Little trains, light rail and ferries with kids around Houston

A 2-year-old doesn't need Disney; one ride on something is a whole day's happiness. Houston has the park train, the light rail, miniature steam trains and a ferry, and most of them are free or a few dollars.

The classic is the Hermann Park Railroad, a 2-mile loop around the park, and a METRORail day pass from the Museum District to downtown is the second ride of the same day. One Saturday a month, the hobbyist-run 1/8-scale steam trains at Zube Park in Hockley carry passengers free. Galveston collects three in a day: climb the old cars at the Railroad Museum and ride a short real train on weekends, then take the free ferry to watch dolphins. The train, carousel and Ferris wheel at Kemah Boardwalk are pay-per-ride.

• 6 places
• 2 free
• 6 stroller-friendly
• closest is 25 min away