The western suburbs are filled with cities that are home to charming downtown districts. You’ll find delicious ice cream shops, beautiful parks, and adorable shops. What could make these outings even more exciting? Hop on the BNSF Metra line. The excitement of watching your train arrive, sitting on the upper level and exploring a new town makes it all the entertainment your children need at these kid-friendly train stops on the BNSF Metra line.
Metra offers a variety of ticket options, including weekend and day passes, as well as ride-all-day promotions. Family Fares, which run every day until Labor Day, and then only on weekends after that, allow for up to three children (ages 11 and under) to ride free with a paying adult. Our family of five was able to ride between three fare zones for $12. Metra makes it even easier to find travel schedules and buy tickets through their Ventra app. Also, make sure to check business hours of the places you’d like to visit. We arrived before things were opening, but luckily found a park nearby to burn some extra energy.
This article is sponsored by the DuPage Children’s Museum.
A Day of Play is A Train Ride Away!
Kids love trains — and DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM)! The Naperville Train Station is just steps away from the Museum’s front door. While being able to watch the trains from DCM’s parking lot is like a beloved bonus exhibit, actually riding the train to DCM is even better. Take the BNSF Metra to a day of play and create memories to last a lifetime. Once you arrive, there’s so much to do together! Make a splash in AWEsome Water, build with real tools in the Construction House, explore the forces of gravity in Make it Move, and let imagination soar in Creativity Connections. For the youngest guests, 2 years and under, DCM has special Young Explorers spaces where they can exercise mind and body. There’s no need to pack a lunch, Bean Sprouts Café is open on the Museum’s lower level. Plan an unforgettable day full of fun, play, trains, and family — dupagechildrens.org.
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N Washington Street
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 637-8000
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Kid-Friendly Stops on the BNSF Line
Remember that if the ticket booth at the station where you boarded is open, you will have to pay a $5 fee to buy your ticket on the train. If it’s closed (as they often are on weekends), then you can buy your ticket on the train with no fee. You can also purchase tickets on the Ventra app, which is the easiest option. See more information about buying Metra tickets.
Aurora
Aurora Regional Fire Museum
53 N. Broadway
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 256-4140
Charlie’s Silver Spoon Creamery
6 E. Downer PIace
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 340-4074
McCullough Park
150 W. Illinois Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
Naperville
Anderson’s Toyshop
111 W Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 355-2665
Cookie Dough Creations
22 Chicago Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-4833
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N. Washington Street
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 637-8000
Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster Street
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6010
Paddleboat Quarry
441 Aurora Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 864-3939
Pottery Bayou
210 S. Washington Street
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 718-9823
Lisle
Lisle Lanes
4920 Lincoln Avenue
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-1300
Lola’s Handcrafted Churros
4714 Main Street
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 541-8061
Prairie Walk Pond and Dragonfly Landing
Garfield Ave and Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
Downers Grove Main Street
Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theater
5021 Highland Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 968-0360
Tivoli Bowl
938 Warren Avenue, Suite B
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 969-0660
Everyday’s A Sundae
990 Warren Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 810-9155
Glazed Expressions
1010 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 852-8700
Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 960-1200
My Special Toy Store
5137 Main Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 324-6344
Clarendon Hills
The Daily Scoop Ice Cream and Sweet Shop
9 South Prospect Avenue
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
(630) 655-4115
I Want Candy!
27 S Prospect Avenue
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
(630) 819-5168
Learning Express Toys
19 S. Prospect Avenue
Clarendon Hills, IL 60521
(630) 590-5495
More to add!
Little Creperie – delicious crepes
Brama La Pizza – $5 giant slices w/ drink
Hinsdale
Burlington Park
30 E. Chicago Avenue
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Hinsdale History Museum
15 S Clay Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 789-2600
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E Maple Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 986-1976
Sweet Ali’s Gluten Free Bakery
13 W 1st Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 908-7175
Western Springs
BB’s Baby Donuts
4472 Lawn Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-1212
Initially Ewe
1058 Hillgrove Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-7777
Toys, games and gifts
Kirschbaum’s Bakery
825 Burlington Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-2894
Spring Rock Park
4400 Central Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
Western Springs Water Tower Museum
914 Hillgrove Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-9230
Open Saturdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm
La Grange Road
Ceramic Art Cafe
26 South LaGrange Road, #100
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-3033
Gordon Park
Tilden & Ogden Avenues
La Grange, IL 60525
Playground and fenced-in splash pad
LaGrange Theater
80 South La Grange Road
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-2173
Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop
25 South Ashland Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 352-4848
Waterlemon
25 South La Grange Road
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 286-6747
Boutique and indoor play area
Brookfield
Fill My Jar (Candy Store)
3726 Prairie Avenue
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 905-5555
Kiwanis Park
8820 Brookfield Avenue
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 485-7344
Daisy’s Treats and Bakery
3748 Grand Avenue
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 255-5481
Hollywood
Brookfield Zoo
8400 W 31st Street
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 688-8000
Riverside
Riverside Arts Center
32 East Quincy Street
Riverside, IL 60546
(708) 442-6400
Riverside Historical Museum
10 Pine Avenue
Riverside, Illinois 60546
(708) 447-2542
Open Saturdays, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Guthrie Park
Bloomingbank Road and Longcommon Road
Riverside, IL 60546
Sips & Sweets Café
1 Riverside Rd.
Riverside, IL 60546
(708) 853-9782
Berwyn
Lunges ‘n Lattes
6805 Stanley Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 317-5108
Berwyn’s Toy & Trains
7025 Ogden Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 484-4384
This one is a 15 minute walk, but it might be worth it if your little ones are into trains!
Chicago Union Station
Hop on the Chicago Water Taxi and the city is yours to explore!
Did we miss your favorite kid-friendly stops? Leave it in the comments below. And keep the fun going all summer long with our ultimate guide to summer fun!
