Posted in Minnesota September 19, 2016 by Betsy Rathburn

There’s A Magical Trolley Ride In Minnesota That Most People Don’t Know About

Long before buses started cruising our streets, long before the Blue and Green Lines ever laid their first track, the Twin Cities had a system of streetcars to shuttle people across town. In 1870, the first streetcars were drawn by horses. Later, cable cars and steam engines became popular. The lines expanded across the metro area until the early 1950s, when buses became the preferred method of transportation. By 1954, the last of the streetcars was put to rest.

That is, until nearly 20 years later when the Twin City Rapid Transit Company rebuilt some of the old lines and resumed service with the Streetcar No. 1300. Then in 2004, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum was built to commemorate the history of the famous streetcars. Today, it’s a great destination to learn about the history of one of Minnesota’s earliest forms of public transportation – and to take a trolley ride of your own.

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The museum is located on Queen Avenue in Minneapolis, right next to Lake Harriet.

It currently operates five different trolleys on two different lines: the Como-Harriet Line and the Excelsior Line. There are three other trolleys currently in storage.

Board the Como-Harriet Line at the Linden Hills or Lake Calhoun Station. The Excelsior Line is 15 miles south of downtown Minneapolis. Board it at the Water Street or Old Excelsior Boulevard stops.

But regardless of which line you take, you'll be taken back to a century ago in one of these completely restored streetcars.

Streetcar No. 1300 is probably the most well-known of these trolleys. Built in 1908, it is over 100 years old.

Rides on both lines last about 15 minutes. They wind through tree-lined passages, under bridges, and near the shores of city lakes.

Both lines are open on various weekdays and weekends from May through October. Check the schedule before you go to make sure you'll get to ride.

There are also special events throughout the year. Trick 'r Train is a Halloween ride for families, or go for a more adult-themed night at Ghost Trolley Late Show. The Holley Trolley is open to everyone.

I don’t know about you, but I’m adding this to my Minnesota bucket list. What about you? Have you ever taken a trolley ride on one of these historic streetcars?