Halloween Train Rides in Minnesota (2026)

Trains and TravelHalloween Train Rides
Written By Kelsey Cecil

Updated October 14, 2026 · 27 min read

Between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, a century-old streetcar stops at a pumpkin patch in October, and on one Sunday a vampire named Count Karl runs the controls, which in Minnesota counts as a Halloween train. As of October 14, eight Minnesota rides still have dates ahead: seven pumpkin and costume outings and one haunted evening, all run by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum except one full-size train on the North Shore. Two of the streetcar events are already sold out. For the bigger picture, our guide to Halloween trains state by state lists the rest.

The Great Pumpkin Train in Duluth is the big outing of the bunch, a 90-minute round trip to a pumpkin field along the tracks, running Thursday through Sunday this week only, with a few departures already full. The streetcars are the opposite: short, cheap rides built around a treat, a story or a $7 pumpkin. The Trick 'r Trolley in Minneapolis and Trolleyween in Excelsior have sold out, but walk-up streetcar nights fill the rest of the month, from a $2 lantern-lit ride in Excelsior on Oct 22 to a sensory-friendly hangout on Halloween itself.

The short version

  • Pumpkin and costume rides in the Twin Cities: For the shortest drive from Minneapolis or St. Paul, the Como-Harriet streetcar pumpkin patch is about 15 minutes away, 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Oct 17 and 18 only, with $7 pumpkins and no tickets to buy ahead.
  • Go on Sunday, Oct 18 and you can pair the pumpkins with the Transylvania Trolley, where a vampire motorman runs the car and the museum promises silly, not scary.
  • West metro families can walk a pumpkin path to a lit-up streetcar at Streetcar After Dark in Excelsior on Thursday, Oct 22, for a $2 fare, about 30 minutes from the cities.
  • On Halloween itself, the All Aboard Halloween Hangout offers a calmer, quieter streetcar ride with candy from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, a good fit for kids who find crowds hard.
  • Already sold out: the Trick 'r Trolley at Linden Hills (Oct 24 and 25) and Trolleyween on the Excelsior line (Oct 25), so skip these unless the museum posts a release.
  • Pumpkin and costume ride on the North Shore: If you want a real train and a longer day, the Great Pumpkin Train from the Duluth Depot runs Oct 15 to 18 only, about 2 hr 30 min from the Twin Cities; a few Saturday trains are already full, so book a weekday or Sunday seat if you can.
  • Haunted ride: For school-age kids who want a real scare, the Streetcar Named Expire rolls through a dark forest on the Como-Harriet line from 7:00 to 10:00 PM on Oct 24; ride early with younger siblings, since the museum says it gets scarier as the night goes on.

Rochester families are about 1 hr 30 min from the Como-Harriet line, the closest of the Minnesota rides.

Watercolor of a red train car on a cliffside track heading into a dark tunnel
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Look inside the book

A dark tunnel, a brave corgi. Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi rides into a dark tunnel, gets a little scared, and comes out to a big bright light and happy cheers. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to a Minnesota pumpkin train.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Compare every Minnesota Halloween train side by side

Every ride on this page in one table: type, dates left, the lowest posted ticket price, ride length, who it suits and whether tickets are still on sale. Tap a ride for the full details.

RideTypeDates leftTicketsLengthBest forStatus
The Great Pumpkin Train on the North Shore Scenic RailroadDuluthPumpkin and costumeOct 15 to Oct 18 (4 dates)From $38About 90 minutesAll ages, toddlers welcomeSelling out
Farmer Ken and Jan's Pumpkin Patch on the Como-Harriet Streetcar LineMinneapolisPumpkin and costumeOct 17 to Oct 18 (2 dates)See railroadNot postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
Wild Rumpus Como-Harriet Trick 'r TrolleyMinneapolisPumpkin and costumeOct 24 to Oct 25 (2 dates)From $5Not postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeSold out
Trolleyween on the Excelsior Streetcar LineExcelsiorPumpkin and costumeSun Oct 25From $5Not postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeSold out
Transylvania Trolley With Count Karl on the Como-Harriet LineMinneapolisPumpkin and costumeSun Oct 18See railroadAbout 15 minutesAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
Streetcar Named Expire on the Como-Harriet LineMinneapolisHauntedSat Oct 24From $5Not postedOlder kids who like spookyOn sale
Streetcar After Dark on the Excelsior Streetcar LineExcelsiorPumpkin and costumeThu Oct 22From $2Not postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale
All Aboard Halloween Hangout on the Como-Harriet LineMinneapolisPumpkin and costumeSat Oct 31See railroadNot postedAll ages, toddlers welcomeOn sale

