From there plan for a live music or dance event if you happen to be around during the annual Las Posadas festival. Kids from the ages two to seven will love the Helen and Peter Bing Childrens garden. Dont miss the Griffith Observatory while youre here. 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. 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. Some Of The Best Things To Do In Los Angeles With Toddlers Are: Some Of The Best Things To Do In Los Angeles With Teens Are: Some Of The Best Things To Do In Los Angeles With A Baby Are: Some Of The Best Kid-Friendly Things To Do In Los Angeles At Night Are: Some Of The Best Free Things To Do With Kids In Los Angeles Are: Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. The mini theme park also has carnival games, panning for gold, hand-cranked mining buggy, and carousel. 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. 800 North Alameda St.Los AngelesOnline: unionstationla.com. Recommended Hotel Nearby: 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Related: Best Hotels in Los Angeles for Families. Related: Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night. Admission is free, donations accepted. Of course, if your kid will only be pleased with riding the real thing, hop on a Metrolink train from Union Station where kids ridefreeon the weekends with a paying adult. With about 35 million objects in store, this is a stunning collection of exhibits. Trackless Train rentals for kid's birthday parties! The Train Ride phone number is (323) 662-9678. . Travel Time: 2 1/2 hours each way, Get out and hike the beautiful Indian Canyons in Palm Springs. The Travel Town Museum is a railway established in 1952 and owned by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. As Oregons largest city, theres also many festivals to check out all year long, such as the International Film Festival, UFO Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival and many food events. If you want to feed the likes of a sea lion, you might want to make some bookings in advance with the Animal Encounters. You can rent pedal boats or stay on the shore and organize a picnic for the family. 7 Best Train Ride Day Trips To Take from Los Angeles. The center of the exhibit has a restored steam locomotive as well as its tender, a refrigerated boxcar, and caboose. Open: Daily, 10a.m.-5p.m.Cost per ride: $3 & up, 4400 Crystal Springs Dr.Los AngelesOnline:griffithparktrainrides.com/. Its the worlds shortest railway but gives a peek into the rich history. The birthday boy was excited to take many rides on the train! Then, one of the most fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles is taking them to this museum. For the more adventurous crowd, theres whitewater rafting on the Klamath River or choose from several mountain bike trails. Get a shuttle from the Gold Line to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Full of restaurants, bars, shops, and shows, this part of the city makes it easy to amble away the day wandering its sunny streets. 1 HOUR PARTY TRAIN RENTAL = $450 EACH ADDITIONAL HOUR $225 Travel charges may apply. Open 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the free public ride days (weather permitting); donations are welcome. 40 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles: The Best Family-Friendly Attractions! Theres Tiny Tot Tuesdays which adds a little zing to the experience. This tourist hotspot is an animal lovers dream. " The little train ride was a fun time for the little kids and the proceeds go back into the train station. Its a great way to see Southern California with a fresh set of eyes. Train Party is the largest trackless train provider in Southern California. Their newest exhibit, Out of the Vault: Items from Our Collectionincludes decades-old locomotives made of pewter and brass. This Southern California Bike Ride Leads To The Most Stunning Fall Foliage Youve Ever Seen, The Southern California Park Where You Can Begin A Hike Across 7 Different Bridges Is A Grand Adventure, This Wine Cruise Is One Of The Most Unique Experiences You Can Have In Southern California, This Open Air Train Ride In Southern California Is A Scenic Adventure For The Whole Family, Youll Absolutely Love A Ride On Southern Californias Majestic Mountain Train This Summer, Take A Ride On This One-Of-A-Kind Canal Boat In Southern California, After A Hike To Southern Californias Lake Los Carneros, Board The Pacific Surfliner For A Memorable Adventure, This Dreamy Train-Themed Trip Through Southern California Will Take You On The Journey Of A Lifetime, HPort of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line. We are not affiliated with Amtrak.com. 3. most daysCost per ride: Free with admission (tickets start at $53, but you can find discounted tickets here). OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. There are huge modern art galleries in the Ahmanson building. If you head to Cabrillo Beach on the weekends, you can enjoy their free guided tidepool walk. You'll cross bridges, pass through tunnels and alongside miniature towns. It was a real sight to see. 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. Not bad for a days work. Find an Amazing Petting Zoo near Los Angeles for Animal Fun - MommyPoppins Go on an unforgettable food trip with your children by enjoying the ultimate gastronomic experience by trying various delicious dishes at the Grand Central Market. You can easily walk to a light rail stop or to downtown, plus Lyft and Uber are options. They are committed to protecting the over 100 species of marine creatures that are placed here. