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Cooperstown Train Ride with Kids: Is It Worth It?

Is the Cooperstown train ride with kids worth it? Yes, but only if you pick the right themed ride. Choose wrong, and there’s a very real chance your kids will be bored before you even leave the station.

The one our family recommends? The Wild West Train Robbery put on by the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad. It’s perfect for kids ages 6-12. 

Our kids were 9 and 11 at the time, and they both stayed interested the whole time.

At the TripIdeaMom.com, our family tests out trips with two school-aged kids—so you don’t waste your time or money. I’ll walk you through the whole experience.

And don’t worry if you’re considering a different trip type besides the Train Robbery. All the special themed rides are very similar in timing and overall experience. They just swap in different characters (Santa, the Easter Bunny, dinosaurs, etc.) along the journey.

Jump to: Best Ages | How Long is It? | Seating | Train Robbery & Shootout | FAQ

What ages is the train ride best for?

The Wild West Train Robbery is ideal for kids ages 6 to 12. 

They’ll be excited to go and not very scared. And they can actually pay attention to what’s happening on the ride. 

And while the Santa Claus, dinosaur, and pumpkin patch rides get great reviews too, there’s a pretty short window where kids think they’re cool. The Train Robbery has a much wider reach, especially as kids start learning more about history in school and can actually follow along with the storyline. 

The whole experience is cute, endearing, and something a little bit different.

Train Station Vibe

You walk in and pull up to this quaint, historic train station that’s been restored. It’s expansive and impressive.

We went on a hot, sunny day in August and it was shady and cool inside the station. Its iconic platform was a great spot to take photos in front of the train. And you’ll meet the conductor, in a full old-fashioned conductor outfit.

All About the Trip

How long is the trip?

The train ride itself was about an hour and a half with the Wild West show at the end.

It’s a round-trip ride. You’ll go out, stop briefly, and then head back along the same track the other direction.

Seating Options

Depending on what seating option you choose, the experience can vary slightly, but for most families in general seating, it feels pretty casual and open.

Think: more like a school-bus setup (but on a train!).

That said, you do have a few seating options to choose from.

Standard Coach Seats

The standard “coach” seats are the most budget-friendly and honestly just fine for most families.

The seats themselves flip directions, so you can easily face forward both ways without having to turn around awkwardly.

Lounge Seats and Premium Seats

If you want a small upgrade (usually about $5 more per seat), you can go with lounge or premium seating.

The lounge seats are like upholstered living room chairs with legs.

The premium seats are cushioned benches. Nice, but not a must-do in our opinion.

Table Seats

There are also table seats available at a higher price point (around $135).
If you’re willing to splurge, it could be a good option for a dedicated space to sit and eat.

Book tickets at the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad website.

What is the Cooperstown train ride like?

Boarding Process

Our family of four arrived about 20 minutes early.

We waited in a short line to gather our tickets using our confirmation number, then showed the tickets to the conductor as we exited the station platform.

Once you board there’s no assigned seats, so they’re all “first come”. We easily found seats together in coach without any hassle.

For larger families or some holiday themes that are popular, consider arriving even earlier. (Note: The Santa Claus ride is the only ride that does have assigned seating.)

Moving About On the Train

Once you’re on board, you can walk through any of the train cars during the ride. So if your kids get restless, you’re not stuck in one spot the whole time.

Moving between cars is similar to other train experiences where you can see the mechanics below as you step between cars.

Just keep a close eye on kids while walking through. Those gaps are no joke!

Comfort of the Ride

There’s not really air conditioning on the ride itself, so just keep that in mind.

The cars are more open-air than enclosed, which helps a bit to move air around in the summer, but it can definitely get warm on a hot day.

What is the Train Robbery like?

Don’t worry — kids aren’t sitting in silence the whole time. There’s a lot happening as the Train Robbery itself plays out like a live-action show.

About every 15–20 minutes, something new happens to keep kids engaged.

First, you meet the conductor. He’s super friendly and does a great job interacting with the kids.

Then, the robbers come along. There’s a bit of fanfare inside and out, the train stops, and they steal the train’s money. 

The acting is a tiny bit cheesy, but it’s also fun and wholesome. Our kids liked that there was constantly something coming up next.

And they thought it was hilarious when one of the robbers walked the aisles, then stole their candy along with their play money (given out midway through the ride)!

Our biggest tip: Make sure you’re watching out the windows periodically. Some of the best moments happen outside and aren’t always announced. 

What’s the Shootout after the Train Ride like?

After the return trip is complete, you’ll get off the train and move to stadium seating in front of the train station.

The actors will reenact a Wild West shoot-out, complete with sheriffs and guns on both sides. It wasn’t scary for our kids, but it was loud, so make sure everyone wears the ear plugs provided.

Pro Tip: Bring sunscreen and hats. The stands are in full sun and it gets HOT on summer days.

Food and Drinks

There’s a specific train car at the end for food, snacks, and a few souvenirs you can buy.

The food and drinks are very kid friendly. We got popcorn and a couple of waters for the ride, but there’s hotdogs too.

Hot Tip: The best viewing area for the outside action is the dining car! We stumbled on this by accident. If you stop down midway through the ride, you’ll get the perfect view as the conductor gets robbed by the bandits outside.

Bathrooms

There are bathrooms at the edge of the parking lot in a free-standing trailor, so that’s the recommended pit stop before you board. 

But there’s also bathrooms on the train if needed. They’re just small.

Is the Cooperstown Train Ride Worth the Cost?

It’s definitely worth the cost for this type of experience. Most ticket types range from $22–$32 per person, and the kids were entertained the entire time.

But a big reminder: the theme really matters. Skip the scenic train ride and choose a theme the whole family will like to make it worth it.

And grab your tickets early. The Train Robberies run only on Saturdays, and they fill up fast.

Note: The other excursions run on weekends too, on Saturdays and Sundays. Check the schedule for the specific theme you’re interested in.

Getting There and Parking

It’s pretty easy to get to. Our GPS found it right away.

The parking is just an open lot. I recommend getting there at least 15–20 minutes early so you have time to park and get settled, especially on busy summer weekends.

Otherwise, parking is straightforward and easy to find. There’s no separate fee for parking.

Rain / Weather

They do run the train in the rain, so this can still work as a family activity if the weather isn’t perfect.

That said, because parts of the experience are outdoors, it’s not the most ideal rainy-day plan.

Also, tickets sell out quickly, so this usually isn’t something you can book last-minute just because of the weather.

Tips

Continue the Adventure

If you’re sticking around Cooperstown a little longer, your whole family will love the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s packed with memorabilia, behind-the-scenes stories, and interactive exhibits that even non-baseball fans end up liking.

Still wondering what else to do with your kids? Head over to my guide on Day Trips in Upstate NY for School Age Kids. It’s full of tested short-drive trips your kids won’t roll their eyes at (think waterfalls, hands-on museums, and just enough adventure to make it memorable).

FAQ’s