Mn Transportation Museum

Our son loved this place, and I (as someone who is not into trains) also found it to be an enjoyable space. The folks are friendly, there is plenty for a kid or train enthusiast to see and do, and we were able to ride the caboose multiple times the Saturday we visited. Honestly, this is an underrated attraction in the twin cities area.

Do you have nostalgia for trains...this is your jam! We have been here a total of 3 times in 18 months and most recently today for our sons 5th birthday party. We had our own old fashioned train car to host the party and museum admission for up to 25. It included some utensils, plates, goodies for the attendees, use of the bday train car for 2 hours, and even a caboose ride! Our son is OBSESSED with trains and this was the perfect venue. Other than chilly single digit temps, the train car actually kept pretty warm at 65 degrees and I felt comfy enough to take my jacket off. They didn't rush us out which was nice since we had a full party agenda.

Just a great place to let the kids explore and move about on railroad equipment. They seem to change it up a couple times a year in the museum itself. If you ask one of the volunteers they will take you to the back shops, where volunteers are actually working on real trains! They have a huge machine shop and a blacksmith shop in the very back, which the kids absolutely love. My niece and nephews love going here, it's hands-on and has so much to look at. Oh and they have the short caboose ride every weekend. I think if you ask the right folks, or if it's a birthday or something you can even ride in the cab of the locomotive. Definitely the best value compared to trying to take 3 or 4 kids to some of the other museum's. Lastly I heard they have some bus tours that hit the local breweries from time to time on their facebook.

I have meant to visit for years, and finally made it. It was more fun than I expected. The staff are friendly and clearly love their trains. I am not a train enthusiast as such, but I do love history, and the trains are stories in themselves. It was fascinating to hear about them and how they were used over the years. I also spent some time visiting with the model railroad enthusiasts, who were happy to explain about different size trains and how they work. Go, with or without your kids!