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride. You can travel along the California coast on the Pacific Surfliner, journey to the Pacific Northwest on the Coast Starlight, and see the desert on the Southwest Chief. This is an awesome car-free street festival. Upper Klamath Lake has a canoe trail, or head to Moore Park and the Link River Trail for waterfront hiking and bird-watching. One of the most therapeutic things one can do is to plan a holiday. Theres also storytime for children who dig that. Its actually visible for many parts of the city when the sky is clear. Descanso Gardens. The Coast Starlight offers the best departure time back to L.A., but book your trip early as seats can sell out on this train. Some of them are guided in case you want to make the most of your time here. For the return trip to L.A., you choose a Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight train. WELCOME & all aboard! There are kid-friendly tours, replete with informative exhibits on board. It was never meant to be a permanent fixture but its funny how plans work out, isnt it? Do things like going on a Ferris wheel, riding a rollercoaster, winning prizes while playing fun games, discovering the richness of marine life at an aquarium, and tons more. It is on 12 acres of land and has fountains and green space that promises a pleasant evening. Bond with your children while participating in educational tours, interacting with the wildlife, and shopping for souvenirs. Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. Youll need to stay at least one night; the return train to Los Angeles departs around noon each day. It opened in 2014 and has a ton of exhibits that will delight the little ones. Trackless Train rentals for kid's birthday parties! When your kid is crazy about all things trains, its full steam ahead! Take a stroll through the picturesque Harbor Village,take in the California Surf Museum, rent a bike right on the beach, or do a little whale watching. My boys love trains & we have experienced quite a few of these on your list but will do more now that we know about them! CTA city trains, Metra commuter trains, water taxis and Lyft/Uber are easy ways to see the sights, so you dont need to rent a car. It is one of the best kids activities in Los Angeles. 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. The Pacific Surfliner arrives around 8 p.m. in walking distance of downtown and an Enterprise car rental office (closes at 6 p.m., so plan to get a car on the next day). This is a theater operated by Disney and is designed purely for family fun. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Supported Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, https://socalthepolarexpressride.com/faqs/, https://socalthepolarexpressride.com/contact/. Children of all ages will be thoroughly entertained here. You will see popular Disney characters in all their glory. Contact Us. Book your Amtrak train and bus tickets today by choosing from over 30 U.S. train routes and 500 destinations in North America. It boasts hand-painted vignettes, state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, and more. 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. Visit the Kidspace Childrens Museum which is a favorite among the young ones. 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. Take an overnight trip to Eugene, Oregon, which is 28 hours away from Los Angeles on Amtrak. " in 3 reviews Location & Hours 4400 Crystal Springs Dr Los Angeles, CA 90027 Griffith Park Get directions Edit business info Our Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Play area provides entertainment for up to 25 children at one time. Angels Flight Railway goes from Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. Rich wooden shelves, historic murals and storytimes, this place has it all. '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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Spread over 120 acres, there are a few gardens to its credit. This LA museum has a ton of childrens activities that will undoubtedly keep them engaged for hours. The railway has made several appearances in film and television, includingLa La Land (2016)andThe Muppets (2011). The quaint town also offers a popular petting zoothat feels a bit like time travel. Its a good place for the family to spend some quality time and bond with each other. Doesnt taking a train ride in SoCal look like a fun way to spend the afternoon? You may recognize this railway, as this train ride in SoCal has been featured in over 400 movies and TV shows. TreePeople is not just dog friendly but it also organizes group dog walks. 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. . Be sure to book tickets to the Jack London Square station (there are multiple Oakland stations to choose from). Valid system-wide on either Saturday or Sunday. Do you want to hear a bit of history? With hundreds of unique rail travel packages to choose from, there's something for everyone. For your littledinolovers, a trip to theCabazon Dinosaur Museumwill surely make you their favorite parent for a while. Here are a few of the best spots Angelenos can get to easily by rail and still be home by bedtime. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. Do your children love all things train-related? Photo courtesy of VisitPalmSprings.com, Slip back in time with a visit to this historic town andits legendary Mission San Juan Capistrano. Your email address will not be published. Founded in 1956 by a group of train enthusiasts, we educate the public in railroad history and show live steam, gas-mechanical and electric railroad technology in actual operation. Then catch a hosted tour! TreePeople is unique in the sense that it is full of nature trails and promotes the idea of experiential learning like no other place. The interiors of this hotel give you the look and feel of a space station. Wednesday's we are in Westchester Farmers Market! Travel Time: An hour plus each way, Another classic Surfliner jaunt, the Santa Barbaratrain ride takes about 2 hours from Union Station, so youll want to get an early start.