Public train rides are a suggested donation of $4.00 per person. Tots under 2 are admitted free. Kids can also try their T-6 simulator ride! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. It opened in 2014 and has a ton of exhibits that will delight the little ones. Train: Amtrak You can choose to have a picnic in the park or near the tar pits. For more Holiday adventures, like Christmas lights in Los Angeles and Santa visits, be sure to visit our Los Angeles Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide. The scenery from the train is one the main reasons to book this rail trip. 800 North Alameda St.Los AngelesOnline: unionstationla.com. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Terranea L.A.s Oceanfront Resort. Where to go for the day? If you ever end up in a situation like that, theres no place better than The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles. Terms & ConditionsListen to our podcast! If youre a fan of Night in the Museum or Jurassic Park, this place will leave you spell bound. Recommended Hotel Nearby: La Quinta by Wyndham Santa Clarita Valencia, 4949 York BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90042(213) 250-9995. Theres plenty of activities that make it quite happening. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Casa Blanca Inn & Suites, Related: Best Things to Do in Los Angeles, 4730 Crystal Springs DrLos Angeles, CA 90027. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Train: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Travel Time: 1 1/2 hours each way Fall Activities Trains, Dinos & Heroes Weekend Trips Preschoolers Kids Tweens & teens Anaheim Orange County San Juan Capistrano Los Angeles United States California Southwest and Rockies Not bad for a days work. Maybe have a cone atCoastal Cone of ice cream as you stroll.Then its time to get wet, whether you want to pilot a duffy boat, rent a paddle boat, take agondola ride or enjoy a bit of maritime historywith the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, which will widen the eyes of any miniature shop lovers out there. 320 Golden Shore #100Long Beach, CA 90802. Be sure to book tickets to the Jack London Square station (there are multiple Oakland stations to choose from). Spread over 120 acres, there are a few gardens to its credit. coolest attractions in Southern California. 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 It features over 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in sidewalks along roughly fifteen blocks at Hollywood Boulevard. You'll be able to enjoy a striking garden that will give you some truly gorgeous photo opportunities. From there get a glimpse of the Plaza Firehouse. We now have new services: Face Painting, Concession and Foam Machine rental. The museum also operates a railway where visitors can ride on the historic trains and trolleys that helped shape Southern California. 900 W Exposition BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90007. "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. Its a great way to see Southern California with a fresh set of eyes. This aquarium on the Santa Monica pier is run by a non-profit called Heal The Bay. There are 18 observation decks here which give you a stunning view of the city. You get to check them out through a short train ride and enjoy the glory of Grand Central Market. If you are looking for party services for your kids, we have everything you're looking for. (highlight, copy and paste the items below right into your e-mail): Thanks a million for the timely, friendly and professional service. Here, you can also enjoy activities like taking many pictures of its eye-catching art murals, biking on designated trails, dining at a fantastic restaurant, and snapping several photos together backed by jaw-dropping architecture. The train ride is a four-minute, half-mile loop through four acres of Balboa Park, located outside the Zoos exit. San Diego has something for everyone, plusgood weather to guarantee you wont get rained out. Our trains are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to family reunions, company picnics to farmers markets, and even fairs and parades, Trains on the Move are a great option for any special event. Train: Amtrak This post has been updated as of May 12, 2022. One of the most therapeutic things one can do is to plan a holiday. There are kid-friendly tours, replete with informative exhibits on board. (It can be a bit deafening on the platforms, so consider bringing earplugs if you or your kids are sensitive to loud noises). Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites. Photo courtesy of Visit Oceanside, Our celebrated neighbor to the southSan Diego is an ideal quick trip by train. The Learning Curve logo design is a service mark of Learning Curve International, Inc. All Thomas the Train products are copyrighted and trademarked to: Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends A Britt Allcroft Company Productions, Based on The Railway Series by The Rev W Awdry 2003 Gullane (Thomas) Limited, Contact us today or make a reservation online. Located on Wilshire Boulevard, the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum is famous for its ice-age fossil site. The Klamath Fall Amtrak station is in walking distance of downtown restaurants, a few hotels and an Enterprise Rent-A-Car office. Kids from the ages two to seven will love the Helen and Peter Bing Childrens garden. The morning arrival means you can start enjoying the nearby lakes, rivers and waterfalls early in the day. This is also a great place to induct your kids into art. Learn how your comment data is processed. Trains arrive in the evening and return to L.A. in the morning, so booking accommodations in the city for two nights is best in order to have a full day in Oakland (or San Francisco). Choose from the many wine tours, including with SLO Safe Ride, so you dont have to drink and drive. Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California. only, 11a.m.3p.m.Cost per ride: $3, 5202 Zoo Dr.Los AngelesOnline:lalsrm.org. Travel Time: 3 hours each way, Hitting up Palms Springs for the day is a bit of acommitment, but if you dig desert livingit's worth the effort. To begin with, theres an indoor imagination workshop. If you really want to experience the great outdoors, rent a car and drive about one hour to reach the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. If your little girl (or boy) is like Detective Amy Santiago (from the TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine) then youre headed for a treat. Then catch a hosted tour! If you love space and astronomy, this is a fantastic choice. We have proudly called Griffith Park home since 1954. Your email address will not be published. Doesnt taking a train ride in SoCal look like a fun way to spend the afternoon? Welcome To The Trackless Train Los Angeles FUN-Tastic Trackless Trains, Game Trucks, Go-Karts, Carnival Rides & Inflatable Rentals for Party Kids! Amtrak Guide aims to make rail travel easier with helpful information and tips on train routes, stations and destinations across the United States. Explore beautiful SoCal from San Luis Obispo to San Diego on The Pacific Surfliner. Cool Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near Los Angeles, Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. '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. 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. Related: Southern California with Kids Fun Things to Do. You will see popular Disney characters in all their glory. 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. We have several options for you to choose from. Its the worlds shortest railway but gives a peek into the rich history. File this destination under "Worth the Drive" (it's 77 miles from DTLA). There are some activities for families, but overall, this destination is best for an adult trip. Related: Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night. Train rides on select vintage trains and trolleys are available to guests during their visit. Its for people of all ages and even the toys here are educational. Check out their explorer pagefor all the places you can go including Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Ventura County or even the Antelope Valley. If you're headed to Knott's Berry Farm, be sure grab a seat on the Calico Railroad, which has been at the park since Jan. 12, 1952. After riding our miniature train, explore dozens of old-time railroad locomotives and cars. You sit on top of it, straddling the train car, as opposed to inside it. The Travel Town Museum is a railway established in 1952 and owned by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. The museum educates and informs the public about railroads from the past and present and how they will impact transportation in the future. The Railways Top Station is located at California Plaza. From the parking lot to the outdoor space, it is a fantastic place for the family to have fun as a unit. This is a complex over 116,000 square feet in the Arts District and is one of the few around the world that is exclusively about contemporary art. While in the area, non-Disney options includeskateboardingat Vans skatepark, taking flight at a SwingIt Trapeze lesson, andwandering through the reopened Bowers Museum. 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. Attend during a special event and you may be treated to a train ride on the Orange Empire Railway that takes you all the way to the historic 1892 Perris train depot which is a treat to experience. From there plan for a live music or dance event if you happen to be around during the annual Las Posadas festival. Train rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2:30 pm. TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! Metrolink's Kids Ride Free on Weekends deal means every weekend, up to three children ages 17 and under can travel anywhere on the Metrolink system with a paying adult. In Chicago, there are many museums, live music venues and attractions to explore, including the Willis Tower Skydeck, Navy Pier and Wrigley Field. 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. If youre in town at the time, do not miss it. It is one of the best kids activities in Los Angeles. Whatever you choose,youll feel like you'vegoneto beach bum heaven. Dont miss this DTLAlandmark (built in 1939!) There are interactive exhibits that everyone will quite enjoy. Thank you! Here, you can go on guided educational tours, read books at a library, shop for toys for your youngsters, buy souvenirs at the museum store, go on train rides, and do other enjoyable activities. What are the coolest attractions in Southern California? This is a hotspot for dignitaries, former Presidents and television and movie stars too. 