kaleidoscoping chaos...: A Streetcar Named Sunday Afternoon

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Streetcar Named Sunday Afternoon

This past Sunday after Jonah's big hair cut, but before the family party for Jonah (see previous post here), we went on a train (aka streetcar). I had promised Jonah a train ride and I had wanted to visit this little "museum" in Baltimore for a while, so it was a win/win. The place is called the Baltimore Streetcar Museum (see here). It is tucked behind some railroad tracks at the end of a dead end, and very close to Jocelyn's family's house.

As we drove up to the museum Jonah was yelling "trains, trains, trains!!!" and pointing and Vera was squealing and pointing as well. You basically drive up and there are 5 streetcars parked outside a building. Everyone was very excited.

We only had about 40 minutes before we had to be back for the party. We walked inside at got our "tokens" to ride the Streetcar. Luckily for us it was leaving in 5 minutes. We walked around inside and Jonah really liked the "displays." The inside is nothing to rave about. It is like a big warehouse/factory lunchroom with some glass cases with models of Baltimore and streetcars. I was completely not impressed. Jonah was ecstatic... Vera liked it too. Jocelyn was somewhat irritated we were there to begin with and was watching her watch so that we would not be late for the party.

The conductor called for the streetcar ride and we got on. Jonah got to put the tokens in the token machine. We sat at the back of the car and took about a 15 minute ride on the trolley through some woods and back. Again more squeals of delight from my children! We were the only ones on the streetcar (we were also the only ones at the museum). At one point, the conductor stopped the streetcar and walked back to give us a little "history" and explain to Jonah how all the buttons worked on the streetcar. Jonah got to push the bell and the stop buttons - more big smiles!

We got off and walked around a little bit. You can ride about 3 or 4 of them for the price of admission ($7 per adult - the kids were free). They were going to run the next streetcar shortly but we left just before it started to move - we needed to get back to the house. (of course Jonah saw it moving one we were in the car which led to a complete crazy melt down temper tantrum... oh well - the kid had been super good all day!)

It was the perfect thing to do on Sunday - in between other things. Jonah deserved his train ride. It is a good thing to do if you have some super train enthusiasts in your family, but do it with some other fun stuff in Baltimore (there is plenty to do) - not a full day adventure - although it would take up some time if you rode each streetcar.

There is also a museum that is in the Washington DC area that I think is very similar. It is called the National Trolley Museum. (see here) We are planning on checking out one of the Thursday events for kids this summer. They are holding special family days this summer Thursday and Fridays - you get to ride the trolley, hang out in the museum, and there is a special craft and story. Very exciting! Until Trolley Time - have fun!