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We are a Transportation Family

My son has always loved transportation vehicles – the bigger the better. Despite having a limited ability to focus, Mac could play with his wooden trains on his train table with laser focus for an hour or more. Thomas the Tank Engine, Toby, Mavis, Percy, and friends were Mac’s favorites and he often incorporated his Matchbox trucks in his play with the trains. Several of our family vacations included riding Amtrak. We visited San Francisco, Denver, and Flagstaff by rail. We also rode to the Grand Canyon Railway during our trip to Flagstaff. Because my children enjoyed trains so much, we recently introduced friends to this fun pastime by spending the day revisiting Travel Town Museum.

Travel Town is a lovely park and museum located on the north side of Griffith Park in the San Fernando Valley.  Travel Town is a park within a park. Take the 101 freeway in the San Fernando Valley to the park and admission is free. The park is open 364 days per year, closing only on Christmas day.

Restoration Projects Within the Park

We visited Travel Town frequently when my children were young. Mac especially loved climbing on the old locomotives and walking on the elevated train tracks like a balance beam. Several old trains are parked on the rails throughout the park. Travel Town also boasts an indoor museum that is currently involved in multiple restoration projects such as:

Union Pacific Railroad Club Car circa 1937
Southern and Pacific Lines Locomotive circa 1880
Southern Pacific Lines Boxcar circa 1930
American Locomotive Crane weighing 40 tons built in 1942
Railway Express Agency Delivery Truck built in 1945

The museum houses smaller vehicles used by the railroads and a beautiful Wells Fargo stagecoach. One of Mac’s favorite exhibits to visit in the museum was the huge model railroad display complete with tiny working trains.

A Visit Down Memory Lane

Miss Bee, my teenaged daughter, and I recently returned to Travel Town with my friend (a fellow warrior mom) and her young children. It was incredibly nostalgic to watch her children climb on the trains and enjoy the park as much as my family did. Miss Bee joined in the fun and climbed up into a locomotive to show the little kids the ropes. We had a wonderful afternoon and enjoyed checking out all the trains in the park. I took our service dog, Ned, along with us and as always, he was a big help and a topic of conversation throughout the park. He is one giant unforgettable Doodle. Ned is in his element when he is working in a child-friendly place.

 

 

While taking photographs, I heard a mom say to her friend that she was having more difficulty corraling her husband to leave than her little boy. This gem of a park is fun for all ages and abilities.

Revisiting the Perfect Party Venue

Mac loved trains. Renting an air-conditioned train car in the park to celebrate his 4th birthday was a no-brainer. His friends received a red bandana to wear around their necks to easily identify the children in our party and to get into the spirit of a train party. Mac’s birthday is in late June and the train car was a lovely, cool, respite. Families went off in small groups to enjoy the park at their own pace and interests. Everyone met back at the train car for cake and ice cream. We ended the party with a train ride around the perimeter of the park on their narrow gauge railway. Birthday parties were often stressful for Mac due to social anxiety, however, this was a memorable birthday party that he really enjoyed.

Revisiting The Travel Town Railroad

The highlight of a visit to the Travel Town Museum is a ride on the narrow-gauge railroad. Tickets range from $2.75 – $3.50 depending on age. The train circles the perimeter of the park. The narrow-gauge train has been operating, in various forms, since the 1950s. In 1975, the City of Los Angeles contracted to have the current 16″ narrow gauge rails built. The train ride consists of two loops around the park and everyone loves to ride. Revisiting the Travel Town Museum narrow-gauge train was as fun today as it was when my children were little.

Beautiful Griffith Park

The hills around the park are beautiful with horses and riders from the nearby Los Angeles Equestrian Center walking past the park. Riding the narrow gauge is a highlight of this lovely park. Purchasing tickets for our party guests was comparable to putting a goody bag together. Riding the train, walking around the park, and visiting the museum is a pleasure for all family members.

A Lovely Picnic Destination

The park is a lovely picnic destination. There are multiple spots throughout the park depending on your needs. A large picnic area with plenty of tables is located in the center of the park. If your family needs some downtime away from the other visitors, there are many options. There is plenty of space off the beaten path, bring a blanket, and stake out a spot. There are vending machines and a souvenir shop for your convenience.

Travel Town Museum Winter Holiday

Every year Travel Town hosts a Holiday Light Festival Train Ride. The festival begins in November. Pack hot chocolate, snacks, and jackets and head over to Travel Town for a family-friendly evening to enjoy the holiday light display viewed by train.

Travel Town Museum is a beautiful, multi-generational park enjoyed by children and grandparents alike. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Travel Town Museum to introduce a young family to this gem in Los Angeles. I hope they enjoy the trains for years to come.

This post is dedicated to Mr. Tom Mihalko. You inspired Mac’s love of trains. The train room in your home is a favorite vacation destination for our family. Love, Roe