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    Southeastern Railway Museum

    4.2 (47 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    This 1950s train from the Birmingham Zoo had fallen into terrible disrepair before it was lovingly restored. All aboard!
    Brenda E.

    Okay, it's not the Smithsonian. In some ways, it's better. Kids can touch and climb many of the exhibits. It has a very informal appeal. Imagine if your favorite grandparent ran a museum. Slick and polished takes mountains of money, which this place obviously doesn't have. However, it does have an army of train-obsessed volunteers that really pour themselves into keeping everything up and running. The biggest display sheds are not heated/cooled, so plan accordingly. There is a heated/cooled room that has a delightful HO-gauge model railroad. The actual train ride is not thrilling (it goes back and forth for a short ride) but it's still worth it just for the sounds and that great rumble-y track sound. There's a little 1950s train rescued from the Birmingham zoo that goes around a complete circuit that kids will like. People who are old enough to remember pre-Amtrak train travel will enjoy walking through the train cars on display, but might find it challenging to climb up the steps (just like it used to be back in the day). The bottom line is that I never tire of visiting this place, and whenever I have out of town guests, I love to share it with them. The museum plans special events (like classic car shows) that make a visit even more enjoyable.

    Building 1
    Carol R.

    My husband and I love trains so this was a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. A short train ride is included with your ticket. It's not exciting as it's just a slow back and forth along the tracks but it is pretty neat to ride in a 1930s train and I enjoyed listening to the staff talk about the trains. There are several buildings on the property to tour. The main building houses two trains and a gift shop along with several car and equipment exhibitions. Walking through the trains and learning how they were operated was really neat. There are a couple of outdoor buildings, basically giant awnings covering quite a few trains and buses, many of which you can walkthrough. There's also a train depot upfront with various cultural exhibits to see. The trains are old and obviously not in the best shape but that's to be expected. I'm glad this place exists and the staff seem genuinely interested in what they do and are super friendly.

    Kevin G.

    How odd, this place sits right near my dad's place and I never knew it existed until last year. Yes, it is kinda hard to find, which is weird to say bc they have some massively big trains, but they really could advertise this place more. Parking is in a gravel lot (which was fairly packed for a rainy/cold Saturday) and then they have a little check in house to buy your tickets. This place is certainly free roaming, with nothing guided. They have two warehouses with trains and be warned that you will be cold if it's cold outside so bring warm clothes. Let me get to the negative first: the train ride isn't much of a train ride. You literally get on a 1930s train as it goes forward and backwards. It won't move fast and you're not going to go beyond the stockyard. There is a guy that explains the train and answers any questions, but nothing too elaborate. However, everything else is pretty awesome. I'm amazed about reading reviews and people complaining about it being musty inside the trains. Hello, do you realize how old these things are? Have you ever rode in a very old vehicle before? Seriously??? Lots of history here, and many trains to get on and explore. We had fun checking out sleeping quarters on them and the dining areas. My son and I both loved the double decker train. I thought the old school buses were interesting as well. They even had cars from the turn of the century. There is also a theater you can sit in and watch more about trains (we opted not to). The gift shop was ho-hum and I felt sorry for the lady all alone in there. I think my pictures speak for them self, and certainly a great way to pass some time on a Saturday. I'd recommend checking it out, with kids or a date.

    Sierra B.

    An underated gem in the Atlanta area; it's a must see. My son and I really enjoyed this place. It's free for kids under 2 years old and $10 for adults. They offer a train ride for $3. Wear weather appropriate clothes because you'll be outside a lot. Leave everything in the car (strollers, purses, diaper bag) It's too narrow to walk through the train even with a back pack on your back. The property isn't big so you can easily walk back to you car to fetch something if necessary. They do have a small store where you can purchase train related items, so keep your wallet on you. Don't forget to check out the historical buses from the Atlanta Marta system. Check out my video of my review of the place on my YouTube channel: Mama Sisi. Get here soon to see the place for yourself. Make it a priority.

    Milk tank car
    Lisa H.

    The Southeastern Railway Museum definitely flies under the radar, or in this case, chugs along under the radar. I'm pretty sure I heard about it from a friend with kids, not sure I'd have known about it otherwise. The museum has been around since 1970. Adult admission is $10. It's not just trains; buses and cabs are also given attention. This museum is quite kid-friendly in case you have young ones, with lots of trains to [carefully] crawl over and explore and also a train for riding around the property, $3. There's a warehouse with a museum attached, and there are also vehicles to check out outside. It was cool to pop into the train cars and go back in time to when rail transportation was a big thing. I loved looking at the sleeping compartments and the milk/refrigeration cars. The air conditioned museum featured a model train and plenty of fascinating artifacts (dinnerware, uniforms, timetables, to name a few). There was a small gift shop located in the warehouse, along with restrooms. If you're going into the warehouse, both the shop and the restrooms are on the right side, with the restrooms towards the middle and the shop at the back. If it's a toasty summer day, bring water for sure. The Southeastern Railway Museum might not be ultra-polished and fancy, but it's welcoming and interesting. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon!

