A visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast area comes with many attractions catered towards families. If you or other family members enjoy trains, then you can plan your whole vacation around a love for trains. The United States, including the Mississippi area, has a rich history of train tracks and engines.
Not only can you learn about trains, but you can have fun in train activities found exclusively in the area. Learn about the activities and ways to integrate train experiences into your next family vacation.
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
If your children want to experience what it was like to work and operate a train station, then the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center may be an option for your family. The whole center includes themed rooms and areas. The train portion is known as the The Dolan Avenue Depot. Kids can explore inside a miniature replica train.
Costumes and accessories allow children to dress up like a passenger or conductor from the early 1900s. The walls are decorated with train art and information about historical trains. As children role-play, they can learn about the different train car names.
The rest of the center includes family-based activities including a climbing playground, a boat area, and a recreation of a historical hotel. Along with the train portion, families can plan out a whole day of their vacation at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center.
Model Train Museum
The Mississippi Gulf Coast area is filled with museums that capture the history of the state. The Mississippi Coast Model Train Museum is completely dedicated to the world of trains. When visiting the museum, you can see dozens of intricate and detailed model train designs.
Along with traditional model trains, you can find LEGO model trains and trains based on franchises like Jurassic Park. Daily activities are typically scheduled to give guests more to do than just look at the train models. A storytime session for younger kids features train-based stories.
Smaller cart trains give guests rides around the outdoor area of the museum. The trains have different themes, including clowns and carnivals. During the holiday season, the museum expands to showcase light displays and special holiday model trains that run through Christmas village set-ups.
Bay St Louis Historic L&N Train Depot
If you are seeking out real historical trains, then you can experience the architecture and design found at the Bay St Louis Historic L&N Train Depot. The depot no longer operates as a train station, but the building is still filled with a lot to do.
The depot was built in the early 1900s and has a Mission-style design with a stone face and unique curved windows. Currently, you can visit the Bay St Louis Mardi Gras Museum inside the building. Across from the depot is a whole selection of restaurants and shops that provide a lot of fun options for tourists.
When you visit tourist shops, you can usually find small train toys based on the local area. Post card souvenirs may also showcase old pictures of the train depot when the building was used during the early 1900s.
Biloxi Tour Train
Families who are looking for a riding tour can consider the Biloxi Tour Train. The this tram ride navigates through the historical district of Biloxi. Guests sit in row styles similar to a train and get pulled around the city area.
A tour guide points out historical buildings, including the train depot. The tour starts out at the Biloxi Lighthouse and continues on throughout the rest of the city. The tour has been running since the 1960s and showcases all of the changes the Mississippi has made over the years.
As you plan a train-themed vacation, consider our accommodations at Bed, Breakfast & Beyond. We have rooms ideal for families and can provide you with a memorable stay as you visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast area.
