This museum was a little meh. Some of the trains were rather beat up, not restored, the inside areas were a little musty in my opinion. The area inside the station wasn't great. The train ride was a little bland - and the stop that the train made was too long. The inside of the train was a bit beat up/worn down. The person who provided info inside the railway museum sheds (not sure if there is a better word?) was nice and informative. For $24 or so it seems a steep price. Bathrooms on site, free parking on the grounds. read more

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My family and i visited yesterday and it was the COOLEST experience. Everyone was incredibly kind and so informative!!! It was my son's third birthday and he's obsessed with trains. They even took the time to answer all my other kids questions!!! We got to see how the train gets turned around on the tracks and then ride in the caboose! The gift shop is super affordable and the staff is incredible. Probably about a two hour excursion so just know you won't probably spend the whole day there but it's so fun!! Lots to see and lots to learn! read more

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Visited with a friend and it was very cold so I picked up a sweatshirt for me, and some gifts for my grandson. The history is amazing and is well told by the staff. read more

Mid-Continent Railway Museum - Museums Near Me - North Freedom, Wisconsin

Boring!!! I have really nothing great to say about this train tour. The conductor was just blah and had no personality. I noticed many of my other fellow tour members just walking away from the tour guides as well (one agreed with me)... I want to add that the engineer is definitely prejudiced, I guess in a good way, towards the Amish. He ONLY paid attention to the Amish, NO ONE ELSE!!! Very Very Weird!!! There was no reason for more than 1 star... read more

Awesome stop away from the touristy hustle & bustle of the Dells. Check out Groupon for a deal. We got to see a lot of old train cars, ride in a 1910s car pulled by a 1950s engine & check out the neat little museum attached to the depot. Well worth the 20-25 minute drive from the Dells! read more

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Ok I love everything railroad so this place was just a matter of time. It's not as spectacular compared IRM and is not as hands but quite enjoyable. It's out in the country in the middle of no where in the small town of North Freedom Wi. There is a barn with restored equipment and an area to view old trains. The train ride lasts about 50 minutes. They also have brunch trains and so on if you check the web site. This is a great place to take the children for a couple hours and ride an old train from the past. read more

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Definitely fun for the family. The staff was pleasant and answered every question asked. Lots of unique historical pieces to check out. I recommend the dinning train. We ordered tickets for the pizza train about a month in advance. And the pizza was good! Unlimited drinks and even got a delicious cannoli! read more

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What an awesome little gem hidden away in a small town. I went when I was younger, but it's just as cool as an adult. Took my son on the Santa train yesterday, and we all loved it! So excited to make it a family tradition! read more

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So we decided to go to North Freedom and check out their engine and go for a ride. This was such an awesome experience. Everyone there was so knowledgeable and excited about trains. You could see that they take great pride in their job and have a passion for this. One of the conductors took extra time explaining things and taking pictures he was fantastic. We learned all sorts of new things that we didn't know like all the different calls that the whistle makes and the backup braking system. This was a really fantastic place to spend the day. They have restrooms and picnic tables set up. What a lovely little Adventure for our family! I can't wait to go back and see the other restoration up they're working on. read more

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The folks that keep this place going are clearly passionate about it and I like the fact that this place exists; however, this is a museum designed for hard core train enthusiasts, not as much for casual train people / children. If you are really into train history, this place is for you. For everyone else, I would not go out of my way to check this place out. read more

Every railroad museum has its niche. I my opinion, this museum's strength is the variety of rolling stock, mainly coaches. In addition there are more than a handful of steam locomotives which do not operate. The museum also offers a train ride where an ex-Army switcher, 1954 Whitcomb, pulls a number of Delaware Lackawanna & Western Pullman 1914-1917 coaches. This museum publishes a compendium which is loaded with information and history; I really wish that other rail museums would follow suit. In the back are a wide variety of cabooses in which those affliliated with the museum live. I arrived before opening hours and the engineer for the day personally gave me a tour of the car barn. Taking about personalized service. Why should you visit? Well perhaps all of the immaculately restored rolling stock in the coach shed will move your heart from the "Badger" (last surviving fish car), the 1940 Montana Western doodlebug which by the way is a Natl Historic Mechanical Eng. Landmark, the OLDEST EMC car in existence or the Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western 1888 coach which should knock you dead with its wood interior motif. PS As an added incentive, steam locomotive #1385 (C&NW 4-6-0) is on the Natl Register of Historic Places. read more

