If youre looking to extend your quick trip a day or two, there are countless hotels with cool pools the whole family will love. San Jose is an urban getaway that is 10 to 11 hours away on the Coast Starlight depending on the direction of travel. Docent-led tours, monthly events, party rentals (includes a Thomas the Tank Engine Playday! It's such a sweet place that you'll want to stay all afternoon. El Dorado Frontier is currently only open on weekends. Bike and paddle boat rentals, OC Zoo and pony rides are also in the park. Train Party Express is a wonderful addition to birthdays, festivals and all events. Its actually visible for many parts of the city when the sky is clear. La Jolla is a 20-minute drive away from downtown, and SeaWorld and water sport activities in Mission Bay are only 10 minutes away. With an unending supply of beaches, mountains, deserts, and historic highways just a short distance away from the city, theres always an excuse for a day trip. Originally opened in 1901, Angels Flight Railway has given more than 100 million rides on its hillside track. . The museum also operates a railway where visitors can ride on the historic trains and trolleys that helped shape Southern California. From there plan for a live music or dance event if you happen to be around during the annual Las Posadas festival. Now, the USS Iowa Museum is also a great place to catch a glimpse of US maritime history through interactive exhibits. Take an adventure to any of our over 200 EXPLORE destinations across Southern California, and the kids ride completely free - no ticket needed! There are a few hotels and Airbnbs you can walk to from the Amtrak station, and you can use Uber or Lyft to get around so a car rental isnt required. Open 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the free public ride days (weather permitting); donations are welcome. A post shared by Angels Flight Railway (@angelsflightrailway). Be sure to check out the wine tours and shuttles. 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. The return train to L.A. departs at night, so you could technically just spend a day here, then get back on the train to sleep. This 6.2-acre park opened in 2013 and is a favorite among locals and tourists. Hill St. Los Angeles, California 90071. Additionally, on weekends, each adult pays just $10 for a Weekend Day Pass so families small and large can have an affordable experience. Plan to stay at least two nights, as the return train to Los Angeles departs in the morning. And if you're planning to head out with family, there are a ton of fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles. 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Also See:Kids Activities: Santa MonicaThings to Do in Long Beach with KidsThings to Do with Kids in Orange County. Top attractions includeSandia Peak Tramwayfor panoramic views of the area,Indian Pueblo Cultural Center,National Museum of Nuclear Scienceand thePetroglyph National Monument. Friends and family of all ages will enjoy a train ride in wine country. The second floor is called the Labyrinth. Youll need to stay in Chicago at least one night, with the option to fly back to California or ride the Southwest Chief or Texas Eagle Amtrak train back to Los Angeles. The Klamath Fall Amtrak station is in walking distance of downtown restaurants, a few hotels and an Enterprise Rent-A-Car office. Top photo credit: Image by Steven Cox from Pixabay (San Diego sunrise), Your email address will not be published. Because of this, we DO NOT cancel and provide you with a $25 guarantee that we will be at your event. Learn about the heritage of American railroading through educational programs, displays, toy trains, and scale models of California railroads and communities. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. This is a perfect addition to your Thomas the Train theme party. Just Enter your Date and Time and See Everything That is available. Spread over 120 acres, there are a few gardens to its credit. We recommend booking ASAP because the Polar Express trains are a hot ticket, and tend to book up fast. The locomotive is an authentic Denver and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge train that was used in the early 1900s. Train Rides; School Trips & Group Tours; History & Learning. This one is for the whole family and if you plan it well, it will take a whole day for you to really enjoy it. Head to Albuquerque, New Mexico on the Southwest Chief for a trip full of outdoor and cultural activities. Take a ride on the worlds shortest railway! Kids from the ages two to seven will love the Helen and Peter Bing Childrens garden. $10 Weekends Ride Metrolink with the $10 Weekend Day Pass. Required fields are marked *. Take short day-trips to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Barbara or other cities from local stations in Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine and Santa Ana. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Westin Pasadena. Its a bright mix of history and entertainment for them. We also rent trackless trains, which allow all of the guests to enjoy the thrill of a train ride at your event without being confined to a single track. "We bring the thrill of a train ride to your . The mini theme park also has carnival games, panning for gold, hand-cranked mining buggy, and carousel. TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! 