard and a world-class railroad museum gives visitors a chance to do more than just step back in time. Steamtown's Technology Museum is a vis…

  • Explore the Roundhouse

    Museum Exhibits · about 25 min

    The combination of a working railroad yard and a world-class railroad museum gives visitors a chance to do more than just step back in time. The Roundhouse has been adaptively reh…

  • Ride a Train

    Guided Tours · about 4 hours · Reservation required

    Steamtown's seasonal train rides offer a unique National Park experience. Rail experiences include short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard.

  • Become a Railroad Explorer

    Junior Ranger Program · about 45 min

    Did you know that before the transcontinental railroad, it took four to six months to cross the United States? This is just one of the many fun facts you can learn as you become a…

  • Watch "Steel and Steam"

    Park Film · about 20 min

    This is the park's orientation film which explores the history of steam locomotives and the anthracite railroad while following a young child's journey into adulthood through thei…

  • Locomotive Shop Tours

    Guided Tours · about 50 min

    Join a Park Ranger or volunteer to get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the railroad, the locomotive shop. Participants will learn how the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western…

  • Find a Souvenir

    Bookstore and Park Store · about 15 min

    Visit the America’s National Parks™ Store at Steamtown National Historical Park and shop a curated selection of quality educational products and books that will help extend the pa…

  • Discover the History of Steam

    Museum Exhibits · about 25 min

    Discover and uncover the history of steam railroading in the area; step back in time as you enter a recreated train station lobby complete with ticket windows; climb aboard a U.S.…

What to pack for Steamtown

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

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