California State Railroad Museum
add photosLocated in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is a complex of historic facilities and unique attractions. Widely regarded as North America's most popular railroad museum, there is something here for everyone!
Tickets for The Polar Express go on sale October 1 and sell out in 1 day.
• Hours
The Museum is open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day) from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
• Admission
$9 adults; $4 youths ages 6-17; children ages 5 and under are free.
• Location
The California State Railroad Museum is located at the corner of Second and "I" Streets in Old Sacramento.
23 Reviews for California State Railroad Museum
25
51 family found this helpful
"Well worth seeing!"
I personally think that anyone would enjoy this museum at any age. Being so close to so many trains would make any one feel like a kid again. There's a bunch of different exhibits and history to discover. You get to actually walk inside of trains and experience what they looked like back in the day, it's really neat and something to see! I just love how you come out of museums like these knowing things that you had never thought of before.
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0 families found this helpful
"Lesson in History"
The California State Railroad Museum is fun for those who love trains, and makes those who don't really care- like them more. My 7 year-old son wasn't that big into trains, but the real train cars and everything was very interesting to him. I wish we had known there was an upstairs play area for children before we were ready to go. The gift shop is also quite amazing, especially for Thomas the Train fans.
'11
0 families found this helpful
"I've heard great things about the Polar Express Ride!"
I recently learned one can pay $250 for a Transcontinental Railroad Club membership to get advance notice to purchase tickets for special events such as The Polar Express Ride. The polar express ride sells out fast so this is a sure fire way to get your kid on that train.
Tickets for the 2011 Polar Express Train Ride go on sale October 1, 2011. For more information about the Polar Express Train Ride, please call the membership office at (916) 445-5995.
What Does My "Polar Express" Ticket Include?
Each ticket includes a Polar Express Train Ride; admission to the Central Pacific Passenger Station where you will pick up your tickets, shop, and enjoy entertainment while you are waiting to board the train; admission to the Eagle Theater where you may meet Santa and have your picture taken by a professional photographer; and complimentary admission to the California State Railroad Museum the day of your visit or any other day before January 1, 2012 (the Museum's regular hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day; these hours of operation will be in effect during The Polar Express Train Ride event).
What can I expect on the Train Ride?
Each Polar Express Train Ride will last approximately one hour. You will enter the Central Pacific Passenger Station and pick up your tickets. You are free to enjoy the entertainers, shop, or climb aboard the caboose. At approximately 30 minutes prior to your train time, you will line up according to your boarding point listed on your ticket. Children ages one year and under, do not require a ticket and must be seated on an adults lap on board the train. Once on board the train, you will travel to the "North Pole" while we read the story of The Polar Express. Dancing waiters will fly through the cars as each ticketed passenger is served hot chocolate and a treat. As the train passes the North Pole, you will catch a glimpse of Santa while the train readys for the return trip. As you head back to Old Sacramento, Santa will be on board and walk through each car to give out the "first gift of Christmas" -- the sleigh bell -- to each passenger. We will all join in and sing Christmas Carols as we pull into the station in Old Sacramento. Once you de-board the train, walk across the walkway to the Eagle Theater, where Santa will be available to talk with your child and take a photo.
What can I expect in First Class?
First Class passengers will board the observation car, El Dorado before the Coach passengers. Your tickets will indicate whether you are seated in the Parlor or Lounge section of the car. Each section of this beautiful 1930s car includes lounge-style seating and freedom to roam about the car. You may step outside onto the observation deck or look out the large windows. Each ticketed passenger will receive hot chocolate served in a commemorative mug. Car Attendants will be assigned to each section of the car.
Can We Wear Pajamas and bring our copy of the book?
Of course that's part of the fun! We encourage the whole family to dress in your warmest pajamas and bring your book for the Conductor to sign if you wish. Do be sure to dress warmly enough to walk comfortably to and from your car, and make sure that everyone in your party is wearing appropriate footwear. You will be traversing streets with packed granite soil and wooden boardwalks to reach the event's starting point the Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station in Old Sacramento. The Passenger station is covered but heated and open to the elements. The train cars, however, are nice and warm for your trip.