The rest of October at a glance

When each Minnesota Halloween train still runs

Oct 14Oct 21Oct 31

Pumpkin and costume ride Haunted ride Halloween night

Minnesota Halloween train calendar: what runs which day

Every remaining date for every ride on this page, from today through Halloween weekend. Green is a gentle pumpkin and costume ride, blue is a haunted ride. Tap a ride to jump to its details.

Drive Times From Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and Rochester

Times are rough estimates without traffic; the Duluth run is the long one, so plan a snack stop for small passengers.

Drive times, no traffic

Duluth
about 2 hr 30 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul; about 10 min from Duluth
Minneapolis
about 15 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul; about 1 hr 30 min from Rochester
Minneapolis
about 15 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul
Excelsior
about 30 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul
Minneapolis
about 15 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul; about 1 hr 30 min from Rochester
Minneapolis
about 15 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul
Excelsior
about 30 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul; about 1 hr 45 min from Rochester
Minneapolis
about 15 min from Minneapolis and St. Paul

Duluth: The Great Pumpkin Train on the North Shore Scenic Railroad

Next: Thu Oct 15Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $38About 90 minutesDates left: Oct 15 to Oct 18

The North Shore Scenic Railroad's Great Pumpkin Train leaves the Duluth Depot for a roughly 90-minute round trip to a pumpkin field along the tracks, a field you can only reach by train. Every ticketed passenger takes home a pumpkin, and the fare also covers admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum inside the depot, open until 5 PM, which is a good place to burn off energy before or after.

This one is short-season: Thursday, Oct 15 through Sunday, Oct 18, with departures at 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM, and it runs rain, shine or snow. Coach is $38 for everyone 3 and up and domecar seats are $58, with $5 added on Saturday. The railroad notes that getting off at the patch is not wheelchair accessible.

The Great Pumpkin Train on the North Shore Scenic Railroad at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime pumpkin train, family fall ride
Dates left
Thu Oct 15, Fri Oct 16, Sat Oct 17 and Sun Oct 18
Tickets
All four days on sale as of Oct 14, but some trains are full: coach is sold out Sat Oct 17 at 10:30 AM; domecar is sold out Thu Oct 15 at 1:00 PM, Fri Oct 16 at 3:30 PM and Sat Oct 17 at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Times
10:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM
Ride length
About 90 minutes round trip
What's included
A train ride to a pumpkin field along the tracks, a pumpkin for each ticketed passenger and admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Price
Coach $38 for everyone 3 and up; domecar $58 for all ages, infants included; $5 more per ticket on Saturday; 2 and under free in coach (no pumpkin)
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the railroad presents it as a family fall ride
Costumes
No costume rules posted; check the operator site No costume? The Rally tunnel tee counts.
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
Duluth Depot, 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Minneapolis: Farmer Ken and Jan's Pumpkin Patch on the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line

Next: Sat Oct 17Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeDates left: Oct 17 to Oct 18

This is a historic streetcar, not a train, running on the museum's short line between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska. For two more afternoons the cars shuttle back and forth to Farmer Ken and Jan's Pumpkin Patch, where kids can pick a pumpkin for $7 while supplies last. Fares are the museum's regular rates, and there are no advance tickets to buy.

