We actually visited Steamtown National Historic Site during a government shutdown. That's probably…read morepart of what ended up making the stop feel so memorable. Because it was officially closed, there were very few people visiting and there was plenty of parking, so that definitely added to my personal enjoyment of the experience. We were able to walk around and enjoy the incredible collection of locomotives and historic rail yard but the star of the collection is the "Big Boy" locomotive. It's one of the largest and most powerful steam engines ever built. It's huge. It was cool to see the massive wheels and be able to read and learn about this amazing machine. This is the second "Big Boy" I have seen and the first was surrounded by a fence, so being able to get up close and personal with this one was exciting. While checking out the trains, a local gentleman who was walking his dog struck up a conversation with us and was very chatty and friendly. He offered suggestions for other places to visit in the area and gave us some great info. Our dogs also enjoyed getting to know each other. It would have been nice if the building had been open and we could have gone inside and learned more, but I'm glad for the private time that I had to enjoy the site and reflect on the beauty of the machines. We probably spent almost an hour walking around the yard with our dog and soaking it all in. You could spend quite a while here even without tours or ticketed exhibits and if you do come, the trolley ride in the area is a must, but that is for a different review...

What a great site for train lovers! There are a lot of different ways to appreciate them here:…read moreenjoy a film about life working on a train, explore the exhibits ranging from history to people to technology, and, of course, look at a lot of trains in the giant roundhouse! A lot of the exhibits have interactive aspects which made it, quite literally, a hands-on experience. They offer a short out-and-back train ride on some days, so be sure to check the schedule if that's something that is of interest to you. The rangers were great - very friendly and helpful. We also enjoyed the talk provided during the train ride. There is a gift shop onsite, restrooms are clean, and a nice large shared parking lot with an adjacent picnic area is available.

I genuinely want to thank the Everheart Museum and specifically their amazing CEO Tim Holmes for…read morethe incredible visit I had to the museum a few months ago. I am a huge fan of "The Office" and when I knew I would be traveling through PA for the first (and likely only) time, I carved out a few days specific to Scranton and "The Office" to live my fangirl dream. I planned the trip months in advance and when I saw that an exhibit on the show would be opening here "soon" it was the first thing on my itinerary and it was by far one of the things I was looking forward to the most. As the trip got closer, I noticed that the opening of the exhibit had been pushed and I got nervous, but I still had time, so I checked everyday until about 3 weeks before I was scheduled to visit, when I saw there was a "Preview Party" held for the exhibit. That made me feel better. Unfortunately, a few days before I arrived, there were still no tickets available for the exhibit. I tried corresponding with someone from the museum via email you wrote "There have been some last minute setbacks that have delayed the exhibit's opening". I was devastated, but if you know me, you know I don't give up and I wasn't NOT going to try, especially for something that would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I arrived at the museum (Dundie in hand) and was greeted by a kind, patient young man. He told me the price of admission and I immediately asked "Does that include 'The Office' exhibit or is that extra?" He told me the same thing I had been told in the email and I asked if any parts of the exhibit were visible or if there was any way I could even just peek for a moment. I explained to him that I would never be there again and he seemed sympathetic so I asked once more if there was anyone there working on the exhibit I could talk to. He ultimately called a gentleman down from upstairs who took me up to a section of the museum with a sign that read "Please excuse the appearance of this gallery while installation is in progress" and asked me to wait there. There was a poster for the exhibit and a giant Dundie outside the door so I took some photos with it while I waited. I had no idea he was the CEO at the time, but a few minutes later a lovely gentleman named Tim came out to speak to me. He told me the exhibit wasn't ready but he would be happy to show me around. I was so excited at the thought of even getting a few moments to peak inside but Tim spent almost AN HOUR with me in the exhibit. He pointed out things to me and discussed and explained everything in detail. It was one of the most enjoyable museum experiences of my life. I was able to see real props and costumes from the show, get a selfie in front of the "confessional" window, learn all about the local events Scranton has and how much the show means to people here as well. I was also able to learn from the curator himself how much goes in to making an exhibit like this and how much can go wrong. I waited a long time to post this review because I just knew this page would be swarmed with star reviews showing the completed exhibit with others raving about their experience but it has been months and I have yet to see a single one. Please know that the photos I am posting are of the unfinished exhibit but they are still fantastic to see. I hope lots of people are coming to view the exhibit and I really hope they show it the love it deserves online. Thank you again to this museum and it's wonderful staff for giving this reviewer and experience she won't ever forget!

