Which side faces the river, how kids fares work, and a science museum inside Kansas City Union Station. Every stop on the Missouri River Runner, plus short first rides.

Two trains a day, half-price kids fares, a steam engine in Galesburg and no stairs to haul the stroller up. The Chicago to Quincy line, stop by stop, for parents.

A four-hour train built for a Chicago day from Grand Rapids. All five stops, the beach and windmill stations, day trip timing, kids fares and the no-solo-teens rule.

One train a day between Chicago and Port Huron, with an early start and a late finish. Every stop, the railroad museum depot in Durand, seats, food and kids fares.

Three trains a day from Chicago to Detroit and Pontiac. Every stop, how to reach the Detroit Zoo and The Henry Ford, where to sit, what to eat and kids fares.

A daytime train from Chicago to St. Paul with upstairs seats and the Mississippi saved for the end. Every stop, which side to sit on, the cafe and kids fares.

One train a day from New York to Burlington, Vermont, in about 7 hours. A tunnel under Middlebury, monkeys on the station roof, all 15 stops, seats and kids fares.

Empire Service runs up the Hudson from New York to Albany, and twice a day on to Niagara Falls. Which side to sit on, why to pack snacks, all 16 stops and kids fares.

Four trains a day, half-price kids fares and a children's museum across the tracks in Normal. Here's how to ride the Lincoln Service with kids, stop by stop.

Two nights on the Southwest Chief with kids: where to sleep, what to pack for the mountain passes, old Harvey House depots, Grand Canyon links and every stop to Los Angeles.

Planning the Empire Builder with kids? The Spokane split explained, sleeping and meals over 46 hours, daylight tips for Glacier and the Gorge, and every stop on both branches.

Kids ride half off, babies ride free, and the best seat is a four-seat table. How to get one, plus Amtrak’s family rules and ways to keep kids happy on the train.