12 Train Adventures for Seattle-Area Kids and Families

It’s one thing to watch a train go by on a car ride to or from school, but it’s something else entirely to actually get to ride a train! These terrific local rail adventures — from a ride on the Seattle Center Monorail to a miniature train perfect for tots — promise thrills for the whole family. Kids will hardly be able to contain their excitement as they chug along.

Link Light Rail, Seattle

Seattle’s Link Light Rail 1 Line connects from north to south with 26 stops, from the Lynnwood City Center station to Federal Way. This train presents many opportunities to design your own adventure.

Traveling from points south, riders can enjoy an outing to the Chinatown-International District, the Central Library (three blocks from the University Street Station) or other downtown-area adventures, such as Pike Place Market. From the Lynnwood station, head south to Columbia City for window shopping and treats, or ride all the way to SeaTac for airplane viewing.

Tacoma is ripe for Link adventures as well. Park for free at the Tacoma Dome Station and take the Tacoma Link Light Rail to destinations downtown, such as the Washington State History Museum, another spot on this list!

The East Link 2 Line was finally completed this year with the new Crosslake Connection, adding stops in Seattle’s Judkins Park and on Mercer Island. The light rail allows for easy travel between Seattle and the Eastside — and what kid wouldn’t love to take a ride on the first light rail to cross a floating bridge? There are plenty of kid-friendly stops along the route, too, from playgrounds and walking trails to family-favorite restaurants.

Getting there: Parking near light rail stations can be limited; you will likely need to park in a pay lot or take a bus to a station.

Rides and cost: Trains run daily, every 15 minutes or more often at peak times. Adult fares (ages 19 to 64) are $3, depending on route; discounted fares are available for low-income adults; youth riders age 18 and younger ride free. Purchase tickets prior to boarding the train, or use your ORCA card. 

Seattle Center Monorail, Seattle

Get ready for an urban adventure. Board the world-famous and retro-futuristic Seattle Center Monorail for a ride from Seattle Center to Westlake Center. Kids will get a kick out of riding above the city streets. Be sure to tell them that “monorail” means the train runs on one big rail, not two, and was considered the space-age future of transportation when it was built back in 1962. That’s over 60 years of the Monorail!

Getting there: Catch the Monorail at the Seattle Center Armory building. Paid parking can be found on the street or in garages or lots nearby, or bus to Seattle Center to add another transportation element to your journey.

Rides and cost: Regular hours are Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–11 p.m. During summer, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, hours are Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–11 p.m. The Monorail runs later on nights when there are special events taking place at Climate Pledge Arena, see the website for details. One-way fares are $4 for adults; $2 for youths ages 6–18; and kids 5 and younger ride free. Pay with a credit card or an ORCA card, cash is not currently accepted.

Things to do nearby: Seattle Center is loaded with family attractions, including the International Fountain and the thrilling Artists at Play playground. Visit MOPOP with your tweens and teens, or ride the lift to the top of the Space Needle for another iconic Seattle experience. 

Seattle Streetcar, Seattle

Hit the urban rails and explore one of Seattle’s glossiest neighborhoods by riding the Seattle Streetcar between South Lake Union and Westlake Center. Streetcars sport bright colors and a nifty chime that kids can appreciate.

The First Hill line connects Capitol Hill, First Hill, Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square for more in-city adventures. Here’s a great outing idea: Ride the Streetcar and grab a tasty lunch in the International District.

Getting there: Parking is tough in all the urban neighborhoods served by the Streetcar lines. Find a spot in a pay lot or on-street metered space, by walking or busing, or connecting from the Link light rail.

Rides and cost: The Streetcars generally run about every 10–15 minutes, though Sunday and holiday service can be less frequent. The South Lake Union line runs Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. The First Hill line runs Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Buy tickets on the platform or use your ORCA card. Youth riders who are 18 years old and younger are free, adult tickets cost $3.

Things to do nearby: At Lake Union Park, visit MOHAI or wave at the float planes and boats on the water. You can also stroll over to The Center for Wooden Boats, where you can rent a kayak, rowboat or canoe (peapod rowboat rentals are free!).

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. Children younger than 2 ride free; passengers ages 2 and older need a ticket. 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 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, Aug. 21–22, 2026. 

Kitsap Live Steamers, Port Orchard

If mini trains are your tyke’s speed, head to South Kitsap Regional Park in Port Orchard, where friendly volunteers with Kitsap Live Steamers offer free rides aboard scale mini trains on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, April through October, with some extra Sundays and holiday runs added to the calendar.

The trains function exactly like real steam engines and are operated by Kitsap Live Steamers club members. Find the train depot near the Jackson Avenue playfields.

Getting there: Port Orchard is about a 1.5-hour drive from Seattle via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, or it can be reached by taking the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bremerton, followed by a 15-minute drive.

