TreePeople is unique in the sense that it is full of nature trails and promotes the idea of experiential learning like no other place. Its a good place for the family to spend some quality time and bond with each other. From the parking lot to the outdoor space, it is a fantastic place for the family to have fun as a unit. Other top attractions include the Municipal Rose Garden, Santana Row commercial district (pictured above), Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Take a little day trip to experience these charming train stations and enjoy a pleasant ride. Hidden in a residential neighborhood in the South Bay city of Lomita, it's full of train history, educational dioramas and hundreds of models depicting train cars from the 1830s to the present. One child ages 2-12 is eligible to receive a 50% discount on the lowest available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains with each fare-paying adult (age 18+). 8039 Beach Blvd.Buena ParkOnline: knotts.com, RELATED: How to Spend a Fun 36-Hours in Buena Park, A post shared by Official Union Station LA (@unionstationla). With hundreds of unique rail travel packages to choose from, there's something for everyone. Haunted Houses, Horror Nights, and Scary Farms for Los Angeles Teens Who Like a Good Scare Free Halloween Events in Los . Popcorn Machine Approaching San Clemente on a SoCal train ride is a magical experience as you roll through town on the train tracks on, 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA, The ride on this vintage trolley will take you on a scenic 1.5 mile route along the waterfront from San Pedro's World Cruise Center. Visit website for upcoming events. Guests are served hot chocolate and shortbread by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the classic book, and get a gift from Santa. **In February: California Baby & Kids Expoin the OC Fair Grounds & Event Center. Open: Open daily (except Wed.); 10 a.m-4:45 p.m. Give them the greatest and most exciting bash where lots and lots of fun are stacked in sites of seeing them in a Dunk Tank or on our Trackless Trains, Game Trucks, Go-Karts, Carousel, or any other Carnival Rides and Inflatable Rentals. You can also try our T-6 simulator ride, a fun adventure for all ages! Located in Griffith Park, Travel Town is an outdoor museum with a large collection of locomotives and rolling stock from Southern California. Attend during a special event and you may be treated to a train ride on the, Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 S A St, Perris, CA 92570, USA, Take a day trip along the Pacific Coast on a restored vintage train ride in SoCal. But what are the options if youre looking to leave cars out of the equation and travel by train to your favorite SoCal destination? EVENT FAQ PHOTO GALLERY REVIEW & TIPS. Do your kids love party highlights in which everything is set to bring wonder to their eyes, smile on their faces? I felt ecstatic. Rental cars are also an option with Enterprise. There is also a garden where you can eat the lunch you brought or organize a picnic for the family. Its a great location for getting out in nature with the Williamette River bike trail, Mount Pisgah natural area, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail and Skinner Butte Park. Dine at a reservable outdoor patio with exotic creatures, like macaws, owls, armadillos, and the like. WELCOME & all aboard! Grab a coffee and stroll through the famous Pike Place Market, visit the Chihuly Gardens, Museum of Flight, or head to Kerry Park for stunning skyline views of the city. Families can see small model trains operating that will transport themselves and their imagination to a different time. A favorite for kids and adults. There are indoor and outdoor spaces to entertain people of all ages. Here, there are activities for 2 year olds and 60 year olds with the same spirit of entertainment. Have a fun time with your family as you take plenty of pictures with the stars of your well-loved actors, directors, fictional characters, musicians, actors, and other famed celebrities. It is a dynamic place for families, students and teachers to inculcate a curiosity about space in the young ones. Fee for miniature train rides. You can also plan a picnic in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area. The Echo Park Time Travel Mart is a retail store that lives to provide souvenirs to keep those memories alive for a long time to come. Don't miss the Enchanted Railroad, daily story times, and the . It's located in a grassy, relaxed area of Griffith Park and happens to also be a great place to spread out a picnic. The Travel Town Museum is a railway established in 1952 and owned by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. Providing fun for kids, however, can sometimes be a challenge for parents and caretakers. There are a few rotating exhibits that will keep you busy. You could hike up or get