Take a step back as you take a ride in a restored 1915-era train car. This history museum offers a great look back at the golden age of rail travel. Here is a quick look at our family trip to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum.
When we visited the railway museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin, we chose the hour-long Coach Train ride. Our daughter was about 5 and she enjoyed it. It was about the perfect length.
A few things you will see at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum:
- Restored wooden passenger cars
- Century-old steam locomotives
- Historic wooden depot, built in 1894
- Steam locomotives’ water tower
What you need to know about the Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Mid-Continent Railway Museum
E8948 Museum Road
North Freedom, WI 53951
Office phone: 608-522-4261
Prices start around $13 for children and $24 for adults
Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM,
Mid May through Early December
Open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 AM to 5 PM,
Mid-June through early September
Useful Information
- Tickets – Tickets can be purchased online and in person.
- Time – The museum opens at 9:30 AM and the first train ride is generally at 11 AM. Coach Train ride takes about an hour.
- Clothing/Shoes/Backpack/Purse – Dress comfortably. Coach Train does not have air conditioning. Not much walking involved.
- Food/Picnic – Only water is allowed on the trains. Picnic tables are available. There is no restaurant on the grounds but there are dining cars on select days. BS Depot close by will sometimes offer discounts if you bring in your train ticket stub.
- Pets – No pets, aside from service animals, are allowed on the train or in the buildings.
- Accessibility – A wheelchair lift is available to board the train. Most areas are wheelchair accessible.
- Babies – Strollers/wagons cannot be taken on the train.
- Smoking – No smoking on the train or in the buildings
Brief History
In 1963 the Railway Historical Society purchased the 4.2 miles of track from the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The society moved the operation to North Freedom and began to offer steam train rides.
Ever since they have continued the train rides at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum and have been teaching people of all ages the importance of the steam engine and the railway system.
Ticket Options at the Railway Museum
Ticket options are:
Coach Train Ride – A 7-mile, 55-minute, round trip train ride in a 1915-era train car.
Coach Train Ticket options:
Adult (Ages 16-61)…$24.00
Child (Ages 3-15)…$13.00
Senior (Ages 62 and up)…$22.00
Infant (Ages 2 and under)…Free
Locomotive Ride – A 7-mile, 55-minute, round trip train ride in the locomotive with the engineer. 1 spot available each ride.
Locomotive Ticket options:
Adult (Ages 16 and up)…$72.00
Child (Ages 3-15)…$13.00…child must be accompanied by an adult
Food Train Ride – A 7-mile, 55-minute, round trip ride on the First-Class train with food served by waitstaff. Check the website for an up-to-date schedule as dates are very limited.
Food Train Ticket options:
Prices vary according to the meal being served
Special Events – There are different themes throughout the year at the railway museum based on the season and the holiday. Each vary in price and availability.
Stars and Stripes – Decorated patriotic theme in July. Free for Veterans and Military | Offered July 4th, 5th and 6th.
Vintage Rail Car Tours – Guided walking tours with special access
Autumn Colors – See the changing of the leaves via train in October
Pumkin Special – Pumpkin theme in October
Holiday Flyer – Enjoy hot chocolate in December
Santa Express – Meet Santa in late November/early December
Parking
Parking is located next to the depot and is free. There are plenty of spaces.
Food/Where to eat
Here are a few local places to check out while in the area:
BS Depot – Bar and Grill
108 E Walnut St #9660
North Freedom, WI 53951
Log Cabin Family Restaurant
1215 8th St
Baraboo, WI 53913
Mike’s Italian Restaurant
630W Pine St
Baraboo, WI 53913
Cheese
You are in Wisconsin so you need cheese…pack your cooler! While you were driving I am sure you noticed the hills with cows grazing in the pastures. Wisconsin is famous for its cheese and for good reason. Here are a few places close by.
Carr Valley Cheese Store (they have more locations too)
807 Phillips Blvd
Sauk City, WI 53583
Cedar Grove Cheese Inc
E5904 Mill Rd
Plain, WI 53577
Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet Inc
4879 Co Rd V
DeForest, WI 53532
Where to stay near the Mid-Continent Railway Museum
There are hotels and campgrounds in nearby Baraboo. A few you may want to try are:
Ringling House Bed & Breakfast
201 8th St, Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 299-9708
Best Western Baraboo Inn
725 W Pine St
West Baraboo, WI 53913
(608)356-1100
Skillet Creek Campground
E11329 State Rd 136
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-4877
Devil’s Lake State Park
S5975 Park Rd
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-8301
Nearby Attractions
Dr. Evermor’s Sculpture Park – A unique and quirky outdoor art gallery
S7703 US-12
North Freedom, WI 53951
Worldofdrevermor.com
Circus World – History Museum and entertainment
550 Water St.
Baraboo, WI 53913
Circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org
Pewit’s Nest – Hiking and a glacier carved gorge.
County Rd W
Baraboo, WI 53913
Devil’s Lake State Park
S5975 Park Rd
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-8301
For even more in the area check out: Wisconsinhistory.org
This is a great place to spend a couple hours and step back in time. The Mid-Continent Railway Museum is continuously restoring railcars and locomotives. To keep up to date with their current projects you can follow https://www.midcontinent.org/steam-status/
While in the North Freedom and Baraboo area, there is plenty more to see and do. Great area for a day or for the weekend.
We have also been to Blue Mounds, which is a recommended place about an hour from here. Check out more info HERE or you can watch our video from our visit.
Thanks for visiting! We hope you enjoy your trip to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum and happy travels!
