All kids find trains magical. I’ve never met one that wasn’t intrigued by the adventure. It is amazing how children will sit still on the rails, but get so antsy on a long car trip.
With summertime here, and school out, it is a perfect adventure for parents or grandparents with little ones.
Amtrak departs Jefferson City or Sedalia for convenience to the lake area. Both destinations offer widely different experiences. The Missouri River Runner never is short on scenic eye candy. There have been kids in our family from the city that had never seen a pasture full of cows and that was a delight not only to watch them exclaim about them, but explaining to them where meat comes from. The country kids in the family were more wowed by sites such as a bomber taking off from Whiteman Airforce Base on the Sedalia station departure.
Many town’s histories surround the vintage train stations that Amtrak has made use of.
Jefferson City to Hermann is a good day trip when you are undertaking a first train ride.
The Jefferson Landing in Jefferson City is always being rehabilitated with plenty to see and do while waiting on the big whistle to approach.
The Hermann to St. Louis route has historic value at the Washington train depot.
It includes the Iron Spike Model Train Museum.
A family four pass for $25 lets visitors have an economical visit with all of the particulars of a railroad.
For the toddlers, a special room was designed with child size chairs and a wooden train town three tables long where they can play and imagine before boarding their real train to the next destination. Most of the scale models of Lionel and other brands run on tracks that can probably be measured in miles. It can take almost an hour for a new engine to run the rails after purchasing in the handy train shop.
Active and veteran military members and their dependents get free admission.
Be sure and check out their oldest model, a 1910 American Flyer cast-iron model that was a manual wind-up engine.
The Missouri Pacific Railroad depot was built in 1923, and serves as the passenger waiting room in Washington for Amtrak. With over 16,000 riders in 2024, the popular stop has little but restrooms. But the Heritage Park outside of the depot allows the grandkids to run a bit before jumping back on for the next leg of the journey.
The big depot in Downtown St. Louis, Gateway Station, is thrilling for kids that haven’t gotten to spend too much time in a city. There is a lot of busy and bustling commuter traffic, along with lots of transfers to other destinations. It is within walking distance to many conveniences, restaurants and attractions.
The more humble Amtrak Station at Kirkwood has a small town charm in one of St. Louis’s most popular neighborhoods. With a farm store and farmers market very close, it’s an easy shopping stop and a good end to the Missouri River Runner trip from Hermann to St. Louis. An easy walk to The Magic House from the Amtrak station is the number one reason many families put the train trip to Kirkwood Station on their list. The Magic House is a half mile walk from the Kirkwood Station in a relatively shaded park-like setting.
The Magic House is an immersive playland of discovery, education and nonstop fun for kids of all ages. Reading, science, nature and sports are explored in hands-on exhibits that never get boring. The St. Louis Blues Ice Zone allows kids to don the equipment of an ice hockey player and take a picture on the player’s bench. There are networks of slides. Humongous musical instruments beckon kids to go hammer out a tune. Imaginations are inspired at this children’s museum where they can role play traditional adult professions of doctors, bankers or community members in the Children’s Village.
As for the ride itself on Amtrak, it is great for kids because if they are old enough to explore, long walks can be taken up and down through various train cars. The Cafe is a favorite destination from the coach car. From early morning until late at night, the Cafe is open and our kids favorite place to spend time out of their seat. It features bigger viewing windows and seating with tables where they practice their card playing skills. The food served is quick snack options like sandwiches, salads, hotdogs, mac and cheese, chips and sodas.
For toddlers and younger children, there is free Wi-Fi onboard, so taking a favorite video device can keep them entertained when not peeking out the window.
Just remember, kids love to explore and summer is the perfect time to do it with grandparents who may be retired or semi retired. Their little brains are like sponges, and the 3 to 10-year-old age group are always questioning, forever discovering. So, it doesn’t really matter what you do on your summer day trip, as long as it is a new adventure for the kids.
