Steamtown (Scranton, PA)

[BalmyZephyr]

Tomorrow we're going to Steamtown (bee-yoo-ti-ful Scranton PA), staying in the old Lackawanna Station (Radisson Hotel). We only have about two hours at Steamtown, and maybe another hour or two on Friday, and the train excursions aren't running yet. What should we definitely not miss? Also, food?

 

[jiml]

If the trolley excursion is running it's worthwhile. We stayed at the Lackawanna Station a few years ago. It's a beautiful restoration but rather average and overpriced as far as hotels in the area go, especially if you wind up driving to Steamtown anyway.

 

[BalmyZephyr]

If the trolley excursion is running it's worthwhile. We stayed at the Lackawanna Station a few years ago. It's a beautiful restoration but rather average and overpriced as far as hotels in the area go, especially if you wind up driving to Steamtown anyway.

Thanks. We wanted to stay in a train station with original details, realizing it is not exactly up-to-date and luxury accommodations. And maybe walk to Steamtown from there. We're stopping over on our way from RI to WV, so won't have time to go the other direction to the viaduct, most likely. That looks amazing in pictures.

 

[MARC Rider]

Thanks. We wanted to stay in a train station with original details, realizing it is not exactly up-to-date and luxury accommodations.

Not sure I quite understand this. I stayed in the Radisson in the Lackawanna Station in 2012. While the rooms were clearly renovated and not of early 20th century grandeur, they were up-to-date, and pretty nice. I think it might be the nicest hotel in Scranton in any event. The public areas while somewhat modernized, have kept all the stuff from its days as a station, including artwork depicting various points on the Lackawanna route between Hoboken and Scranton.

 

[BalmyZephyr]

Not sure I quite understand this. I stayed in the Radisson in the Lackawanna Station in 2012. While the rooms were clearly renovated and not of early 20th century grandeur, they were up-to-date, and pretty nice. I think it might be the nicest hotel in Scranton in any event. The public areas while somewhat modernized, have kept all the stuff from its days as a station, including artwork depicting various points on the Lackawanna route between Hoboken and Scranton.

Just going by reviews online, and what jiml said above. I haven't been there. A couple of recent reviewers had said that the walls were thin, which suggests they didn't update the soundproofing anyway. Looking forward to the murals!!

 

[neroden]

Do not miss the Electric City Trolley Museum, and their trolley excursion if it's running. They're across the parking lot from Steamtown and they've got a truly impressive collection.

 

[BalmyZephyr]

We are back and here is my Trip Advisor 5-star review (despite some shabby aspects of the hotel):

Must visit for magnificent lobby alone
Review of Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton
Reviewed yesterday
The original marble train station lobby, with its tile murals and fountains, is worth at least a breakfast visit (great food and service), if not a two-night stay to spend a full day at Steamtown. Incredible railfan and history destination, don't miss it. Off season and mid-week, we were practically the only visitors there 3-5 PM, an unforgettable experience, from Big Boy 4012 outside to Roundhouse interior! Keep in mind the gift shop shuts down at 4:30 and you will be chased off the Steamtown property promptly at 5.

 

[BalmyZephyr]

Do not miss the Electric City Trolley Museum, and their trolley excursion if it's running. They're across the parking lot from Steamtown and they've got a truly impressive collection.

We went there too, very cool to see my childhood P&W Norristown trolley. Well, an older one. Also fun to see John Oliver's Scranton-y trainset. We only had 2.5 hours for both museums, though with no one else there, we could see things pretty quickly. Need to go back and spend a couple of days! We'd missed the trolley and the trains weren't running yet, but we didn't have time anyway. I must add, the newly painted (all black) Big Boy in the parking lot is the greatest thing I've ever seen.