THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board the Love Train in Saint Paul for an all-day family event of short train rides, crafts, scavenger hunts, and sweet treats. Perfect for little conductors and nostalgic adults alike—arrive anytime between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
Board the Love Train in Saint Paul for an all-day family event of short train rides, crafts, scavenger hunts, and sweet treats. Perfect for little conductors and nostalgic adults alike—arrive anytime between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
Book with Minnesota Transportation Museum
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Minnesota Transportation Museum · Saint Paul, Minnesota
At 193 Pennsylvania Ave E in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the Love Train invites families to spend a day aboard vintage railcars and celebrate the season of love. This all-day event runs 10:00am to 4:00pm and stitches together short train rides, hands-on crafts, a scavenger hunt, and sweet valentines treats into a single, easygoing loop for kids and adults alike.
Climb into painted coaches and a caboose to feel the creak of restored wooden benches beneath you while conductors steer gentle laps around the yard. The key features are simple and joyful: multiple short train rides ideal for toddlers and primary-school kids, craft tables where small hands make keepsakes, and a scavenger hunt that turns the museum grounds into a gameboard of discovery. Treat stations scatter seasonal sweets along the route; food vendors are on site but meals are not included with admission.
What makes Love Train a standout in Saint Paul's outdoor and cultural scene is its accessiblity and focus on intergenerational play. The event takes the city's rail heritage—preserved cars, period signage, and the mechanics of old rolling stock—and turns it into an invitation for play rather than a static exhibit. Photographers will find close-up textures in riveted steel and painted lettering, while little ones will remember the tug of a bell and the smell of popcorn.
Practical notes are straightforward: check in at the ticket window on arrival, and you may arrive anytime during the 10:00–16:00 window. The program is family-friendly, requires no special skills, and is manageable for visitors with strollers. Expect urban wildlife like songbirds and squirrels darting between platform timbers; there are no notable geological features at the site, but mature maples and elms frame the yard in season.
The Love Train works as a short, celebratory day out or the anchor for a longer Saint Paul weekend—pair it with nearby parks, bakeries, or a walk along the Mississippi River. Bring comfortable shoes, a camera for candid moments inside historic cars, and a light jacket for fluctuating spring or fall weather. Whether you're chasing the perfect family photo in a caboose doorway or teaching a child to spot a semaphore signal, the Love Train is a practical, playful way to make one afternoon feel like a small, shared adventure.
Tickets are available through the event's booking site or at the window; bring a printed or mobile confirmation from the provided referral link and allow a few extra minutes for check-in on busy days. Restrooms and bench seating are available on site, and street or lot parking is nearby. Be mindful not to touch fragile restorations without staff permission; donations and volunteer time are the direct ways visitors can support ongoing preservation of historic rail equipment.
easy.
All day (10:00–16:00).
Suitable for all ages; minimal walking and stroller-friendly pathways
Yes — you may arrive anytime between 10:00am and 4:00pm and check in at the ticket window.
No — food is not included, but vendors and treats will be available for purchase on site.
Yes — the site is stroller-friendly and the rides are designed for young children, but carers should supervise at boarding.
Paths and boarding areas are intended to be accessible, but check with staff on arrival for the best route and assistance options.
Check in at the ticket window on arrival; you can bring a printed or mobile confirmation from the booking link.
Outdoor elements may be adjusted for inclement weather—contact the event via the booking page or arrive prepared with rain gear.
The event highlights the region's rail heritage by using preserved railcars and period signage to teach visitors about historic rail operations in Saint Paul.
Please avoid touching fragile restorations and consider donating or volunteering; using public transit to arrive reduces local traffic and emissions.
Minnesota Transportation Museum preserves and operates historic railroad equipment and runs scenic, themed train trips out of Osceola, Wisconsin. The museum operates vintage passenger cars, hosts narrated excursions through the St. Croix River Valley, and manages special events including family rides, seasonal festivals, and educational programs. Trains run from Osceola to destinations such as Dresser and feature experiences like the Pizza Train, Wine or Beer Tasting, Pumpkin Express, Fall Colors Train, and Dresser Lunch Train. The organization also offers admission to the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul, where visitors can explore interactive exhibits, behind-the-scenes tours, and over fifty vintage train cars. Volunteers and knowledgeable hosts lead onboard storytelling, historical interpretation, and guest services that emphasize safety, accessibility, and authentic railroad heritage. The museum maintains and operates one of the last functioning turntables in the country, used during special events and roundhouse demonstrations. Educational programs include hands-on activities for children — highlighted by Tots & Trains — and living-history opportunities such as Railroad Reality Days. Facility amenities include historic depots in Osceola and Dresser, volunteer-guided tours, seasonal food and beverage pairings, and community-oriented events like Oktoberfest and Haunted Roundhouse. The museum partners with local vendors for locally sourced food on themed trains and relies on volunteer staff and preservation specialists for restoration and operations. Visitors can expect curated, schedule-based rides, family-friendly programming, and authentic historic equipment that showcases regional railroad history. Ticketed events follow set schedules and ticketing information is available on the museum's official website and box office locations.
Book with Minnesota Transportation Museum