Only Saturday, Oct 17 and Sunday, Oct 18 remain, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Pumpkins can run out, so earlier in the afternoon is the safer bet. Sunday lines up with the Transylvania Trolley on the same line and the same hours, which makes Oct 18 the bigger day.

Farmer Ken and Jan's Pumpkin Patch on the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime historic streetcar with pumpkin patch stop, family ride
Dates left
Sat Oct 17 and Sun Oct 18
Tickets
Open both days as of Oct 14; no advance tickets or reservations, and pumpkins are sold while supplies last
Times
1:00 to 4:00 PM, with frequent streetcar trips to the patch
Ride length
Not posted; check the operator site
What's included
A historic streetcar ride to the pumpkin patch; pumpkins are $7 each while supplies last
Price
Regular streetcar fares (amount not posted); pumpkins $7
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum presents it as a family ride
Costumes
No costume rules posted; check the operator site
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Pay lot ($1 per vehicle) on W 42nd St, or on-street parking
Where
Linden Hills Station, Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, 2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Minneapolis: Wild Rumpus Como-Harriet Trick 'r Trolley

Next: Sat Oct 24Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $5Dates left: Oct 24 to Oct 25

A story-and-treat Halloween ride on the same Lake Harriet streetcar line, presented with Wild Rumpus Books and aimed at younger children. Kids come in costume, ride the streetcar, hear a story and get a treat, all for $5 per rider.

Both sessions, Saturday, Oct 24 and Sunday, Oct 25, are sold out as of October 14, with rides at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM. Keep an eye on the museum's page in case seats are released, and otherwise look at the walk-up streetcar events the same month.

Wild Rumpus Como-Harriet Trick 'r Trolley at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime trick-or-treat streetcar for younger children
Dates left
Sat Oct 24 and Sun Oct 25
Tickets
Sold out: both Oct 24 and Oct 25 marked SOLD OUT as of Oct 14
Times
1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM
Ride length
Not posted; check the operator site
What's included
A streetcar ride, a story and a treat
Price
$5 per rider
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum says it is for younger children
Costumes
Wear a costume
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Pay lot ($1 per vehicle) on W 42nd St, or on-street parking
Where
Linden Hills Station, Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, 2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Excelsior: Trolleyween on the Excelsior Streetcar Line

Next: Sun Oct 25Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $5Dates left: Oct 25

Trolleyween is a short historic streetcar ride in Excelsior, about 30 minutes from the cities, with stories from Ms. Debra and a Halloween treat for younger children. Kids are asked to wear a costume, and at $5 per rider it is sized for a preschooler's attention span and a parent's budget.

It runs Sunday, Oct 25 only, at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM, and every session is sold out as of October 14. For an Excelsior Halloween ride you can still get, look at Streetcar After Dark on Oct 22.

Trolleyween on the Excelsior Streetcar Line at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime story and treat streetcar for younger children
Dates left
Sun Oct 25
Tickets
Sold out: Sun Oct 25 marked SOLD OUT as of Oct 14
Times
1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM
Ride length
Not posted; the museum describes it as a short ride
What's included
A streetcar ride, stories with Ms. Debra and a Halloween treat
Price
$5 per rider
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum says it is for younger children
Costumes
Wear a costume
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Not posted; check the operator site
Where
Excelsior Streetcar Line, Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Minneapolis: Transylvania Trolley With Count Karl on the Como-Harriet Line

Next: Sun Oct 18Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeAbout 15 minutesDates left: Oct 18

For one Sunday afternoon the Como-Harriet streetcar gets a new driver: Count Karl the Vampire Motorman. The museum is clear that this one is not scary, just silly, which makes it a fine first taste of Halloween theatrics for a preschooler. Riders who come in costume get a treat, and each trip lasts about 15 minutes.

It runs Sunday, Oct 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM with continuous rides at regular fares, and there are no advance tickets or reservations. The pumpkin patch runs the same hours that day, so you can do both in one stop. The museum has not posted the fare amount or a stroller policy, so check the operator site.

