With the beloved Zilker Zephyr out of commission, we had to search for another option for a kiddie train ride. That’s when I remembered the Cedar Rock Railroad, so we decided to give it a shot on a Saturday afternoon. The Cedar Rock Railroad is located within Williamson County Regional Park. We arrived shortly at 4:05 p.m. and saw that the next train would be departing at 4:15 p.m. The train runs at :15 and :45 each hour, so we had about 10 minutes to get our tickets and find a seat.
The train was already almost full when we got on, but luckily there were still seats for our family of five to sit together. If we would have had to wait for the 4:45 p.m. train, there still would have been plenty for us to do to pass the time!
The train was a great treat for the kids. It has covered seats which would be very much appreciated on a hot summer Texas day. The ride took about 15 minutes. It was just the perfect amount of time for a two-year-old, and our seven-year-old and ten-year-old also enjoyed it more than I thought they would! The price per person is $3, and babies under one are free.
On the ride, we were able to get a tour of the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park. We saw a fishing pond, trails, different sports fields/courts (soccer, tennis, basketball, football) and a running track. There were lots of games happening on this particular Saturday afternoon.
The picnic tables are free to use for parties as long as no one has already reserved them for that time. If you would like to reserve tables for your party, they only cost $15/hour. If you would like to reserve the train for your party as well, the cost is only $84 for up to 42 passengers. I feel like this is such a steal and perhaps the best-kept secret for a birthday party!
Austin Active Kids Opinion
A low-key but fun way to entertain kids 10 and under. If you need to find a cute spot for a super cheap birthday party – look no further!
Outing Time
We only rode the train and stayed to play on the playscape for a few minutes, so our total outing took about 30 minutes. We didn’t try the other activity, called the Little Locomotive ride, which looked fun. You could easily spend about an hour here, or more if you explored some more of Williamson County Regional Park like the Quarry Splash Pad (which closes in the winter) or some of the other playgrounds.
Reminders
They have bathrooms and a snack bar, so you don’t really have to bring much! They accept both cash and credit cards too.
What else should I know?
We went on a Saturday, which meant it was a little more crowded due to a birthday party. Weekdays are less busy. Check their Facebook page for weather updates and closures. They will close in the rain, fog, temps below 50 degrees or above 105 degrees, etc. Also, they are closed on Mondays!
Hours
Monday: closed; Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location
Southwest Williamson County Regional Park | Cedar Rock Railroad Miniature Train
3005 County Road 175
Leander, TX, 78641
