Minnesota’s Most Magical Train Experiences Every Kid (and Parent) Will Love!
All aboard, Minnesota adventurers! If you’ve got a train-loving kiddo (or two) at home, this guide is your ticket to the best train experiences in Minnesota for kids. From unforgettable train rides near Minneapolis and Duluth to hands-on exhibits at train museums across the state, we’ve rounded up 13 incredible ways to enjoy the rails as a family. Through this article, you’ll discover historic engines at the Minnesota Transportation Museum, vintage charm at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, scenic excursions through fall colors, and even themed rides like the Pumpkin Express. We’ve also included kid-friendly train experiences in Minnesota that go beyond the tracks, like train-themed restaurants and hotels that spark the imagination.
Whether you’re planning a train-themed day trip or a full-on train-cation, this state-wide train guide will help you explore Minnesota in the most delightful, locomotive-loving way.
Choo Choo Restaurant
Address: 160 West Railway Street Loretto, MN 55357
If your little conductor dreams of dining trackside, Choo Choo Restaurant and Bar in Loretto is a must-stop on your quest for the best train experiences in Minnesota for kids. Built in 1915 along the Canadian Pacific Line, this historic gem combines small-town hospitality with a full-on train theme—complete with a real caboose dining room!
Kids will love spotting trains while munching on yummy eats from the dedicated kids’ menu. Meanwhile, grown-ups can enjoy scratch-made meals from breakfast to dinner. Inside the restaurant, kids will delight in the vintage railroad memorabilia. The outdoor patio offers front-row seats to passing trains.
With free popcorn, a welcoming vibe, and train-themed fun around every corner, Choo Choo is more than just a meal—it’s a fun foodie destination for the whole family.
Minnesota Transportation Museum & the Jackson Street Roundhouse
Address: 193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130
For families looking for hands-on fun and short train rides in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Transportation Museum’s Jackson Street Roundhouse is a must-visit. This hidden gem is one of the top Minnesota train museums for kids, offering over 50 historic rail cars to explore, including classic dining and sleeping cars you can walk through!
Young train lovers will also love the working model trains, interactive exhibits, and train-themed play areas. On Saturdays, your visit includes a ride in a real, 100+ year-old train car—perfect for toddlers and first-time riders. You can also watch one of the last operating roundhouse turntables in action and peek behind the scenes at restoration projects. Whether you’re exploring with toddlers during Wednesday Tot Time or making a weekend visit, this museum brings train history to life in a fun, engaging, and unforgettable way.
Minnesota Transportation Museum Train Excursions on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway
Address: Depot: 114 Depot Road, Osceola, WI 54020
Looking for unforgettable train attractions in Minnesota for kids? The Minnesota Transportation Museum also operates seasonal excursions on the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway. These treks offer some of the most scenic train rides in Minnesota. Departing from the charming town of Osceola, WI—just across the border—these vintage train trips wind through the stunning St. Croix River Valley.
Many of the train treks have themes for added fun! Hop aboard the Dresser Ice Cream Express, where kids can enjoy sweet treats and a stop at a historic 1887 depot. Or, book the popular Pizza Train to Marine, complete with pizza, brownies, and soda served onboard.
Each trip features restored passenger cars, friendly conductors, and plenty of photo-worthy moments. Whether it’s a weekend adventure or a special event, these rides are a fun way for families to experience the magic of rail travel while taking in breathtaking views along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum & Night Trains
Address: 668 Transfer Rd Ste. 8, St Paul, MN 55114
For one of Minnesota’s best train experiences and attractions for kids, don’t miss the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. This Saint Paul museum has interactive exhibits, historic model train layouts, and hands-on fun for all ages.
Kids can press buttons to activate trains, explore the Thomas the Tank Engine layout, and marvel at an amusement park scene complete with tiny roller coasters. Even toddlers will stay entertained with fun train play tables! Meanwhile, older kids and parents will enjoy the massive O-scale Twin Cities model, featuring famous Minnesota landmarks like the Stone Arch Bridge.
