Visiting Tiny Town Railroad with a Toddler
If you're a Denver-area parent looking for a half-day adventure that won't destroy your wallet, Tiny Town Railroad in Morrison deserves a spot on your list. We took our toddler out there this past summer and had a great time. Here's the rundown.
Getting There
Tiny Town is located at 6249 South Turkey Creek Road in Morrison, about 30 minutes southwest of Denver. From C-470 and Highway 285, head south into the mountains for about 6 miles, exit at North Turkey Creek Road, and follow the signs. Parking is free, which is already a great start. 😄
Admission Is Refreshingly Cheap
Adult admission is $5, kids ages 2-12 are $4, and kids under 2 get in free with a paying adult. Train rides are an extra $4 per person, with kids under 2 riding free as well.
For a family of three with a toddler, you're looking at maybe $18 all-in for admission and a train ride. Good deal!
The Little Houses, Playground, and Train
The main draw of Tiny Town is exactly what it sounds like: a whole town full of tiny buildings. We're talking a miniature church, schoolhouse, fire station, and more. It's a fun little place to wander around and our daughter had a blast exploring. There's also a playground a little walk past all of the houses, which was a nice bonus.
The train departs about every half hour (more on weekends) and the ride lasts around 9-10 minutes, looping through parts of the park you can't reach on foot. Our daughter was glued to the window the whole time and honestly so were we.
One important tip: sit as far from the engine as possible. The train is coal-powered, which is charming in theory, but in practice it means the front of the train gets a solid blast of noxious coal exhaust throughout the ride. We learned this the hard way. Sit in the back, breathe normally, enjoy the scenery. You're welcome. 😂
The last train of the day leaves at 3pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends, so keep that in mind when planning your arrival.
Food: Hot Dogs and Pepsi
The snack bar keeps things simple. Hot dogs, Pepsi, and ice cream. We grabbed some chili dogs and cold drinks and it was the perfect low-key lunch after a morning of running around. Nothing fancy, very affordable, and absolutely hits the spot. You can also bring your own picnic if you want since there's a shaded area with tables. Just leave the glass containers at home since they aren't allowed in the park.
General Tips
- The park opens at 10am and closes at 5pm, but the last train leaves at 3pm on weekdays, so don't show up too late.
- Sit in the back of the train. Coal smoke is no joke.
- They accept Visa, Mastercard, and cash at the gate.
Tiny Town is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, so it's a summer-only thing. But if you want a fun, easy, affordable outing that gets you out of the city and into the foothills, this is a really solid pick! 🚂
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