Transylvania Trolley With Count Karl on the Como-Harriet Line at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Daytime vampire-hosted streetcar, silly not scary
Dates left
Sun Oct 18
Tickets
No advance tickets or reservations needed; nothing to sell out as of Oct 14
Times
1:00 to 4:00 PM, continuous rides
Ride length
About 15 minutes
What's included
A Halloween streetcar trip hosted by Count Karl the Vampire Motorman and a treat for riders in costume
Price
Regular streetcar fares (amount not posted on the event page)
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum says it is not scary, just silly
Costumes
Wear a costume to get a treat
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Pay lot ($1 per vehicle) on W 42nd St, or on-street parking
Where
Linden Hills Station, Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, 2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Minneapolis: Streetcar Named Expire on the Como-Harriet Line

Next: Sat Oct 24Best for: Older kids who like spookyFrom $5Dates left: Oct 24

This is the one Minnesota streetcar night meant to give riders a fright. From 7:00 to 10:00 PM on Saturday, Oct 24, the Como-Harriet car rolls through the dark forest along the line, and the museum says the ride gets scarier as the night goes on.

The museum calls it suitable for most family members, with no blood or gore, but warns it may frighten the very young. If you bring a younger sibling, ride in the first hour. There are no advance tickets: pay the $5 fare at the station, or buy a $12 Fright Pass for unlimited rides that evening.

Streetcar Named Expire on the Como-Harriet Line at a glance

Type
Haunted ride: Haunted night streetcar; may frighten the very young
Dates left
Sat Oct 24
Tickets
No advance tickets or reservations; pay at the station on the night
Times
7:00 to 10:00 PM
Ride length
Not posted; check the operator site
What's included
A spooky trolley ride through the dark forest
Price
$5 fare, or $12 Fright Pass for unlimited rides that evening
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum says no blood or gore, but it may frighten the very young and gets scarier as the night goes on
Costumes
No costume rules posted; check the operator site
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Pay lot ($1 per vehicle) on W 42nd St, or on-street parking
Where
Linden Hills Station, Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, 2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Excelsior: Streetcar After Dark on the Excelsior Streetcar Line

Next: Thu Oct 22Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeFrom $2Dates left: Oct 22

Streetcar After Dark is a gentle evening ride on the museum's half-mile line by Lake Minnetonka. Kids follow a pumpkin path with photo stops to the platform, then ride lit-up streetcar No. 265, and each child gets a glow-in-the-dark giveaway. The museum calls it family friendly and encourages costumes.

It runs Thursday, Oct 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with continuous runs, and the fare is $2. No advance tickets are needed, and Excelsior has two free lots plus free street parking. It is a school night, so the 5:00 PM end of the window is kinder to small kids.

Streetcar After Dark on the Excelsior Streetcar Line at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Early evening lit-up streetcar ride, family friendly
Dates left
Thu Oct 22
Tickets
No advance tickets needed; nothing to sell out as of Oct 14
Times
5:00 to 8:00 PM, continuous runs
Ride length
A short ride on a half-mile line
What's included
A ride on lit-up streetcar No. 265, a pumpkin path to the platform with photo stops and a glow-in-the-dark giveaway for kids
Price
$2 fare
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum calls it family friendly
Costumes
Costumes encouraged
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Two free lots and free on-street parking in Excelsior
Where
Water Street Ticket Booth and Platform, Excelsior Streetcar Line, 337 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Minneapolis: All Aboard Halloween Hangout on the Como-Harriet Line

Next: Sat Oct 31Best for: All ages, toddlers welcomeDates left: Oct 31

On Halloween itself, the museum runs a sensory-friendly session on the Como-Harriet line: a calmer, quieter streetcar ride with Halloween candy, an ASL communicator in attendance, and an open welcome to all neurologies and expressions. For a child who melts down in a crowded costume line, this is the gentlest ride on the page.

