17 Fun Chicago Train Rides & Activities

Kristy Pepping:  Tyler's Tender Railroad Restaurant allows your children to play while they eat, and in fact, it's a popular birthday party spot. There is an interactive O-scale model train or kids can enjoy being the engineer on a ride-on train. Kids also love the 1600 square-foot arcade. Plus, food is delivered at the counter on a model flatbed train car.

The menu may surprise you with creative entrees like Hot Honey Panini, Toasted Pastrami, or maybe a Pot Roast Melt. There are regular, and more common items too, including an easy-to-please Lil Engines menu and decadent desserts!

Shila:   One of the largest science museums in the world, the Museum of Science and Industry is where you'll find an exhibit called, The Great Train Story. This permanent centerpiece of the Transportation Gallery is a 3,500 square foot miniature train display. Imagine 2,200 miles of scenery depicting a train's cross country travel. Guests will also enjoy the interactive buttons to lift drawbridges, etc.

Kristy Pepping:  Chicago History Museum is a great place to take your budding historian. It's not a play place, but young kids especially enjoy stepping inside the old L train car, as well as playing conductor (with interactive buttons simulating the experience) in the Steam Engine. These are both located in the Chicago: Crossroads of America exhibit. Then, there's also a fun sensory exhibit geared for kids to check out where you can play dress-up as a Chicago hot dog!

Shila:  The Winter Flower and Train Show features several model trains travel amongst garden scale homes and businesses which are accentuated by a festive plant arrangements. Enchanting & appropriate for all ages.

Shila:  The Garfield-Clarendon Model Railroad Club loves to share their passion for model railroads with visitors, stop in to experience operations night with a variety of miniature trains running. The club works at the Clarendon Park Community Center in Uptown. Becoming a member of the club is also open to any train enthusiast.

Joseph Kelley:  This themed restaurant has a large interactive model train table, and a train that goes around the diner's counter style seating delivering food. Check out their party packages when planning your next birthday party!

Shila:  Within the Chicago Botanic Gardens, there's an exhibit called the Model Railroad Garden. This garden includes 18 model G-scale (garden-scale) trains running on 18 tracks. Staying to theme, there are approximately 5,000 plants that decorate the tracks.

Joseph Kelley:  Since 1951, this train-themed restaurant's success can be attributed to its friendly environment, homemade food, and a model train run that delivers food to your counter seat. Popular meals on wheels include old-fashioned burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, and sloppy Joes. Milkshakes and malts are also recommended. If it's your birthday, they'll play a special song for you--train whistle toots and all! And you can even arrive via the Metra! The UP-NW Des Plaines train stop is 1 block away.

The Museums at Lisle Station Park provide visitors the opportunity to learn about the heritage and culture of 19th century Northern Illinois. Schedule a tour and check out an old railroad caboose, the depot station, the old tavern, blacksmith shop and farmhouse. Adults can attend workshops to learn about blacksmithing, and there is free family friendly programming throughout the year.

Joseph Kelley:  All seating at this train-themed restaurant is available on the tracks, where food can be delivered right to your seat via authentic 50’s “O” scale Lionel trains. The Bartlett and Glen Ellyn locations are both within walking distance of UP-W and MD-W Metra stops, which can double your family's train-themed adventure.

Shila:  The DuPage Society of Model Engineers hosts a reoccurring model train display at the DuPage County Historical Museum. This running model train display features a detailed layout that covers 2,000 feet of track.

Kristy Pepping:  Coyote Crossing, located in Chicago's western suburbs, is a unique, professionally-designed 18-hole mini golf course. This popular mini golf course is designed in railroad theme.

Shila:  The North Central O Gauge Model Railroad Club is a club for individuals who like to run O Gauge Trains. The club has a monthly train run schedule at Fremont Library. Members bring their trains and operate them for the public and library patrons. The displays & train layouts are designed to promote the interest to train enthusiasts of all ages!

Shila:  Chessie's is a casual dine-in experience offering an extensive American-fare menu worthy of special occasion banquets and fine catering. The restaurant is housed in an old train station, and where you get the most train-themed experience (albeit a nostalgic one) is when you're seated in their authentic, old passenger rail car.

Shila:  This restaurant is loaded with unique decor, especially around the holidays, that kids will love checking out. People of all ages love to sit at their train counter where your meal is delivered right to you! Seats are limited at the counter, so reservations are recommended.