We have several options for you to choose from. While in the area, non-Disney options includeskateboardingat Vans skatepark, taking flight at a SwingIt Trapeze lesson, andwandering through the reopened Bowers Museum. Youll need to stay at least one night; the return train to Los Angeles departs around noon each day. T-6 Simulator Ride at Griffith Park & Southern RR, Click here more info on our separate locations. It first opened in May 1939 under the name of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal and serves roughly 1.4 million passengers each year. Related: Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night. Thank you! The little ones can also check out the splash pad in the summers and a playground that will remind you of Dr. Seuss books. The museum is open the first and third Saturdays of each month. Recommended Hotel Nearby: SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills. , Your email address will not be published. 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. There are 12 rare-breed chickens which will amuse the little ones to no end. Explore beautiful SoCal from San Luis Obispo to San Diego on The Pacific Surfliner. Southern California Live Steamers offer this special night train ride for the holiday season, which also serves as a fundraiser to support the free rides throughout the year. The morning arrival means you can start enjoying the nearby lakes, rivers and waterfalls early in the day. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Casa Blanca Inn & Suites, Related: Best Things to Do in Los Angeles, 4730 Crystal Springs DrLos Angeles, CA 90027. Theres plenty of parking, plus a concession stand, snack bar and a gift shop, as well as a small space-flight simulator and the nearby Griffith Park pony and wagon rides. 4400 Crystal Springs Drive (Near Los Feliz & Riverside) Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 664-6903 Hours 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of Amtrak, Young Gates - Kids Online Personalized Classes, 5 Family Festivals and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend with Kids, The Butterfly Pavilion Ushers in Spring at the Natural History Museum, Free in March: 20 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids, Indoor Fun and Playspaces Guide for LA & OC Kids, 26 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles in March 2023 with Kids, Free and Cheap Summer Camps in Los Angeles, 23 Best Breakfasts in Los Angeles at Kid-Friendly Restaurants, 30 Best Indoor Playgrounds in Los Angeles: Indoor Play Spaces for Hot (or Rainy?) The quaint town also offers a popular petting zoothat feels a bit like time travel. There are bright pink benches that will lift your spirits and theres drought-tolerant landscaping that will grab your attention. 317 S BroadwayLos Angeles, CA 90013(213) 359-6007. " in 7 reviews " Parking is easy and there's a snack stand with popcorn, drinks, shaved ice and more. Just visit AmtrakVacations.com or call 1-800-268-7252 to learn more about our unforgettable rail journeys. 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. Train rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2:30 pm. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride. For the return trip to L.A., you choose a Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight train. Travel time on the train is 11 to 12 hours. A variety of special events are held throughout the year, such as Railroadiana Swap Meets, Dino Train and Steam Festival, Day Out with Thomas, The Polar Express and more. Train: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner You will see popular Disney characters in all their glory. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramwayis temporarily closed, but considerstrolling around the cityshistoric downtown, which is full of cute shops and good food. The children will love walking around and exploring this natural beauty. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. In the spring you will see blooms in every direction, in the winter theres camellias and theres majestic oaks all through the year. A favorite for kids and adults. 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). Or if you are really going to make a train day of it, take the metro to the Civic Ctr/Grand Park stationAngel's Flight is 5 minute walk. Don't miss the Enchanted Railroad, daily story times, and the . Aseaside townfull of SoCal charm, Oceanside makes it easyto make a day of it, whetheryou want to hit the beach or not. Weekdays and until 5 p.m. On weekends and holidays. If you're looking for the coolest attractions in Southern California, we've got you covered! 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. 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. The Amtrak Surflinercan make a nice day trip of it, andDowntown Disney is still a good destination. A post shared by Angels Flight Railway (@angelsflightrailway). For the more adventurous, check out Stearns Wharffor some epic seaside views, and stop by the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company for takeout for the freshest seafood above the water. Also See:Kid Friendly Things to Do in OjaiThings for Kids to Do in MalibuKids Activities: Pasadena. File this destination under "Worth the Drive" (it's 77 miles from DTLA). 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It opened in 1960 and welcomes about 10 million tourists annually, making it one of the most popular attractions in LA. Recommended Hotel Nearby: La Quinta by Wyndham Santa Clarita Valencia, 4949 York BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90042(213) 250-9995. What are the best day trips in Southern California? 