Theres an indoor area for them to lose themselves in activities and also an outdoor one where they can educate themselves about the environment. 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 magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Other top attractions include the Municipal Rose Garden, Santana Row commercial district (pictured above), Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Located on Wilshire Boulevard, the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum is famous for its ice-age fossil site. There is a zoo, harbor, wharf, bike path, coastal park and historic mission to explore. Warning: The train has the highest crime rate in all of Orange County (wink, wink), as notorious bandits stage hold-ups on every ride. Theres also a fog grotto and a prism tunnel to climb through. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. From there plan for a live music or dance event if you happen to be around during the annual Las Posadas festival. Narrated tours of the museum and their extensive collection Mon. Youngsters of all ages enjoy the experience of riding the FREEDOM TRAIN or the . I will definitely recommend to our family and friends. 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The train at Griffith Park & Southern Railroad travels over one mile of track, across a bridge, through a forest and the Old Western Town. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites. Do you want to hear a bit of history? Descanso Gardens. So its likely that it looks different every time you visit. The second floor is called the Labyrinth. Related: Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night. Haunted Houses, Horror Nights, and Scary Farms for Los Angeles Teens Who Like a Good Scare Free Halloween Events in Los . For a little urban adventure, hop off at the Sante Fe stopnearDowntown and enjoy everything from Balboa Park to the USS Midway Museumto the San Diego Zoo. You will also find a host of rotating exhibits and Nature Lab, a hand-on science lab that includes animals and other specimens. 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. The interiors of this hotel give you the look and feel of a space station. Open, Monday, 2/20 for Presidents' Day from 10 - 4pm. A post shared by Angels Flight Railway (@angelsflightrailway). Get more stories delivered right to your email. Valid system-wide on either Saturday or Sunday. First of all, its not just for bookworms. Children of all ages will be thoroughly entertained here. Theres tons of room for your children to put their imagination to work. Enjoy the San Diego countryside on a leisurely 12-mile train trip on the historic San Diego & Arizona railway. All Rights Reserved. San Francisco was first. Open: Fri. through Sun., 10a.m.5p.m.,Cost: $4 for adults, $2 for children, free for children under 2, 2137 W. 250th St.LomitaOnline:lomita-rr.org. Take the kids to bring them into a real-life fairytale. Ocean Front WalkLos Angeles, CA 90291(310) 396-6794. Since 2001, we have been providing trackless train rentals and rides to customers throughout the Southern California area, giving you and your event an exciting new way to keep children entertained. 800 N Alameda StLos Angeles, CA 90012(800) 698-4833. The Los Angeles State Historic Park is back in business after being closed for three years. You can also enjoy teaching your kids how to catch a fish at the pier, trying all sorts of tasty food sold by vendors, attending an outdoor concert, learning how to trapeze, watching live street performers, and so on. 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. If youre in town at the time, do not miss it. Plus, these elevators have glass walls and come with a stunning view. More details to come. Theres also winding walkways, huge lawns and rolling hills for you to plan your day. If you're a fan of wineries, check out Briar Rose Winery for a sweet fairytale experience in Temecula. Depending on what they have planned, you can also get the chance to interact with puppets. Several rental car companies have offices near the Amtrak station, so its easy to rent a car if desired. Theres also a fossil lab to see what came out of the fossils dug out from the tar. If youre looking to extend your quick trip a day or two, there are countless hotels with cool pools the whole family will love. Also See:Kid Friendly Things to Do in OjaiThings for Kids to Do in MalibuKids Activities: Pasadena. Check theirevents pagefor special train rides throughout the year. Thats amazing, Carrie! Which hidden gems should I visit in Southern California? You can find our trains here: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, image from https://www.tripsavvy.com/griffith-park-los-angeles-4123401. For your littledinolovers, a trip to theCabazon Dinosaur Museumwill surely make you their favorite parent for a while. the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, give-a-ways, and more. When you're in the mood for a getaway, there's nothing like a day trip in Southern California. Be sure to check out the wine tours and shuttles. The Santa Monica Pier is a double-jointed pier nestled on the banks of the Pacific Ocean. 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). Thanks for sharing! You can also plan a picnic in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area. Located in Griffith Park, Travel Town is an outdoor museum with a large collection of locomotives and rolling stock from Southern California. Lets go! RECENT NEWS. After riding our miniature train, explore dozens of old-time railroad locomotives and cars. Hours: Daily, 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.Cost: $1 each way or if you use your Metro TAP card, it costs just .50! To begin with, theres an indoor imagination workshop. 