Trains, trolleys and miniature railroads for kids around Dallas

Dallas was built by the railroads, and train-loving kids still have plenty to do: a vintage steam-era train, a miniature railroad along the river, a free century-old trolley downtown, and the DART light rail right at home.

Easiest is a 45-minute DART Red Line ride from Downtown Plano station into the city; get off at St. Paul for Klyde Warren Park, then ride the free M-Line trolley loop. For a weekend trip, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs 1920s coaches to the Fort Worth Stockyards in time for the cattle drive, and becomes the North Pole Express in November and December; the Forest Park Miniature Railroad beside the Fort Worth Zoo runs five miles along the river for a few dollars. The Museum of the American Railroad in old Frisco has one of the largest steam locomotives ever built, and the Interurban Railway Museum in Plano lets kids board a 1911 interurban car.

• 5 places
• 1 free
• 5 stroller-friendly
• closest is 5 min away