It runs Saturday, Oct 31 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at regular fares, with no ticket listed. The fare amount, ride length, costume rules and stroller policy were not posted, so check the operator site before you go.

All Aboard Halloween Hangout on the Como-Harriet Line at a glance

Type
Pumpkin and costume ride: Sensory-friendly Halloween streetcar ride
Dates left
Sat Oct 31
Tickets
No ticket listed; regular fares apply as of Oct 14
Times
4:00 to 7:00 PM
Ride length
Not posted; check the operator site
What's included
A calmer, quieter streetcar ride, Halloween candy and an ASL communicator in attendance
Price
Regular streetcar fares (amount not posted on the event page)
Ages and scare level
No minimum age stated; the museum describes it as sensory friendly
Costumes
No costume rules posted; check the operator site
Strollers
No stroller policy posted; check the operator site
Parking
Pay lot ($1 per vehicle) on W 42nd St, or on-street parking
Where
Linden Hills Station, Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, 2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Tickets on the railroad’s site (opens in a new tab)

Rally’s Spooky Train Ride: Halloween shirts

The tunnel page from the book, Rally on his red seat in the dark, is printed on black shirts in sizes for the whole family, from baby to 5XL. Skip the costume hassle: no masks to fog up, no capes caught in the train door, just a shirt that already says Halloween and layers under a coat on a cold platform. A matching set makes for easy pumpkin train photos. See everything in the Rally shop.

Minnesota Streetcar and Railroad Details Worth Knowing Before You Go

  • The Great Pumpkin Train is a four-day window, Oct 15 to 18, and a few Saturday trains are already full. Thursday, Friday and Sunday seats are easier to get, and each ticketed rider takes home a pumpkin.
  • Duluth coach is $38 for everyone 3 and up, domecar is $58, and Saturday adds $5 per ticket. Kids 2 and under ride free in coach but do not get a pumpkin.
  • The Como-Harriet pumpkin patch is down to Oct 17 and 18, 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Pumpkins are $7 while supplies last, so earlier in the afternoon gives you a better pick.
  • Most Minnesota Streetcar Museum Halloween events need no advance ticket: you just pay the fare at the station. The two that did, Trick 'r Trolley and Trolleyween, are both sold out.
  • Parking at Linden Hills is a $1 pay lot on W 42nd St or on the street; Excelsior has two free lots and free street parking.
  • The North Shore Scenic Railroad's Terror Train and several late-night streetcar ghost events are for adults or not recommended for children, so check the event name before you book.
  • No Minnesota operator in our research posts stroller rules, so ask the operator before you bring one, or use a carrier for babies.

Lake Superior Wind Versus a Twin Cities Afternoon: Minnesota October Weather

Mid to late October in Minnesota usually means highs in the 40s and 50s, and most rides on this page run in daylight, so you are dressing for a crisp afternoon. Two are evening outings, Streetcar After Dark in Excelsior and the Streetcar Named Expire, and once the sun goes down a lakeside platform gets cold fast. Duluth is its own story: the lakeshore runs noticeably colder and windier than the Twin Cities, and the Great Pumpkin Train runs rain, shine or snow.

For the afternoon streetcars, a warm layer under the costume and a hat usually do the job. For the evening rides and the Great Pumpkin Train, pack winter gear: hats, mittens and a coat that zips over the costume, since you will be standing outside at a pumpkin field or on a dark platform.

Minnesota's Streetcars Are Mostly Silly, With One Night That Is Not: What a Shy Three-Year-Old Will Notice

Seven of Minnesota's eight Halloween rides are gentle. The Transylvania Trolley has a vampire at the controls, but the museum says it is silly, not scary, and the Halloween Hangout on Oct 31 is built to be calmer and quieter on purpose. The things a cautious toddler might react to are ordinary: the clang of an old streetcar, a crowd of costumed kids at the Linden Hills platform, or the long ride on the Duluth train.