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. Dates for the 2022 ride have been set! 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). Here, there are activities for 2 year olds and 60 year olds with the same spirit of entertainment. 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. 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. Paso Robles is a fantastic option for a wine vacation. 3. There are a few motels in walking distance from the Amtrak station, or explore Airbnb options. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramwayis temporarily closed, but considerstrolling around the cityshistoric downtown, which is full of cute shops and good food. It's definitely an excellent spot for walking, as the ocean views are truly beautiful. 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. Top photo credit: Image by Steven Cox from Pixabay (San Diego sunrise), Your email address will not be published. Plus, wine is top attraction that adults can enjoy locally or on a day trip. Step inside a holiday classic! Hooray! Tear your kids away from the kids train table set-up near the gift counter, head out to climb through the historic caboose and engine, the push-car and the water tower, and then maybe enjoy a picnic at one of the two train-centric parks next door, which together feature a contemporary caboose, a tank car and a boxcar. Located inside Balboa Park, inside the Casa de Balboa Building. Photo courtesy of VisitPalmSprings.com, Slip back in time with a visit to this historic town andits legendary Mission San Juan Capistrano. This200-year-old Spanish monument gives the family a chance to learn about their home state in the most hands-onway possible. Select dates November 20th-December 28th, 2022. 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. $10 Weekends Ride Metrolink with the $10 Weekend Day Pass. The railcar collection has three historically significant cabooses and two Union Pacific Lounge cars available to the public. Travel Time: 2 1/2hours each way, The name of the game here is water, so youre going to want to head down to Ventura Harbor Village as soon as you get there. Book your Amtrak train and bus tickets today by choosing from over 30 U.S. train routes and 500 destinations in North America. Prepare to be amazed as you and your little ones watch puppet shows, musicals, plays, kid-friendly concerts, and other entertaining shows. So thank you very much. Middle schoolers can check out the exhibits on botany. 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. Parents, theres a little something for you too. 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. It features food stalls selling local and foreign delicacies and various engaging events throughout the year. This is a theater operated by Disney and is designed purely for family fun. The kids had an absolute blast and we got many compliments on what a great idea it was to have the train and how it fit the birthday partytheme so perfectly. "We bring the thrill of a train ride to your event." We service all of Orange County and parts of San Diego, Riverside & Los Angeles. Open for all ages, but most enjoyable for kids aged two and up. It has some great trails and an amazing view waiting at the end of it. Its a big part of the history around here and you must look up why it went from being Hollywoodland to the truncated version we see today. Then catch a hosted tour! Bond with your children while participating in educational tours, interacting with the wildlife, and shopping for souvenirs. A large number of hotels are also short drive away at Pismo Beach, where youll find outlet stores. Theres nothing like a weekend here exploring the wonders of science. While there are some gentle rides here, the park is most famous for the ones that'll . Its the one that traveled to space 25 times from the 1990s to 2011. A total of 12 riders can ride at one time and one . Dedicated to the era of the steam engine, the Lomita Railroad Museum offers a collection of locomotives, cabooses, oil tenders, and box cars, all on display. There are 12 rare-breed chickens which will amuse the little ones to no end. Know before you go: Passengers must be at least 34-inches tall to enjoy the ride. This is a hotspot for dignitaries, former Presidents and television and movie stars too. People already asked me for your number and I will keep referring you, too. Explore the best options below. Fee for miniature train rides. Come visit us every week and ride our trackless train: Tuesday's we are at Manhattan Beach Farmers Market! Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. You can easily walk to a light rail stop or to downtown, plus Lyft and Uber are options. 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. The train is a model G16 now a rare antique with as few as fifty currently remaining. If I were you, Id camp out in the lobby all afternoon. Paddle around the lake for an hour at a time while enjoying the view of downtown Los Angeles. So pull on those matching family PJs and get ready to sing some carols, hear a story, chow down on Christmas cookies, and even chanceto hand over those wish lists toSanta Claus in person. It is extremely family friendly, it is free and a great place to chill for people of all ages. If you are wondering where to take kids to educate them about the environment while keeping it entertaining, you cannot skip this. 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. Just Enter your Date and Time and See Everything That is available. