Kenosha Electric Streetcar, Wisconsin
Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesWorking city streetcar line; check Kenosha Area Transit for the current schedule
Since June 17, 2000, restored Presidents' Conference Committee streetcars from Philadelphia and Toronto have carried riders around a two-mile loop through downtown Kenosha and along the Lake Michigan shore.
- Streetcars returned June 17, 2000
- Two-mile downtown and lakefront loop
- 1948 and 1951 PCC cars
- Stops at the Metra station
Kenosha Electric Streetcar at a glance
- Hours
- Runs on a transit schedule; check Kenosha Area Transit before you go
- Admission
- Transit fare; check Kenosha Area Transit for the current price
- Train rides
- Two-mile loop through downtown and along the lakefront; board at marked stops
- Plan for
- About an hour, including a full loop and a stop or two
- Best for
- Families with young kids and streetcar fans
- Best ages
- All ages
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Kenosha Electric Streetcar? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Kenosha.
Rally Takes the Train
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Kenosha brings its streetcars home
Kenosha rode streetcars long before this line opened. The Kenosha Electric Railway served the city from February 3, 1903, to February 14, 1932, running Birney Safety Cars for most of those 29 years, and its old name has stayed attached to the city's streetcars ever since.
On June 17, 2000, the city welcomed electric streetcars back. The cars are authentic Presidents' Conference Committee, or PCC, streetcars built in 1948 and 1951 that once worked the streets of Philadelphia and Toronto before being restored for Kenosha. Kenosha Area Transit runs the line as everyday public transit, which makes it both a way to get around downtown and a ride on a piece of mid-century streetcar history. Schedules and fares are set by the transit agency, so check with Kenosha Area Transit before you plan around a particular car.
A two-mile loop by the lake
The streetcars travel a two-mile loop that passes the Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, the Sculpture Walk, two historic districts and downtown Kenosha. Riders board at marked stops rather than reserving a seat, and stops include the Kenosha Transit Center, 8th Avenue at 54th Street, and the Metra train station. Three museums sit along the route, so the streetcar is an easy way to link a museum morning with lunch downtown or time by the water.
Don’t miss
- The PCC streetcarsRestored 1948 and 1951 cars that once served Philadelphia and Toronto, now running on Kenosha's streets.
- The lakefront stretchThe loop runs along the Lake Michigan shoreline and HarborPark, the most scenic part of the ride.
- The Metra station stopA good place for train-loving kids to see two kinds of rail travel in one spot.
A short ride with a lake view
A two-mile loop is a manageable ride for small children, and the lakefront and harbor views give them something to watch. Because the stops include the Metra station, a family can pair a streetcar ride with watching commuter trains. For stroller or wheelchair questions, call Kenosha Area Transit before you go.
Plan your visit: tips for Kenosha Electric Streetcar
- Board at a marked stop such as the Kenosha Transit Center, 8th Avenue at 54th Street, or the Metra station.
- Pair the ride with one of the three museums along the route.
- Confirm the season's schedule with Kenosha Area Transit before making the trip.
Run by the city's transit system
Kenosha Area Transit operates the streetcars as part of the city's public transit service. The best way to support the line is simply to ride it, and to share your photos of the cars along the lakefront.
More electric railways near Kenosha
The East Troy Railroad Museum is about 33 miles away, and the Illinois Railway Museum is about 44 miles south. For another streetcar ride, the Fox River Trolley Museum is about 48 miles away. You can browse every train museum and ride in Wisconsin too.
- East Troy Railroad MuseumEast Troy, WI · about 33 mi
- Milwaukee County Zoo RailwayMilwaukee, WI · about 33 mi
- Illinois Railway MuseumUnion, IL · about 44 mi
- Chicago History Museum railway/transit exhibitsChicago, IL · about 48 mi
- Fox River Trolley MuseumSouth Elgin, IL · about 48 mi
- Chicago Transit Authority historic fleet / heritage exhibitsChicago, IL · about 49 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform reaches out a hand, and Rally knows he is welcome aboard. I love that Kenosha's streetcars are still everyday transit, so the person helping you on is doing a real job, not playing a part. My kids are learning to read, and a short ride with stops to call out would be a good little lesson. Our train books for toddlers list has more ideas.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
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. 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
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- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Wisconsin
- Halloween train rides in Wisconsin
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Kenosha Electric Streetcar?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Kenosha Electric Streetcar: 20 questions riders ask
What is the Kenosha Electric Streetcar?
It is a working electric streetcar line in Kenosha, Wisconsin, run by Kenosha Area Transit. Restored PCC streetcars built in 1948 and 1951 travel a two-mile loop through downtown and along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It is regular public transit, so you ride from marked stops rather than booking an excursion seat.
What is the Kenosha Electric Streetcar schedule?
The streetcar schedule is set by Kenosha Area Transit, and times can change with the season because it is a transit service. Check Kenosha Area Transit's website or call the agency before you go, so you are not waiting at a stop for a car that is not running that day. Visitor guides list the stops but not the timetable.
Where can I find a Kenosha Electric Streetcar map?
