Missouri Live Steamers, Union

Location:  200 Grant St., Union, MO 63084

Amenities: Free miniature train rides - select dates monthly during the summer

Website: https://www.stlouislivesteamers.org/

The St. Louis Live Steamers organization is a group dedicated to building large-scale model railroads. Since 2005 they have been in Kircher Park, however, after excessive flooding, they decided they had to relocate. They struck a deal with the city of Union and are now ready to ride as of 2025! 

Each train only holds 15 or so people, but we only had to wait for a couple of full trains before it was our turn. The trains are smaller than the Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad. Before you take off, they instruct you not to lean to one side or the other during the ride, and to keep kids centered on your lap with their feet inside yours so they don't stick them out of the train. There's a narrow bridge that the train crosses during its loop trip, and you don't want to catch your foot on it! We looped around the track 3 times before our ride was over, and many families with small train fans immediately circled back to the end of the line for another ride. They run the trains on Saturdays starting at around 10 am. 

If you have a kiddo who likes trains, check out these other train activities! 

Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad, Wildwood

Location: 101 Grand Ave., Wildwood, MO 63038

Website: http://wfprr.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wfprr?sk=info

The Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad is a 12-inch gauge live Steam Railroad. The Railroad is open every Sunday, May through October rain or shine. Trains start their scheduled departures from the station around 11:00 a.m. and trains depart about every 20 minutes. The final train leaves at 4:00 p.m. The ride is a two-mile round trip lasting about 30 minutes and travels along the scenic Meramec River.  The WF&P is run entirely by volunteers. The ride is very scenic, with views of the Meramec River and bluffs, and winds through the woods. The day we visited, our engine could not make it up a slight hill on the track and had to be pushed by another train. This resulted in a 20-30 minute delay on the tracks. Since it was one of the first nice fall days, it was not bad sitting in the woods with a breeze, and other frequent visitors assured me that this was highly unusual. The volunteers running the train were very professional in getting us up and going again on the track and keeping us updated as to what was going on. The train seats are not especially comfortable for an adult, but since the ride is only 30 minutes it isn't too bad. The WF&P is located within walking distance from Glencoe Park in Wildwood.

Tickets are $20 per car. We do not sell tickets per person, only per car. A passenger car can accommodate approximately 2 adults and 3 children. For larger groups, please reserve an appropriate number of cars. If you miss your reserved train, you will not receive a refund or tickets for a later train. Your reservation will be considered a donation to the railroad. Be sure to arrive early!

Check out other train activities here.

Rex Park, Breckenridge Hills

Location: 3108 Rex Ave., Breckenridge Hills, MO 63114

Website: www.breckenridgehills.org

This new playground in North County is adorable! It has everything, even bathrooms! Thanks to a friend for tipping me off that it existed cause it is nowhere online.

The parking is on the street, which is a small side street, and one side has a toddler playground and the other side has a playground for 5 and up.

The play structure is a train, which will inspire great imaginative play. There is a small tunnel and the body of the train rocks. 

Spinning chair

I love that they have 2 buddy benches.

There is 1 sling swing and 3 expression swings.

Basketball court

Modified merry go round

The toddler playground has this cute little play house with a steering wheel, maze board, xylophone, bench, and pretend window.

The poured rubber has a hopscotch design built into it. 

This cute slide built is into a tiny hill.

Cute car with 2 steering wheels and seating for 4

The restroom building is new and has 2 restrooms, but they were locked at 9 am on a Saturday which was a bit disappointing. I tried some codes but none worked lol.