California State Railroad Museum

The Railroad Museum was amazing and much bigger than expected, with three floors to explore. You can actually walk through the trains, and they were absolutely gorgeous. It kept the kids entertained the entire time, especially the third floor with the toy train setups and kids’ play area. There were plenty of bathrooms, which made it very family-friendly. I would definitely recommend this museum for both family outings and date days.

So much history at this museum! A must-go place when visiting Sacramento. They have guided tours which are amazing. You can learn a lot from the docents. Lots of very unique trains and play areas for kids and adults. Recommend walking around the neighborhood by the museum and visiting the waterfront as well.

Always an absolute favorite! We’ve been coming here for years and this place helped spark such enthusiasm for trains that my 20 something son is still a fanatic. The cab forward will forever be a favorite. This year we came to view the polar express excursion. Always a great day at the train museum.

Excellent educational museum with very interactive exhibits. Each section clearly explains how railroads shaped California, from steam engine mechanics to daily life on the trains. You can walk through many of the rail cars and engage with hands-on displays, which makes the learning experience feel immersive rather than passive. The model railroad section upstairs is fantastic — detailed, informative, and especially great for helping visualize how rail systems operate. Knowledgeable staff add even more depth to the experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an engaging, educational visit in Sacramento.

Very in depth and detailed exhibits. You have to go on a docent led tour. So much extra information that they share. The only train museum I have been at where you can get up close to the engines. There are multiple train cars you are able to walk through. Don't miss the 3rd floor model trains and diaromas.

We visited the railway museum right when it opened and were warmly greeted by the staff as they opened the doors. The ticket prices are quite affordable, and the museum itself is clean and well-maintained. The staff and volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable — they took time to explain the history and details of the trains on display. The museum features a wide variety of train exhibits, and there’s even a dedicated floor for kids to play with model trains and watch them move around, which was a fun highlight. Parking is available either at metered street spots or in a nearby garage, which costs around $20 per day. Overall, it was an enjoyable and educational experience for both adults and kids.

When seeing a museum of mechanical engineering i absolutely believe the people that restored and continue to maintain these locomotives and cars are beyond expertise. The staff is absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable. Perfectly located in old sacramento for a whole day of fun.

Probably one of the top five railroad museums I’ve been to in the country. Very well done, plane to read, and space for the little ones to run around too. Don’t miss the model trains and the kid play area on the second floor!

This museum is awesome. If you are a railroad enthusiast, you will love this place. My friend and I spent some time here recently learning about railroad history such as the Transcontinental Railroad and its importance to California and the United States. Saw exhibits on significant historical events, like strikes and daily lives of railroad workers. We were able to get up close to some of the country's oldest locomotives, including 19 steam locomotives dating from 1862 to 1944. There are also model trains on the upper floors. Fun for all ages. Although all the antique trains and locomotives are great, I can't wait for us to have bullet trains in the near future, connecting all of the USA, making traveling more accessible and affordable for all. Highly recommend and will visit again next time I'm in Sacramento. Located on I street.

TL DR: if you're looking for something fun to do in Sacramento this is it! Family fun something for everyone. I've visited Sacramento many times usually 3-5 times a year but have never been to the museum and I'm so glad I stopped by. Elite tip: ask about tour times and join a group. After you get a run down of everything there is to see, go back on your own. Limited parking, park in old Sacramento garage so that you're not looping around, it also gives you time to explore the area! I really enjoyed learning about the incredible history, beautiful exhibits, the interactive components, fun kids area on the top floor, accessibility, model trains, and the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff. I'll be back!!!

What a good and informative museum! I didn't realize how big the building was until my group kept finding new rooms and sections. We spent about an hour and 15 minutes, which was a perfect way to stay away from the heat. My favorite part of the museum was being able to walk inside the trains and interact with the staff/volunteers. They were great storytellers and very interactive with the groups.

One of the things we love about Sacramento are all the museums and this one is totally amazing. For starters it is huge, this building houses very large locomotives and railroad cars. It isn't at all like some museums that are more like warehouses. There are full exhibits for many of what is on display. For years KVIE hosted a New Years Eve party at the museum. It was really cool and I miss doing that every year. There is a roundhouse with turntable. Part of the building is 2 story with a mezzanine. From up there view is pretty awesome.

Took a fun homeschool field trip to CA State Railroad Museum. Such a great experience to learn about history and get a better understanding of different time periods. The kids had a blast and so did the parents.

