Do you have a kid in Greenville, SC who loves trains? Wondering where you can watch trains near Greenville, SC? Or, maybe you’re looking for a train-themed playground or place to ride a train. We have all that and more! So, get aboard and check out our list of places to have fun with trains.
For more ideas on fun things to do, see our list of Things to Do Outside in Greenville.
Where to Watch Real Trains Go By
Downtown Greer, SC
Due to its proximity to the Inland Port, Greer’s downtown area has several spots to view the train tracks.
- Across the street at Greer City Park, you can view two train tracks. This area has a playground, benches, and restroom facilities.
- Trade Street in Downtown Greer is another great place to watch trains. The track at the end of the bricked sidewalk, beside the Greer Citizen office, frequently has trains rumbling by. Have a seat on any bench along Trade Street for a great view! There are also several places near Trade Street to grab coffee, ice cream, or lunch while you wait.
The Inland Port
As mentioned above, you can travel up the road on Highway 290 going west, the Inland Port will come into view. This is a great place to watch trains. There is a pullover spot at the intersection of 290 and Biblebrook Drive. From here, you can watch out the window as trains pull in and out of the port. You can also watch shipping containers being moved. A tower rolls back and forth over the train, and a huge claw lifts the crate up and over. Encourage your kids to use their imaginations by thinking of what’s in each crate and where each crate is going.
Spartanburg
Irwin Avenue Park is located just outside of downtown Spartanburg and is a 14-acre overlooked gem. Only a small street separates the park from train tracks. You’ll have a perfect view of the playground or the picnic shelter.
Greenville – North of the Commons at Unity Park
Just north of the Commons near downtown Greenville, you’ll come across an elevated bridge where trains go by. Sometimes they will even toot their horns!
Where to Learn About Trains
Spartanburg’s Hub City Railroad Museum
If you have a train lover in your family, you don’t want to miss a trip to Spartanburg’s Hub City Railroad Museum. There’s so much to do, see, and experience. And because the museum still has 40 trains passing through it daily, you’re bound to see at least one train during your visit. Read more details about visiting the Hub City Railroad Museum.
South Carolina Railroad Museum
A little more out of the way, around 1.5 hours from Greenville, you’ll find the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro, SC. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10am-4pm, and entry is free. But, special events and seasonal train rides will vary in cost. Special events include the Pumpkin Patch Express in October, Santa train in December, and the Easter Bunny Eggspress in the Spring. See the Museum Special Events website for times and more information!
Where to Ride a Train
The Heritage Park Railway in Simpsonville offers a replica steam engine train that young children can ride through the park.
- Saturdays 10 am – 6 pm & Sundays 1 – 6 pm
- $3 per ticket (kids under 2 years old ride for free with an accompanying adult)
- Weather permitting – Follow the City Of Simpsonville on Facebook for updates on closures
Tweetsie Railroad 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC
- Distance from Greenville: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
- Featuring a 3 mile train adventure, amusement rides, gold panning, and more
- Ticket prices vary by season
- Read Kidding Around’s review of Tweetsie Railroad
Find more places to ride a real train during the Holidays below (think: polar express)!
Where to Find Miniature Train Sets
Love watching the model trains travel through cute miniature towns and countryside? They are fun to watch, and you can really appreciate the time and energy it took to build some pretty amazing displays. Here are a few places where you can view model train displays.
Taylors, SC Model Trains Station at Taylors Mill
Check out multiple displays with running trains of varying gauges at the Model Trains Station at Taylors Mill. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children (2 and under free). In addition, they offer event space and birthday parties. Near Christmas you’ll also find a Christmas train display. Here’s our review of the Model Trains Station at Taylors Mill.
- Adults – $10 | Seniors (62+) – $9 | Military- $9
- Children (2-12) – $7
- Children Under 2 – FREE
Hendersonville, NC Apple Valley Model Railroad
- Head up to Hendersonville and you can view several large displays of model trains both indoor and outdoor at the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club. Admission is totally free but hours are limited to Saturdays and Wednesdays, currently. Check out our review of the Hendersonville, NC Apple Valley Model Railroad.
