All aboard!  Very few things excite both my son and daughter quite like a train.  And, the DC area has no shortage of full scale and miniature trains for kids to explore.  This guide includes three categories of train attractions.  The first is Trains to See, there are plenty of model trains and museums with actual or model trains for your littles to look at and explore.  There are also a number of Trains to Ride.  From vintage trains and streetcars to miniature trains at parks, there are a number of trains you can climb aboard.  And, of course, there is Public Transportation.  You may be over the blue or red line commute, but DC’s public transportation can be an adventure.

DC Area Trains to See: Model Trains and Museums

  • National Postal Museum (DC) — Why ride on a train when you could sort mail in a train car?  This hidden gem with a train car, airplane, and a big rig cabin is a toddler’s paradise.  Open 7 days a week.  Free.  
    Train at Smithsonian Museum
    The Hall of Transportation at the Smithsonian American History Museum captivated this future train engineer.
  • National Museum of American History (DC) — Walk along locomotives and freight trains in the Hall of Transportation.  There are no trains to ride, but you can walk into an old railcar.  Open 7 days a week.  Free. 
  • Fairfax Station Museum (Fairfax Station, VA) — Hop aboard a rail car and learn about the station’s history in the Civil War.  Open most Sunday afternoons from 1 – 4 pm.  Adults $4, Kids 5-15 $2, Under 4 Free.
  • B&O Ellicott City Station Museum (Ellicott City, MD) — The oldest surviving railroad station in America, the museum has a caboose and model trains.  The Ellicott City Stations Museum’s Facebook page has details on upcoming events throughout the year.  Open Wednesday to Friday (10 am – 2 pm); Saturday (10 am – 5 pm); Sunday (Noon – 5 pm).  Free.
  • Brunswick Heritage (Railroad) Museum (Brunswick, MD) — The third floor has a 1,700 square foot model railway showing the track from Brunswick to Union Station in DC.  Open Thursday and Friday (10 am – 2 pm), Saturday (10 am – 4 pm), and Sunday (1 pm – 4 pm).  Free.
  • Roads and Rails Museum (Frederick, MD) — Have a kiddo into model trains?  This museum has one of the largest miniature model train displays in the country.  Open Monday, Friday, Saturday (10 am – 5 pm) and Sunday (12 pm – 5 pm).  Adults $10, Children $5, Under 3 Free.

DC Area Trains to Ride:  Vintage Trains, Streetcars, and Miniature Trains

  • B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore, MD) — Offers 20 minute train rides on the first miles of commercial track in the country, a train carousel, and a “Happy Train” carnival ride.  Check the schedule — the train ride schedule is limited and subject to change.  Open Monday to Saturday (10 am – 4 pm) and Sunday (11 am – 4pm).  Adults $20, Children 2-12 $12, Under 2 free.
  • Wheaton Regional Park Miniature Train (Silver Spring, MD) — Take a ride through the woods on the miniature train, then ride on the carousel.  Hours of operation vary by season.  May 19 – September 3 (Open daily); September (Weekends only); October (Saturdays and Sundays only, beginning October 6th.  Halloween Eye Spy Train, $6 tickets.); Closed November – February.  Spring 2019 Dates TBD.  Train tickets $2.50, kids under 2 free. 
  • Watkins Regional Park (Upper Marlboro, MD) — Go to Watkins for the miniature train ride, but stay for the magical Wizard of Oz themed playground, miniature golf, and an agricultural farm.  Hours vary.  Open 7 days a week seasonally (May 19 – September 3).  PG County residents $2, others $2.50.
  • Cabin John Regional Park (Rockville, MD) — In addition to the 15 minute miniature train ride, Cabin John has trails, a nature center, and an ice rink. Hours of operation vary by season.  May 19 – September 3 (Open daily); September (Weekends only); October (Saturdays and Sundays only, beginning October 6th.  Halloween Eye Spy Train, $6 tickets);  and closed November – February.  Spring 2019 Dates TBD.  Train tickets $2.50, kids under 2 free. 
    Family on Burke Lake Park Miniature Train
    The whole family can chug along the tracks on the Burke Lake Miniature Train. Choo, Choo!!
  • Walkersville Southern Railroad (Walkersville, MD) — Passenger train rides are available, but check the schedule.  Walkersville hosts specialty train rides throughout the year, including Bunny Trains, Super Hero Picnic, Teddy Bear Picnic, and Santa Trains.  Advanced tickets are required.  Adults $12, Kids (3-12) $10, and kids under 2 are free if they are riding on a lap.  Different pricing for events.  Charters available.
  • Burke Lake Park (Fairfax Station, VA) — The miniature train takes a 10 minute ride around parts of the lake, including through a short tunnel.  There is a carousel, playground, and ice cream parlor next to the train station.  Hours of operation vary by season.  Memorial Day to Labor Day, May 28 to September 3 (Open Daily.  Monday – Thursday, 11:15 am – 5:45 pm; Friday – Sunday, 11:15 am – 7:45 pm); April 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 (Saturday – Sunday 11:15 am – 5:45 pm).  Spring 2019 Dates TBD.  Tickets $3 weekdays; $4 weekends and holiday.
  • RIO Washingtonian Center Express Train (Gaithersburg, MD)  Take a ride around the lake on the miniature train at the RIO Washingtonian.  There are also paddle boats, a carousel, and lots of shopping and restaurants.  Hours vary seasonally.  Open daily until September 4 (11 am – 9 pm); September 5 to October 28 (Monday to Friday, 3pm – Dusk; Saturday and Sunday 11 am – Dusk); November 3 to December 23 (Saturday and Sunday 11 am – Dusk).  Tickets $3.
  • Clemyjontri Park (McLean, VA) — You can take a ride around the colorful Clemyjontri Park on a new trackless train.  The “track” will be expanding in 2019.  Open April through October.  Memorial Day to Labor Day, Weekdays (9 am – 1 pm) and Weekends (9 am – 4pm).  Before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, open weekends (9 am to 4 pm).  Tickets are $3. 
  • National Capital Trolley Museum (Colesville, MD) — Go for a vintage trolley ride through the forest.  Be sure to check out special events like summer story times, Pumpkin TrolleyFest (October 20, 21, 27, 28), and Holly TrolleyFest.  Open Saturdays and Sundays (Noon to 5 pm); Thursdays and Fridays (10 am to 2 pm).  The season is March 15 to May 15; June 15 to August 15; October 1 to November 15.  Adults $7, Children and Seniors $5, Under 2 Free.

Public Transportation with Trains

  • Metro (DC, MD, VA) — Use the WMATA Trip Planner to integrate a metro ride into another fun adventure.
  • H Street Streetcar (DC) — My kids yell “Choo!  Choo!” every time they see the H St. Streetcar.  Hop aboard while it is still free!
  • King Street Trolley (Alexandria, VA) — The free “trolley” shuttles passengers down King Street, between the King Street Metro Station and Union Street, stopping every two blocks.  The trolley runs every 10-15 minutes Sunday to Wednesday (11 am – 10:30 pm), Thursday to Saturday (10:30 am – 12 am).  Free.
  • Amtrak (DC, MD, VA) — The world is your oyster!
Did we miss anything?  Please let us know by contacting us here if there are other DC train destinations we should add.