The exception is the Streetcar Named Expire on Oct 24, a night ride through the dark forest that the museum says may frighten the very young and gets scarier as the evening goes on. If an older sibling begs to go, ride at 7:00 PM and keep the little one on your lap, or leave them home. For a nervous child, Count Karl on Oct 18 is the softer introduction: tell them ahead of time that the vampire is a grown-up playing dress-up who hands out treats.

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Rally is up before the sun in our book, and the first thing he spots is the suitcase, so in go the turtle toy, the green bone and the yellow ball. When I picture a family loading up for the Great Pumpkin Train by Lake Superior, I picture that suitcase with mittens and a spare hat tucked in next to the snacks. Let your child choose one favorite thing to bring, the way Rally did. Our printable Rally pages for the car ride north are free, and this is how the book began.

A Wisconsin Pumpkin Train an Hour From the Cities, Plus Iowa's Lineup

The closest Halloween train to the Twin Cities that is not a streetcar is actually in Wisconsin: the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway's Pumpkin Express in Osceola, about an hour from Minneapolis, is a pumpkin ride on Oct 16, 17 and 18, though as of Oct 14 only a handful of its departures still had seats, mostly Friday and Sunday afternoon trains. Details are on our Wisconsin Halloween train page.

Southern Minnesota families heading toward Iowa will find two very different choices: a daytime pumpkin patch ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, about 50 minutes north of Des Moines, on Oct 17, and a haunted steam ghost train night in Mount Pleasant through Oct 31. Both are in our Iowa pumpkin and ghost train guide.

A train book for the ride

For a long train day with kids that has nothing to do with Halloween, see our notes on the Empire Builder from St. Paul with children and the Borealis between the Twin Cities and Chicago.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. They fit in a folder with a few crayons for the line at the depot or the drive home.

Get the free coloring pages for Duluth
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents, including one dark tunnel he is brave enough to ride through. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Sources

Checked against each railroad’s own pages and ticket calendars on October 14, 2026. Dates, prices and policies change, so confirm with the railroad before you go.

Minnesota Parents Ask: Duluth, Linden Hills and Excelsior Halloween Rides

What Halloween events are there for kids in Duluth, Minnesota?

One family Halloween event in Duluth is the North Shore Scenic Railroad's Great Pumpkin Train, a gentle daytime ride from the Duluth Depot to a pumpkin field along the tracks. It runs Thursday, Oct 15 through Sunday, Oct 18, at 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Coach is $38 and domecar $58, plus $5 on Saturday, and every ticketed rider takes home a pumpkin.

Are there Halloween events for families in Minneapolis, Minnesota this October?

Yes. The Minnesota Streetcar Museum runs several Halloween rides on the Como-Harriet line from Linden Hills Station. The pumpkin patch runs Oct 17 and 18, the vampire-hosted Transylvania Trolley is Oct 18, and a sensory-friendly Halloween Hangout runs Oct 31. The Streetcar Named Expire on the night of Oct 24 is the spooky one. The $5 Trick 'r Trolley on Oct 24 and 25 is sold out.

What is there to do for Halloween in Excelsior, MN with little kids?

One family option in Excelsior is Streetcar After Dark on Thursday, Oct 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Kids walk a pumpkin path to a lit-up historic streetcar, ride for a $2 fare and get a glow-in-the-dark giveaway, with no tickets needed ahead. The Minnesota Streetcar Museum's other Excelsior event, Trolleyween on Oct 25, is sold out as of October 14.

Is there a pumpkin patch train in Duluth, MN?

Yes. The Great Pumpkin Train from the Duluth Depot rides to a pumpkin field along the tracks that is reachable only by train, and every ticketed passenger takes home a pumpkin. Kids 2 and under ride free in coach but do not get one. The ride runs Oct 15 to 18, and the fare also includes admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

Is there a pumpkin patch on the Lake Harriet streetcar in Minneapolis?