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. Hooray! Railway trains and trolleys operate every weekend. The museum is open the first and third Saturdays of each month. Be sure to check out the wine tours and shuttles. Traveling by train is one of the most peaceful and memorable ways to experience our lovely state. Child and infant discounts are automatically applied when adding travelers to your booking No Promo Code needed. 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. You can also plan a picnic in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area. It also has music, audiobooks, DVDs and craft and science kits. Its a historic landmark that opened in September 1909. Cross Country Rail Journey Save $400/booking Promotion Code: AV23NR Book by February 28, 2023 Save Now Glacier National Park Theres also storytime for children who dig that. If that doesnt sound too enticing, take them to the Enchanted Railroad or check out the daily storytimes and if you visit in the summer, be sure to check the concert calendar. From dinosaurs to a science lab, you will find almost everything youve ever been curious about under one roof. The interiors of this hotel give you the look and feel of a space station. 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. There are hotels downtown and near the ocean. Simply because you dont want to miss the experience of watching over 11,000 animals and more than 50 exhibits. Take an adventure to any of our over 200 EXPLORE destinations across Southern California, and the kids ride completely free - no ticket needed! Due to the 6.5 hour train commute and one daily Coast Starlight train, youll need to stay overnight at least one night. Recommended Hotel Nearby: InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. Aseaside townfull of SoCal charm, Oceanside makes it easyto make a day of it, whetheryou want to hit the beach or not. Plan to stay at least two nights, as the return train to Los Angeles departs in the morning. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Mama Shelter Los Angeles, Related: Things to Do in Hollywood with Kids, Related: California with Kids Top Things to Do, 3400 Warner BlvdBurbank, CA 91522(818) 977-8687. Admission is free, donations accepted. It first opened in May 1939 under the name of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal and serves roughly 1.4 million passengers each year. Parents, theres a little something for you too. Visit the Bay Area with an Amtrak trip to Oakland on the Coast Starlight. Hop aboard and take a little journey on the railway for a scenic train ride in SoCal, as these are the types of experiences that are wonderful to savor. 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. You can bring bikes on Amtrak, or check out Zachs Bikes for rentals. Some of them are guided in case you want to make the most of your time here. But in all seriousness, it is a work of art, this book store. Top attractions includeSandia Peak Tramwayfor panoramic views of the area,Indian Pueblo Cultural Center,National Museum of Nuclear Scienceand thePetroglyph National Monument. The SAP Center (concerts and NHL hockey games) is in walking distance of the Amtrak station along with Arena Green West park. 20264 Broadway, Sonoma, CA | 707.938.3912. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride. You will also find a host of rotating exhibits and Nature Lab, a hand-on science lab that includes animals and other specimens. Departures start as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. Great for the whole family, Grover Beach is a small community with a great beach, dunes nature preserve, winery, escape room, ATV rentals and more. Visit website for upcoming events. We firmly believe in honoring ALL of our commitments, no matter the size of the event. The 118-year-old funicular takes passengers on a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor! This is a perfect addition to your Thomas the Train theme party. Kids Ride Free Weekends provides families an affordable way to take a weekend day trip to explore Southern California destinations. In the summer, the kids can have fun at the splash pad and theres a playground for those who want to stay dry. This is for the whole family to have a chill day out in San Pedro. Even better, there are two different daytrips to be had there. Check theirevents pagefor special train rides throughout the year. When you're in the mood for a getaway, there's nothing like a day trip in Southern California. And if youre planning to head out with family, there are a ton of fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles. promotions and other partner offers EVERYDAY DISCOUNTS Savings for Kids, Seniors, . Dozens of Amtrak and MetroLink trains use Union Station daily, and your kids are sure to get an eye-full and ear-full of real train experience. Description: The miniature train ride has served the public in Griffith Park since 1948. 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. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride.