As spring awakens across New Jersey, one of the state’s most distinctive seasonal traditions is once again drawing families, visitors, and experience-seekers to the banks of the Delaware River. The Delaware River Railroad Excursions in Phillipsburg is bringing back its highly anticipated Easter Bunny Train Ride and Easter Egg Hunt for 2026, transforming a historic rail journey into a fully immersive, multi-sensory celebration that blends heritage, entertainment, and family fun into one of the region’s most memorable springtime events.
Scheduled across two consecutive weekends—March 28 and 29, followed by April 4 and 5—this event is far more than a simple train ride. It is a curated experience designed to capture the imagination of children while offering adults a rare opportunity to step into a living piece of New Jersey history. Departing from the Historic District at 38 Market Street in Phillipsburg, the excursion invites guests aboard a vintage train that winds its way along the scenic Delaware River, offering views that underscore the natural beauty and historical depth of the region.
The journey itself is a defining feature of the experience. As the train rolls toward Carpentersville, passengers are transported through a landscape shaped by centuries of industry and nature, culminating at the site of the area’s iconic lime kilns—structures that date back more than 150 years and stand as enduring symbols of New Jersey’s industrial heritage. This setting provides a dramatic and authentic backdrop for the event’s centerpiece: an interactive Easter egg hunt that unfolds in a wooded glade just beyond the historic kilns.
For children, the egg hunt is both a highlight and a carefully orchestrated adventure. Candy-filled eggs are hidden throughout the glade, encouraging exploration and discovery in a safe, engaging environment. Most participants leave with a collection of four to six eggs, but the real takeaway is the experience itself—a moment of excitement, curiosity, and connection that defines the event’s family-first approach.
What elevates this excursion beyond traditional seasonal offerings is its commitment to live, in-motion entertainment. Throughout the ride, performers move through the train cars, bringing an element of spontaneity and theatrical charm to the journey. From juggling hobos to roaming musicians and the uniquely styled “Wrong Direction” singing group, the entertainment is intentionally unconventional, adding character and humor that resonates with both children and adults. This dynamic atmosphere transforms the train into a rolling stage, where every car offers a slightly different experience.
At the heart of the event is the Easter Bunny—referred to here as Mr. E. Bunny—who interacts with passengers throughout the ride and is available for photos at the destination. This personal interaction adds a layer of authenticity and warmth, reinforcing the event’s focus on creating lasting memories rather than simply delivering a scripted attraction.
Ticketing is structured to make the experience accessible, with adult fares set at $20, children ages 2 to 12 at $14, and lap sitters under two years old admitted for $4. Multiple departure times—11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM—allow families to select a schedule that fits their day, though demand for the event continues to grow each year, making early planning essential.
Beyond the core experience, visitors have the option to enhance their day with additional activities, including gemstone panning at the nearby Susquehanna Mining Company. For a modest additional fee, guests can engage in a hands-on activity that adds an educational and exploratory dimension to the visit, further reinforcing the event’s blend of entertainment and enrichment.
Importantly, the Delaware River Railroad Excursions operates as a living museum, and every ticket purchased contributes directly to the preservation and restoration of historic rail equipment. This means that attendees are not only participating in a family-friendly event but also supporting the ongoing effort to maintain and celebrate a vital piece of New Jersey’s transportation and industrial history. It is a model that merges recreation with preservation, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience these historic journeys.
The return of the Easter Bunny Train Ride aligns seamlessly with the broader landscape of seasonal attractions highlighted across New Jersey’s activities and family experiences, where immersive, experience-driven events are increasingly defining how residents and visitors engage with the state. From outdoor adventures to interactive cultural programming, New Jersey continues to position itself as a destination where tradition and innovation intersect.
Phillipsburg, in particular, has emerged as a focal point for this type of experiential tourism. Its combination of historic charm, scenic geography, and accessible location makes it an ideal setting for events that draw audiences from across the region, including neighboring states. The Delaware River Railroad Excursions plays a central role in that identity, offering programming that evolves with the seasons while remaining grounded in authenticity.
As families plan their spring outings, the Easter Bunny Train Ride stands out as a rare offering that delivers both nostalgia and novelty. It is an experience that invites participants to slow down, engage with their surroundings, and connect with one another in a setting that feels both timeless and immediate.
In a landscape where entertainment options are increasingly digital and disconnected from physical space, this event offers something fundamentally different—a chance to step aboard a moving piece of history, to explore a natural environment shaped by generations, and to participate in a celebration that feels genuinely rooted in place.
With its combination of scenic travel, interactive activities, live performance, and historical significance, the Delaware River Railroad Excursions’ Easter event continues to define what a seasonal experience can be when it is thoughtfully designed and authentically executed. As the trains prepare to depart once again this spring, they carry with them not just passengers, but a tradition that continues to grow in both scale and meaning across New Jersey.