Yes. The Como-Harriet streetcar runs to Farmer Ken and Jan's Pumpkin Patch, where kids can pick a pumpkin for $7 while supplies last. From October 14 on, it runs only Saturday, Oct 17 and Sunday, Oct 18, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, with frequent trips between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska. There are no advance tickets; you pay the regular fare at the station.

What are Halloween things to do with kids near the Twin Cities?

Most of Minnesota's Halloween rail rides are within 30 minutes of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Como-Harriet pumpkin patch runs Oct 17 and 18, the silly Transylvania Trolley is Oct 18, the spooky Streetcar Named Expire is the evening of Oct 24, and a calm Halloween Hangout runs Oct 31. Excelsior's $2 Streetcar After Dark is Oct 22. Duluth's Great Pumpkin Train is about 2 hr 30 min north.

Is there a Halloween train ride near Rochester, Minnesota?

The closest Halloween rail rides to Rochester are on the Como-Harriet streetcar line in Minneapolis, about 1 hr 30 min away. The pumpkin patch runs Oct 17 and 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and Sunday, Oct 18 adds the Transylvania Trolley with its vampire motorman. Both are gentle daytime streetcar rides with no advance tickets, suited to toddlers and preschoolers.

Can kids wear costumes on the Great Pumpkin Train in Duluth?

The North Shore Scenic Railroad has not posted costume rules for the Great Pumpkin Train, so check the operator site. If your child wants to dress up, choose a costume that fits over or under a warm coat, since Duluth's lakeshore is colder and windier than the Twin Cities and the train runs even in snow. Skip masks that make it hard to see on the depot platform.

Is the Wild Rumpus Trick 'r Trolley in Minneapolis too scary for a toddler?

No, but it is sold out. The Minnesota Streetcar Museum aims the Wild Rumpus Trick 'r Trolley at younger children, with a ride, a story and a treat in daylight, and both the Oct 24 and Oct 25 sessions were sold out as of October 14. The Transylvania Trolley on Oct 18 is a walk-up alternative that the museum calls silly, not scary.

Is the Streetcar Named Expire in Minneapolis OK for young kids?

It depends on the child and the hour. The Minnesota Streetcar Museum says the Oct 24 night ride has no blood or gore and suits most family members, but it may frighten the very young and gets scarier as the evening goes on. It runs 7:00 to 10:00 PM through the dark forest on the Como-Harriet line, for a $5 fare or a $12 Fright Pass. Go early if you bring a preschooler.

Can we still get tickets for a Minnesota Halloween train this weekend?

As of October 14, yes, with a few gaps. The Great Pumpkin Train in Duluth was on sale for Oct 15 to 18, but Saturday's 10:30 AM coach and some domecar trains were full. The Como-Harriet pumpkin patch on Oct 17 and 18 and the Transylvania Trolley on Oct 18 need no advance tickets at all. Check each operator's page before you drive, especially for Duluth.

What is Trolleyween in Excelsior, Minnesota?

Trolleyween is a short Halloween ride on the Minnesota Streetcar Museum's Excelsior line for young children, with a streetcar trip, stories with Ms. Debra and a Halloween treat for $5. It runs Sunday, Oct 25 at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM, and every session was sold out as of October 14. Streetcar After Dark on Oct 22 is the Excelsior ride that still needs no ticket.

How much is the North Shore Scenic Great Pumpkin Train?

Coach seats on the Great Pumpkin Train are $38 for everyone 3 and up, and domecar seats are $58 for all ages, infants included. Saturday tickets cost $5 more. Kids 2 and under ride free in coach without a pumpkin. Every ticket includes a pumpkin and admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, and departures are 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM from Oct 15 to 18.

What should kids wear on the Duluth pumpkin train in October?

Think January layers, not October ones. Duluth sits on Lake Superior and runs colder and windier than the Twin Cities, where mid-October highs are usually in the 40s and 50s, and the railroad runs the Great Pumpkin Train in rain or snow. Riders step off at a pumpkin field along the tracks, so plan on hats, mittens, warm boots and a coat that fits over the costume.

Kelsey Cecil
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