By Heidi Hess
It starts with Thomas. You know the Thomas I’m talking about, Thomas the Train. Perhaps I am older, perhaps your kids don’t know who Thomas the Train is but trust me when I say, if you show them, they will understand… and so will you.
Trains. If you lived in Palm Beach County you know the value of having a car. This isn’t NYC here kids. Things are spread out. I’m here to tell you that trains are real and they are fun. My kids make fun of me… they say “Mom, you think everything is fun.” That is a true and accurate statement. I think everything is fun. I look at everything with a sense of optimism. Over the years, it has exhausted the kids. This is who I am. I don’t know what to say.
But if I am addressing public transportation, IT IS FUN! Miami – train, Fort Lauderdale – train, Orlando – Train! My question is where do you want to go? And… do you have kids? Kids are obsessed with trains. Amtrak and Brightline fulfill those things. You can get to all those destinations (and lots of places in between) but also your kids will marvel at the train coming in, watching the train pull up and stop, getting on and finding your seat, talking to the attendant and then (my personal favorite) watching the world pass by as you travel to your destination. Does it take a bit longer? Sure. But, darling, do you have to drive, nope.
In fact, when you get off then train, you can call an Uber or Lyft and you – Never. Have. To. Drive. A. Car. Never. Did you hear me? From your front door, kids in hand, to the hotel or your destination, you never have to drive a car. I’m not sure what your experience is like driving kids but, you never have to drive a car. Why not make this a vacation for you too? Amtrak is inexpensive ($25 per person/per way) and Brightline, if you reserve the VIP section, provides you with snacks and beverages for your trip – including adult beverages. I’m not encouraging people to drink but if its free and you aren’t driving…
Have I mentioned the prices of fare? While Brightline is a bit more expensive, Amtrak runs 30sih dollars for adult and for kids ages two – twelve years old, it’s 50% off the adult fare. So book your get away now. Theres no time like the present and your kids will love you for it.