Columbia, SC Associated Model Railroad of Columbia
- Visit AMROC in Columbia, SC. You’ll get to view several model train displays for free on Thursday evenings (except the first Thursday of the month). Kids may even get a chance to drive one of the trains and blow the whistle! It’s a great opportunity to watch trains and learn about a neat hobby for free! Check out the Kidding Around Columbia review of AMROC.
Asheville, NC North Carolina Arboretum’s Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
- Families can learn about the coming of trains to Western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. There are up to four G-scale (garden scale) model trains running at a time on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon – 4 p.m. (April – October)
Where to Play on a Train
- An entire train-themed amusement park called Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC
- The miniature train play structure at Cleveland Park in Greenville. Wander down the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and you’ll find it near the playground at Cleveland Park.
- The Caboose Garden at the SC Botanical Gardens in Clemson.
- Train Car on the Swamp Rabbit Trail near Furman
- Train Car on the Swamp Rabbit Trail at Sulphur Springs Road
Train-Themed Places to Eat Near Greenville
Mutts BBQ
Locations in Easley and Greer have a train-themed interior with a whistle the kids can press.
The Whistle Stop at The American Cafe
The cafe is charming with lots of train memorabilia and decor. The kids menu is written on a Dinosaur TRAIN coloring sheet! Read our list of fun things to do in Travelers Rest including more information about The Whistle Stop!
The Duncan Family Restaurant
While there’s not a train-theme to this restaurant, this establishment that’s located in Duncan is also located right on the train tracks. With a properly timed dinner and a table at the front corner window – it’s like dinner and a show. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the food is good, inexpensive, and kid-friendly! You could grab dinner here after watching trains in Greer or at the Inland Port.
Trains Around The Holidays
As the holidays draw near, so does the season for The Polar Express. Here’s a bunch of places to enjoy trains around the holidays. Some are right in Greenville and some may be as much as a couple hours drive out of town.
The Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City
Costs vary depending on season and level of ticket
The Polar Express at the NC Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer
In addition to riding the Polar Express train, you’ll be able to view a miniature train display and enjoy train and holiday crafts and games after the ride. There are also options to purchase 2-4 person table tops.
Costs vary depending on season and level of ticket
Model Trains Station at Taylors Mill
250 Mill Street, Taylors
Near Christmas you’ll find a special model train Christmas display.
The South Carolina Railroad Museum
110 Industrial Park Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180 in Winnsboro, SC.
Special events include the Pumpkin Patch Express in October, Santa train in December, and the Easter Bunny Eggspress in the Spring. See the Museum Special Events website for times and more information!
Books For Your Child Who Loves Trains
Here are a couple great books about trains that would be perfect for preschoolers. You can find these books at the Greenville or Spartanburg Library, but they are also books worth adding to your collection!
This list contains Amazon affiliate links.
Freight Train by Donald Crews – This book is perfect for small children and comes in board book format.
Locomotive by Brian Floca – This picture book is a Caldecott Winner.
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
Where are your favorite places to see the magic and wonder of trains?
Theres supposed to be a train museum or something in Hendersonville open i believe Wednesdays and saturdays.
I know exactly what you are talking about, because we used to drive past it all the time when we lived up there. We never went in though. That seems to always happen when you live somewhere!
When I contacted The Pavillion last week, they said George the Train would not be running this year. I was hoping to do my son’s birthday party there.
Thanks for the update, Mary, though I’m sad to hear it. Hopefully, they will be able to get the train back up running at some point. You could still have a bounce house party or maybe rent a shelter at Heritage Park and ride the train there as part of your party.
Miniature world of trains is closed permanently.
you are the real MVP for this list 🙏🏼
shot my mouth off and told my 2yo we will take a train ride and he reminds me everyday for weeks now.. so thank you I believe we have some good ideas now!