0 families found this helpful
"Membership has its benefits"
Membership at the museum includes unlimited visits AND rides on the steam train. There is a Thomas the Tank Engine play area upstairs along with a model train exhibit. Downstairs you'll find actual train cars complete with furnishings and, in some cases, "people." The train ride is nothing exciting, unless you are a young boy, then it is pure joy. Indoor eexcursions are always welcome in Sacramento. This is one of the best!
0 families found this helpful
"We love trains"
We bring our toddlers here lots! We purchased an annual membership so we could advance purchase Polar Express tickets (they are amazing!) But have used our passes often when the weather has forced us to stay inside. the museum is great and has lots of hands-on activities. It has a large play area, yes it can get busy but I just avoid Saturdays. The kids are in awe of the size of the trains and I think it is a fun and educational way to spend a couple hours.
0 families found this helpful
"Interesting place"
The kids play area was not very big when we were there but they could have expanded it by now. The old trains are fun to look at. You can go in a couple of them and the kids thought that was neat. This is a place for kids of all ages but more geared toward the five to seven year old range, maybe a little older if your kid likes trains. All in all a good place to visit but probably just once.
0 families found this helpful
"Great for whole family"
Excellent museum. Tons of hands on. Supposedly one of the biggest and best railroad museums in the country. Whenever we have friends and family from out of state, they always want to go here and they are never disappointed. It can get quite busy, but just take your time and don't be in a hurry.
0 families found this helpful
"Railroad fun for kids"
The Railroad museum as a Thomas the Train kids area which can keep your child entertained for awhile. Kids also love exploring the different train cars. In the summer time, families can take a short train ride along the river. The ride can be very warm in the summer with no air conditioning but it fun anyway.
1 family found this helpful
"Trains gotta love those Trains"
If there were ten stars here I would take that instead of five, because it’s just such a great place to go. I lived in the Bay Area for years then moved to Washington State for several more. My father got us all interested in History and especially Trains. We went everywhere and anyplace that there were Trains.
The museum is filled with full size Locomotives, box cars and passenger cars. It is regarded as Americans most popular and widely visited museum of its type. A must see attraction worth every penny. While your in the area you can visit Old Sacramento with all the old time shops and a relocated real life school house.
0 families found this helpful
"a very educational expierence and more"
Oh wow this place is awesome. My son has loved this place since he could walk. On rainy days or just days when its really hot we have gone here to just walk through. My son has always been amazed at the trains. He is 9 years old and still loves them. They are quite amazing and you can even walk on a few and look at see what it must have been like to work on the train. they have a lot of knowledgable people working on the trains and throughout the museum itself. the downstairs are all large trains and a lot of facts on the history of trains. the upstairs is also a lot of reading material and facts on the trains as well as the MODEL trains. they have a thomas the train engine table set up for the little ones which I could never pull my son away from. The most awesome thing ever is at christmas time they have the POLAR EXPRESS train ride. 2 years ago we took both of my kids and the entire expierence was wonderful. To see their eyes light up was worth all of it. hot chocolate the story read and SANTA who gave them all the christmas bell. they got their tickets punched and the whole bit.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun for both kids and adults"
This beautiful museum is so much fun! Inside the museum it is very dark, with spotlights on each of the exhibits. You can take a free tour or just wander through by yourself. You'll see actual train engines, passenger cars and all sorts of freight cars.
0 families found this helpful
"Completely Awesome for our 2yo boy"
This museum is perfect for train fans young and old. We went with my 2 year old son, who happens to also be quite the Thomas fan.
Downstairs there's a variety of train engines coaches and cars. You can walk through the mail car, sleeper car, dining car and even sit in one of the engines. Each car/train is manned by a friendly volunteer who explains how the train worked. The day we went, all of the volunteers were seniors, which is wonderful because it's rare that there is a topic that youth and seniors agree on, but love of trains is one of them.
