I’ve learned over 26 years of travel writing that some of the most surprisingly fun experiences come from hopping aboard a train. If you’ve ever felt the romance of old railroads tug at you, I think you’ll love exploring these train museums. I’ve wandered through these spots myself, and I can tell you—they bring history to life in a way that sticks with you. You get to see vintage engines, touch the past through hands-on exhibits, and sometimes even climb aboard for a real ride. Trust me, it’s more than just a day trip—it’s a little time travel.
Highlights I Recommend:
- I stepped inside restored passenger cars at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento—and I think you should too. You’ll feel like you're rolling back into the golden age of travel.
- If you want the thrill of a ride, I suggest you head to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. I rode a vintage train there and felt like a kid again.
- You’ll want to explore steam power at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. I still remember the smell of the engines and the way the floor vibrated beneath me.
- I discovered real rail innovation at the Illinois Railway Museum near Chicago. You’ll be amazed at how far train travel has come—just like I was.
- If you’re into models and miniatures (like I secretly am), the North Carolina Transportation Museum will blow you away. I marveled at the tiny locomotives and sprawling layouts—you will too.
Unique Train Museums:
California State Railroad Museum - Explore historic locomotives and learn about America’s railroad heritage.
Colorado Railway Museum Inc. - Ride vintage trains and discover Colorado’s rich rail history.
Danbury Railway Museum Inc - Explore restored train cars and learn about local railway history.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum - Ride historic trains and discover Indiana’s railway heritage.
Illinois Railway Museum - Explore America’s largest railway museum with vintage trains and exhibits.
Kentucky Railway Museum - Enjoy scenic train rides and explore interactive railroad exhibits.
Laws Railroad Museum - Step back in time and explore a preserved 19th-century rail town.
Medina Railroad Museum - Discover railroad history and explore one of the largest HO scale layouts.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum - Ride vintage trains and explore restored railway cars and artifacts.
In Summary...
(and if you want to revisit my photo journey)