Denver's Train Attractions

Denver Rail Heritage's Society Platte Valley Trolley
Where: Catch the Trolley outside of the Denver REI on Platte Street or outside of the Denver Children Museum. Both are accessible from I-25's Water Street exit)
When to Go: April 1st through October 31st
Days: Thurs - Sun (Memorial Day - Labor Day) Fri-Sun in spring and fall
Times: The trolley leaves 12, 12:30 (one hour excursion, see below), and every half hour from 1:30-4:00 for a 20 minute excursion.
Price: $3 adult/$1 Child & Senior.

This is a quick trip, perfect for a toddler's attention span. It follows the South Platte river south from REI to Old West Colfax and Decatur Street, passing Invesco Field at Mile High. For a longer trip, take the one hour Route 84 excursion, which is offered at 12:30. Cost for the longer trip is $5 per adult and $2 per child. The Route 84 trip follows Lakewood Gulch from Decatur Street to Sheridan Boulevard. While this trip is enjoyable - barring the errant tree branch in your face - don't expect great scenery.

Regardless of the route you take, grab a great lunch of My Brothers Bar, located at the SE corner of 15th and Platte. They have a great children's menu (complete with a free balloon) and you can't beat their burgers.

http://www.denvertrolley.org
303.458-6255

Model Train Layouts in Denver's Union Station
Where: The basement of Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop
Days: the last Friday of the month from September thru May
Times: 7-9:30 PM
Price: FREE

The basement of Union Station reminds me of The Cask of Amontillado, but every month my family ventures there for a free night of train viewing, thanks to Denver's Society of Model Railroads. While the layouts themselves are intricate and interesting, the scavenger hunt they provide makes a visit even more fun. Check their website at www.denveroscaleclub.org or call 303.572.1015 for more information.

Make the most of your visit to Lodo and ride the 16th street Mall shuttle (also free). We also like grabbing dinner beforehand at nearby BD's Mongolian BBQ (Kids under 3 eat free) and topping off the evening with a trip to the Children's Book section of the Tattered Cover.

Lion's Club Train at Belleview Park
Englewood, CO

Where: 5001 S. Inca Street
When to Go: Memorial Day thru Labor Day
Times: 10 - 4
Cost: $1 per train ride

Belleview Park is a great find in the 'burbs. The Lion's Club operates a miniature steam train that includes a tunnel and trestle crossing over Little Dry Creek. Bring extra money to visit the Belleview Children's Farm (also on site) and pack water shoes, bathing suits and sand toys for playing in the creek!

Colorado Railroad Museum
Where: 17155 West 44th Street, Golden CO
When to Go: The museum is open year-round, however in the warmer months you're likely to find members of the Garden Railway Society operating their trains in the garden layouts.
Days: Open seven days a week
Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $7 per adult, $4 per child (children under 2 free). Buying a family membership is a great deal. The $50 membership gives free admission and 10% off all gift shop purchases. No special nanny card needed.

This place is great: from the Thomas Table in the museum's train depot-style entrance to the model layouts in the basement and the cabooses outside. Plan on spending at least a couple of hours here to tour the grounds and picnic. Trains include narrow and standard gauge locomotives, coach cars and a post office car! The red caboose is even available for birthday party rental. Once a month, there are "Steam-ups", and admission includes a ride on a historic narrow gauge train. Holiday steam-ups include the "Ghost Train" and the "Santa Special". Of course, Thomas & Friends come here too on their tour! The train and amusement park in the basement layouts are coin operated, so be sure to bring some quarters!

http://www.crrm.org
1-800-365-6263

Of course, there are lots of other train-related activities and venues in and around Denver which I haven't mentioned. The Forney Museum, Caboose Hobbies and riding Denver's light rail are a few. Do you have another favorite? If so, please visit my Content Producer page and send me an email!