Do you have a kid in Charlotte, NC who is obsessed with trains?
Whether they want to climb aboard a real steam locomotive, ride a miniature train through a park, watch a model railroad in action, or hop aboard a holiday train with Santa, the Queen City and the towns around it have more train fun than you might expect. Get aboard and check out our list!
This article features where to:
- Watch real trains go by
- See model trains
- Ride a real train
- Celebrate the holidays aboard a train
- Eat at a train-themed restaurant
For more ideas, check out our full Guide to Things to Do in Charlotte, NC and our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.
Where to Watch Real Trains Go By or Play
Freedom Park
Right in the heart of Dilworth, Freedom Park is home to a real 2-8-0 steam locomotive parked near the playground. The engine is fenced, with access generally limited to the cab, but kids can still climb in and imagine themselves as the engineer. It’s right next to the Play 60 Kids Zone, a ninja-warrior-style obstacle course playground, so it’s an easy combination stop along with the park’s pond walking loop and nearby Discovery Place Nature.
Read our full review of Play 60 Kids Zone at Freedom Park for more details.
Matthews Train Depot & Visitor Center
In historic downtown Matthews, the Matthews Train Depot and Visitor Center sits right along active tracks, and real trains still roll through town several times a day. The depot, built in the late 1880s, was relocated to the town’s Village Green and now includes a free interactive experience, plus a historic red caboose out front that’s a favorite backdrop for family photos.
The Matthews Library next door leans into the town’s railroad history, too, with train-themed decor and a train-shaped desk in the children’s area.
Matthews Train Depot and Visitor Center 210 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC 28105 Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm
Jack D. Hughes Memorial Park (Pineville, NC)
Pineville is another historic Mecklenburg County railroad town — the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad ran through here starting in 1852, and active tracks still cut through downtown today. At Jack D. Hughes Memorial Park on Main Street, families playing at the fields and playground can expect the occasional passing train to rumble by. Pair it with a stroll through downtown Pineville, where a community mural depicts the town’s old rail depot and a mid-century locomotive.
Jack D. Hughes Memorial Park 513 Main Street, Pineville, NC 28134 6 am–10 pm daily
Where to See Model Trains
Lionel Retail Store at Concord Mills
Model train fans won’t want to miss the Lionel Retail Store at Concord Mills, one of only two stores in the world directly owned by Lionel, the 125-year-old toy train maker. Kids can watch trains running through detailed display layouts, browse train sets and accessories, and check out NASCAR die-cast collectibles too.
Lionel Retail Store 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Where to Ride a Real Train
N.C. Transportation Museum (Spencer, NC)
About 45 minutes from Charlotte in Spencer, the N.C. Transportation Museum sits on the 60-acre site of the former Southern Railway Spencer Shops. A seasonal train ride takes visitors on a roughly 20-minute tour of the grounds and historic buildings, some dating back to 1896. Other holiday event trains are offered, like the Polar Express.
While you’re there, walk through the Bob Julian Roundhouse, the largest remaining roundhouse in North America, and see the museum’s working 1924 turntable in action. The museum is an excellent spot to both see trains AND ride them. You could spend the day here.
Note: There isn’t a lot in the area for lunch, so we do recommend bringing a picnic. There is space outside the museum to enjoy it and then you can head back in for more train fun.
N.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC 28159
Rotary Express Train at Village Park (Kannapolis, NC)
At Village Park in Kannapolis, about 30 minutes from Charlotte, families can ride the Rotary Express, a g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engine that loops around the park past the splash pad, playgrounds, and walking paths. Tickets are just $1.50 per person, and you can pair the ride with a spin on North Carolina’s only double-decker carousel.
Read our full review of Village Park for hours and more details.
Village Park, 700 West C Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Bonus Day Trip: Dan Nicholas Park (Salisbury, NC)
A bit further out near Salisbury, Dan Nicholas Park offers a carousel, gem mine, splash pad, barnyard, and campground, making it a fun full-day outing if your family is already headed that direction. Worth noting for train fans specifically: the park’s miniature train has been closed since August 2024 following a derailment. Rowan County approved two new ADA-compliant, fully electric replica trains in January 2026, with a debut targeted for December 2026 — check the park’s Facebook page before you go to see if it’s back up and running.
Trains Around the Holidays
Charlotte-area holiday train rides are so plentiful that Kidding Around Charlotte has a full guide dedicated to them, covering everything from the Polar Express in Spencer to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Polar Express in Bryson City.
Here are a few of the closest options:
Winterland Express & Celebration of Lights (Kannapolis, NC)
Every November and December, Village Park’s Celebration of Lights transforms the park with over 250,000 lights. The Winterland Express train ride weaves through the display for just $2 per person, and it’s a favorite for younger kids ages 2–10 who are ready for a short, sweet ride. The lights and park are free to enter.
Polar Express Train Ride (Spencer, NC)
The Polar Express at the N.C. Transportation Museum is one of the most beloved Christmas train traditions in the state, complete with a reading of the book, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa with a silver sleigh bell for each child.
Halloween Train (Spencer, NC)
Also at the N.C. Transportation Museum, the Halloween Train decorates the ride with spooky (kid-friendly) music and decor each October, with a costume contest for riders in their Halloween best.
Model Trains over the Holidays
We love the old-fashioned model train holiday displays and there are a few around Charlotte that you won’t want to miss.
Toyland Model Train Exhibit (Kings Mountain, NC)
About 40 minutes from Charlotte, the Kings Mountain Historical Museum‘s free holiday exhibit, “Toyland,” features model trains running through snowy miniature landscapes alongside vintage toys and games.
Uptown Holiday Model Train Display
During the holiday season, keep an eye out for a model train display set up in the lobby of 300 South Tryon in Uptown Charlotte. It’s free to visit and there’s a coffee shop right inside if you need a warm-up. Note: visited this display in 2025.
Train-Themed Places to Eat
STATION Restaurant and Bar (Belmont, NC)
A short drive from Charlotte in downtown Belmont, STATION Restaurant and Bar is housed in the town’s original 1915 Piedmont and Northern railway depot. It’s a casual, pet-friendly spot with a big patio overlooking Stowe Park, serving up craft beer alongside tacos, burritos, and other easygoing fare — a fun stop if you want train-depot charm with your dinner.
STATION Restaurant and Bar, 4 North Main Street, Belmont, NC 28012
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