Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is great for all ages!

The group of volunteers that run the railroad and trains are so great and knowledgable. They run the train on the weekends, May through December. There are different types of trains to book and themes depending on the time of year. Make sure you check out their schedule to see what might pique your interest. Themed rides have included the Headless Horseman in October and rides with Santa in December. 

The rides are 'out and back' meaning when you come to the end of the line, you turn around and head back to the station. There could be a stop or two depending on what you booked and they typically run twice a day.

We booked a Fall Foliage ride with our toddler. The entire ride lasts about two hours. You will not get a bathroom break for one and a half hours (fair warning for those potty training!). At the one-and-a-half-hour mark, there is a thirty-minute break where you can hike (easily) down to the falls and creek. After that stop, it's about twenty minutes back to the station where you started from.

Snacks are available on board, but many people pack a lunch. Not all the train cars are completely closed in. It can get chilly, so bundle up and bring a blanket. We had a lovely time with our three-year-old! However, I would not recommend if your child likes to run around constantly or cannot deal with loud noises. A tunnel takes about 20-30 seconds to pass through. Just long enough to be pitch black for a moment or two.

Parking is across the street from the station, so make sure you give yourself a little time to allow for that short walk. There is a gift shop at the station as well as bathrooms. Tickets are sold online and often sell out (Santa rides especially), so plan ahead so you don't miss out.