    Andrea M.

    Admissions typically cost $10? (I can't remember and their site sucks), but the significant other and I went on Museum Day Live so it was free. Wear appropriate attire since you will either be outside looking at trains or inside a large warehouse. Also, don't be in shock if there are musky smells since it is rather old cargo and passenger trains that you'll be in. There were also two train rides that the kiddos can enjoy. One large and the other small. The small is like the trains you see at the mall. I did see a combo pack for both trains if you can't decide. It was rather interesting to think trains were the fastest mode of transportation and delivery method back in the day. You'll be able to walk thru most of the trains you see and experience how it was back then. There will be plaques and stuff for you to read. There's an area where you can look at souvenirs (old uniforms, dinnerware, etc.) and actually be in AC. The little gift shop is also a nice reprieve from the hot summer day. There was also two morse code stands where you can test out your skills. No worries. There was an alphabet conversion chart to help. There were plenty of parking spaces. If not in the immediate lot as you enter then drive past the little railroad tracks, and there are plenty of spaces there. This place is both educational for the adults and children imo. It's history for the adults and ancient stuff that's cool for the children.

    Gena A.

    What a neat place. Got to see history up close and personal. Loved seeing how people used to travel

    Maggie B.

    I brought my small family here today and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. My two year old had an absolute blast seeing all of the old trains, waking through some of the exhibits, and especially riding the park train. He was excitedly shouting "WOW!" and "CHOO CHOOOOO!" all day! But even if you're a bit older than 2 and need a bit more to be entertained and stimulated, this museum is informative and enjoyable. They had several hundred year old train cars fully restored beautifully, and many more in various conditions. Meal cars, sleeper cars, one really interesting old postal service car, and a caboose or two. There were also some MARTA busses from generations past. It was a lot of fun for all of us. The staff and volunteers were very friendly and informative as well.

    Inside the Southeastern Railway Museum

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    9 years ago

    We had an excellent field trip today! The connections to our standards were excellent. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

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    Ask the Community - Southeastern Railway Museum

    Review Highlights - Southeastern Railway Museum

    They have a very short train ride for an additional 3 dollars per person.

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    Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

    Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

    3.3
    (86 reviews)
    8.7 mi

    Although this experience was fun and informative, I feel it was a little less immersive than others…read moreI've experienced like this. I went at about 3pm on a Saturday, and the line to get in wasn't long at all. There was an option to choose Titanic or Van Gogh, regular ticket($40) or VIP($60). It started with a timeline of his life, and some of his most famous paintings. There were 2 different large rooms with the paintings from his Japan trips and flower series projected everywhere around the room. I'd bring a jacket because it was really cold in few places. You can take as long as you want, but it really doesn't take much time to get through the entire thing. Maybe 40 minutes if you're reading everything. We got the VR experience added for $5, and that was cute, but nothing to really write home about. At the gift shop, I got a sunflower tea set ($30) & the large can of blooming tea ($19.99). Those were my favorite part. Then as we exited, we were able to draw a picture and have it animated on a projector for a while.

    Ok I'm definitely guilty of hyped up experiences here. BUT I also don't appreciate art the way I…read morefeel like I should. Either way, I was a little disappointed in the overall experience. I don't know if it was the social media that hyped it up too much and made it seem like something it wasn't or what but I don't know if I would go again. Maybe it was due to the venue itself, I just felt like I wasn't as immersed in the experience as I wanted to be. I visited the summer of 2021 when the experience first popped up in Atlanta but probably won't be visiting again unless they make some big upgrades. There was plenty of parking but not free, FYI. The whole Van Gogh exhibit prior to the room you see all over social media was similar to most art museum exhibits you see, but pretty in depth. We didn't pay extra for the VR experience, which maybe why it seems like the experience overall was just ok. The Immersive Experience room was pretty freaking cool but also felt not quite worth it. At the end was the VR & coloring stations, and of course gift shop. The coloring station seemed a bit silly for adults but great for if you brought the kids. After purchasing a cool Van Gogh magnet in the gift shop, we were in and out in about an hour? We immediately headed for the food trucks and alcohol tent upon exiting. Kamayan and Wild Leap were there at the time so it was great trying some tasty Filipino food and some boozy slushies. So the TLDR? If you're going to do the experience, do the whole thing with the VR. Otherwise, it may be an ok date night kind of pregame? But don't expect it to WOW either.