Then, from October through February, the museum hosts exciting Night Trains. This magical holiday event turns the lights down low so that the miniature towns sparkle with snow and twinkling lights! It’s one of the most unique Minnesota train experiences for families and a favorite holiday tradition for many.
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Address: 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802
Head to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth for one of northern Minnesota’s most impressive kid-friendly train experiences. Located in the historic Union Depot (built in 1892!), this museum even features summer trolley rides and seasonal toy train displays.
Amongst the best train museums in Minnesota, this North Shore gem is packed with massive locomotives (including the world’s most powerful steam engine!), vintage railcars, and hands-on exhibits that kids and grown-ups will both love. During your visit, walk through historic passenger cars, explore a working Railway Post Office, and check out model trains in action. Then, from May to mid-October, families can top it all off with a scenic Lakefront Ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad—one of the best train attractions in Minnesota for kids!
North Shore Scenic Railroad
Address: 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802
Hop aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad for one of Minnesota’s most unforgettable scenic train rides! Departing from Duluth’s historic Union Depot, these seasonal family-friendly excursions wind along Lake Superior’s shoreline, through Canal Park, and deep into the Northwoods.
North Shore Scenic Railroad is a favorite among families looking for train rides near Duluth. Options include the 1.5-hour Duluth Zephyr, the pizza-filled evening ride, or the all-day Two Harbors Turn. Kids will love seeing classic engines in action—including Steam Engine #28, running for the first time in 50+ years! Most rides are narrated, adding fun facts and stories to the view outside your window.
Combo tickets with the Lake Superior Railroad Museum make spending a whole day immersed in train history and adventure with your kids easy. Whether you’re chasing lake views, fall colors, or a slice of pizza on the rails, this is one train ride your kids won’t soon forget.
The Duluth and Iron Range Depot Museum
Address: 520 South Ave, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Step into local history at the Duluth and Iron Range Depot Museum. This hidden gem in Two Harbors offers kid-friendly train exhibits and experiences in Minnesota. Located in the historic 1907 depot building, this museum brings the fascinating story of Minnesota’s iron ore and logging industries to life.
Your family will love exploring the exhibits that cover everything from archaeological digs to the first iron ore shipments. You’ll also discover the rich legacy of the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad, which played a considerable role in shaping the region. Kids will be captivated by the interactive displays, including a look at vintage rail equipment and a peek into the world of the railroads that powered Minnesota’s economy. Whether you’re a young train enthusiast or a history buff, this museum offers one of Minnesota’s most exciting train attractions for kids of all ages!
Keep reading to discover more Train Experiences in Minnesota!
Plan a Weekend Getaway to the Northern Rail Traincar Inn
Address: 1730 Co Hwy 3, Two Harbors, MN 55616
For a truly unique family getaway on the North Shore, the Northern Rail Traincar Inn offers one of the best train experiences in Minnesota for kids. Imagine staying in an authentic train boxcar for the weekend! Each one is transformed into a cozy, themed room, from Victorian and Safari to Lighthouse and Fishing themes. This kid-friendly hotel is a dream for train-loving families, providing modern amenities while preserving the charm of railroad history.
Located just three miles north of Two Harbors, the hotel is surrounded by the natural beauty of Minnesota’s North Shore. It offers easy access to outdoor adventures like the Superior Hiking Trail, Gooseberry Falls, and Split Rock Lighthouse. After a day of exploring, relax in the depot-style main building or unwind by the fireplace. Whether you visit in spring, summer, fall, or winter, the Northern Rail Traincar Inn is a memorable, must-visit destination for families seeking a one-of-a-kind retreat.
Minnesota Streetcar Museum
Address: 4291 Queen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Step back in time with your kids at the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, home to the most extensive collection of historic streetcars in the state! The museum even has a Kids Club for young trolley enthusiasts! Whether you’re in Minneapolis or Excelsior, it’s a memorable family outing filled with nostalgia, history, and plenty of fun for train-loving kids.
