Pet-Friendly Railroad Museums

When you have the opportunity to combine two things you love -- like pets and trains -- it's a special treat! Fortunately, there are train and railroad museums across the country that are happy to have your pet join you for a tour. Be sure to mark these down and plan to stop by on your next road trip!

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site�
Address: 2600 Old Route 22, Gallitzin, Pennsylvania 16641

The Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad constructed over the Allegheny Mountains. This inclined plane railroad operated between 1834-1854 and was considered a technological wonder in its day. The park covers 1,249 acres, celebrating the critical role this track played in opening the interior of the United States to trade and settlement.

Leashed pets are permitted in the park, but are not allowed in the buildings or on the beach. Leashes must be no longer than six feet.

Arkansas Railroad Museum�
Address: 1700 Port Road, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601

See a variety of railroad equipment, locomotives and memorabilia at this museum dedicated to railroads that have operated in Arkansas and East Texas. Well-behaved, leashed pets are allowed on the grounds, but not in the buildings.

Boothbay Railway Village
Address: 586 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, Maine 04537

Boothbay Railway Village offers many demonstrations and hands-on activities in a reconstructed village setting. With authentic period structures and technologies utilized in Maine from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s, a highlight is the railroad and steam shop, equipped to fabricate and repair historic steam boilers.

Short train rides are also offered daily to enhance their educational programs. Pets are welcome to join you on the grounds, in the exhibits, and on the train in the open coaches or caboose.

California State Railroad Museum
Address: Corner of Second and I Streets, Sacramento, California 95814

Dogs are not allowed inside the museum buildings, but there are several locomotives outside you're welcome to explore with your pets.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Address: 242 Main Street, Cass, West Virginia 24927

Pets are welcome on the grounds of this unique state park, where an 11-mile long heritage railroad and authentic company town are some of the most popular tourist attractions. This is also one of America's only authentic operating museums of lumber railroading. Pets are not allowed to ride the trains, but there are six cottages where dogs or cats can stay.

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad
Address: 6140 Bray Road, Flint, Michigan 48505

Enjoy this living history village where period-clothed docents allow you to experience what life was like in a small village in Michigan in the late 1800s. There are 35 historic buildings, a narrow-gauge railroad offering train rides, and a paddle-wheeler taking river cruises. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to accompany you to the village, but are not allowed in the buildings, on the train, or on the boat tours. Leashes must be no longer than six feet.

Illinois Railway Museum
Address: 7000 Olson Road, Union, Illinois 60180

Visit America's largest railway museum! Leashed pets are allowed throughout the grounds and in the barn buildings, but not in the diner or aboard the trains.

Little River Railroad and Lumber Company
Address: 7747 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, Tennessee 37882

Preserving the history of the Little River Railroad and Little River Lumber Companies, this site includes a museum with several outdoor exhibits. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the grounds, and small pets may be carried through the museum.

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Address: 58 Fore Street, Portland, Maine 04101

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is dedicated to the preservation and operation of Maine's two-foot gauge railway equipment. Here you can purchase a train ticket, which includes both a self-guided tour of the museum and a scenic waterfront train ride. Advanced reservations are not required for the leisurely, 35-minute ride along the Eastern Promenade of Casco Bay. The small museum features exhibits, several historic rail cars, activities for children, and a unique gift shop.

Leashed pets are welcome to join you as you tour the grounds and ride the train, but are not allowed inside the buildings.

Monticello Railway Museum
Address: 992 Iron Horse Place, Monticello, IL 61856

Walk through the museum cars and view many pieces of rolling stock at this museum. Visit the gift shop, and on weekends from May through October, train rides are available on Saturdays and Sundays. Pets are welcome and can ride the train as long as they are well-mannered and leashed.

National New York Central Railroad Museum
Address: 721 S. Main Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46516

Providing a chronicle of the history of the New York Central Railroad, view the museum's impressive collection of rolling stock. Leashed pets are invited to explore the grounds with you, but are not allowed in the buildings.

Railway and Forestry Museum
Address: 850 River Road, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 5S8 Canada

This museum boasts one of the largest vintage rail collections in British Columbia with artifacts dating back to 1899. Leashed, friendly pets are welcome to explore the grounds, but are not permitted inside the buildings.

Sioux City Railroad Museum
Address: 3400 Sioux River Road, Sioux City, Iowa 51109

This complex was originally built in 1917 to service the locomotives and freight cars of the Milwaukee Railroad. The site now consists of 31.5 acres and six buildings, including a six-stall roundhouse and working turntable. Leashed pets are welcome to explore the grounds with you.

Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum
Address: Sheepscot Station, Alna, Maine 04535

Learn about the railway systems and equipment that operated in the Sheepscot Valley. Interpretive displays, an impressive collection of artifacts, and exhibits are educational and entertaining. Leashed pets are welcome on the grounds, but are not permitted to ride the train.

If you find riding old trains more exciting than looking at them, check out our recent blog post on pet-friendly scenic train rides.