Photo: Jonathan Collum
Photo: Marco Montenegro
Photo: Christine Noller
California State Railroad Museum
★4.8(5,629 reviews)$Museum
🕑 2-3 hours👶 Best for ages 2-12. Toddlers and preschoolers are thrilled just climbing on the trains and pretending to drive, while school-age kids appreciate the interactive exhibits, simulators, and fascinating historical details about how trains shaped California and the American West.🧡 Saved by 250+ families
About
The California State Railroad Museum is a train-loving kid's paradise, featuring 21 beautifully restored locomotives and railroad cars that children can actually climb aboard and explore. With interactive exhibits, train simulators, and the chance to walk through historic sleeping cars, dining cars, and even a post office car, this museum brings railroad history to life in a way that captivates even the youngest visitors.
Highlights
- ✓Climbing aboard 21 restored locomotives and train cars, including plush sleeping cars and a fancy dining car
- ✓Train simulators where kids can experience what it's like to operate a locomotive
- ✓The massive 1944 locomotive and snowplow that tower overhead in the main gallery
- ✓Seasonal Sacramento Southern Railroad rides along the riverfront (additional fee)
- ✓Interactive Junior Engineer station with hands-on activities and dress-up opportunities
Pro Tips
- 1.Check the schedule for weekend train rides on the Sacramento Southern Railroad (April-September) - kids love the 40-minute excursion along the river, but tickets sell out quickly so book ahead
- 2.Visit on weekday mornings right at 10 AM opening for the smallest crowds and best photo opportunities with the trains
- 3.Don't miss the second floor where kids can operate a telegraph, use train-themed computer games, and see model trains in action
- 4.Parking in Old Sacramento can be tricky on weekends - arrive early or use the parking garage at 1001 2nd Street, just a short walk away
- 5.Bring a camera with a good battery - kids will want photos in every train car and conductor's seat
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday) offer the quietest experience, though weekend afternoons feature special programming like Junior Engineer activities. Summer months are busiest but offer the bonus of outdoor train rides, while fall and winter provide comfortable indoor exploration with fewer crowds.
What to Know
Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for youth ages 6-17 (under 6 free). The museum is fully accessible with elevators to all floors, though some historic train cars have narrow aisles. There's no on-site café, but you're steps away from Old Sacramento's many restaurants and the museum allows re-entry.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with consistent hours. The outdoor Sacramento Southern Railroad excursions typically run on weekends April through September (weather permitting). Special holiday events include the popular Polar Express-style train rides in December, which require advance tickets and sell out quickly.
Nearby Eats
Old Sacramento is adjacent to the museum with dozens of family options - try Joe's Crab Shack on the waterfront for kids' meals with a view, or River City Saloon for casual burgers and fish & chips in a historic setting that continues the Old West theme.
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