Screaming in tunnels, listening to the rhythm of the tracks and waving at passersby… memories of train rides are a highlight of childhood. Visit the Midland Railway in Baldwin City, KS, for the annual Autumn Maple Leaf Festival rides or Christmas rides with Santa. Or, embark on a trip aboard the Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad where families delight in ice cream social rides, the Pumpkin Express and Santa’s Express. Tempt your tastebuds with lunch at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant, where model trains deliver lunch right to your table! Or, spend a day at Union Station, where you can ride the rails with Amtrak or enjoy the history of trains at the KC Rail Experience.
The Overland Park Arboretum is a favorite attraction for local families, and now the appeal is growing with the inauguration of the Train Garden. A child-size ticket booth, a train-themed retaining wall and memorial railroad tie walkway are just part of the unique landscaping. The most exciting feature is the observation deck attached to the caboose to provide a bird’s-eye view of the G-scale tracks and trains, including a water feature, bridges and tunnels. The garden is a work in progress with many fun features coming!