7 Trolleys That Will Help You Explore the Northwest In Style!

Sharing is caring!

7 Trolleys That Will Help You Explore the Northwest In Style!

Trolleys are a fun mode of transportation that can also be a very affordable way to get around various tourist areas. When I think of trolleys, I immediately think of trips I have enjoyed in San Francisco, and loved hopping on and off their street cars. While we do not have anything exactly like that in the Northwest, you might be surprised to find out there there are a number of wonderful Trolley options that are a perfect way to enjoy various locations. We used to have the Seattle Streetcar down on the waterfront, and while they now offer a free shuttle service, sadly, the waterfront streetcar has been retired for many years now. But don’t dismay, because we have 7 other trolley options to share, for various areas throughout the Northwest. Many of these are open-air trolleys, which means they generally run during summer months, so you will want to plan your visits around that timeframe.

Some of the options we have listed below are a real labor of love and are run by volunteers. That makes them extra special for me, and something to really be valued beyond their practical purpose of getting you from one spot to the next. Most offer narration too, so they are a great way to learn about the location they are providing trolley rides in.

Here are 7 Trolleys in the Oregon and Washington areas that might just make you want to visit these spots! 

Photo Credit: Astoria Riverfront Trolley

Astoria Riverfront Trolley

This is one of the most well-known trolleys in the area, and it is a great way to explore the quaint town of Astoria during the summer. It is a historic trolley, built in 1913, and is currently run and maintained by a volunteer group. The full round trip takes about an hour and is narrated, but you can also get on and off if you buy the day pass (and it’s only $2, so why not!). There are several stops along the riverfront from Basin Street and 39th, but you can monitor where it is on this page here (to know where it is in proximity to any stop you might want to board at).

What to know:

• • Rides are only $1, or pay $2 per person to ride all day with on and off privileges!
  • You can pay by Cash or Venmo @Astoria-RTA
  • It does not run on Wed.
  • Be sure to check their current schedule, as it runs weather-dependent.
  • Follow them on their Facebook page to stay up to date on various announcements about the trolley.
  • We stayed at the KOA in Warrenton during our visit. It’s a great spot to set up base camp to explore both Astoria and Seaside. It also sits across the street from Stevens State Park, so you can easily explore that. They offer deluxe cabins, rustic cabins, RV sites, and camping options, so something for various budgets too. Plus, there are many fun ammenities onsite (a large game area, pool, jumping pillow, and more).
  • If you visit the area and want more ideas for what to do in the area, we share things to do in nearby Seaside!

When does it operate? 

It runs from spring through fall, and they generally announce each season’s specific operating dates sometime in late April, early May via their Facebook page.

This year’s (2025) operating dates are from March 22nd to October 31st.

Find current rates and info for the Astoria Riverfront Trolley here.

Photo Credit: Chelan Trolley Co. 

Lake Chelan Trolley – Use It To Visit 17 Wineries in Chelan!

If you want to explore the wineries of the beautiful Chelan Valley, this is the way to do it! It runs from Vibe Cellars in Mason through Chelan and includes stops at 17 locations.

What to know:

• • Single rides are $5, and day passes are $25. You purchase both of these options on the trolley.
  • You can also purchase a 10-Ride Prepaid Punchcard for $35. These are NOT available on the trolleys and must be purchased on their website. This card is transferable, so it can be shared with family and friends. So it is a great option if you are traveling with a group.
  • They have two trolleys running, and you can find a list of their stops, as well as what time they stop at each location, here. They also have a live tracker on that page, so you can see how close to being on schedule each trolley is.
  • Beyond the trolley, we share lots more ideas of what to do in the Lake Chelan area here!

When does it operate?

The Trolley runs Fridays and Saturdays, from 12 pm to 7 pm, from Memorial Day through Labor Day!

Find current rates and info on the Chelan Trolley site (and purchase prepaid punchcards) here. 

Photo Credit: Waterfall Trolley run by Grayline

Oregon Waterfall Trolley

The Oregon Waterfall Trolley is the perfect opportunity to enjoy popular waterfall destinations and not having to worry about traffic or parking. It will provide you with an option to avoid driving in the Historic Columbia River Highway traffic that sometimes comes with summer visitors.

This is not just a one-way trip, but is perfect for day trips, as you can hop on or hop off of it at one of their ten stops to enjoy sightseeing and/or hiking. You can hop back on the next trolley that stops by when you are ready to move on.  Stops are made at Corbett, Crown Point, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Angels Rest, Wahkeena Falls, Multnomah Falls, Triple Falls, Horsetail Falls, and Ainsworth.

