npurpleh2

I'm in the final stages of planning a trip through Colorado in July and now I'm looking for recommendations for a scenic railroad excursion that would be appropriate to go on with 2 small kids.

I've been looking at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Has anyone done either or both of these that could share some feedback from your experience? Or is there a different option that might be better? Our journey will take us from Denver to Estes Park to Gunnisson to Alamosa to Manitou Springs to Denver.

Thanks!!

starrs

Go to Durango and take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge railroad AND take them to Mesa Verde NP.

Gretchen

If not Durango, then the Georgetown Loop. Take them to the gold mine tour also.

lindagj

How young are they? Durango ride is quite long for little one depending on their ages.
I recommend Georgetown for pretty scenery and the train experience itself.

sylvia3

Georgetown Loop, or the Cumbres-Toltec (http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/fortiet...versary-events).
I wouldn't equate those train rides at all with the cog up Pike's Peak. And, if you do the Georgetown, I also recommend the optional mine tour, if they still do that; fun for kids.

dwooddon

I agree with the previous recommendations for the Georgetown Loop.

npurpleh2

Thanks everyone.. I failed to mention we've already been to Mesa Verde and done the Durango-Silverton Railroad so that isn't an option for this trip.

Sylvia3 - Why do you say you wouldn't equate the other trains with the cog up Pike's Peak? Is it not a good thing to do or is it just not a "train"?

dwooddon

I won't speak for Sylvia but from my viewpoint, the Georgetown Loop is more the "real train" experience and it also travels through a much more scenic area. The Pikes Peak Cog is pretty much a straight line and much of it is above tree level so the landscape is pretty barren. The GL is in the old mining district and twists and turns throught mountains and trees and across Clear Creek.

DebitNM

I did the Cog about 10 years ago, coming from the east coast. I got terrible altitude sickness as did my SIL. We spent less than 10 minutes at the top and couldn't wait to get down! We both felt terrible for the entire day. I wouldn't do it with little ones.

Cumbres and Toltec is a lot like Durango, and would require a long drive from where you will be to get to it too. [San Antonito or Chalma NM]

sylvia3

"Cumbres and Toltec is a lot like Durango, and would require a long drive from where you will be to get to it too."

Hardly a long drive; Alamosa is 30 miles from Antonito.

DebitNM

Sorry, didn't notice OP would be by Alamosa.