There's a 20 min intro movie that is best to see at the beginning of your visit, however it's optional, and if your toddler is too young to sit quietly for that long, I'd recommend that you skip it. Our boy started yelling "CHOO-CHOO" once the lights dimmed. (oops)
Upstairs there's a Thomas and Friends play area. We were there on a Monday, and it seemed like most of the kids had gathered in this area and were having a grand time.
I would allow yourself about 1.5-2 hours, and maybe longer if your kids want to play in the Thomas area.
There is a museum store as well, which carries Thomas toy (mostly the wooden ones), childrens books, as well as DVDs and books for adult train aficionados.
1 family found this helpful
"California State Railroad Museum"
A fantastic museum dedicated to the rich history of the railroad in the West. Best suited for older children (5 and up) but with some activities for the little ones... there is a Thomas the Train Engine feature upstairs. Don't miss a ride on the Steam Train! A wonderful piece of California History and one of the best train museums in the country. This museum is of special interest even to audult train enthusists!!
1 family found this helpful
"Fun at the Railroad Museum & Train Rides"
My son has loved the Railroad Museum since he was a year old. He's 4 now, and the fun and excitement he experiences while there has not diminished yet. He loves to climb on and walk through the trains, and he can stand for an hour watching the model trains go by. So far we have been successful in steering him away from the Thomas the Tank Engine play area before he discovers it--we'd never leave the museum if he spotted it. We always stop at the gift shop on the way out to pick up something--a book, some stickers, or sometimes a new Thomas & Friends engine or track set. As members of the musuem, which I highly recommend, we enjoy free admission for a year (and the opportunity to skip the sometimes long and slow admission lines) as well as free train rides (daily if we choose) on the train that leaves from Old Sac and travels about 20-30 minutes before turning around. My son loves these train rides as much as he loves the museum.
1 family found this helpful
"Impressive and fun"
We often come here to escape the summer heat. My daughter loves trains in every shape and size and there are enough here to keep her stimulated. The toy train set upstairs can get a little crowded but there are enough distractions to keep a meltdown at bay.
0 families found this helpful
"Railroad Museum is Wonderful"
My kids loved the Railroad Museum. We took my 2 and my 2 nieces and they had a blast. They loved being able to go into the trains and see everything about them as well as the engine of the train. There was even a kid play section with all kids of model trains for them to play with.
0 families found this helpful
"Great!"
My toddler had a blast here. We took him here while in Sacramento, in part because he just started saying "choo-choo". His eyes lit up every time the toy train circled the area. The museum docents were friendly and did not seem to mind when my child melted down from being overly tired.
1 family found this helpful
"Don't miss it!"
If you're kids love trains (as mine do) you don't want to miss this museum. Several real freight and passenger trains you can walk through and many other to look at. It's small so doesn't take long to go through but they're are model trains upstairs and some train sets the kids can play with. There is a steam train ride too or you can take Amtrak right to the museum.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
A 100,000-square-foot display of three dozen antique locomotives and railcars in pristine condition, the museum is a dream come true for kids fascinated by rail travel. You can hop aboard a real sleeping car that rocks back and forth and sounds as if it’s rolling along. Retired conductors spin tales of the rails. One of the magnificent engines weighs a mere million pounds.
New is Small Wonders: The Magic of Toy Trains, a century’s worth of toy trains, a collection so vast, it’s shown in changing, interactive exhibitions. Children can climb around several cars indoors and outdoors and take a short train ride up and down the river.
Next to the museum the Railroad Museum Gift Shop sells myriad toy trains, books, and railroad-related souvenirs. The annual California Railroad Festival is held here in June (916–445–7387). Just down the street from the museum is the Silver Palace, a recreated depot cafe, good for comfort-food lunches, “Steam Whistle Chili,” and snacks.
0 families found this helpful
"We liked it more than what we thought"
I went there for a field trip with my 5th grade daughter. None of us were particularly happy about it but we did not have a choice. Surprinsgly, we really had a nice time exploring the museums, see the beautiful machines and my daughter and girlfriends went on the train with the china and the beds 5 times in a row!!! they could not get enough of it.
Give it a chance because it is an entertaining museum.
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