Rides and cost: Rides are offered regularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, April through October, and on some holidays. Check the online calendar for “Public Run Days” or visit the Facebook page before heading out. Rides are free; donations are appreciated.

Things to do nearby: Check out the free Bug & Reptile Museum or Harborside Fountain Park, both in Bremerton. 

Great Northern & Cascade Railway, Skykomish

For another super-fun mini train ride, head east to the historic railroad town of Skykomish on scenic Highway 2. There, catch a ride with the Great Northern & Cascade Railway.

The mini tracks wind their way around the old train yard. You can hop aboard one of the mini trains on Saturdays, May through October; for 2026, public rides are scheduled on Saturdays from May 23 through Oct. 31. Rides around the 1-mile double-loop track take around 10–12 minutes, and visitors can ride as many times as they want. There are usually two to three trains running at the same time.

Volunteers running the trains are friendly and helpful. There is also a museum, visitor center and gift shop with varying hours, see the website for details. Visit the Facebook page for more info and daily status.

Getting there: Skykomish is about a 1.5-hour drive northeast of Seattle.

Rides and cost: Rides are given on Saturdays, May through October. Rides are free; donations are appreciated.

Things to do nearby: There are great hikes accessible along Highway 2, and Skykomish is on the way to Leavenworth, Washington’s hot spot for Bavarian-themed family fun. 

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum, Chehalis

Make a trip to the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum to travel back in time, riding in a train car pulled through pastoral farmland by a vintage locomotive.

In addition to regular excursions on weekends, you can book tickets for kid-friendly special events during holidays, including the Pumpkin train and the Polar Express train ride.

Train excursions travel round-trip to the Ruth outpost. Book ahead online for a specific departure time. You may want to pack a lunch or grab snacks at the gift shop before you depart; there are no concessions on board.

Getting there: Chehalis is about a 1.75-hour drive south of Seattle on I-5.

Rides and cost: Train rides depart on select weekend days, May through October. Adult tickets cost $26, children’s tickets cost $16; ages 4 and younger ride free, but must sit on a parent or caregiver’s lap. Dinner trains and other special events cost more. You can book online.

Sounder train, Seattle

With a little more time, you and your crew can cover some serious ground riding the Sounder train from Seattle’s King Street Station to Kent. Explore the shops at Kent Station for a few minutes or a couple of hours, then take the train back.

For early risers who live between Tacoma and Tukwila, hop on one of the morning commuter trains. The latest one leaves the Tacoma Dome station at 10:25 a.m. and arrives in Seattle at 11:27 a.m. Return trains depart Seattle starting at 2:25 p.m.

Getting there: Take the bus or ride the Seattle Streetcar to Pioneer Square, or use your best street-parking tricks. Just be sure to avoid days with sporting events or concerts.

Rides and cost: Adult fares each way range between $3.25–$5.75, depending on how far you travel; youth ages 18 and younger ride free. Buy tickets at the platform vending machine, or use your ORCA card.

Things to do nearby: Enjoy a treat at Cold Stone Creamery or visit any of Kent Station’s other eateries and shops.

Amtrak Cascades

Youth ages 18 and younger can ride free on Amtrak Cascades for trips that begin and end in Washington state. Intended to encourage train travel in the next generation, this program means families don’t have to spend a lot to travel in Washington, as far north as Bellingham or as south as Vancouver.

Once on board the European-style train, you’ll find reclining seats where you can relax and take in the scenic views. The Bistro Car has fresh food and beverages. New Amtrak Cascades trains with expanded capacity, more comfortable seating and panoramic windows are coming soon.

Getting there: Amtrak Cascades serves 12 train stations in Washington: Vancouver, Kelso-Longview, Centralia, Olympia-Lacey, Tacoma, Tukwila, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon and Bellingham. The full route also continues south into Oregon and north to Vancouver, B.C., but free youth fares apply only to eligible trips within Washington. Details regarding station location, parking and hours can be found on the Amtrak website.

Rides and cost: For kids 18 and younger, train fare is free but must be booked online at Amtrak.com, by phone at 1-800-USA-RAIL, or in-person at a staffed ticket counter. (Free youth fare tickets are not available via ticket kiosks or from conductors onboard the train.) Adult fares vary.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, Elbe

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad invites you to take a scenic excursion from Elbe to Mineral or New Reliance, onboard a vintage train led by a 100-year-old steam engine. There are open-air train cars, historic coaches and a baggage car that has been transformed into a concession stand and gift shop. You can stretch your legs on the ride and check out each of the cars. And, in the winter, you won’t want to miss the Polar Express train.

The railroad’s adventurous RailCycle, a pedal-powered railbike excursion, is currently on pause for 2026 while the railroad completes repairs and builds a new fleet of RailCycles. It is expected to return in 2027.