Kenosha Area Transit publishes the route. In short, the line is a two-mile loop that passes the Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, the Sculpture Walk, two historic districts and downtown Kenosha. Stops include the Kenosha Transit Center, 8th Avenue at 54th Street, and the Metra train station. Look for marked streetcar stops along the loop.
Where are the Kenosha Electric Streetcar stops?
The streetcar stops at marked locations around its loop. Listed stops include the Kenosha Transit Center, also called the McCarthy Transit Center, the corner of 8th Avenue and 54th Street, and the Metra train station. The route also passes three museums, so you can hop off for a visit and catch a later car.
Is the Kenosha electric trolley the same as the streetcar?
Yes. Many people call it the Kenosha trolley, but the city and its visitor bureau call it the Electric Streetcar. Either way, it is the same restored fleet of PCC cars running a two-mile loop around downtown Kenosha and the lakefront, operated by Kenosha Area Transit.
How much does it cost to ride the Kenosha Electric Streetcar?
The fare is set by Kenosha Area Transit. Because the streetcar is public transit, expect a transit fare rather than an excursion ticket, and there is nothing to book in advance. Check the transit agency's website for the current price and the payment methods it accepts before you ride, especially if you are bringing a family.
How long is the Kenosha streetcar route?
The loop is about two miles long. It covers downtown Kenosha, two historic districts, HarborPark, the Sculpture Walk and a stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, and it connects with the Metra train station. Riding the full loop makes a pleasant short outing, especially for young children.
When did streetcars return to Kenosha?
Electric streetcars came back to Kenosha on June 17, 2000. The city had been without streetcars since February 1932, when the original Kenosha Electric Railway ended service after 29 years. The modern line uses restored PCC cars rather than replicas.
Where did the Kenosha streetcars come from?
Kenosha's streetcars are authentic Presidents' Conference Committee cars built in 1948 and 1951. Before coming to Kenosha, they operated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Toronto, Canada. They were restored for service on the city's two-mile loop, which opened on June 17, 2000, and they still carry everyday riders around downtown.
What was the original Kenosha Electric Railway?
The Kenosha Electric Railway was the city's first street railway, running from February 3, 1903, through February 14, 1932. During those 29 years it operated Birney Safety Cars. The system changed owners several times, but the original name stuck and is still associated with Kenosha's streetcars today.
How many streetcars does Kenosha have?
One rail travel guide describes the line as using seven restored PCC cars. Kenosha Area Transit is the best source for how many are in service at any given time, since cars rotate for maintenance. The fleet includes cars built in 1948 and 1951 that once ran in Philadelphia and Toronto.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the Kenosha Electric Streetcar?
No. The streetcar is everyday municipal transit, so riders board at marked stops without a reservation. That also means it is not a guided tour. If you are bringing a large group, call Kenosha Area Transit ahead of time to ask about the best time to ride.
Is the Kenosha Electric Streetcar good for kids?
Yes. The two-mile loop is short enough for toddlers, and the lake and harbor views keep kids interested. Stopping at the Metra station lets young train fans see commuter trains too. If you plan to bring a large stroller, ask Kenosha Area Transit how best to board with it.
Is the Kenosha Electric Streetcar wheelchair accessible?
Kenosha Area Transit is the right place to ask. Riders who use a wheelchair or other mobility aid should contact the agency before the trip to ask how boarding works on the vintage streetcars and whether any alternative service is available on the same route. Calling ahead also lets you confirm the cars are running that day.
Can I ride the Kenosha streetcar to the Metra station?
Yes. The Metra train station is one of the streetcar's stops, which makes it handy for visitors arriving by commuter rail. You can step off the Metra train and continue around downtown and the lakefront by streetcar. Check both schedules so your connection lines up.
What can you see from the Kenosha Electric Streetcar?
The loop passes the Lake Michigan shoreline, HarborPark, the Sculpture Walk, two historic districts and the downtown business district. It also passes three museums. Visitor guides suggest using the streetcar to reach restaurants, shops, museums and lakefront events, which makes it an easy way to string a day together downtown.
Does the Kenosha streetcar run year-round?
Kenosha Area Transit sets the operating season and the timetable. As a transit service, the streetcar may run a different schedule in winter than in summer, and weather can affect service. Check the agency's website or call before planning a cold-weather ride with kids, so you know when the next car is due.
Where do I park to ride the Kenosha streetcar?
Kenosha Area Transit and the Kenosha visitor bureau are the best sources for parking near the loop. Because stops include the Kenosha Transit Center and the Metra station, many riders start from one of those points. Downtown and the lakefront both sit along the route, so you can pick whichever end fits the rest of your day.
Who runs the Kenosha Electric Streetcar?
Kenosha Area Transit operates the streetcars as part of the city's public transit system. That makes the line unusual: a heritage fleet of restored PCC cars doing real transit work. Questions about fares, schedules and accessibility should go to the transit agency.
What train museums are near Kenosha?
The East Troy Railroad Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo's Safari Train are each about 33 miles away. The Illinois Railway Museum in Union is about 44 miles, and the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin and the Chicago History Museum's transit exhibits are both about 48 miles from Kenosha.
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