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. The Pacific Surfliner train stop in San Juan Capistrano is worthy of a little exploration as the train station here is a rare beauty. Come visit us every week and ride our trackless train: Tuesday's we are at Manhattan Beach Farmers Market! The train back to L.A. departs late afternoon. Give them the greatest and most exciting bash where lots and lots of fun are stacked in sites of seeing them in a Dunk Tank or on our Trackless Trains, Game Trucks, Go-Karts, Carousel, or any other Carnival Rides and Inflatable Rentals. Hop aboard the North Pole Limited, where Santas elves sing favorite Christmas carols, read a Christmas storyto young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. Upper Klamath Lake has a canoe trail, or head to Moore Park and the Link River Trail for waterfront hiking and bird-watching. Paso Robles is a fantastic option for a wine vacation. But what are the options if youre looking to leave cars out of the equation and travel by train to your favorite SoCal destination? It features over 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in sidewalks along roughly fifteen blocks at Hollywood Boulevard. Union Station, officially known as the Los Angeles Union Station, is the bustling main railway station in the city. You can also go on Family Adventure Night Hikes or bird walks. We firmly believe in honoring ALL of our commitments, no matter the size of the event. 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. In the warmer months, you can also visit one of the citys beaches or take a bike ride along the Lakefront Trail. It was a real sight to see. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Beverly Hills Hotel Dorchester Collection, 3720 Stephen M White DrSan Pedro, CA 90731. Located at Westchester Park on Lincoln Boulevard/PCH and La Tiera Boulevard (across the street from Otis College of Arts - 9045 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045). Cost: Free to enter; train rides are $3 & up, 5200 Zoo Dr.Los AngelesOnline:traveltown.org. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride - Rail Events Productions. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. Next, you can check out the sculpture garden and of course, the Boone Childrens Gallery for painting and storytime. If youre in town at the time, do not miss it. Book a trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico (not Nevada) for an old west experience. 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. Donations are welcome, but not required. But in all seriousness, it is a work of art, this book store. From dinosaurs to a science lab, you will find almost everything youve ever been curious about under one roof. 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! (213) 626-1901 info@angelsflight.org Monday - Friday: 6:45 AM - 10:00 PM. 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. 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. Love SoCal? If you get lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a celebrity. Also don't miss the well-stocked gift shopa great resource for train-related toys. Travel Town Transportation Museum 5200 Zoo Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Operations: (323) 662-5874 Email: Travel.Town@lacity.org . Klamath Falls is a 22-hour train trip from Los Angeles. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Welcome To The Trackless Train Los Angeles FUN-Tastic Trackless Trains, Game Trucks, Go-Karts, Carnival Rides & Inflatable Rentals for Party Kids! Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West . Amtrak trains arrive and depart from Portland in the afternoon via Portland Union Station. Youngsters of all ages enjoy the experience of riding the FREEDOM TRAIN or the . We now have new services: Face Painting, Concession and Foam Machine rental. Descanso Gardens. Next is a museum on the Ice Age and a 3D movie that shows how animals were trapped in tar. Plan to stay at least two nights as the return train to L.A. departs around 7:15 a.m. San Luis Obispo is a great family getaway or a wine trip thats 5.5 hours away from L.A. Irvine Park Railroad takes children and adults through historic Irvine Regional Park. ; railway opens from 11a.m.-5p.m. 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. Hill St. Los Angeles, California 90071. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Santa Monica Proper Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels, 1600 Ocean Front WalkSanta Monica, CA 90401. Prepare to be amazed as you and your little ones watch puppet shows, musicals, plays, kid-friendly concerts, and other entertaining shows. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, 5200 Zoo Drive next to the 134 Freeway at the Forest Lawn Drive exitLos Angeles, CA 90027(323) 662-4253. One of the most historic things in town is the Castaneda Hotel next to the Amtrak station. One of the most therapeutic things one can do is to plan a holiday. Theres an excavator tour where kids can check out what the scientists of the day are digging out of tar pits. Then catch a hosted tour! Our schedule fills up quickly, so please give us a call today at (310) 532-6223 or email us at info@trainsonthemove.com to request a date for your next special event. After riding our miniature train, explore dozens of old-time railroad locomotives and cars. When you're in the mood for a getaway, there's nothing like a day trip in Southern California. Youll spend one night on the train, and we recommend staying one night in Albuquerque. Open: Sun. The birthday boy was excited to take many rides on the train! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click on the images below to read the latest issue or download a copy of your very own. The major landmarks in Southern California are so well known that they'd probably be recognizable throughout the country, but there are lots of great things to do once you've seen the big things already. Theres tons of room for your children to put their imagination to work. And theres no place like the City of Angels. I will definitely recommend to our family and friends. WELCOME & all aboard! LOS ANGELES - A high-speed bullet train connecting Southern California to Las . 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 three art galleries and a huge botanical garden.