It's been decades since Valley children had a "streetcar" experience. Phoenix native Doug Cook remembers "taking the bus from 16th Street and Camelback to downtown, where the streetcars ran along Monroe" in the early 1940s. His friends from Madison #1 School went with him to see movies at the Fox or Studio theaters and to visit an arcade.

"All the places along the streetcar route downtown were within walking distance, but we loved to go for a ride," he recalls. "Sometimes we'd ride the streetcar from the beginning to the end and back again."

He's looking forward to a different "streetcar" experience this spring, when grandons Tulliver, 5, and Jasper, 4 months, arrive to visit from San Diego. He'll take them for a ride along the new Valley Metro Light Rail system.

The Cooks will find lots of family-oriented destinations along the 20-mile light rail system, which runs from north Phoenix to Mesa.

Some quick facts about the Metro Light Rail system:

• Of 28 stations, eight offer parking.
• Trains will operate 20 hours per day.
• Fares begin at $1.25 for adults and 60 cents for kids.
• Each train car can carry up to 200 people.
• It takes 57 minutes to travel the entire route one way.
• This is the longest stretch of starter line light rail in the United States.
• An all-day pass must be purchased for a ride-the-entire-line, on-off experience. Otherwise, a new fare is needed for each stop destination.
• For more information, visit Metro Light Rail or call 602-254-RAIL (7245).

Metro Light Rail fun sheets for kids

Did you know...that Phoenix had a trolley system 60 years ago? Photo courtesy of Valley Metro.

Each light rail destination listed below is within one-quarter mile walking distance from the station. Some stations will eventually provide bus service to destinations that are farther from the stops, such as The Phoenix Zoo.

Station #1: Montebello/19th Ave

Christown Spectrum Mall is at 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road and offers a lot of retail choices: Payless ShoeSource, Walgreens, Jewelry Unlimited, Foot Locker, Walmart Super Center, Costco, JC Penney, Super Target, PetSmart, Anna’s Linens, Tony’s Shoe Repair, Gordon’s Jewelers, Ross Dress for Less, Game Stop, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Journeys Shoes, Radio Shack, Xi Clothing, Rainbow, Right Time, Silver Outlet, Wave, BBB Fashion, Kids Outlet, Vita’s Jewelers and Famous Footwear. Nearby dining choices include Carl’s Jr., Charley’s Steakery, Home Town Buffet, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s (inside Walmart), South China Express, Taco Bell, Wing Stop and JB’s Restaurant. There are 794 spaces for park-and-ride users south of Montebello, east of 19th Avenue (south of Target abnd JB's). Be careful crossing the street to the station, which is in the center of 19th Avenue.

Station #2: 19th Ave/Camelback

The park and ride lot here has 410 spaces. The colorful mural on the Metro Manor Townhouses was painted by Martin Moreno, a popular local artist and teacher who works out of Cuervo Studios in Phoenix. The 26 townhomes in Metro Manor were built by Richard Olsen of Phoenix, who used a lot of “green” elements in design and construction. The nearby Goodwill Store and Donation Center is where you'll find great bargains on everything: clothes, housewares, antiques and even computers. Donating and shopping at Goodwill keeps millions of pounds of gently used items out of landfills and puts them into the hands of those who can reuse them. Furthermore, 90 cents of every dollar Goodwill earns returns to the organization’s community programs that help individuals prepare for and find work. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Station #3: Seventh Ave/Camelback

Time for a walk! The Melrose District is a great example of urban revitalization. It has been in the works for about eight years. Neighborhoods surrounding the Seventh Avenue thoroughfare developed a partnership with many local merchants and services and they celebrate together every year in March with a street fair. “The Melrose District on Seventh Avenue has a welcoming, nostalgic feel. It demonstrates a true partnership between local businesses and adjacent neighborhoods,” says City Councilman Tom Simplot. The March 7, 2009 street fair will feature food and specials from local merchants, live musical entertainment, street performers, works by local artists, children’s activities and a classic car show.

Station #4: Central Ave/Camelback

There is a Park and Ride lot near Third Ave with 135 spaces. In addition to the AJ’s Fine Foods in Uptown Plaza, at 1 East Camelback, you will also find dining at Applebees, Sweet Tomatoes, Johnny’s Uptown and Boston Market. The Dairy Queen across from Uptown Plaza is nearly an institution in Central Phoenix. It opened on June 28, 1973.

Station #5: Campbell/Central Ave

Look for an interesting wire sculpture by Phoenix artist Al Price known as “large gateway sculpture.” Have lunch at Pane Bianco or coffee at Lux. Watch European football (soccer) at George & Dragon are a short walk from the station on the west side of Central.

Station #6: Indian School/Central Ave

Disembark here if you packed a picnic basket for an outdoor meal at Steele Indian School Park, five acres of space in the center of Phoenix. A bit of history: In 1890, the land here was purchased by the federal government for $9,000 and in 1891 the Phoenix Indian School began taking students from the reservations as boarders. In 1935, 900 Native Americans lived at the school. It closed in 1990 and the City of Phoenix purchased it in 1996. The park, named after philanthropist Horace C. Steele, opened in November 2001.