hitch a horseback ride through Hollywood Hills to get here. Photo courtesy of Visit Oceanside, Our celebrated neighbor to the southSan Diego is an ideal quick trip by train. Here, you can also enjoy activities like taking many pictures of its eye-catching art murals, biking on designated trails, dining at a fantastic restaurant, and snapping several photos together backed by jaw-dropping architecture. Head to Albuquerque, New Mexico on the Southwest Chief for a trip full of outdoor and cultural activities. Traveling by train is one of the most peaceful and memorable ways to experience our lovely state. I didnt think this day would come. Theres also winding walkways, huge lawns and rolling hills for you to plan your day. If youve been to LA previously and loved the Childrens Museum of Los Angeles (which is now gone), this will do a little more than lift your spirits. Kids can also try their T-6 simulator ride! Choo-Chooride into wonderland on our StoryBook Train rental and chug your way into family fun and adventures. Train Party is the largest trackless train provider in Southern California. Have a blast with your kids as you build towering sandcastles, play sandy volleyball, shoot hoops at a basketball court, teach your little ones how to fish, go for a leisurely swim, or enjoy a fun round of frisbee. for an up-close look at real trains in Los Angles moving people in and out of our city. The Polar Express Train Ride is a magical re-creation of the classic childrens story on board a real train. The center of the exhibit has a restored steam locomotive as well as its tender, a refrigerated boxcar, and caboose. Departures start as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. Great for the whole family, Grover Beach is a small community with a great beach, dunes nature preserve, winery, escape room, ATV rentals and more. And theres no place like the City of Angels. There are three art galleries and a huge botanical garden. If youre looking for something different, book a sustainable wine tour, or even charter your own yacht. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas. El Dorado Frontier is currently only open on weekends. Travel Time: 1 1/2hours each way, Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner heads down the coast. Cross Country Rail Journey Save $400/booking Promotion Code: AV23NR Book by February 28, 2023 Save Now Glacier National Park Originally opened in 1901, Angels Flight the world's shortest railway has given more than 100 million rides on its hillside track. If that time is doable for you, be sure to check out the stops on these routes for more trip ideas (including Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Tucson and New Orleans). Downtown there is a childrens museum, railroad museum, historic mission, and a charming trail along a creek. It's a fun way to see the area and it's something the kiddos will surely enjoy. Is your little one loco for locomotives? Explore the West's largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars, buildings and other artifacts dating from the 1870's. Ride streetcars, interurban electric cars, and trains on the Museum railway. Plus you can party in the Gaslamp Quarter, cruise the harbor, visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, explore Balboa Park, experience the USS Midway Museum and shop at Seaport Village. Photo by @lizpalkamedia Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association, Inc. Perris - Runs daily November 20 - December 28, 2022, Orange - Runs daily November 25 December 23, 2022, Griffith Park - Runs daily November 25, 2022 - January 6, 2023, Torrance - Friday & Saturday, December 16 & 17, 2022, Long Beach - Saturdays & Sundays in December 2022, Campo - Fridays & Saturdays, November 25 - December 18, 2022, Young Gates - Kids Online Personalized Classes. If youre in the right spot, it will be raining confetti. Enjoy the San Diego countryside on a leisurely 12-mile train trip on the historic San Diego & Arizona railway. Here, you can go on guided educational tours, read books at a library, shop for toys for your youngsters, buy souvenirs at the museum store, go on train rides, and do other enjoyable activities. Train rides on select vintage trains and trolleys are available to guests during their visit. Please visit https://socalthepolarexpressride.com/faqs/, or contact Rail Events at https://socalthepolarexpressride.com/contact/ or (702) 357-3526 for additional information and tickets about this event. Union Station, officially known as the Los Angeles Union Station, is the bustling main railway station in the city. Which hidden gems should I visit in Southern California? Take an adventure to any of our over 200 EXPLORE destinations across Southern California, and the kids ride completely free - no ticket needed! There is a zoo, harbor, wharf, bike path, coastal park and historic mission to explore. It is also a highly acclaimed