California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento (must see)

Located at the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad, the Railroad Museum is part of the larger Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Besides the museum, you'll find many restored and reconstructed buildings here from the mid-1800's–California's boom years. There are a train station and depot, hardware store, theater, and various business buildings.

The state park system operates the Railroad Museum. The museum has exhibits that focus not only on the locomotives and rail cars but also on how trains helped develop California and the West. Since Sacramento played such an essential part in the first transcontinental railroad, it's no surprise that time is dedicated to discussing how the east and west coasts were first connected. The Golden Spike exhibit answers all of your questions and more about the completion of that railroad and the famous opening ceremony in 1869.

Other exhibits focus on the importance of railroads to California's agriculture sector and the diverse populations that helped create and used the railroads. There's a section dedicated to kids and young-at-heart so model railroad enthusiasts won't be let down.

Most notably, the museum is home to 19 different locomotives covering the period between 1862 and 1944. The massive machines visually tell the story of the incredible technological developments that occurred during the golden age of rail travel. There are also rail cars from the same time, including passenger, freight, and maintenance cars.

Why You Should Visit:
The California State Railroad Museum is about a whole lot more than just trains. Railroads were instrumental in California's connection to the rest of the world and an important component of the state's history. By learning about this romantic form of travel and the technological challenges that came with it, visitors will learn the context of the state's history.

Situated in old town Sacramento, with history all around, the Railroad Museum is a top-pick for many visitors to the area.

Tips:
Be sure to look into the museum's excursion train ride. The Sacramento Southern Railroad departs on weekends for a trip along the levees of the Sacramento River. The all-volunteer crews take visitors on a trip back in time to the heyday of California train travel.