The Nevada State Railroad Museum Boulder City can show you the important history of railways in Nevada. If you have any kiddos that love trains, you have to visit here, and better yet, ride a train!
The museum’s main display pavilion is an outdoor area containing two tracks with multiple locomotives and pieces of rolling stock on display. The display pavilion is open daily between 9:00am and 3:30pm and is closed for state holidays.
This is a self-guided area with interpretive signs both inside and outside cars for your information.
Nevada Southern Railway train (Image: SAllgood)
You’ll want to check out the other amazing events happening at the Nevada State Railroad.
Story Time Trains
Storytime on the train is back, the third Saturday of each month(excluding December)! The kids enjoy a coloring page, craft and an age-appropriate story read by one of our docents.
Everyone rides the train from the depot to Railroad Pass and returns while enjoying the activities along with their parents and family. StoryTime is on each of the regular departures for the day. Currently Story Time Trains run at 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm.
The next Story Time train is November 18, 2023.
Boulder City North Pole Express (evenings)
Your favorite holiday event is scheduling regular roundtrip departures to Santa’s Railyard and back to Boulder City. Enjoy a 40 minute train ride while singing carols and the reading of a children’s story.
One you arrive at Santa’s Railyard, you will disembark the train for cookies and hot chocolate, games, snowball fights, and of course photos with the big man himself. Better bundle up, because every trip to Santa’s village has a forecast of snow!
Tickets on sale November 1st. North Pole Express trains run various day from Nov 24- Dec 20, 2023.
Santa Trains (daytime)
A family tradition since 2002, Santa returns for some holiday fun on the train! Tickets $10 per person.
Tickets on sale November 1st. Santa trains run on various days from Nov 25 – Dec 23, 2023.
Nature Discovery Trail and Rock Garden (Image- SAllgood
Located just up the hill from the railway station is the Nature Discovery Trail and Rock Garden at Boulder City’s municipal park in Bootleg Canyon.
Looking for a place to take the kids or enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings?
With giant statues of desert animals, colorful rock gardens and great views of the city, it’s a charming and fun experience for most anyone.
Starting with a giant jackrabbit, a paved winding trail takes you past larger than life animal statues that include a scorpion, roadrunner, horned lizard, Mojave rattlesnake, Gila monster, and Tortoise…and we sure are glad these aren’t they’re actual sizes!
A plaque in front of each animal notes interesting facts about the different desert animals. Cool stuff.
There are also plaques for desert flora like the Joshua tree, prickly pear, and cholla (take a good hard look, you definitely want to avoid this one in the wilds!).
The trail runs about 1800 feet and ends at a covered pavilion with a picnic table. It’s a great hike for little ones, maybe aged 3-4 and up.
Park/trail in Boulder City (Image: SAllgood)
Remember to take pictures because hey, where else can you and your kiddos stand next to a giant coiled rattlesnake or a massive Gila monster? Almost like starring in your own sci-fi movie! Great fun and worth the visit.
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Best Free and Cheap Things to do with Kids in Las Vegas in 2024
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