    Photos
    Entrance flowers @tiffhuangry
    Entrance flowers @tiffhuangry
    Bedroom
    Bedroom
    Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

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    Smith Plantation Home

    Smith Plantation Home

    4.3
    (23 reviews)
    11.9 mi

    Great info and displays Highly recommend…read more Easy to follow Great area just to stroll Phone walking tour for each section

    Excellent spot for sightseeing. Great for adults; mildly ok for kids, as its light on interaction…read more Lovely, knowledgeable Docents waiting to share the story. Nice home, small for its era of plantation homes. It was nice seeing the true story of the impact of African Americans - without them there is no Roswell. Without black free labor there is no America in the way we see it now. Free labor fueled the wealth of many dynasties. A nice one hour or 1.5 hr is enough time to see everything. You may want to read up on the house and area before you arrive to ground you in the founding of Roswell. If you love antiques, there's tons to see! Lots of pics on wall. This specific founder wasn't ostentatious so its the opposite of gold, lavish, etc. Its humble wealth! They were devout Presbyterians who were conflicted on owning slaves; private/ secret abolitionist who taught their slaves to write. Telling other locals it was for God so his slaves could read the Bible. But truly it was so they had a skill and could be more than slaves! Remarkable! Fun visit. There are two more grand homes, larger, more lavish by 2 other Roswell early founders, about a mile away. So if you have more time, do it all in 2 to 3 hours. We sat on the porch for 30 min just rocking, nice chairs! We may not ever go back but it was worth seeing!

    Photos
    School children picnicking after a tour at Smith Plantation
    School children picnicking after a tour at Smith Plantation
    Well maintained property
    Well maintained property
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    Dino Safari  A Walk Thru Adventure

    Dino Safari A Walk Thru Adventure

    3.6
    (7 reviews)
    9.0 mi

    Came here with the family and it was definitely a cool experience. Very interactive. The staff at…read morethe front, and throughout the experience is very friendly. They tell you that you can touch the dinosaurs that you can reach without crossing the ropes. There's a big sandbox to "dig up" dinosaur bones with paintbrushes. I really didn't expect my teenager to enjoy himself, but he had fun too! That pleasantly surprised me. I think we all learned a few new things about where certain dinosaurs lived, and some dinosaur names we hadn't heard of before. The ONLY reason it's not getting a full 5 stars is because of a couple of reasons - 1 - A couple of the dinos could use maintenance. One of them has long claws that are a little broken. (You can see the inner structure poking out.) The small T-Rex looks like his eyes are having issues opening back up after it "blinks." 2 - The only staff member that wasn't very friendly was the cashier at the souvenir shop. He seemed like he really didn't enjoy his job. It's not the most fun position to have there, I'm sure, but it does have an effect on the full experience for customers. Definitely a place to check out for anyone that has kids that have any interest in dinosaurs.

    Very cute exhibit. Restrooms are clean and fully stocked. I think more lighting should be added to…read morethe actual coloring area and other areas in the exhibit with better directions signs.. Also the marker need to be checked daily so the children will have multiple colors to color the dinosaurs. I won't hurt to redo the layout and completely close off areas guest should not be. Overall cute little place .

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    Dino Safari  A Walk Thru Adventure
    Dino Safari  A Walk Thru Adventure
    Dino

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    The Oddities Museum

    The Oddities Museum

    5.0
    (8 reviews)
    9.9 mi

    Atlanta is so fortunate to have this incredible museum and shop! Wow I was blown away by the super…read morefriendly staff, the eclectic variety of amazing items and art in the gift shop and that is all in addition to the most amazing collection of curated awesomeness under one roof!! Shout to Bean at the front desk who immediately made me feel welcomed, informed and by the end an old friend. I don't want to spoil too much of the museum other than to say if you like roadside attractions, circus sideshow, taxidermy, pop and folk art, oddities and good old fashioned curiosities then you have found your Mecca. Take your time and look up high and way down low because the museum is packed with items! Take a second or third lap around the museum and you will continue to discover amazing things you missed the first couple of times. Inside the museum they have even more staff who are friendly and filled with knowledge of you have any questions about anything in the collection from the history of some of the artifacts down to how the museum acquired the pieces: if I lived locally it would be a blast to volunteer here as it's truly a one of a kind place. And to top it all off this museum costs only $10 admission!!! What a value in an age where everything is overpriced or you pay $25 for a roadside attraction that only takes 20 minutes to see the whole thing. I could've spent hours here and I have no doubt they wouldn't have minded at all. They even invited us back that evening for an art show and were offering free beer and wine and stamped our hands so we could enjoy the museum in the evening if we chose to attend. It was so nice of them. I would be doing a disservice if I failed to hype up the gift shop. Buy weird stuff said the sign outside and I certainly did!! Rainy Day Revival has been around I think since 2018 with a shop previously in L5P and about two years ago combined the store, their prop rental side of the business and added this incredible museum all under one roof. They sell so many interesting items but what I like the most is many items are sourced from local artists so you bring home cool items and support local artists at the same time and that's a huge win in my book. I'll be stopping by any time I'm visiting Atlanta and you should as well!!

    We stopped by this past weekend and I am so glad we did! There are so many cool things to see here…read more From quirky historical artifacts to taxidermy displays and everything in between. It's wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling impressive oddities. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. They also have a gift shop and host events throughout the month. If you like strange, quirky, or "I've never seen that before" kind of stuff, you'll love this place!

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    The Oddities Museum
    The Oddities Museum
    Taxidermy and artwork

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    Taxidermy and artwork

    Southeastern Railway Museum - museums - Updated June 2026

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