entertainment center featuring an aquarium, a small amusement park, several shops, a video arcade, a trapeze school, and concession stands. Other historical park buildingsinclude a carriage barn, a windmill, adobe foundation, bird aviary, and theTongva Exhibit. The view from the train as it travels through the charming beach in Del Mar is breathtaking. If you want to feed the likes of a sea lion, you might want to make some bookings in advance with the Animal Encounters. The fare is $1.00 each way, and you can purchase a souvenir round-trip ticket for $2.00 to take a piece of history home with you. Also See:Kid Friendly Things to Do in OjaiThings for Kids to Do in MalibuKids Activities: Pasadena. Recommended Hotel Nearby: 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Related: Best Hotels in Los Angeles for Families. . Put those pajamas on and hop aboardThe North Pole Limited. All Rights Reserved. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS for a . The Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) welcomes the public for free rides every third Saturday and following Sunday of each month. You could also go for storytime but be sure to check out the timings in advance. Note that the Texas Eagle trip from Chicago to L.A. takes about 66 hours, but youll see different scenery and cities on this route. Travel time on the train is 23.5 hours each way. Our Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Play area provides entertainment for up to 25 children at one time. Spread over 120 acres, there are a few gardens to its credit. 1418 Descanso DrLa Caada Flintridge, CA 91011. Trains depart Los Angeles and San Jose mid-morning, so one overnight stay in San Jose is doable if that works best with your schedule. You may recognize this railway, as this train ride in SoCal has been featured in over 400 movies and TV shows. A light rail station is across the street, or take Uber, Lyft or ferry to get around. They also have many historic exhibits, including full-size vintage train cars, a stationary steam plant, and Walt Disneys Carolwood Barn. The art scene there is fantastic and well-known throughout our region. The Overland Trail Car is one of the featured vintage trains at the, South Coast Railroad Museum, 300 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. Heres a list of activities thatll help you plan. While 2020 may not be the yearto visit Disneyland,Anaheim is still worth an outing. This one is for us to take a good, hard look at some of the under-represented artists of color. One intriguing hidden gem in Southern California to visit is The Lummis House, a hidden castle where you can go to take an interesting tour. It opened in 1960 and welcomes about 10 million tourists annually, making it one of the most popular attractions in LA. One of the most historic things in town is the Castaneda Hotel next to the Amtrak station. The Southwest Chief arrives around dinnertime and returns to L.A. in the morning, so you can stay just one night, but if you want to explore the town (besides going out to dinner), plan to stay two. Youll spend two nights on the train and arrive in Chicago in the late afternoon, with views of deserts, mountains and the Great Plains along the way. They can also build a dam or explore a mud kitchen. , Your email address will not be published. Hop aboard the North Pole Limited, where Santas elves sing favorite Christmas carols, read a Christmas storyto young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. The Amtrak station is conveniently in walking distance of Skinner Butte Park and downtown hotels and restaurants (including many local and Asian options), so you dont have to rent a car. School Trips & Guided Tours; Holden's Corner for Kids; Exhibits; The Trains at Travel Town; Railroad Safety; Library & Archive; Whyte Locomotive Classification; . Visit Thomas at the Southern California Railway Museum (formerly Orange Empire Railway Museum) 2201 South A Street Perris, CA 92570 . Your email address will not be published. Warning: The train has the highest crime rate in all of Orange County (wink, wink), as notorious bandits stage hold-ups on every ride. Here's a list of activities that'll help you plan. While in the area, non-Disney options includeskateboardingat Vans skatepark, taking flight at a SwingIt Trapeze lesson, andwandering through the reopened Bowers Museum. Parties are meant to be entertaining, enjoyable and exciting for everyone involved. During the trip, characters on each car immerse passengers in theatrical onboard entertainment just like in the film! The interiors of this hotel give you the look and feel of a space station. We believe the best memories are created when families do fun things together. It is also a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. There are some activities for families, but overall, this destination is best for an adult trip. Few SoCal towns are better atturning the ocean into some serious family fun. Top photo credit: Image by Steven Cox from Pixabay (San Diego sunrise), Your email address will not be published. Also See:Kids Activities: Santa MonicaThings to Do in Long Beach with KidsThings to Do with Kids in Orange County. The sea cave here is legendary, and you'll love exploring the tidepools with the kids. Dozens of Amtrak and MetroLink trains use Union Station daily, and your kids are sure to get an eye-full and ear-full of real train experience. Watch on. Explore the best options below. Then, one of the most fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles is taking them to this museum. to request a date for your next special event. