Fulton Steamboat Inn: A Family Guide (Lancaster, PA)
The Fulton Steamboat Inn is a boutique hotel in the heart of Lancaster PA. Photo Credit: Happy Day Play
Fulton Steamboat Inn is a hotel built to look like a Victorian steamboat, moored at the crossroads of Lancaster County's Amish country, which turns the overnight itself into part of the adventure rather than just a place to sleep. This is luxury that still allows kids to be kids while giving parents a place they truly enjoy to stay as well.
Hands down, this is the most memorable, nicest, and most convenient place for families stay in Lancaster, PA.
Overview
The Fulton Steamboat Inn is themed top to bottom around Robert Fulton, the steamboat inventor born a few miles away, with a nautical-and-Victorian lobby, decks of themed guest rooms, and even family configurations like the King with Bunk and Trundle that give kids their own berth.
Beyond the rooms it runs a heated indoor pool and whirlpool with beautiful custom tile, an adorable ship-themed playground, and a koi-and-duck feeding pond with a short walking trail near Amish farmland, and it sits within a few minutes of Dutch Wonderland, Sight and Sound Theatres, and the Strasburg Rail Road, so families use it as a basecamp for a whole weekend of outings.
Why Kids Love It (and What They Learn)
Curiosity and Wonder: Sleeping inside a building shaped like a steamboat, with portholes and nautical details everywhere, sparks exactly the kind of questions young children love to ask about how and why it was built. While there is water intentionally surrounding the Inn and have the appearance of a docked boat, the children will naturally ask questions like “How did the boat get here?”
History and Social Studies: The inn is named for Robert Fulton, who launched the first successful steamboat in 1807, and it makes a natural jumping-off point for the living-history attractions of Lancaster County, from the Strasburg Rail Road to Amish farmland. The hotel’s lobby and common areas also feature many Victorian touches, which are beautifully distinct when comparing to a traditional hotel.
Happy Day Play’s Tips and Tricks
Book the King with Bunk and Trundle room if you have children, since the separate kids' berth is half the fun and saves the cost of a second room. It sleeps 5 people comfortably while still having the elegant look and feel the Fulton Steamboat Inn is notoriously known for.
Plan the pool for late afternoon after a day out, because the indoor pool and whirlpool are the reliable reset button for tired, overstimulated kids.
Use the inn as a hub rather than a one-night stop: it is minutes from Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Rail Road, so a two-night stay lets you pace a big weekend without a long drive between attractions. You can easily go back for any naps as well.
Take advantage of the delicious on-site dining at Huckleberry Restaurant and Tavern, which is open Sundays (in Lancaster, many dining establishments are closed that day). If you’re there for breakfast, we highly recommend getting the Family Style breakfast with muffins, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, sausage and bacon. Select days they offer high-tea service and select nights there is a live pianist.
Leave a little time on the grounds for the koi and duck pond and the playground, which are free and easy wins with little ones. Feed available in the gift shop for purchase. You can walk directly up to the ducks to feed them, so please supervise and be present with your child as they do so since there is water. The playground area has a ship climbing structure, swings, a wooden train and also has safe rubber mulch to protect against any falls.
Explore the grounds and take advantage of the many areas labeled as a photo opportunity! Sunset is beautiful, especially against the Amish farmland and the lights of the boat.
Know Before You Go
Cost: Room rates vary by season, weekend, and room type, and family rooms such as the King with Bunk and Trundle are the ones to request for kids
Add-Ons: On-site dining at Huckleberry's Restaurant and Huck's Tavern; packages like the Victorian B&B Package and the Captain's Club membership can add value on longer stays.
Stroller Friendly: Yes, with elevator access between the decks.
Food: Yes, Huckleberry's Restaurant and Huck's Tavern are on-site, so you can eat without getting back in the car. The food is very delicious and the restaurant is beautiful while still being kid-friendly.
Getting There and Parking
The inn sits at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 896 in Lancaster, an easy drive from the Amish-country attractions, with free parking on site for guests staying at the Inn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fulton Steamboat Inn good for toddlers? Yes! It is a toddler’s dream, especially if they love boats. The fun rooms, heated indoor pool, playground, and duck pond suit toddlers well, and having a private room on hand for naps and changes makes a long day of outings easier. It’s equally fun for older kids, and even for an adult-only stay (with adult-only rooms on the top deck and adult-only late night swimming hours).
How much does it cost? Room rates vary by season, day of week, and room type; it sits in a moderate family-hotel range, and family bunk rooms and multi-night packages are the best value for families.
Is it indoor or outdoor? Both. The pool, restaurant, and themed rooms are indoors, while the playground, fire pit, and koi pond are outside on the grounds.
Is there parking? Yes, there is free parking on site, and the inn is right off Routes 30 and 896.
How long should we plan to stay? One to two nights, using the inn as a basecamp for nearby attractions like Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Rail Road.
Contact Info
fultonsteamboatinn.com | (717) 299-9999 | @fultonsteamboatinn | 1 Hartman Bridge Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602
Photo Gallery from Happy Day Play’s Visit
Disclaimer: Fulton Steamboat Inn hosted Happy Day Play's visit. We were not paid for this review, and we earn no commission if you book. As with every Happy Day Play review, our thoughts here are independent, honest, and entirely our own. A hosted visit never buys a feature or a high rating. We only feature and recommend destinations we genuinely stand behind as Family Life Educators.
