Where To Take Your Train Enthusiast Kid

I remember when my eldest was two and grandpa bought him a train table. He spent hours and hours building tracks and going around the table in circles. His favorite train was James (from Thomas and Friends). For all of you moms and dads who have a little one who is a budding train enthusiast, you are in luck. There are so many places around the US that you can take your child on small kiddie train rides as well as the full-blown real deal steam engine.

Photo By WomanInTravel

Train Enthusiast Recommendations

Here are some of the train and caboose attractions that Trekaroo families recommend across the US:

Warthers Museum in Dover, Ohio is a “train buff’s heaven.” Trekaroo reviewer momof4girls goes on to say, “This is a national treasure (recognized by the Smithsonian) but few seem to know about it.”

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park gets positive reviews as well. Trekaroo reviewer Momto3 says she “loves the inexpensive thrill of the train ride and carousel”.

Elijahsmom declares that Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is “a must see for little boys”. Trekaroo reviewer jksigmom went on to write “They have one of the last clutch driven ferris wheels and the fastest on the east coast and fun things like panning for gold and the carousel. But the main thing is riding on the old number 5 train and watching the cowboys and indians battle it out while hearing the steam engine whistle.”

More Train Enthusiast Places to Visit Across the US

Photo By Melissa Moore

In Pennsylvania:

Take a train on the Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster County through the beautiful Amish country scenery.

Look for current hotel deals in Pennsylvania

In Texas:

Madame Queen, in Amarillo, Texas, is a monstrous train engine. The engine was gifted to the city and moved to its current location in 2006. The move was so colossal that it was featured on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels.
Texas is a state that has depended heavily on railroads. Here a few places that you can take your kids for a train ride.

Check for hotel availability in Texas

In California:

From Thomas the train to old narrow gauge railways. California has many places kids and adults who love trains will be in heaven. Here’s a list.
Travel Town located in Griffith Park in Los Angeles is a FREE train attraction that will excite any train enthusiast.

Look for the best hotel prices in California

In Minnesota:

Train museums in Minnesota include model railroads and real railroads for train lovers big and small.

In Washington:

Choo choo! Do you have a kid (or adult!) in your family that loves all things trains? Here is a list of some great railroad activities in Western Washington!

Where do you like to take your train enthusiast? Leave a review at www.trekaroo.com so other parents can check it out too!

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LiLing Pang

LiLing Pang is a Co-founder of Trekaroo.She is a mom to two boys and a girl and recently traveled through Central America.Together with her husband, Brennan Pang, they hatched the idea of Trekaroo one summer day along the California coast while searching for the best kid-friendly tide pool near La Jolla with their curious 2 and a half year old. LiLing holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.