Since 1947, Edaville Railroad (www.edaville.com) has been helping families get around and get together in ways that are both historic and hysterical. As one of the oldest heritage railroads in the U.S., it has provided transportation both across miles and across time for generations and is a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Named for the initials of original builder Eliis D. Atwood, Edaville is built amongst the sprawling cranberry bogs of Cape Cod. In addition to the main train, the venue also offers rides for families and kids of all ages and sizes. Among the biggest hits among the smaller visitors are the slow, steady and always fun Flying Turtles and the even higher-flying Astronaut space capsules. The colorful Jumbo the Elephant and the smiling Caterpillar are both perfect excuses for parents to ride with their kids. There is even a special train just for junior conductors! Slightly taller travellers can take to the air with The Red Baron and can fill ‘er up and drive ‘em off in the Gas Station Car Ride. Though meant for taller visitors, the Ferris Wheel and Balloon Ride make everyone feel tall as they take in a glorious view of the bogs and the beautiful shoreline. Other traditional midway rides include both a full- and mini-sized carousel, a wild Scrambler and Tilt-a-Whirl and Edaville’s newest addition, a set of zooming bumper cars.
When it is time for a break from mechanized fun, the Edaville playground offers an array of traditional playtime faves, including swings, a see-saw and a sandbox. Other great places to relax are KC’s Café, the seasonal (and sensational) Choo-Choo Barbecue, the Whistle Stop Snacks shop and the ice cream and fried dough caboose known as Hobo Eats. There is also a Candy Depot that sells sweet treats by the package and the potful! In addition to Thomas and Friends merchandise, the gift shop also features cranberry-based snacks fresh from the neighboring bogs and other fun stuff.
Speaking of Thomas, an extra-special day at Edaville can be put together for birthday boys and girls featuring the famed blue train. (There is also an entire Thomas Land coming in 2015 that will be the largest permanent attraction of its kind in North America!) Whether or not it is your special day, however, Edaville has plenty of other special days of its own, including the Pumpkins Aglow festival that is presented weekends in October and that feature costumes, candy, and gardens of Jack-o-Lanterns that seem to go on forever.When the holidays roll around, take a roll around the illuminated bogs on the Polar Express, a special trip from November 21 through the end of December that brings the popular book to life with sounds from the movie it inspired and other inspirational elements including seasonal caroling and music, on-board cookies and cocoa and a gift-giving visit from the most famous North Pole resident around. At the same time, guests can also enjoy Edaville’s famed Festival of Lights, which sets the bogs aglow with thousands of lights and many indoor activities, including photos with the Big Guy and other fun things for believers big and small.
Among the other new attractions are Dinoland – a wooded footpath that puts visitors in close contact with 20 life-sized dinosaurs moving and roaring in an outdoor environment – and Jr. Conductor Camp that will introduce train enthusiasts to what it truly means to be working on the railroad all the live-long day.
With so much to do, it is easy to make a day of Edaville. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun places to visit and stay in the area, including Historic Plimoth, Imagination Island (which features its own giant doll house and train set), and pirate-themed cruises and other water-borne attractions. There is even an indoor water park at the John Carver Inn & Spa, so kids can continue the fun while parents get some fun of a different sort. Another way to combine the water and the land is with a stay in the historic Paquachuck Inn, which is built like a boat yet offers all the comforts of home, as well as a conservatory filled with fragrant fruit trees and other delights.
In addition to being visited by thousands of guests, the station is a regular stop for such favorites as Curious George, The Berenstein Bears and Hello Kitty. There are even annual events for grandparents and other loved ones to come along and join the fun! So whether you love cranberries, amusement rides or (admit it!)) Thomas, a day at Edaville can make for an historic marker in your family.
