My husband brought us here. We loved our time. So great that…read morethey sold cold water !!! We enjoyed the train ride so nice and we were the only ones since we came in a week day! I'm looking forward to coming back and bringing more family. Great photos and the ride is definitely worth the price.

Came here on a Saturday morning around 11am. Tickets for train and carousel is $5 per person and…read morefree for kids 2 and under. The train ride is less than 10 minutes with no cover so we brought our hats. It's a quick ride and you pass by the parking lot and a park. My girls enjoyed it. After we played by the nearby park. There is a bathroom close to the train ticket booth and lots of tables to enjoy a snack or even lunch. They were just starting the grill to cook the food for lunch but our girls were hungry so we left to get food elsewhere.

The ride was pretty awesome. The guide explained everything and he wasn't annoying as mentioned…read morefrom other reviews. It was actually educational. You ride to the redwoods which is pretty amazing. It was a little bit expensive for what you get but glad we tried it. I booked online for 10 people and getting tickets was seamless. There were places to buy from at the station itself but we elected to get food from Felton. Lots of picnic tables to enjoy our sandwiches. We parked at the henry cowell state park as I have a pass. The parking lot was pretty full by late morning.

This is a review particularly for the Thomas and Percy Halloween party! Can't say enough good…read morethings about the event. We missed our original boarding time and they put us on the next train ride; no fuss at all. Expect a covered 30min train ride through the redwoods! Theres a Thomas in the front and a Percy at the very end. Once the ride is over you can immediately walk over to take a picture with respective character train. Don't forget to grab a Thomas train certificate from the Crew! (And also, grab a passport from the General Store to earn stamps for a free prize) Along with the train ride were fun activities like kid performances, a pumpkin patch, a tattoo station, gig shop, bouncy houses, train tables-- all at no extra cost btw! The facility was neatly maintained and had potties near the entrance and a bathroom in the back. Tips on how to plan for the day: 1. Pack a lunch and some snacks as there's plenty of tables and spaces to eat. They also serve BBQ, burgers, and fries if you decide to get food there but very limited food options. 2. Bring your walking shoes and dress comfy as you'll inevitably kick up some dirt and hay. Bring an extra set of clothes for ya kiddo to change in. It's also kinda dusty! 3. The place is spacious but full of dirt and gravel so it's fine to bring a stroller but it might be a bumpy ride. All in all, we'll be back again! Great family day event without the heavy crowds and random surcharges for separate activities. Highly recommend!

Super cute historical railroad site with a non-operational train car behind the museum. The HO…read moremodels circle around on a super detailed scene of a variety of tiny passengers and local companies of the time, and it's really entertaining to see all the details included like the spinning Sinclair sign and the tiny people interacting with each other. The people here are really friendly and happy to talk about the design and the setup as well as a bit of history about the aim of it to be set during 1959, when diesel and steam trains intersected. There's always a few kids who hang out here and some of them bring their own trains to run on the tracks; otherwise you cannot touch the setup. There's also free dated magazines at the front! Overall a fun and informational museum.

Visited the small but super neat museum before a Caltrain trip…read more * Museum has a small dedicated parking lot, free admission, located in the restored Santa Clara train station. * Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, & eager to share about the museum, historic photos, signs, & maps. It's neat to learn about the history of rail system and step directly outside to take the next train. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area.

Happy Hollow has been a fixture in San Jose since forever. If you haven't visited Happy Hollow, you…read moremust! I have visited Happy Hollow many, many times over the last 20 years. It has only gotten better! Even now, as an adult, I was still able to enjoy many aspects of Happy Hollow. It's great for younger children, and small groups, and would probably be terrific for birthday parties. When I go to Happy Hollow, I like to also visit the Japanese garden and History Park, since they are within walking distance and both are very interesting places. When you go to Happy Hollow, I would consider buying a membership, because it does have some reciprocity with other facilities and if you end up returning to the zoo, it pays for itself. Have a great time at Happy Hollow!

Very disappointing and honestly not worth the money. The park is small, there are very few animals…read moreto see, several areas feel empty or underwhelming, and the rides are limited. On top of admission, you still have to pay for parking, and the food is overpriced for what you get. For a family attraction, the overall experience feels poorly run and seriously lacking in value. There are much better places to take young kids in the Bay Area. We definitely won't be coming back.

So awesome this place is still around. Went here as a kid. I do not have time for model railroading…read moreanymore. But if I did, I would go here. It is an awesome shop.

From the state of the store, I'm assuming the owners plan on retiring in a couple of years…read more Inventory is pretty sparse. Where there should be rolling stock on the shelves are loads of empty cardboard shipping boxes. I wish I could support a local train shop, but there's just not much of a reason to come here.

