All aboard for trains for kids in Los Angeles! There's something about the clickety-clack of the railroad tracks, the comforting bounce of the train cars, and that booming whistle that gives kids all the giggles and glee. If your kids love trains as much as mine, you are probably looking for the best places to take kids who love trains in Los Angeles. The good news is, that LA is packed with train-themed fun.
I've pulled together a list of all the places my train-loving littles enjoy to share with you all. If you're looking for ideas on trains for kids in Los Angeles, check out this Instagram Reel featuring five great trains in the LA area. Chugga chugga choo choo, here we go!
Looking for more family fun? Browse our list of the best playgrounds in Los Angeles, discover the best botanical gardens for LA kids, and find more fun in our Parks and Playgrounds of Los Angeles & Orange County Guide.
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Best Trains for Kids in Los Angeles & Orange County
1. Travel Town Museum — Griffith Park
Travel Town is the ultimate destination for train enthusiasts. It's a free museum in Griffith Park with old train cars to explore, train tracks to trace, a giant wooden toy track to play with, and, of course, a working railroad that is perfectly pint-sized for little travelers.
2. Descanso Garden Railroad — La Canada Flintridge
Descanso Gardens has a brand-new railroad, and it is everything a train-loving kid could dream up! Model trains chug along the tracks overhead and on the ground. A small shop sells tickets to the railroad and train-themed souvenirs.
A small train table is nestled in a corner of the area, so kids can take turns navigating their own little wooden trains. Plus, there is the railroad, which winds through the beautiful gardens. This one is a must for any kids who love locomotion.
Kids will love this beloved LA train. Griffith Park Southern Railroad photo by Kylie Williams
3. Griffith Park Southern Railroad — Griffith Park
This beloved LA classic has been ferrying LA littles in a wide loop around Griffith Park since 1948. Hop aboard this happy little train, which turns into a "Not Too Scary" Halloween Train in October, and transforms into a Holiday Train Ride during the festive season. With affordable ticket prices, the Griffith Park Southern Railroad is a must-do attraction for all LA families.
4. El Dorado Frontier — Long Beach
El Dorado Frontier is a small theme park nestled in El Dorado Park in East Long Beach. Several rides are on-site, but the main attraction is the El Dorado Frontier Railroad, which moves through the park with a recorded soundtrack. Kids will enjoy the tunnel and the relaxing ride through the spacious park. Check out this Instagram reel from our last visit there.
5. Southern California Railway Museum — Perris
The Southern California Railway Museum might just be the most epic railroad spot in SoCal. They put on incredible events, such as their Thomas the Tank Engine event in the fall, and The Polar Express train in the winter. During regular seasons, trains for kids in Los Angeles are only available on weekends. There are plenty of train cars to explore and other train-related paraphernalia on-site.
RELATED: Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles
The seasonal train glow-ups are next level. Photo courtesy of the Irvine Park Railroad
6. Irvine Park Railroad — Orange
Hop along this fantastic train that chugs through Irvine Regional Park, skating by a beautiful pond and through the forest, where squirrels scurry around in the pine needles. In the fall, the railroad is framed by a pumpkin patch. In the winter, Irvine Park Railroad transforms with the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train, which takes riders straight to the North Pole to meet Santa.
7. Angels Flight — DTLA
The "World's Shortest Funicular Railway" is in the heart of Downtown LA, right across the street from the Grand Central Market food hall. Hop a ride to the summit at Grand Park. While this train may not be necessary, it puts the "fun" in funicular.
8. Santa Barbara Zoo Train — Santa Barbara
Take a train to see the animals on this meandering railroad that skirts the Santa Barbara Zoo. Our family can't take a trip to this zoo without prioritizing a train ride around the property.
9. Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) — Costa Mesa
On the third Sunday of every month, families can hop on a free ride on the live steamers at Goathill Junction. Each ride lasts about 15 minutes on a 1.25-mile track. Children must be at least 31" tall to ride, and babies are not allowed on the steamers.
10. Riverside Live Steamers — Riverside
For Inland Empire readers, the Riverside Live Steamers in Hunter Hobby Park host a Public Run Day on the second and fourth Sundays of every month. These rides are free, though donations are appreciated.
11. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner — Along the Coastline
Want to take a "real" train ride? The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the perfect introduction to train travel for little ones. The train coasts along the California shoreline, with stunning ocean views from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Top Model Trains for Kids in Los Angeles
12. Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn — Griffith Park
Walt Disney loved trains, and he housed many of his beloved models in this charming little barn that has been relocated to Griffith Park to preserve his legacy. On the third Sunday of every month, take a peek inside to see what Walt was up to when he was dreaming up the concepts of Disneyland.
