12 Family Friendly Train Journeys

Packing up the family and boarding a train to a tantalizing destination is one of the best ways to enjoy quality time and make mountains of memories. 

Train travel opens the door to the pages of Harry Potter novels, The Hobbit series, and an Agatha Christie murder mystery. Whether you want to tour Scotland, New Zealand, Italy, or America’s Wild West, there’s a train journey on this list to bring everyone’s wildest dreams to life.  

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 

Not only does this train run between two picturesque towns within Colorado, it has a unique twist around Christmas Time. 

While the whole family is ooh-ing and aah-ing through the mountain terrain, a stream of visitors will roll through your car, including elves and Santa himself. 

The Grand Canyon Train

If you suspect you have any budding outdoor enthusiasts in your family, you might want to give them the best tour of the Grand Canyon. 

Aboard this railway, you’ll gain access to the Canyon in a way you couldn’t achieve via foot or campsite. Mom and Dad will love it, too, with its delightful 1920s decor. 

The Sunset Limited

If your babies are now teenagers, more than kiddos, you might enjoy a summer exploring New Orleans and Los Angeles. 

The Sunset Limited can take you between these two cultural meccas in the span of two days, opening the door to a wealth of activities both in the bayou and California’s Golden Coast. 

Hello Kitty Shinkansen

If you’ve made it as far as California – and have any Hello Kitty fans in the house – you simply must continue over to Japan for a quick ride aboard the cutest bullet train that ever was. 

You can hop aboard this fantasy land in Fukuoka in the morning and arrive at Shin-Osaka by noon. While inside, you won’t be able to get enough of the Hello Kitty decor. Snacks and one-of-a-kind selfies abound, making the handful of hours breeze by in no time at all.