Ride along one of the best train experiences in Minnesota for kids with two exciting short train rides near Minneapolis. The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line offers a scenic ride through the Linden Hills neighborhood, connecting Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska. Meanwhile, the Excelsior Streetcar Line lets passengers travel through historic Excelsior. Both lines offer a fun, seasonal way to learn about the fascinating history of Minnesota streetcars, with vintage streetcars that have been wonderfully restored.
Historic Wayzata Depot
Address: 402 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391
The Historic Wayzata Depot offers one of the most unique train experiences in Minnesota for kids. Built in 1906, this beautifully preserved depot was once a bustling stop on the Great Northern Railway line. Today, it’s home to a cozy museum featuring exhibits like the seven-panel Wayzata Timeline and garden railroad display.
Kids will love the interactive train-viewing area, perfect for spotting passing trains while learning about the area’s rich railroad history. Don’t miss the Lake Minnetonka PastPort stamping station for a fun souvenir! Whether you’re a train enthusiast or just looking for an educational outing, the Historic Wayzata Depot is a must-visit for families looking to step back in time and experience the magic of Minnesota’s railroad past.
Related Article: Enjoy Sightseeing on These Minnesota Train Rides + Boat Tours
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store
Address: 214 4th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store in Saint Paul is one of our favorite train experiences in Minnesota for toddlers and young kids! This interactive toy store brings the joy of trains to life with a pay-to-play space, operating train layouts, and a wide selection of train-themed toys. This family-friendly store has become a Twin Cities landmark for train lovers of all ages.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable day of train-themed fun, Choo Choo Bob’s is the place to be! Kids will love the weekly storytimes with Engineer Paul, live music events, and the train-tastic birthday parties. Whether they’re into wooden railways, collectibles, or just watching the trains go by, there’s something for every little train enthusiast at Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store.
Union Depot in Saint Paul
Address: 214 4th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
Union Depot in downtown Saint Paul is a must-visit for families looking for kid-friendly train experiences in Minnesota. As the Twin Cities hub for Amtrak’s Empire Builder, it’s a great starting point for train trips from Minneapolis to cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Fargo.
But you don’t need a ticket to enjoy all the fun at the Union Depot. Off the platform, kids will love the interactive scavenger hunt, public art, and historic exhibits inside the beautifully restored 1926 station. Then, stop by the Rail View Picnic Area to watch real trains roll through. This is an excellent spot for a family picnic with aspiring conductors and porters.
Or, visit Union Depot during special events like Train Days or the magical North Pole Express. With onsite shops like Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store and cozy spots to grab a snack, Union Depot delivers big train fun in the heart of the city.
Ride the Amtrak for a Family Vacation
Want to plan a low-stress family getaway for your train-loving kids? Hop aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder for one of the most scenic train trips from Minnesota with kids. With stops in cities like Saint Paul, Winona, Fargo, and Chicago, Amtrak is an easy and relaxing way to explore the Midwest and beyond without the hassle of highway traffic or expensive airfare.
Kids will love the roomy seats, oversized windows, and café car treats. Meanwhile, parents appreciate the chance to unwind and enjoy the views as the whole family travels in style. Whether you’re heading to Chicago for big city thrills, Milwaukee for lakeside fun in the sun, or Red Wing for a cozy weekend getaway, these Amtrak routes offer one of Minnesota’s most convenient and kid-friendly train travel experiences.
Have Fun with These Train Experiences in Minnesota for Families with Kids!
From scenic train rides through the North Shore to hands-on fun at beloved Twin Cities’ train museums, Minnesota offers incredible train experiences and attractions for kids of all ages. Families can climb aboard historic locomotives, explore themed play spaces, and even sleep in a real train boxcar. Whether riding the rails through fall colors or checking out vintage engines up close, these kid-friendly train experiences in Minnesota promise unforgettable adventures for you and your family.
So grab your tickets—scenic train rides and unique experiences for families are waiting to be explored across Minnesota, one whistle and caboose at a time!
Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam and on her website. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.