888-501-4FUN (4386) All aboard the Kid's Party Express - whooo whoooo! Choose from the many wine tours, including with SLO Safe Ride, so you dont have to drink and drive. There are bright pink benches that will lift your spirits and theres drought-tolerant landscaping that will grab your attention. The exhibits are in a building that is located on southern Californias oceans, so thats already something to look forward to. A large number of hotels are also short drive away at Pismo Beach, where youll find outlet stores. If I were you, Id camp out in the lobby all afternoon. Traveling by train is one of the most peaceful and memorable ways to experience our lovely state. The collection of books here is across cultures and has the best treasure trove of items youve seen in a while. This post has been updated as of May 12, 2022. Amtrak trains arrive and depart from Portland in the afternoon via Portland Union Station. There are 18 observation decks here which give you a stunning view of the city. Open, Monday, 2/20 for Presidents' Day from 10 - 4pm. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Los Angeles Athletic Club, Also See:Things to Do in Morro Bay, CA with KidsVentura Attractions for Kids, 125 Paseo De La PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90012. You can easily walk to a light rail stop or to downtown, plus Lyft and Uber are options. Our staff brings you Trains on the Move, our portable, exciting, kid-sized trains that will liven any party. Here, there are activities for 2 year olds and 60 year olds with the same spirit of entertainment. Watch on. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride. Located at Westchester Park on Lincoln Boulevard/PCH and La Tiera Boulevard (across the street from Otis College of Arts - 9045 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045). We have proudly called Griffith Park home since 1954. Union Station, officially known as the Los Angeles Union Station, is the bustling main railway station in the city. The Ultimate Guide to Train Outings in Northern California for Kids - Mommy Nearest ATLANTA BOSTON CHICAGO DALLAS DENVER HOUSTON LOS ANGELES NYC PHILADELPHIA PHOENIX SAN DIEGO SEATTLE SOUTH FLORIDA WASHINGTON DC CATEGORIES MOMMY NEAREST PLAYDATES PARTNERS ABOUT US CONTACT US The Ultimate Guide to Train Rides in Nor by Leslie Harvey Its a quirky space where used books are arranged according to color. Weekdays and until 5 p.m. On weekends and holidays. Other historical park buildingsinclude a carriage barn, a windmill, adobe foundation, bird aviary, and theTongva Exhibit. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Embassy Suites Los Angeles Glendale, 12601 Mulholland DrBeverly Hills, CA 90210. Theres an excavator tour where kids can check out what the scientists of the day are digging out of tar pits. You can also plan a picnic in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area. Take an overnight trip to Eugene, Oregon, which is 28 hours away from Los Angeles on Amtrak. coolest attractions in Southern California. San Diego has something for everyone. You can also attend a University of Oregon football game, visit the Cascades Raptor Center or go to a show at the Hult Center of Performing Arts. You will see little ponds filled with roses, lilies and trees in every direction. Get a shuttle from the Gold Line to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. But what are the options if youre looking to leave cars out of the equation and travel by train to your favorite SoCal destination? Words can't describe my happiness when my son saw the train and was yelling Choo Choo at the top of his lungs and jumping up and down. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Things To Do In Joshua Tree: 12 Things Not To Miss with Kids in this Desert National Park . Due to the 6.5 hour train commute and one daily Coast Starlight train, youll need to stay overnight at least one night. For the return trip to L.A., you choose a Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight train. There are pedestrian walkways for a stroll and there are picnic areas for when you want to rest for a bit. Middle schoolers can check out the exhibits on botany. Whatever you choose,youll feel like you'vegoneto beach bum heaven. Los Angeles Live Steamers & Railroad Museum. More details to come. Idyllwild is another fun spot to drive to for a day or a weekend. 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. It first opened in May 1939 under the name of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal and serves roughly 1.4 million passengers each year. Theres plenty of parking, plus a concession stand, snack bar and a gift shop, as well as a small space-flight simulator and the nearby Griffith Park pony and wagon rides. If you are looking for party services for your kids, we have everything you're looking for. Check out our must-visit list of train museums, train rides for kids in Los Angeles, must-visit stations, and a chance to ride real trains for free (at least for the kids). This200-year-old Spanish monument gives the family a chance to learn about their home state in the most hands-onway possible. 4. This Orange County museum also has the Wests largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars and other artifacts dating from the 1870s. For train enthusiasts and those kids with a growing obsession, Travel Town is a perfect spot thanks to the collection of historic rail cars and the ride-a-long train that goes around the perimeter. Heres a list of activities thatll help you plan. Located inside Balboa Park, inside the Casa de Balboa Building. If youre looking for things to do in LA with kids, these botanical gardens are a pretty good bet. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. Explore beautiful SoCal from San Luis Obispo to San Diego on The Pacific Surfliner. The interiors of this hotel give you the look and feel of a space station. Get the chance to view animals like bald eagles, prairie dogs, ring-tailed lemurs, squirrel monkeys, boa constrictors, ravens, North American porcupines, bobcats, sugar gliders, pythons, and so much more. (213) 626-1901 info@angelsflight.org Monday - Friday: 6:45 AM - 10:00 PM. Most attractions are a short walk or Lyft/Uber ride away from the Santa Fe Depot. The 118-year-old funicular takes passengers on a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill.