Children's Train Rides in Los Angeles
From train rides featuring retired Hollywood locomotives to Thomas the Tank Engine, children of all age can get "all aboard" for fun on rides in and around Los Angeles. Train rides in L.A. include family-friendly Descanso Gardens, Griffith Park Train Rides and the historic Railroad Museum at Los Angeles Live Steamers. Families with older children or large appetites may want to venture outside of L.A. to the Dinner Rides of Fillmore & Western in Fillmore, CA.
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Family-friendly Rides
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Mild year-round temperatures mean that L.A.'s outdoor attractions rarely close. Both Descano Gardens and Griffith Park are open year-round, except for Christmas Day. A "unique Southern California landscape distinguished by its specialized botanic collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty," according to its mission statement, Descano Gardens' train travels throughout the park past several water features. Griffith Park's Southern Railway provides train rides over one mile of track, through a forest and the Old Western Town.
Young Children
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With free parking and admission, Griffith Park's Travel Town caters to families with young children. A miniature train, museum and old-time locomotives are present throughout the year. Travel Town also hosts several special rides annually, such as the Ride to Santa's House. As of 2011, the non-profit Los Angeles Live Steamers accepts donations starting at just $3 and opens at 11:00 a.m. Riders must be at least 34 inches in height and weigh under 350 lbs. Just outside of L.A., the Fillmore & Western Railway's Day Out With Thomas ride features Thomas the Tank Engine.
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Older Children
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While older children will find much of interest at Descano Gardens and Griffith Park, Fillmore & Western Railway outside of L.A. provides several rides specifically geared towards the 6 to 12 year age group. The Family Dinner Theatre, the Murder Express, and Wizard Express train rides are approximately 2.5 hours long and include lunch or dinner.
Outside L.A.
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Approximately 60 miles outside of L.A. in Fillmore, CA, the Fillmore & Western Railway is still in service as a Hollywood film set. With most dinner theater rides in the $60 range, as of 2011, it is more expensive compared to other options. Free options outside of L.A. include Goat Hill Junction in Costa Mesa and the Irvine Regional Park Railroad.
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