Best Railroad Experiences For DFW Kids
Looking for a way to de-rail your everyday routine? It's time to toot your own horn, or maybe whistle would be more appropriate. Make sure your kiddos are on the right side of the tracks and show them some family fun on a train ride here in DFW.
Forest Park Miniature Railroad
2700 Trinity Park Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 336-3328
www.fpmt.us
Looking for something fun and affordable to do with the family? Take a ride on the Forest Park Miniature Railroad. It is cash only on this affordable fun run; only $3.50 for children and seniors and $4 for adults. What a great way to spend the afternoon. This five-mile tour will take you about 40 to 45 minutes round trip, which crosses the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. Open since 1959, this ride is guaranteed to make your child whistle a happy tune.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad
705 S. Main St.
Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 410-8136
www.grapevinetexasusa.com
Enjoy the beautiful and historic downtown Grapevine and get on board the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Enjoy the ride while you head on down to the Fort Worth Stockyards, where you can enjoy some leisurely shopping and a meal in one of the fine restaurants that the Stockyards has to offer. Also available are themed rides, like The Great Train Robberies that are offered this summer. Watch as train robbers prowl in the shadows outside the train, waiting to pounce. But that's not all. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers fun trains for the kiddos. Your 60-minute trip will offer educational tidbits for the family. So head on out and have a fine time in Grapevine.
Related: History Of Fort Worth Transportation & 100-Year-Old Trolley On Display
Texas State Railroad
535 Park Road 76
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-2561
www.texasstaterr.com
The Texas State Railroad will take you for a journey through east Texas. You can take the kiddos for this 25-minute ride and enjoy the natural beauty that Texas has to offer. With hills and wildlife humming in the midst, you and your family will enjoy the relaxing calm of the steam train. Texas State Railroad also offers special events for holidays and an evening dinner train. Call now and make your reservation.
Museum of the American Railroad
6455 Page St.
Frisco, TX 75034
(214) 428-0101
www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org
The Museum of the American Railroad is a non-profit organization specializing in preserving the historic value of the railroad system and researching its future. It collects artifacts for exhibits and offers educational exhibits and programs available to schools and universities. Recently moved from its Dallas location, the museum offers many interesting and exciting exhibits. You will see the Pullman Sleeping Cars, the Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 4903, the Union Pacific Steam Locomotive, the Santa Fe Waycar 999113 and so much more. If Matchbox Trains is where your little one got started, this museum experience is guaranteed to give your child's little engine some steam.
The M-Line's Air Conditioned and Heated Trolleys
McKinney Avenue Transit Authority
3153 Oak Grove Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 855-0006
www.mata.org
Running all year, these trolleys are guaranteed fun for the whole family. They are air-conditioned and heated so the weather should not be a factor in making your decision on how to spend the day. All rides are free except for charters, however donations are accepted. The trolleys run Monday through Thursday from 7a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to midnight and on Saturdays and holidays from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. So enjoy a casual ride through uptown Dallas and make a b-line for the M-Line.
Judy Serrano writes romantic thrillers at www.JudySerraon.com. She graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a BA in English. She is also a freelance writer for Examiner.com. She lives in Texas with her husband, four boys and five dogs.