Station #7: Osborn/Central Ave

This is the location of the first regional mall built in Arizona. When? Between 1956 and 1962. At one point it was a busy, bustling retail center, but in 1996 it was redesigned to house a lot of office space. Still, there are 7,000 square feet dedicated to retail, and it’s a great place to stop for a Jamba Juice, breakfast at The Good Egg or gifts at The Green Woodpecker.

Station #8: Thomas/Central Avenue

Look for the Navajo Code Talker statue by Doug Hyde on the northeast corner. Benches and sculptures integrated into the railings are by artist Brian Goldbloom of Amboy, Wash. Honey Bear's BBQ is nearby, on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Station #9: Encanto/Central Avenue

The station is on Vernon Street, where you can disembark for a haircut appointment at Mt. Vernon Hair Design. Owners and Phoenix natives Daniel and Margie Urias have been cutting hair in Phoenix at this location since 1981. Kids haircuts range between $10 and $15. If you bring your baby in for his or her first haircut, you get a certificate and a lock of hair to keep forever. Call for an appointment at 602-257-0171.

Station #10: McDowell/Central Avenue

Here you get several attractions at one stop: the Phoenix Art Museum, Burton Barr Library and the Trolley Museum at 1218 N. Central Avenue, which is open October through May from 9:30am-1pm Tuesdays and Saturdays. Margaret T. Hance Park, just south of the library, is a great place to run around in the grass. If you’re in the mood for food, don’t miss The Old Spaghetti Factory at 1418 N. Central Ave.

Station #11 Roosevelt/Central Avenue

This is where the light rail system divides to accommodate one-way streets in downtown Phoenix. The station is near Trinity Cathedral (one of only a handful of Episcopal cathedrals in the United States), which has a replica of the labyrinth at Chartres in the courtyard. Trinity hosts many arts events — check their website to see what is happening on the day of your light rail adventure. Also look for the Japanese Friendship Garden atop the I-10 tunnel at 1125 N. Third Ave., and the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., just short walking distances from this stop.

Station #12: Van Buren/First Avenue

This is near the hub of the Valley’s bus system. The post office at 522 N. Central Ave. is an historic building that erected from 1932 to 1936. Go inside to see some interesting murals painted on the walls. On your return trip, you’ll pass through the station at Van Buren and Central Avenue on your way back to your car parked at Chris Town Spectrum mall, and you’ll have a great look at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism building, which is a part of ASU’s downtown campus.

Station #13: Washington/Central Avenue

To visit the Wells Fargo Museum at 145 W. Adams, disembark at this station. The museum features a real stagecoach from the 1800s to look at and a replica to climb on, an interactive telegraph machine and a large collection of the art by N.C. Wyeth. Admission is free and it is open from 9 am to 5 pm weekdays. A longer walk to the southeast corner of Jefferson and Central gets you to the Phoenix Police Museum. It is open from 9 am to 3 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The non-profit museum does not charge admission, but accepts donations. On May 3, 2006, the Phoenix Police Department turned 125 years old.

Station #14: Third Street and Jefferson

This is near Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. If you aren’t there to go to a game, check out the Rube Goldberg-like art in the pavilion near the entrance to the stadium. Chase Field also hosts the Mexican Football (soccer) Association as well as motocross and monster truck events. The US Airways Center a few blocks west is home to the Phoenix Suns as well as the Roadrunners hockey team. A longer walk north to Seventh Street and Washington gets you to the Arizona Science Center. For the really adventurous with sturdy strollers, the Children's Museum of Phoenix is another block north at Seventh Street just south of Van Buren. On your way back to Chris Town Spectrum Mall, the station is at Third Street and Washington, which is close to the Herberger Theatre Center. Built in 1989, the center is home to three performing arts entities: Actors Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble.

Station #15: 12th Street and Jefferson

This station is three blocks from Eastlake Park. It’s open from 5:30am to 10:30pm in summer; winter hours (1-9 pm Monday through Thursday, 1-8pm Saturday and 1-3pm Sundays) begin in August, when school starts. It was known as Phoenix Park in the 1890s and was a stop on the old trolley line. There used to be a lake here, but now there are just sport courts and a recreation center. When you pass through the 12th Street and Washington station on the way back to Chris Town Spectrum Mall, watch for Azteca Plaza at 10th Street. You’ll see pretty dresses and tuxedos in the storefront windows, and you might even see a piñata.

Station #16: 24th Street and Jefferson

This station is located east of 24th Street and north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where you might get off with your suitcases and board a city bus going south if you were leaving Phoenix by air. On the northwest bound return trip, you will pass through the 24th Street and Washington station. Stay on the train and watch for airplanes coming and going.