13. Discovery Cube LA Model Trains — Sylmar
Discovery Cube LA is known for many incredible exhibits, but did you know they have a sizeable model train collection with moving cars? Kids can push buttons to interact with the train cars and buildings lining the tracks. My kids love this interactive exhibit. There's also a large train table with Brio trains nearby for creative play.
14. Lomita Railroad Museum — Lomita
Explore old train cars and check out model trains at this gem of a museum in Lomita. The space is open from 10am to 5pm Friday through Sunday, and admission is always free. The Southern Pacific Locomotive on display was first built in 1902!
15. Belmont Shore Railroad Club — San Pedro
A 25-foot by 90-foot model train layout is on display in Angel's Gate Park in San Pedro. The model is on display to the public on Saturdays and Tuesday evenings.
16. Santa Susana Pacific Model Railroad — Simi Valley
The Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1903 and is now a historical landmark and model train exhibit. The 50 feet by 30 feet model railroad depicts the Southern Pacific Railroad's coastline and tracks in the middle of the transition era.
17. Fairplex Garden Railroad — Pomona
On the second Sunday of every month, get a glimpse of this beautiful garden railroad at the Pomona Fairplex. The garden railroad is open for viewing on these select days from 11am to 4pm.
RELATED: Secrets of the LA Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Admire miniature trains. Photo courtesy of the Pasadena Model Railroad Museum.
18. Pasadena Model Railroad Museum — Pasadena
Block out the third Sunday of the month to visit this model railroad museum with more than 5,000 square feet of track known as the Sierra Pacific Lines.
19. The Living Desert Model Trains — Palm Desert
This one is a bit far away, but it's a fun adventure in Palm Springs with kids. However, it's worth a mention, because the sprawling model train display at the zoo is incredible! Kids and adults can interact with the trains, and admire a track that snakes through tunnels and over bridges and past surprising little scenes.
More Places for Kids who Love Trains in Los Angeles
20. Carney's — Studio City
Take your kids to grab an outstanding hot dog in a train car! Carney's is a Studio City classic and kids of all ages will love the chance to dine inside a car that used to ride the rails.
21. Pacific Railroad Museum — San Dimas
Hop over to the Pacific Railroad Museum to explore a historic depot. Check out the train-themed gifts in the museum store, and peruse photos in the museum's library. It is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10am to 3pm.
22. Heritage Park Railroad Exhibit — Santa Fe Springs
Take a peek at a restored steam locomotive at this small exhibit in Santa Fe Springs, which pays homage to the railroad tracks and depot that helped the town to blossom. The exhibit includes a steam locomotive, a refrigerated box car, and a caboose.
23. Union Station — DTLA
LA's train hub is a grandiose structure that has family-friendly events, places to grab a snack, and plenty of trains. Board a train and take a trip down the line, or simply train watch from the station.
24. Fullerton Train Museum — Fullerton
Explore historic full-size train cars at this free museum in Fullerton. The museum is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month. The three cabooses on site operated from the 1920s to the 1980s, and there are also lounge cars from the decadent 1940s and a 1950s sleeping car.
25. The Nethercutt Collection — Sylmar
The Nethercutt Collection mostly features antique cars, but the museum locomotive and private car is a unique exhibit with a train car restored to its former glory, in 1912.
26. The Train Shack — Burbank
This model train store is famous for its large collection of model train pieces. Do a little shopping, or peruse the impressive collection of model trains inside.
27. The Original Whistle Stop — Pasadena
The Original Whistle Stop is a model train store with invaluable collectibles. While it is a shop, it doubles as a bit of a mini-museum with model trains infused with historical significance.
28. Brio Splash Pad — La Habra
On a toasty summer day, your kiddos can get their train fix at this locomotive-themed splash pad in La Habra, directly across the street from the Children's Museum of La Habra.
29. Stanton Central Park — Stanton
Train-loving littles will love this splash pad and playground with plenty of locomotive-themed pieces.
30. Santa Fe Park — Placentia
Pretend to be an engineer at this fun train-themed playground in Placentia.
31. Underwood Family Farms — Moorpark
Underwood has plenty to offer for the whole family, but train enthusiasts will be thrilled to know there is a train ride on the property. There's also a train play structure, a bee train, and a cow train that travels around the farm.
32. The Pike Outlets — Long Beach
Choo choo! A happy little kids' train chugs through The Pike Outlets daily, and my kids are always begging to ride on it whenever we are in the area.
33. Sunburst Railbikes — Santa Paula
Here's a unique way to ride the rails: Sunburst Railbikes allows families to pedal their way down real railroad tracks on a unique bike fitted to the tracks.