Halloween Eye Spy Trains

A Little Train and a Spooky Checklist

Montgomery Parks turns both of its miniature trains into Halloween rides every weekend in October, starting October 3, with one last day on Sunday, November 1. Every rider gets an Eye Spy card with seasonal things to find along the track, which gives the ride a job and keeps a three-year-old looking out the side instead of trying to stand up.

There are two versions. Cabin John in Rockville is $6 a rider and goes with a Trainsylvania theme. Wheaton is $9 with a Día de los Trenes theme, and that ticket covers one train ride plus one carousel ride. Kids under 2 ride free with a paying adult. Departures leave every hour from 10am to 4pm.

Buy tickets online at ActiveMontgomery. Advance tickets aren't strictly required, but on-site tickets are limited, walk-up ride times aren't guaranteed, and all sales are final. The trains don't run in the rain, and Cabin John already had to close for weather on September 27, so check the sky before you load the car. Both parks have big playgrounds close to the trains, which turns a short ride into a whole morning.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Buy online the night before. On-site tickets are limited and all sales are final, so pick a departure you can make.
• ✓Pick Wheaton for the combo. The $9 ticket covers a train and a carousel ride, the better deal for little kids.
• ✓Watch the forecast. The trains don't run in rain. Check before you leave.
• ✓Under 2 rides free. With a paying adult, so the baby comes along at no cost.
• ✓Save time for the playground. Both parks have big ones close by, and that's where the morning really happens.