Most Door County trolley tours assume that everyone on board can sit through an hour or two of history and scenery, which is not always realistic with a four-year-old. The Family Ride is the one that fixes that. It is a short, playful ride of about 30 minutes on the same kind of old-time trolley as the longer tours, with the pace and the program tuned for small children: sing-along songs they already know, and an I Spy game that sends them looking out of the windows for things along the route. There is no history lecture, no tasting and no long stretch of quiet, just a fun half hour that lets a young family experience the trolley, wave at passers-by and get a little energy out before a meal or a nap. The ride departs from the Door County Trolley Station on Highway 42 in Egg Harbor, which makes it easy to fit into a day in the village. You can combine it with an ice cream or a walk to the beach, a stop at one of the playgrounds or a look at the shops on the main street, and still have the afternoon free for a state park. Parents often use it as a bridge between the morning and the evening, a small treat that makes the day feel like a vacation for the youngest travelers. The operator also runs seasonal variations of the same format, including an Easter Family Ride with the same I Spy and sing-along structure, and the Santa Trolley Express, a heated ride in the holiday season that takes children to a cabin in the woods where they can share their Christmas wish lists with Santa. Seating on the Santa ride is limited, so families who want it should plan early.
Planning the ride
The Family Ride is a short, simple product, and its page on the operator's site is the place to check current departure times and availability. Station hours run through the day, but individual departures are not fixed in the way the evening tours are, so look at the schedule before you drive over.
Purchase is handled online, and the usual operator policy is that tour tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so book once you are sure of your day. If rain is forecast, remember that the trolley is a vintage vehicle, and dress children accordingly.
Who it suits
Toddlers and preschoolers are the natural audience, but it also works for families with a range of ages who simply want an easy shared activity. Older children may prefer the Narrated Scenic Trolley Tour, which is open to ages five and up and has a real story to tell.
The Family Ride is also one of the least expensive ways to put children on a trolley, which is a point in its favor if you are traveling with several of them. Grandparents who would like to join a grandchild for a first trolley ride will find the short format comfortable.
Making it a day
Egg Harbor is a good base for families. The village has a public beach, places for lunch and ice cream within a short walk, and easy access to Peninsula State Park a few minutes north, where the Eagle Tower, the beaches and the trails give children room to run. A typical plan is a morning in the park, lunch in the village, and the Family Ride in the early afternoon before an evening fish boil.
If you are visiting in spring, ask about the Easter ride; if you are visiting in the run-up to Christmas, the Santa Trolley Express is the highlight. Bring a camera, a stroller if you need one for the walk from the car, and snacks for the waiting time. A half hour on a trolley can easily become the part of the trip that children talk about for months afterward.
What to expect
The experience
A short, kid-friendly trolley ride of about 30 minutes with familiar sing-along songs and an I Spy game along the route.
Best time
Mid-morning or early afternoon, when young children are rested and the weather is dry.
How long
About 30 minutes on the trolley, plus a few minutes to board.
Tips
Check the departure times on the operator's page, book once your day is certain, and ask about the Easter ride and the holiday Santa Trolley Express.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with toddlers and preschoolers who cannot sit through a long narrated tour.
- Families
- The one trolley in Door County designed around small children, with songs and a game instead of a lecture.
- Couples
- Not the natural pick for couples without children; try the Narrated Scenic or Wine, Spirits and Brew tours.
- Pair with
- A beach stop in Egg Harbor, ice cream, or a morning in Peninsula State Park.
- Time needed
- About an hour including boarding and a snack stop.
Good questions
How long is the Door County Family Ride?+
The ride lasts about 30 minutes, which is short enough for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy without getting restless.
What happens on the Family Ride?+
Children sing along to familiar songs and play an I Spy game as the trolley travels its route. There is no long narration or tasting.
Where does the Family Ride start?+
Trolley rides leave from the Door County Trolley Station at 8030 Highway 42 in Egg Harbor.
Are there seasonal versions of the Family Ride?+
Yes. The operator runs an Easter Family Ride with the same format and a Santa Trolley Express in the holiday season, where children visit Santa at a cabin in the woods.
Is the Family Ride suitable for children under five?+
It is the trolley designed for young children, whereas the longer narrated tours do not admit children under five. Check the tour page for current ticket details.