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Box 21039 Glendale, CA 91221. The museum is housed in a 19th-century New England small-town train depot replica, and after you purchase your tickets at the old-fashioned train-ticket counter, the well-informed staff will welcome your little ones with some background on the museum, while demonstrating the facilitys genuine train lights and whistles. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. Amtrak Guide aims to make rail travel easier with helpful information and tips on train routes, stations and destinations across the United States. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor! Who doesn't love to ride on trains? Passengers then read along with the classic childrens book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. T-6 Simulator Ride at Griffith Park & Southern RR, Click here more info on our separate locations. Los Angeles Live Steamers & Railroad Museum. Doesnt taking a train ride in SoCal look like a fun way to spend the afternoon? If I were you, Id camp out in the lobby all afternoon. The 118-year-old funicular takes passengers on a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. Docent-led tours, monthly events, party rentals (includes a Thomas the Tank Engine Playday! Its one of the busiest studios in all of Hollywood. The quaint town also offers a popular petting zoothat feels a bit like time travel. A post shared by Angels Flight Railway (@angelsflightrailway). Some of them are guided in case you want to make the most of your time here. Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. You could go on a hike towards the Hollywood sign or explore the Los Angeles Zoo and botanical gardens. Admission is free, donations accepted. Theres Tiny Tot Tuesdays which adds a little zing to the experience. Another one-of-a-kind spot to visit in SoCal is Victoria Tower in Laguna Beach. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. Train: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Travel Time: 1 1/2 hours each way Fall Activities Trains, Dinos & Heroes Weekend Trips Preschoolers Kids Tweens & teens Anaheim Orange County San Juan Capistrano Los Angeles United States California Southwest and Rockies Check outthe local zoo, or take a hike. Travel Time: 2 plus hourseach way, Breakwater Way Beach in Oceanside. Plus, wine is top attraction that adults can enjoy locally or on a day trip. Their newest exhibit, Out of the Vault: Items from Our Collectionincludes decades-old locomotives made of pewter and brass. *Train is wheelchair accessible. The train was the first of one of the many surprises that we had in our Christmas Eve program, but it was by far the crowd favorite. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. Restrictions apply,see websitefor full details. Several rental car companies have offices near the Amtrak station, so its easy to rent a car if desired. Confirm details with organizer. Each fare-paying adult can be accompanied by up to three children, 17 years old and younger, at no additional charge. Over a century old, this funicular (a train that goes up and down a mountain) shuttles passengers between Hill St. and Grand Ave. on Bunker Hill. Theres also a non-profit tutoring center that will warm your heart. If youve been a fan of the Hot Tub Time Machine from Back To the Future, this is one of those fun places to go which will not disappoint you. Simply because you dont want to miss the experience of watching over 11,000 animals and more than 50 exhibits. Right across the street is Union Station with a ton of kid-friendly stuff. Travel time on the train is 11 to 12 hours. Full of restaurants, bars, shops, and shows, this part of the city makes it easy to amble away the day wandering its sunny streets. Located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum, educates the public in railroad history and show live steam, gas-mechanical and electric railroad technology in actual operation. Open 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the free public ride days (weather permitting); donations are welcome. Details subject to change. promotions and other partner offers EVERYDAY DISCOUNTS Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More VACATIONS & RAIL TOURS Train vacation packages throughout North America MULTI-RIDES & RAIL PASSES USA Rail passes, . Photo courtesy of VisitPalmSprings.com, Slip back in time with a visit to this historic town andits legendary Mission San Juan Capistrano. Located inside El Dorado Park in Long Beach, the El Dorado Express is a mile-and-a-half train ride on a vintage locomotive. It opened in 2014 and has a ton of exhibits that will delight the little ones. