Trains in Kansas City
Children young and old love trains. Screaming in the tunnels, listening to the rhythm of the tracks and waving at passersby are train ride memories that highlight childhood. Kansas City is home to several affordable train rides for families. This list of outdoor excursions is sure to delight your little engineers.
Agricultural Hall of Fame Train
630 Hall of Fame Dr., Bonner Springs, KS, 913.721.1075, AgHallOfFame.com
Ride a narrow gauge Union Pacific miniature train through the site. Explore museum exhibits and living history displays.
Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad
502 E. Walnut St., Belton, MO, 816.331.0630, BeltonRailroad.org
The Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Co. is a short-line passenger railroad and demonstration museum. The BG&KC offers excursions running south from Belton on a 5-mile, 45-minute round trip. Season: May-December.
Kansas City Northern Railroad
Line Creek Park, NW 60th Street & Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO, 816.746.5663, KCNRR.com
The three restored G-16 open air trains operate on a half mile of track. The trains include one of the original Kansas City Zoo trains, a Manhattan Zoo train and a New York Zoo train. Season: first weekend of May-last weekend of September.
Kansas City Zoo Train
Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.595.1234, KansasCityZoo.org
The zoo features an open air, large scale train. A highlight of the ride is a trip through the tunnel. Season: year round; operates daily if the weather is above 50 degrees.
Midland Railway
Midland Railway Depot, 1515 High St., Baldwin City, KS, 913.721.1211, Midland-Ry.org
The Midland Railway operates excursion trains on a line originally constructed in 1867. Train rides feature a more than 20-mile round-trip from Baldwin City via "Norwood, KS" to Ottawa Junction. Season: June-October.
Trains Deliver Your Lunch at Fritz's Railroad Restaurant!
Three Locations: FritzsKC.com
This casual restaurant is one your children will not forget! Model trains travel around the perimeter of the restaurant delivering burgers and fries to your table. Little engineers love the train decor and delight in the novelty!