Georgetown Loop With Kids Was Better Than Expected (Honest Review)

I put off the Georgetown Loop Railroad for years. Seemed too touristy. Too expensive. Too boring for adults.

Finally went when family visited with kids. And honestly? It was actually great.

Here’s the real review of doing Georgetown Loop with kids (ages 5 and 8 when we went).

What Even Is the Georgetown Loop?

Historic narrow gauge railroad from the 1880s. Train goes between Georgetown and Silver Plume.

The “loop” is where track crosses over itself on a big bridge. Engineering was impressive in 1884. Still kind of impressive now.

45 minutes from Denver. 1.5 hour train ride. Optional mine tour. Whole thing takes 3-4 hours.

The Actual Experience

Parking and Tickets

Two stations: Georgetown and Silver Plume. We started at Georgetown (bigger lot).

Tickets online or at station. Online slightly cheaper. Summer weekends sell out.

$32 adults, $22 kids (3-15), under 3 free. Not cheap for a family.

The Train Ride

Choose open-air or closed cars. Open-air way more fun unless weather’s bad.

Train goes slow. Like, walking-speed slow. But kids don’t care.

Conductor does whole historical spiel. Adults tune out. Kids love the drama.

The Characters

They have actors. Old West characters who board the train.

Sheriff looking for outlaws. “Bandits” who rob the train (fake, obviously).

Cheesy? Absolutely. Kids ate it up. Even cynical 8-year-old was into it.

Lebanon Silver Mine Tour

Extra $12 adults, $10 kids

Thought about skipping to save money. Glad we didn’t.

500 feet into actual 1870s mine. Guide was former miner, knew everything.

Kids got to wear hard hats. See mining tools. Learn about child labor (awkward but educational).

It’s COLD in there. Like 44 degrees. Bring jackets even in summer.

Tour adds 30 minutes. Worth it for the experience.

What Kids Actually Liked

• The “robbery” – even knowing it’s fake
• Going over the high bridge – genuinely impressive
• Hard hats in the mine – instant coolness
• The gift shop – of course
• Seeing mountain goats from train – random wildlife bonus
• The loop itself – minds blown by train over train

What Parents Actually Liked

• Kids contained for 1.5 hours
• Actually pretty scenery
• Learning real history despite the cheese
• Georgetown is cute for lunch after
• Not having to hike for mountain views
• Beer in the dining car (yes, they sell beer)

The Georgetown Factor

The town is legitimately charming. Victorian buildings, antique shops, decent food.

Happy Cooker for breakfast (go early, lines form).

Lucha Cantina for lunch (good Mexican, kids menu).

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for bribes/rewards.

Walk the historic downtown. Takes 30 minutes. Kids tolerate it for chocolate promises.

Combo Opportunities

Before train: Clear Creek panning for gold ($10/kid, they love it)

After train: Georgetown Lake (easy walk, pretty views)

Drive back: Stop at Buffalo overlook on I-70 (if they relocated the herd there)

Make it fuller day: Continue to Loveland Pass for insane views

The Money Reality

Family of 4 with mine tour: About $150

Parking: Free

Lunch in Georgetown: $60

Random treats/gifts: $30

Total day: ~$240

Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Actually yes.

Best Times to Go

Summer: Most runs, best weather, most crowded

Fall: Insane aspen colors, PACKED, book way ahead

Winter: Santa rides, polar express theme, cold but magical

Spring: Less crowded, weather variable

Time of Day Strategy

First train (10am): Less crowded, cooler temps

Lunch trains: Most crowded

Last train (2:30pm): Good for morning Georgetown exploration

Age-Specific Reality

Under 3: Free but might get bored/scared in tunnel

3-6: Perfect age, everything is magical

7-10: Still fun, especially mine tour

11-14: Eye rolls but secretly enjoying it

15+: On phones unless you confiscate them

What Nobody Tells You

The train is LOUD. Whistle constantly. Sensitive kids might need preparation.

Motion sickness happens. Facing forward helps. Sit in middle of car.

Bathrooms on train are… rustic. Use station facilities first.

The “robbery” can scare little kids. Prep them it’s pretend.

You’ll be in sun most of ride. Sunscreen essential.

Skip If…

• Kids are under 3 (won’t remember, might hate noise)
• Anyone has mobility issues (lots of steps)
• You hate tourist things (this is peak tourist)
• Budget is super tight (many free alternatives)

Definitely Do If…

• Kids are into trains (obviously)
• Grandparents are visiting (perfect pace for them)
• You want mountain experience without hiking
• Weather is perfect (makes everything better)

The Honest Verdict

I wanted to hate it. Too expensive, too touristy, too slow.

But watching the kids’ faces when we went over the high bridge? When the “bandits” appeared? In the mine with hard hats?

Worth every penny.

Plus, adults had fun too. The history is actually interesting. Views are legitimately beautiful. Georgetown is charming.

It’s touristy because it’s good. Sometimes that’s okay.

Would I do it again? With kids, absolutely. Without kids? Probably not.

But as a family experience? One of our better Denver area adventures.

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Have you done the Georgetown Loop? Was it worth the hype and price for your family?

Next: Taking Kids to Denver? I Tested 15 Activities With My 5-Year-Old – more honest reviews of family activities.