10/10 -- Worth Every Penny (Parlor/Dome Car Experience)…read more If you're considering the Niles Canyon Train of Lights, do yourself a favor and splurge on the Parlor Car or Dome car. It completely transforms the experience. From the moment you board, you're treated like a VIP: dedicated seating in a fully enclosed caboose, attentive service throughout the ride, and complimentary warm drinks and sweets that are perfect for a cold, wet winter night. Being waited on while rolling through a glowing canyon? Yes, please. One of the biggest perks is having your own reserved space, while still being free to explore the rest of the train--knowing your seat is secure and shared only with fellow Parlor Car Riders. It strikes the perfect balance between comfort and adventure. I've done both the 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm departures, and while both are enjoyable, 4:30 pm is the clear winner for me. You get to take in the scenery before the sun fully sets, which adds a magical transition from daylight to twinkling lights. The 7:30 pm ride feels more social and cozy--great for lingering conversations with family and friends--but the earlier ride lets you truly appreciate your surroundings. As for the cost, it's important to note that this railway is 100% donation-funded and entirely volunteer-operated. Knowing that every dollar goes directly toward preserving the historic railway, maintaining the trains, and supporting the volunteers who make this experience possible makes the price feel even more justified. You're not just paying for a ride--you're supporting a piece of living history. Bottom line: Cozy Thoughtfully curated For a great cause Perfect for winter evenings If you're on the fence about the Parlor Car or Dome Car upgrade--it's absolutely worth it.

All aboard! If you…read moreare looking for a low key outing that's suitable for all ages then consider booking a ride on Niles Canyon Railway. Enjoy a slow ride Sunol to downtown Niles and back, approx 1.5 hours. A docent will share tid bits of history during the ride. There are snacks for purchase and you can bring your own. I prepared a simple charcuterie for me and mom, gotta have something to nosh on as we enjoy the view. It's June and the hills are brown already but oh well it's still pretty. I was a little worried about whether my mom would struggle boarding the train as I didn't book ADA as she is not in wheelchair. The steps are slightly deeper than ours at home but she made it up without difficulty, there is a railing for support. Conductor did offer us to go to the car with the lift if we wanted. My next anxiety was holding up the boarding as mom navigated the stairs slowly and there quite a few people behind us. Everyone was patient thankfully and no one scoffed. Would love to do their holidays lights ride sometime but I haven't been successful in last few years to get tickets, they go fast.

We had an amazing time with my two kids and husband. This place had super interactive activities…read morefor my 4yr old and 18m old. They enjoyed dressing up in fireman gear, playing with water, doing crafts, playing in the pretend food area, building with blocks, making bubbles, and playing outside. This place has a lot to do and we wished we could have stayed longer. Only part that is annoying is the stroller rule. If your child CAN walk, you can't take your stroller in. Weird rule for a place that caters to kids, including younger ones in that in between stage. Even cmy 4 year old gets tired more than average. And sure, my youngest can technically walk but he can't last the whole time walking. Anyway, we had fun but I felt like I couldn't fully relax.

Pretty freaking amazing children's museum, kids loved it (and the adults had fun hanging out too)…read more Kinda a no-brainer if you have kids -- we have a 4yo but there were bigger kids and even teens here bustlin' around.

A fun and calm experience to go with family and friends! We went on the diesel train ride in the…read moreafternoon, and it was pleasant but sort of loud. The view was beautiful between the hills and trees, and the staff was super friendly.

We went here for the holiday train ride. It was absolutely fantastic. We did purchase the parlor…read morecar option which is the first class accommodation. It was well worth the extra money. Plus you get parking right up next to the train car. The parlor car offered spacious, comfortable seating, VIP time with Santa Claus, a hot adult beverage, or nonalcoholic version, bottled water, snacks, Christmas cookies, and a great narrative of the ride. You're also allowed to walk the length of the train, but you need to have a wristband so you can get back into the parlor car area. Be prepared for lots of traffic as you drive to the train station from other parts of the Bay Area. Traffic is bad during the winter if not always. The train leaves right on time so you do not want to be late. Also, the railroad provides very detailed and helpful instructions about how to get to the depot and how to navigate the parking and other systems. They have outside train cars and inside train cars so you can choose what type of seat you want. This is definitely been worth the money and should become a holiday.

This station is in such a convenient location with the light rail stopping next to it, and SAP…read morecenter just a block away! Transferring from the light rail to the train, or hopping off to go to a sporting event/concert really couldn't be easier. Though I haven't parked at the station in many years, everytime I have in the past, finding a spot was easy on weekdays or weekends. I don't necessarily feel the safest walking around the area alone at night, but after a game/concert there are usually plenty of people around in case anything goes awry. It also feels fine during the daytime.

Caltrain serves dozens of stations between San Francisco and Gilroy* on weekdays. I usually drop…read moreoff/pick up friends to San Jose Diridon. From this station, it is a convenient way to travel north to San Francisco or SFO International by getting off at Milbrae and taking BART to the airport. Just another way of commuting.

My boyfriend and I walked in here during the holiday season, but during the day time so there…read morewasn't any real event or lights on, but it was still nice to see all of the houses, decor, and set up. Plus parking was free and entry was free when we went. Just a BIG FYI, because we didn't go during an event, they DO LOCK UP THE PARK and when I was waiting for my boyfriend to pick me up from our parking area (ended up on the other side of the park somehow), I saw a bunch of people trying to call for help after the gate locked them in. Woops. It seems that they hold lots of events here with outdoor local vendors, food vendors, and also opportunities to go inside the houses and learn about the history of a lot of the buildings. I'd keep an eye out on their social media or website for those, but as a freebie person exploring through. It's fun and cute.

It's a good place to walk around and learn about the history of San Jose and surrounding areas…read more Going on a Saturday, not all the houses were open due to volunteer shortage. They had a snack bar and a free trolley ride. It's definitely a nice place to get your steps in. Most of the time it's free admission unless otherwise posted.