I visited the Everhart Museum with two eight-year-olds and a two-year-old--who, remarkably, behaved…read morebetter than the staff. The children were excited, curious, soft-spoken, did not touch exhibits, did not run, and were genuinely respectful of the space. In other words, exactly the kind of young visitors you would imagine the museums wants. Unfortunately, the security guards appeared to view children not as guests, but as personal irritants. The level of hostility directed at them was jarring. The two-year-old was repeatedly scolded for "walking too loudly"--an astonishing expectation to place on a toddler, and one no reasonable adult could believe is within a toddler's control. The eight-year-olds, who were sweet, attentive, and polite, were still hovered over and corrected as if they were committing some grave offense simply by existing. This wasn't about protecting the exhibits. It was about power. The guards seemed far more interested in exercising whatever petty authority they have than creating a decent environment. There was no warmth, no discretion, no attempt at understanding--just constant reprimands delivered with visible irritation. Really lousy behavior. If the museum's goal is to alienate families and teach children that museums are unwelcoming, joyless places policed by people who dislike them, then congratulations: mission accomplished. If not, management should seriously reconsider who they put in charge of guest interaction. Museums should inspire curiosity. This experience inspired relief when we finally left. I want a refund.

She is very knowledgeable about harry houdini. I don't want to crap on her, she seems to have…read moreenough challenges already. However this event should have been more in the $6 range. Pro tip: don't sit down, you'll thank me later.

Run! Don't walk! Be prepared to laugh your head off. Dorothy is FANTASTIC. So much rich history &…read moreso much fun to be had. She is amazing with kids as well. Truly, so funny. Also, yes it's long. Which is a DELIGHT. It's so kind of Dorothy. Be prepared for 3.5 hours or so; she has so much to cover! I think she's probably only scratching the surface.

An eclectic collection of coal mining machinery like drills and battery locomotives, exhibits on…read morethe origin and daily life of the immigrant miners, enormous silk weaving machines, pictures and stories from the 1902 anthracite strike, a mockup saloon where the boys drank after work, kitchen of a coal miner's house, original altar from a RC church in Berwick PA, a special exhibit on the international correspondence schools of Scranton (now called Penn Foster), a reproduction of a doctor's office complete with the special chair and scary tools, and even bread ovens (heated with coal of course). Is that eclectic enough for you? Coal is just a diamond that has to try harder, right? The Anthracite Heritage Museum is basically a snapshot of life in and around Scranton Pennsylvania a century ago. I think this place will bore most children halfway to tears. The exhibits are marked with some text, but it's a rather amateur design, sometimes I just didn't know what I was looking at, or why it was there at all. So the museum could try a little harder too. $7 admission is out of proportion to the content. On the plus side, the gift shop sells little bags of coal that are perfect for Xmas stockings. Heh heh, I ain't kidding either! Really this is local history which is not my thing, but I can't downgrade to two stars just because of that.

As a history professor and a member of a family of mining buffs (yeah we're weird) I have pretty…read morehigh standards when it comes to museums, and I very much enjoyed this one. The coal mine tour (offered only between 10am and 3pm) takes tourists down into the mine. You ride down the slope in a trip car, and then walk through the mine, seeing equipment and three coal seams while the tourguide explains the process of anthracite mining and answers questions. I didn't learn anything new but I would imagine that for people who have never been down a mine before it would really be an eye-opening experience. The museum itself, located on the hill above the mine tour, is EXCELLENT. Although you can tell that the curators didn't have a lot of money to curate with, they have some terrific artifacts, including all of the heavy equipment involved in silk weaving (I've never seen that anywhere else), 19th-century medical tools, and many pieces of mining equipment. I also saw a very fine temporary exhibit about the 1902 strike in the anthracite fields and learned a ton; it was one of the best, most comprehensive exhibits on labor issues that I have seen anywhere. There were some activities for children interspersed throughout the museum. Our 11-year-old was particularly affected by pictures of boys his own age working as breaker-boys, and by a pair of hobnailed boots worn by another child with his same first name, who died at of meningitis at the age of 11.

Great place. The Locust Grove Gardens that the Morse mansion sits on are completely FREE and open…read morefrom 8am til sundown and are absolutely beautiful! Amazing views of gardens, farms, woods and the Hudson River. Morse Mansion is incredible. This was $11 per person but worth the price of admission in my opinion. Large from the outside with sprawling porches but once you get inside the rooms just keep going. Once inside you will see so much vintage furniture and beautiful architecture. Pro tip: Felicia was a wealth of historic knowledge outlining so many features of the home plus the family history from Morse to Young!

This was a big disappointment. Even though they reference Samuel Morse, the tour covers the house…read moreand interiors of the owners who purchased the home and lived there after the death of Samuel Morse. Visiting during the holiday season (in December) the house is buried with Christmas decorations that blocked the view and enjoyment of the historical mansion. The house looked more like a Christmas village than a historical landmark. The coverage of Samuel Morse was limited to a room in the reception building which the docent never discussed. If we hadn't used the restroom we wouldn't have seen the original art of Samuel Morse or any discussion of his invention. Lucky we at least glimpsed the only interesting section of this site. I also must add that the grounds around the property may look beautiful in the Spring but don't waste your time going in Winter when the gardens are desolate. I would hope the Spring would bring out the gardens that the site is known for.