What to know:

• • You will want to check their website for current route information, as road conditions can impact this.
  • They do not stop at non-designated sites.
  • If you plan to visit Multnomah Falls, a permit system is currently in place if you are driving in, but you will not need a reservation if you are using the trolley.
  • Free parking is available from Corbett, where you can board the trolley.
  • The trolleys depart Corbett at the top of each hour, beginning at 9:00 am, so there are lots of trolleys running. Find the full schedule here.

When does it operate?

May 24th through September 7th, daily.

Find current rates and info on the Oregon Waterfront Trolley here.

Photo Credit: Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley

San Juan’s Friday Harbor Jolley Trolley

This could be a fun way to explore Friday Harbor in the San Juans – on one of the Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley open-air trolleys. You can walk to the trolley station from the Ferry, so if you wanted to walk across and use a trolley to explore the island for the day, that could be a fun outing! It runs a full loop around the island, They have 7 trolleys, so their schedule will reflect that.

What to know:

• • Pay a one-time fee of $30 Per Adult and $25 for kids 8 years old and under for a hop-on on hop-off all-day pass.
  • These trolleys are dog-friendly (dog must be well-behaved and not take up a seat).
  • One of the stops is Lakedale Resort. This could be a great option if you did not want to drive over to get there. We share a full review of staying at the Lakedale Resort here, in case you want to learn more about it.
  • They offer a Santa train during the holidays!

When does it operate?

They release their schedule seasonally for both summer and fall. This year’s summer schedule runs from May 16th to September 2nd. Check their schedule page here for the current season’s trolley schedule.

Find current rates and info on the Friday Harbor Jolley Trolley here.

Photo Credit: Yakima Valley Trolleys on Facebook

Yakima Valley Trolleys

If you love history, this is the one for you to visit. The Yakima Valley Trolleys are the last intact interurban railroad in the United States! It is volunteer-run, and you will take a ride through some sometimes unseen areas of Yakima and Selah on this narrated tour. Plus, there is a museum onsite that you can explore in addition to the trolley ride, to make more of a day out of it. This one could also make a fun educational outing for families, because of the history shared and experienced on not only the trolley but also the museum and the railroad yard.

What to know:

• • From their brochure, “Yakima Trolleys traverse two routes: a scenic riverside excursion through Selah Gap and a quaint ride past early Yakima homes on Pine Street”. Follow them on social media to see what routes are running the day of your visit.
  • If you want more history, Union Gap is a fun spot to explore too (I love their Agricultural museum, and it’s free)!
  • The Pine Street route is $5 for everyone, and the Selah route is $12 for adults, $8 for kids 12 and under, and seniors.
  • They offer a Santa train during the holidays!

When does it operate?

Trolley runs begin at 10:00 am on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and then special events.

Find current rates and info on the Yakima Valley Trolley here. 

Photo Credit: Willamette Shore Trolley

Willamette Shore Trolley 

This trolley ride will take you along the shores of the river as well as through a tunnel that dates back to 1921, as well as beautiful river views and more scenery along the way. It runs from Portland to Lake Oswego and the opposite way, and takes about 45 minutes to make the full trip each way (around 2 hours round trip with boarding, etc).

What to know:

• • You can enjoy this as a ride there and back (around 2 hours to do both ways), or get off in either Portland or Lake Oswego and explore for the day, and take a later trolley back.
  • This ride is a little different from others on the list because the tickets are only one-way (so you will need to buy a ticket for each direction you want to travel). Rates are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 2 to 12, $9 for seniors, and under 2 free (these rates are for one way).
  • They offer a 4th of July Trolley, where you can watch the Oaks Park Fireworks display from the comfort of our trolley. The trolley will run from Lake Oswego to an unobstructed viewpoint for the July 4th celebration.
  • They offer a Santa train during the holidays!

When does it operate?

May 24th through September 1st, and then special events.

Find current rates and info on the Willamette Shore Trolley here.

Crater Lake Trolley

If you plan to visit Crater Lake, you can book a 2 tour of Crater Lake via the comfort of a trolley. This includes stops for pictures and questions, and is a great option for all ages to learn about and experience Crater Lake.

What to know:

• • The trolley leaves from the Visitors Center across from The Community House at Crater Lake National Park and takes you about halfway around the rim.
  • This is the most expensive option on the list. Tickets are $39 for adults, $37 for seniors and military and $25 for kids 6-13 (under 6 are free).
  • This is a convenient option that will help you avoid parking issues along the rim on busy days (especially weekends).

When does it operate?

July 1st through September 30th, weather permitting

Find current rates and info on the Crater Lake Trolley here. 

Bonus Ideas:

Grab a meal in a Trolley!

And if you just want to enjoy a fun meal in a trolley, head to Gig Harbor, where you can visit the Trolley at the Boatyard for a fun meal. Find their menu here.

Enjoy Wildlife from a Tram

Ok, this one is not exactly a trolley, but close, and a fun option for doing something with kids. Northwest Trek offers wildlife tours via Electric Trams.