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Nice ride. Nice gift shop. Should have times for just adults. read more

This place is well worth a visit. Year round you'll find something to do. It is especially fun to go during the holiday season and ride the Santa Express Train. The ride is an hour long and includes personalized visits with Santa and gifts for the children. read more

Had a excellent time there as a railfan it was great seeing a 70 year old diesel locomotive still operating and the train ride was fabulous as at the end of the line I watched the crew shift the locomotive for the return trip i found that very interesting. The displays of restored railway equipment are awesome I would definitely return here. read more

It may be hard to find, but Mid-Continent Railway Museum is tough to beat as a family attraction and Wisconsin treasure. It is more than just a train ride, it is history before your eyes everywhere you look. Specializing in traditional steam engines, Mid- Continent is currently undergoing painstaking restoration of several units. Until then, you can take a variety of rides on its passenger trains now pulled by diesel power. You might feel like you are on a movie set as you ride the trains featuring restored Pullman coaches. From the World War I era soon to celebrate their 100th anniversary, they form the period from which the Museum is recreated. Equally spectacular to your 7 mile round trip train ride is a visit to the amazing Coach Shed. Awaiting your inspection is more than a dozen historic railroad cars and vast history on railroading. You might even depart an "expert!" When all is said and done Mid-Continent is even more amazing when you realize everyone you meet are all volunteers. Just having concluded its 50th anniversary this is an amazing experience that will make you want to come back again. You might even think about becoming a Museum member. All Aboard! read more

We have been to other states and always seem to end up riding the train attraction. This one was okay and they let you get up and walk around. I recommend getting a coupon since it was 50.00 total for 2 adults and one child. The gift shop is pretty small so good luck if you are looking for a nice souvenir. read more

It was fun, but this is definitely a better attraction for someone who has kids (i.e. not me). The train ride, while very pretty, also seemed very short. We drove halfway across the state for a fall train ride, and while it was a decent experience, I can't say as though I'd do it again unless I was taking a child. read more

We rode the pizza train with our 2.5-year-old train enthusiast and our infant son. This was by far the best area train attraction we've been to...not too crowded, educational, and well worth the money! We bought two tickets which included plenty of pizza & drinks and some cannoli too, which was an unexpected bonus. There is a shed near the depot full of restored 100+ year old train cars. My son loved it! read more

great for kids who love trains. Chris was super helpful and informative. our 2 and 5 year old loved it!

My kids love trains and when I saw a family 4 pack on a discounted web site I decided to give it a shot. It is located in a very small town just outside Baraboo but fairly easy to find. The actual train ride is maybe around 45 minutes with a 5-10 minute break in between to turn the train around. It was a Saturday but plenty of room on the train. The kids enjoyed it quite a bit and had a good time. Don't know if I would go again as there isn't much replay value but if you know somebody interested in trains then you can't go wrong stopping by here. They also had a nice collection of restored trains in a barn like area. Cost $30 with coupon, would be $60 without. read more

We went on a Thursday am. I found the historical aspect of the trains in the barn very interesting but the actual train ride of 2 miles out and 2 miles back in to be very boring. Nothing to really see on the ride imo except a small creek and former tavern and dance hall. That was it. Maybe I missed out on something like I think there is a guided tour maybe on audio? The conductor also acted like he would rather be doing something else. Not very into the train trip either. read more

Little bit out of the way. Plenty of parking. Lot's of rolling stock, would be nice to see it outside rather than in the shed. (I understand why though). Wish the ride could be longer. All in all, if you're in North Freedom it's a nice place to spend a couple of hours. read more

You don't have to be a railroad buff to enjoy this museum. While it is a bit far out, it is worth the trip. Offers special trips on different days (pizza train, build a burger train etc) if you want something more special than the 55 minute ride in the restored passenger cars. A little further than Baraboo (stop at the Circus Museum and make a day of it). Stop to see the Big steam engines that have been restored and the others in the process! read more