Reasons why trains make the perfect family activity:
- They are intricate, and no two train attractions are exactly alike. This means your kids will never tire of seeing a new train.
- Riding a train is exciting. How fast will it go? What sounds will you hear? What will you see out the window? The unknowns are endless.
- They can be part of a day full of activities or the main attraction. We’ve thrown a train ride in when we’re at Confederation Park or Bear Creek Park, and it starts to rain. We’ve also built our whole day around trains by visiting the Railway Museum of BC. Depending on your family’s love of trains, you can decide how long you want to spend exploring.
- Exploring trains, learning about trains, playing with trains, and riding trains is a lot of fun – for all ages!
Have you visited any of these trains around Metro Vancouver?
Railway Museum of BC (Squamish)
If you want the real McCoy, this is the place to go. Formerly called The West Coast Heritage Railway Park, this is the ultimate attraction for train aficionados. There is a spectacular roundhouse filled with full-sized trains awaiting your exploration, and an entire train yard open to you. Inside one of the trains is a massive miniature train set. There is also a ride-on train that circles the edges of the property. It is here that you can ride the North Pole Express and enjoy the Buddy & Friends Children’s Festival! Click here to find out what’s going on this summer.
Britannia Mine Museum (Britannia Beach)
Faces will light up once the Britannia Mine Museum’s underground train pulls out. It’s a ride that introduces the joys, noise and stories of BC mining history and pioneers. The best part? The Britannia Mine Museum is 15 minutes away from the Railway Museum of BC, so you can visit multiple trains in one day!
Dewdney-Alouette Railway Society Diorama (Maple Ridge)
In the basement of the Maple Ridge Museum is the spectacular diorama of historical Maple Ridge. The volunteers have created an unbelievably detailed display. They are eager to share their enthusiasm with visitors; there are buttons on the displays for the kids to push. The diorama is open to the public on the last Sunday of every month from 1pm – 4pm.
Engine 374 Pavilion (Yaletown, Vancouver)
Inside the Roundhouse Community Centre sits Engine 374. It is open to the public, so climb aboard and see what an engine from 1887 looks and feels like.
Burnaby Village Museum (Burnaby)
While there aren’t any moving trains, there is an old passenger train open for the kids to climb on. If the kids want something that moves, just head indoors to the fastest merry-go-round I’ve ever encountered.
Skytrain
In a moment of train desperation, we have been known to take our kids on the Skytrain. They think it is great fun, especially if they can get the front seat and pretend to drive. Most people think of the Skytrain as just a way to get around Metro Vancouver, but for kids, the Skytrain is magical! It doesn’t really matter where you are going, although there are plenty of great places to stop for lunch or play at a playground if you want to make a day of it!
Orange Caboose (Fort Langley)
Tucked behind the historic railway station in Fort Langley is a bright orange caboose. Inside is a beautiful diorama lovingly constructed by volunteers. On Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm, from the May long weekend through to Thanksgiving, miniature model trains run around the tracks. Sometimes even Thomas has been known to make an appearance.
Burnaby Central Railway (Confederation Park, Burnaby)
Without a doubt, the ride-on trains at Burnaby Central Railway are a favourite for kids of all ages! The price is very good ($5.00 per ride per person), the ride is about 10 minutes long, there are different routes through the woods of Confederation Park, and the whole thing is run by volunteers who love trains. The Burnaby Central Railway is open from Easter to Labour Day.
Bear Creek Park Train (Surrey)
This fun train is open April- August 10am-5pm, with special event trains (Halloween and Christmas) running yearly. The train station is situated in Bear Creek Park, near Surrey Arts Centre and some great playgrounds. It can easily be a full day of fun if you pack a picnic lunch and spend some time at the playground!
Safari Mini Train (Aldergrove)
The Greater Vancouver Zoo’s mini train takes visitors on a tour around the edge of the Zoo. The train does not run regularly during the winter months, but you can count on it operating regularly through the summer. If your little one’s heart is set on riding the train, be sure to call ahead to confirm it is operational.
Fraser Valley Heritage Railway (Cloverdale)
A fully restored interurban train that carries passengers on a 55-minute ride from Cloverdale Station to Sullivan Station & back. After riding the train, head over to the Carbarn and ride a speeder and a velocipede. The Heritage Railway is open from May to September.
Art Knapp (Surrey)
Of all the places to find trains! The Art Knapp gardening store out in Surrey has a huge collection of trains. There are 2 train tables for the kids, there are garden-scale trains set up inside and outside, and there is a train to ride through the outdoor section of the nursery.
Steveston Tram (Steveston)
The Steveston Tram Museum features Tram Car 1220, a tram that was in use for early Interurban travel across Richmond. Step inside for interactive features, miniature LEGO models, and special events, depending on the season.
Honourable Mentions:
The Stanley Park Train (Vancouver)
Gone (temporarily), but not forgotten. Hopefully, she gets back on track safely, but in the meantime, we will reminisce about the good ol’ days riding the Ghost Train at Halloween and the Bright Nights Christmas Train.
Have we missed your favourite Metro Vancouver train? Send us an email (vancouver@familyfuncanada.com) and we’ll update our list.
