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The northwest corner of Griffith Park is the destination for train enthusiasts and curious kids. Travel Town, open all week (though temporarily closed on Mondays), is a “railroad petting zoo” full of historic rail stock like an 1880 Southern Pacific locomotive and an 1881 Union Pacific caboose that also does a good job explaining how the railroads helped build Southern California. Kids clamor to come here again and again to ride a miniature train for two loops around a half-mile of track. Parking and admission are—miraculously—free, and the miniature train only costs $4.
The whimsy here extends to the museum’s “buildings,” which are actually restored full-size train cars like the bright red 1929 Santa Fe Steel Caboose (which houses the caretaker’s residence) and the 1956 Union Pacific Sleeper Car (where official meetings are held).
Lovers of things that go choo-choo should be sure to visit the park on a Sunday, when the neighboring Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum is open for miniature train rides as well.