California State Railroad Museum
4.8(5,148)4.8 out of 5 stars, 5148 reviews Sacramento, CA
About California State Railroad Museum
An engaging and educational museum that brings railroad history to life through walk-through vintage train cars, massive model train layouts, and interactive spaces perfect for families and train enthusiasts alike.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for an educational yet entertaining 2-3 hour activityTrain and model railroad enthusiasts of all agesBudget-conscious travelers seeking an inexpensive and high-value experienceToddlers and young children who enjoy the dedicated kids' play areaSchool-age children (like 7-year-olds) fascinated by toy trains and locomotives
Why families love it
- Walking through actual historic, vintage train cars
- Detailed model train landscapes and miniatures on the second floor
- Dedicated and wonderful kids' play area
- Passionate, friendly, and knowledgeable museum guides
- Short wait times and smooth entry
- Walk-through vintage train cars
Insider tips
- Set aside at least 2 to 3 hours to fully experience all the exhibits
- Make sure to head to the second floor if your children love model railroads
- Take time to chat with the museum guides for extra insights and stories
- Crowds
- Low wait times and comfortable crowd flow based on visitor feedback
- Value
- Highly rated as fairly inexpensive and entirely worth the price of admission for the scale of exhibits and activities offered.
What parents say
"Visited the California State Railroad Museum with my family, including my 7-year-old child. Overall, it was a great experience learning about different types of locomotives and the challenges faced in building the rail route from Sacramento to the eastern states. The museum also features amazing models of toy trains and detailed landscapes that the trains travel through. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here."
a week ago
"This was my first time going to one of these concerts. It was so magical the music takes to you into the dream world. My date and I saw the Rings of the Dragon with music from Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. Fully embraced the experience. There was a person getting taken away by EMS in the beginning on the show but the red flashing lights wasn't a burden, it took the ambiance further into the fires of Mordor and definitely was a once in a lifetime experience. We had a blast and will definitely be going back to the show to see more."
a week ago
"One of the best museums I’ve been to in a long time! This is a must see! Learn the history of the transcontinental railroad and tour several vintage train cars. If you are a model railroad lover, the second floor has so much to explore. Wonderful kids area and store."
3 weeks ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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