Station #17: 38th Street/Washington

This is another park-and-ride location with 189 spaces. From this station you can visit or view Gateway Community College on the north side of the street. The college is almost directly across from Phoenix Greyhound Park, which hosts Park ‘n Swap. If you are traveling the rail on a weekend, Park ‘n Swap is a must stop for some great outdoor shopping from various local vendors. According to the Park ‘n Swap website, “In 1999, Park 'n Swap began making major improvements to the swap meet. Completed in 2004, these have culminated in a covered selling and shopping area, refurbished restrooms and upgraded food and beverage facilities.”

Station #18: 44th Street/Washington

If you want to travel back in time before Phoenix was a modern city — and this is way, way back — visit Pueblo Grande Museum at 4619 E. Washington. The museum gives meaning to the phrase “city archaeology.” You and your family are guaranteed to learn about how the Hohokam people thrived, built canals and even survived the summer heat. It’s a bit of a walk from the station. You must cross Washington to get to the south side of the street, and then enter the crosswalk at 44th Street going east. From October through April, hours are 9am to 4:45pm Monday through Saturday and 1-4:45pm Sun. From May through September, hours change to 9am-4:45pm Tuesday through Saturday and the museum is closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is $5 for adults (ages 18 to 54), $4 for seniors (55 and older), $3 for children ages 6 to 17 and free to children under 6.

Station #19: Priest Drive/Washington

On the way to this station, look for Tovrea Castle at 51st Street (the actual address is 5041 E. Van Buren). It is on the north side of the street, on top of a prominent hill. For more information on this destination, which is soon to become a city park, visit ci.phoenix.az.us/parks/tovrea.html. The station at Priest is mainly for those who live and work in that area, so stay on the train.

Station #20: Center Parkway and Washington

Salt River Project has many offices in this area. You are on the brink of Tempe’s city limits. As the train gets near the Marquee Theatre, it turns south to cross the bridge to reach the next station, which is across Tempe Town Lake. The lake was filled with water from the Central Arizona Project on July 14, 1999 and has become a destination for crew team members, lovers of rowing or kayaking and Arizona families seeking a shore in the desert.

Station #21: Mill Avenue and 3rd Street

Got towels? Visit Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park or shop and dine at a number of places along Mill Avenue. Of note is Monti’s La Casa Vieja. According to its website at montis.com the restaurant is housed in “the city’s original pioneer home and continuously occupied structure in the Phoenix metropolitan area.” The original structure was built in 1871 by Charles Trumbull Hayden, who settled in Tempe and established a flourmill and a ferry that used to cross the then-always-flowing Salt River. If you have not yet enjoyed a meal along the route, make this restaurant your destination for a lunch or dinner served in the finest southwestern tradition.

Station #22: Veteran’s Way/College Avenue

This would be the end of the line for people attending any events at ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium, first created in 1927 and modernized several times over the past 82 years. For information on the history of this venerable stadium, visit tempe.gov. A longer walk down the tracks takes you to the ASU Aquatic Center and on to the Wells Fargo Arena, where the Sun Devil basketball team plays during the winter season.

Station #23: University and Rural Road

Disembark here if walking the ASU Tempe campus is your mission. For a campus map, visit asu.edu/map.

Station #24: Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard

The station’s park-and-ride lot holds 190 spaces. Steps away from the rail is Pita Jungle, a restaurant favorite of college students and those who like foods of the “healthy” persuasion. Walk to Hudson Park, at 1430 S. Cedar St., one of the oldest neighborhood parks in Tempe. It features a meditation labyrinth built by the Hudson Manor Neighborhood Association. Note the sculpture of wire hands at this stop.

Station #25: McClintock Drive/Apache Blvd

The perfect place for thrift shopping with kids is Gracie’s Thrift Store at 1520 E. Apache Blvd., just a short walk from the station. It is a non-profit, outreach ministry run by Grace Community Church in Tempe. The park and ride lot here offers 300 spaces.

Station #26: Smith-Martin/Apache Boulevard

This station will mostly be used by the residents of this neighborhood area. Stay on the train and let the peaceful neighborhood welcome your passage.

Station #27: Price 101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard

Now you’re inside Mesa’s city limits. Look for Watson’s Flowers, 2525 E. Main St., which has been in the same family since 1927. Buy flowers to take home! This station offers 693 park-and-ride spaces.

Station #28: Sycamore and Main Street

This is the end of the line — or the beginning, if you want to travel from Mesa to Phoenix! The park-and-ride lot here is the largest, with 802 spaces. A short walk from the station you will find the East Valley Institute of Technology, a public school district that serves 10 high schools in the East Valley. Tri-City Pavillions, on the northeast corner of Dobson and Main, was built in 1960 as Tri-City Mall, then was demolished in 1998, rebuilt and renamed around 2006. The mall’s anchor is Safeway.

This article is provided as web-exclusive content to supplement an article that appeared in the January 2009 issue of Raising Arizona Kids magazine. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or redistributed without permission of the publisher. For more information, write to editorial@raisingarizonakids.com.