Getting there: Train excursions leave from the Elbe Depot, located at 54124 Mountain Hwy. E. in Elbe. RailCycle rides leave from 233 Mineral Rd. S. in Mineral, but are not operating in 2026. It’s about a two-hour drive from Seattle, or an hour and a half from Tacoma.

Rides and cost: Tickets for train excursions can be purchased online. Train excursions cost $34 for adults, $15 for kids ages 6–17, and are free for ages 5 and younger. 

Things to do nearby: While the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad does not go into Mount Rainier National Park, it’s not far from it. Make a plan to visit the park and enjoy more time outside. Timed-entry reservations are not required anywhere in Mount Rainier National Park in 2026, but you’ll still need to pay the entrance fee or bring a park pass. Popular areas such as Paradise and Sunrise can still fill up early on summer weekends, so arrive early, visit on a weekday or have a backup plan.

Editor’s note: We know local families appreciate and support Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. While the railroad has plans to expand, a fire in April 2025 destroyed the wooden trestle spanning between Milton and Mineral. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support the railroad’s recovery efforts.

Washington State History Museum model railroad exhibit, Tacoma

For a bird’s-eye view of a whole train system, check out the expansive model railroad set up on the fifth floor of Tacoma’s Washington State History Museum. Members of a model train club have built, and continue to work on, this impressive display. It showcases a 1950s-era Northwest railroad network. It’s also the largest permanent model train layout in Washington.

Getting there: The museum is located at 1911 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma.

Cost: The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit for free on the third Thursday of the month, 3–8 p.m. Admission is $17 for adults; $11 for kids ages 6–18; and kids ages 5 and younger are free.

Things to do nearby: There are plenty of things to do in Tacoma, and we have you covered with three itineraries for a perfect day. From the waterfront or Point Defiance Park, endless possibilities await. You can also make it an artsy day out with stops throughout the Museum District.

Train-spotting spots

Sometimes the quickest thing to do is just to go train-spotting, which is easy to do, considering that freight trains, the Sounder and Amtrak trains run right by some of the best parks in Puget Sound. Just remember to watch the trains from a safe distance, and never venture near the train tracks. 

Try some of these hot spots:

• Balmer train yard in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood: There’s always something to see at the Balmer Yard near 20th Ave. W. and Thorndyke Ave. W. on the Magnolia side of Interbay. If you’re lucky you might see airplane fuselage parts on passing train cars.
• Carkeek Park in north Seattle: Hang out on the bridge between the playground and the beach for some prime train gawking, and then take advantage of Carkeek’s many other attractions, including a nature playground with a view (salmon slide!), trails, an apple orchard and a beach that’s perfect for low-tide exploration. Seattle Parks and Recreation is planning to replace the Carkeek Park pedestrian bridge, which connects the park to the beach over the railroad tracks. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027; check the status of the project before you go.
• Golden Gardens in northwest Seattle: This huge beach park has good train watching, boat watching, plus a great playground and wetland trails near the beach (to add some turtle spotting to your train-spotting).
• Edmonds waterfront: Trains, ferries, the beach, a playground and good restaurants with more train-watching opportunities equals a perfect morning or afternoon any time of the year.
• Costco parking lot in SODO: Okay, this isn’t exactly a destination, but if you want to combine your monthly warehouse haul with some train-spotting to keep the kids happy, the Costco on Fourth Avenue South in Seattle is a great pick.
• Georgetown Playfield in south Seattle: While away a morning or afternoon playing at this terrific playground, and just wait for the occasional train to pass. You’ll get double transportation spotting here, with planes coming in low to land at nearby Boeing Field.

Bonus: Railway Museum of British Columbia, Squamish, B.C.

For those planning a road trip north to British Columbia, consider a stop at the terrific Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish. Find this city north of Vancouver, on the way to Whistler.

The museum features a roundhouse and an impressive number of engines and rail cars in various states of restoration. There’s also a mini train that will take you on a 20-minute ride around the park grounds, so you can see the different stations.

In addition, the museum hosts a Buddy and Friends children’s festival, a model train and hobby show, and the North Pole Express. Check the website for more information about dates and how to purchase tickets.

Getting there: Squamish is about a 3.5-hour drive north from Seattle, an hour beyond Vancouver.

Cost and hours: The museum is open every Saturday and long-weekend Sunday until Thanksgiving, plus Fridays during June, July and August. Admission (in Canadian dollars) is $35 for adults; $27 for students ages 12–19 with a current student ID; $20 for kids ages 5–11; kids younger than 5 enter free. Or, consider purchasing a family pass for the day for $100 (everyone covered by the pass must live at the same address).

Things to do nearby: In addition to exploring Squamish, you can also visit Vancouver, Whistler and stunning Howe Sound.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and updated most recently on May 18, 2026, by ParentMap’s editorial team with a thorough fact-check.