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sunset Tower Hotel, Related: Free Things to Do in Los Angeles, CA. Parties are meant to be entertaining, enjoyable and exciting for everyone involved. Details subject to change. Description: The miniature train ride has served the public in Griffith Park since 1948. LOS ANGELES - A high-speed bullet train connecting Southern California to Las . Southern California Railway Museum covers 100 acres and is home to a vast collection of historical locomotives, railcars, trolleys, 3-foot gauge, model trains and much more. TreePeople is not just dog friendly but it also organizes group dog walks. We believe the best memories are created when families do fun things together. When booking your tickets, you can choose between a Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight train (the Coast Starlight has roomettes and bedrooms if you want privacy). Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, 750 Depot St, Campo, CA 91906, USA. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas. It houses more than 43 full-scale railroad cars and engines dating back to the early 1900s. Our new Animal Rides are electric riding animals that arecontrolled by your child with a foot pedal and handlebars. It is one of the few remaining Harvey Houses that were built along railroads at the turn of the century. Providing fun for kids, however, can sometimes be a challenge for parents and caretakers. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. " The little train ride was a fun time for the little kids and the proceeds go back into the train station. RELATED: Metrolink's stop-worthy spots from DTLA to Oceanside, Themed Restaurants Totally Worth the Trip, 10 Cool Spots To Throw Your Kids Birthday Party, By signing up to Tinybeans newsletters you agree to our Terms and 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. Have a fun family outing as you enjoy a plethora of activities at the Santa Monica Pier. Train: Amtrak
The exhibits are in a building that is located on southern Californias oceans, so thats already something to look forward to. 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. Your kids will particularly like taking photos with the stars of animated characters Mickey Mouse, Godzilla, Big Bird, Donald Duck, Shrek, Tinkerbell, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Bugs Bunny, Kermit the Frog, and countless others. 'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides or Christmas trains for everyone in the family who likes to ride the rails, from an LA staple in Griffith Park to a book or movie-like adventure on the SoCal Polar Express. You may recognize this railway, as this train ride in SoCal has been featured in over 400 movies and TV shows. And by the way, if youre a Potterhead, this place is a must visit. Kids Ride Free Weekends provides families an affordable way to take a weekend day trip to explore Southern California destinations. Venice Beach is a sandy coastline featuring a bohemian vibe. It's known for looking like a pirate tower, and it's so different from all the California architecture around it. You could also go for storytime but be sure to check out the timings in advance. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Embassy Suites Los Angeles Glendale, 12601 Mulholland DrBeverly Hills, CA 90210. When your kid is crazy about all things trains, its full steam ahead! The museum also operates a railway where visitors can ride on the historic trains and trolleys that helped shape Southern California. So everyone, bring an extra set of clothes. Book a trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico (not Nevada) for an old west experience. You could hike up or get hitch a horseback ride through Hollywood Hills to get here. Choo-Chooride into wonderland on our StoryBook Train rental and chug your way into family fun and adventures. Our trains are both gas- and electric-powered, and we support green energy and keeping our environment clean for our children. This spectacular attraction was featured in numerous movies and TV shows, like Greys Anatomy, Hannah Montana, Sharknado, 90210, Modern Family, New Girl, and many others. Irvine Park Railroad takes children and adults through historic Irvine Regional Park. The museum educates and informs the public about railroads from the past and present and how they will impact transportation in the future. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. School Trips & Guided Tours; Holden's Corner for Kids; Exhibits; The Trains at Travel Town; Railroad Safety; Library & Archive; Whyte Locomotive Classification; . Terms & ConditionsListen to our podcast! If you head to Cabrillo Beach on the weekends, you can enjoy their free guided tidepool walk. Be sure to book tickets to the Jack London Square station (there are multiple Oakland stations to choose from). The Balboa Park Miniature Train is operated by the San Diego Zoo. There are a few rotating exhibits that will keep you busy. There is a great variety of items here that will mark any time period of your choice. Open 10 a.m. 3:30 p.m. on thefree public ride days(weather permitting); donations are welcome. For cheaper hotel rates, consider an early fall trip. This place is pretty great for a family day out in Los Angeles. Once you've made the 2 1/2 hour journey, you'll want to be strategic;there are plenty of fun activities to choose from. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel Amarano Burbank-Hollywood. The locomotive is an authentic Denver and Rio Grande Narrow Gauge train that was used in the early 1900s. View stars of famous icons, such as Walt Disney, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Jack Black, the Backstreet Boys, Orlando Bloom, Meryl Streep, Audrey Hepburn, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, and so much more.