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. You could also relax with a ride on the merry-go-round. The Klamath Fall Amtrak station is in walking distance of downtown restaurants, a few hotels and an Enterprise Rent-A-Car office. Theres plenty of activities that make it quite happening. Open: Sun. The train at Griffith Park & Southern Railroad travels over one mile of track, across a bridge, through a forest and the Old Western Town. Bond with your children while participating in educational tours, interacting with the wildlife, and shopping for souvenirs. promotions and other partner offers EVERYDAY DISCOUNTS Savings for Kids, Seniors, . It's known for looking like a pirate tower, and it's so different from all the California architecture around it. They'll have the chance to learn about marine life in the middle of the adventure. Learn about the heritage of American railroading through educational programs, displays, toy trains, and scale models of California railroads and communities. You'll be able to enjoy a striking garden that will give you some truly gorgeous photo opportunities. From there get a glimpse of the Plaza Firehouse. If you stay in Oakland, check out the Oakland Museum of California, Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space & Science Center, Childrens Fairyland theme park and the local food scene. Recommended Hotel Nearby: SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills. Klamath Falls is a 22-hour train trip from Los Angeles. This tourist hotspot is an animal lovers dream. Dates for the 2022 ride have been set! Earn points toward rewards travel, upgrades and more. (It can be a bit deafening on the platforms, so consider bringing earplugs if you or your kids are sensitive to loud noises). Railway trains and trolleys operate every weekend. You sit on top of it, straddling the train car, as opposed to inside it. 4400 Crystal Springs Drive (Near Los Feliz & Riverside) Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 664-6903 Hours 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Book a trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico (not Nevada) for an old west experience. Whether you want to see Central Perk from Friends or backlots and soundstages, this is where its all at. The museum also operates a railway where visitors can ride on the historic trains and trolleys that helped shape Southern California. Take the kids to bring them into a real-life fairytale. The little ones will love walking around in the desert, Japanese, Chinese and rose gardens. There are kid-friendly tours, replete with informative exhibits on board. Located at the Metlox Plaza Corner of Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Valley Boulevard. Visit to experience a day of family fun, exploring the large grounds, and riding the trains and trolleys that helped create the Southern California we know today. What are the coolest attractions in Southern California? To begin with, you will find peacocks walking around the space. Make your next event a memorable one with a Trains on the Move interactive train party! Try all sorts of mouth-watering dishes, like loaded tacos, Thai rice, decked sandwiches, Japanese bentos, freshly baked pastries, homemade pies, hand-made pastas, ramen, decadent donuts, and other yummy treats. Whether you are local to Southern California or just visiting, these train rides will transport you to a different time when life was a bit more leisurely and old-fashioned. Dont miss the Griffith Observatory while youre here. This is a great big library with some of the rarest collections youll encounter. Griffith Park and Southern Railroad brings back its popular Santa train ride this year. Come visit us every week and ride our trackless train: Tuesday's we are at Manhattan Beach Farmers Market! You can also go on Family Adventure Night Hikes or bird walks. " The little train ride was a fun time for the little kids and the proceeds go back into the train station. It continues to offer rides to guests today. Bike and paddle boat rentals, OC Zoo and pony rides are also in the park. This is an awesome car-free street festival. Making your party and event reservations at. on weekends only and special events Cost: All-day train ride pass, $12 for ages 12 & up; $8 for ages 5 through 11; free for ages 4 and under 2201 South A St. Perris, CA Online: socalrailway.org Advertisement Travel Town Museum & Railroad Nadia Q via Yelp