12 Train Adventures for Seattle-Area Kids and Families
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Leave for a scenic excursion from this historic train depot. Photo: iStock
4. Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie
The Northwest Railway Museum is a restored train depot in Snoqualmie. Visit the museum, which is free and open seven days a week, and hop on for a scenic train excursion on weekends and holidays.
Special events at the Railway Museum include the hugely popular Day Out With Thomas every July, where the “real” Thomas the Tank Engine drops in for a visit, and the annual Santa Train featuring the big guy in red (tickets go on sale in late summer).
Getting there: Regular trains can be boarded in either Snoqualmie or North Bend, both roughly a 40-minute drive from Seattle.
Rides and cost: Train excursions last about two hours and depart multiple times each weekend. Round-trip tickets on regular trains can be booked online and start at $28 for adults; $14 for ages 2–12; and kids 2 and younger ride free. Special event tickets are pricier.
Nearby things to do: The towns of Snoqualmie and North Bend both have small central business districts. Don’t miss the Snoqualmie Ice Cream Scoop Shop while in Snoqualmie and famous Twede’s Café while in North Bend. A fun time to visit Snoqualmie and ride the trains is during Snoqualmie Days (formerly called Railroad Days), taking place Friday–Saturday, August 16–17, 2024.
Next stop: Kitsap Live Steamers
