Do your kids like trains? (What kid doesn’t?) In Cincinnati, there are so many options for tiny train enthusiasts. From the world’s largest miniature train display to dinner trains, to interactive train tables to historic train rides, you can find it all right here!
In honor of National Train Day (May 12th!), check out Cincinnati Parent’s Guide to Everything Trains – and indulge your kids’ locomotive love this summer!
Train Rides (of all sizes!)
AMTRAK – Consider traveling by rail on your next trip — Cincinnati has two AMTRAK stations!)
Carillon Park Railroad – 1/8th scale railroad for kids.
Cincinnati Dinner Train – Eat dinner while taking a 10-mile tour of Cincinnati on this beautiful train!
LM&M Railroad (Feature Image) – Real trains; kid-and-adult-specific rides and themes. Here are 5 reasons to book a ride on LM&M!
The Cincinnati Zoo – Take a train tour trough the Zoo on this kid-sized train!
Whitewater Valley Railroad – This Indiana railroad travels through some of the most picturesque land in the Midwest!
Year-Round Train Displays
Behringer-Crawford Museum – This Devou Park museum is one of our favorite hidden gems in the city; its train display features a bubble where kids can get an up-close view!
Carillon Park – The indoor mode train at Carillon is awesome! Then, of course, there are the real train cars at the transportation museum. A must for train lovers.
EnterTRAINment Junction (pictured)– The biggest miniature train display in the world is right here in Cincinnati! And totally worth a visit.
Highfield Discovery Garden – this outdoor train traverses through a kid-sized world of wonder.
King Arthur’s Court Toys – this local toy store features several train tables where kids can play.
Krohn Conservatory – Krohn’s Christmas train show is a holiday highlight, but this Cincy gem boasts trains that run year-round in its conservatory.
Liberty Center – an outdoor train makes for a great incentive for kids to behave while shopping!
Train/Transportation Museums
Indiana Transportation Museum – We’ve heard rave reviews about this Indiana museum, which also features rides on authentic trains!
Carillon Historical Park (pictured) – Just 45 minutes from Cincy, this Dayton gem needs to be on everyone’s list. The transportation museum is sure to leave your kids in awe.
Kentucky Railway Museum – In addition to themed train rides, this KY museum houses an exhibit hall that is a must for train enthusiasts.
Ohio Museum of Transportation – This museum is all about buses; you’ll see buses from the 1940s and beyond, from transit systems all over Ohio.
The Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati – This outdoor museum features a really cool collection of old trains and equipment.
Whitewater Valley Railroad Museum – Whitewater Valley is a living history lesson, dedicated to preserving the Penn Central track between Connersville and Brookville.
Special Train-rific Events
National Train Day Rides on LM&M Railroad
On May 5th, head to LM&M in an early celebration of National Train Day! Kids 17 and under ride for half-price, meaning your tots’ tickets start at just $5. The LM&M Railroad will be offering FREE locomotive cab tours in the Lebanon Station to all passengers and the general public. Weather permitting, select vendors and presenters from local railroad related organizations will be set up in the station area.
Cincinnati Express Convention
A giant expo for serious train enthusiasts only. May 17-20 in West Chester!
Rail Festival at Carillon Historical Park (pictured)
Held each June, Carillon Historical Park’s Rail Festival is a two-day family fun event featuring free miniature train rides, live steam engines, model train displays, historical displays, train merchandise, rail vendors, and much more. This year’s festival happens June 23rd and 24th.
The Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Club would like to invite you out to see some amazing garden railways. Designated times from 1-6 p.m. on July 21st and 22nd. Check the club’s website for locations. See them all or just stop by the one that closest to you! And this event is free!!
2017 Cincinnati Train and Trade Show
The large and popular annual Cincinnati Model Train and Trade Show will be on October 13-14 at Lakota West High School (8940 Union Center Ave., West Chester, OH 45069). Don’t miss this year’s 50th anniversary celebration!
Head up to Dayton on November 30th for this popular train show! This show will be held at a brand-new venue this year, the New Montgomery County Fairgrounds on 645 Infirmary Rd.
So — turn off Thomas and take your kids on a train-tastic trip to one of these fun places!
For more links, literature, pictures and information on railroads, check out the Cincinnati Railroad Club’s website.