This was a great venue for an event! It's a pretty big space, and you guests (or just visiting regularly) will have access to interactive exhibits, self guided tours and all things trains! It's a pretty big building and well laid out. Good for kids, but I wouldn't say it was an all-day event.

This Was Another Awesome Place That I Have Visited In Old Town Sacramento!!!!! I Took The Amtrak Train From Richmond Amtrak Station Just To Come Here The Fun Part That I Liked About This Place!!!!! Was Learning How People Traveled From Other Cities On Different Kinds Of Trains In The Early 19th Century When Automobiles & Airplanes Wasn't Invented Yet!!!! Not Only That I Also Liked The Gift Shop That Was Inside The California State RailRoad Museum!!!!! If Yelpers & Yelpettes Like Learning The History Of Trains Try Going To This California State Railroad Museum At Old Town Sacramento Ca!!!!!

Who knew a train museum could be this fun? My friend and I came here as two grown adults and ended up doing the scavenger hunt, hopping on every train, and geeking out over everything. The museum is way more interactive than we expected. Full-size trains, well-done exhibits, and lots to explore. The staff is super friendly and genuinely excited about what they do, which adds to the experience. Whether you're into museums or just looking for something unique to do, this place is absolutely worth a visit. We spent a few hours and easily could've stayed longer. Highly recommend!

Such a cool museum! The life size structures and real trains from over a hundred years ago were really cool to see. A few of the first plaques were a bit dry imo, but later in there are lots of super interesting nuggets, like what it was like to work for the railroad or how the gauge evolved. It's quite big inside as well so I didn't get to see everything, not even acting on the second or third floor. But what I did see was great, very informative and immersive. Definitely recommend checking this place out. There weren't many employees around but they were helpful and friendly when I saw them.

On our last day in Old Sacramento, we decided to check out the railroad museum, the museum has several railroad machinery and carts as well as miniature railroad cars. The history of the railroad in California, the hard work that the Chinese labor force had to go through to construct and finalize. The railroad venture was astonishing.

We absolutely LOVE the California State Railroad Museum! It's become one of our favorite spots for a fun and educational day out especially on a rainy day. Since it was Monday we stumbled upon All Aboard Story Time! it's such a magical experience watching the kids eyes light up and they got to do a coloring activity to match the story! The museum itself is incredibly well-kept and full of fascinating trains and knowledgeable staff around, but the real cherry on top is always our stop at the Museum Store. We never leave without grabbing a new train-themed treasure for our home train collection. It's the perfect way to bring a little piece of the experience home with us. Today's find was the Harry Potter's hogworts express! Whether you're a train enthusiast or just looking for something unique to do with kids, this place is a must-visit!

First time taking kids. It was fun and education. Parking garage nearby too and walking distance establishments nearby. It was inexpensive and you can have a tour if you want. They had so many trains and they were big. It was cool because we were able to walkthrough some of the them. My kids loved that interaction part. They have a little store in first level. Overall , something to do and it was fun.

This is a great place for kids and adults. So informative and so much to see. We spent about five hours here with our son and had such a great time. Don't miss the tour. You will get some insight into the history of the railroad system and hear some wonderful tidbits about Leland Stanford and the connection of the rail lines in Utah. They also had a great section about the Chinese immigrants and the incredible work and sacrifice they contributed to building the railroad. There were also many trains inside that you could tour and everyone was very helpful.

$12 for three floors of railroad magic, including: - 1st floor: how the Central Pacific Railroad was built through the Sierra Nevada mountain range (and an appropriate nod to Chinese), several retired locomotive engines, and several railway cars that you could walk through to see what it would have looked like to have ridden in them - 2nd floor: some special exhibits, that were closed in NOV 2024, and a play area where kids could work with wooden tracks - 3rd floor: dedicated to incredible railroad model building of all different gauges as well as a primer on how you can build your own railroad model - Cute museum store with whistles, hats, pins (incl. "conductor" and "engineer), pressed pennies, model cars, great books, a variety of clothing, canvas/reusable bags I haven't been here in nearly 30 years, but it still holds magic for adults as well as children. The California State Railroad Museum begins with the building of the Central Pacific Railroad through the Sierra Nevada, which would link California to the rest of the country during the Civil War/Gold Rush era. The completion of this railroad brought in 70,000 new residents/year for California. After some discussion of the pros and cons of the builders and the costs borne to build, the museum's 1st floor opens up to a railroad roundhouse featuring locomotives and railcars from several different rail operators and discusses what rail work would have been like (apparently a very good middle class job) and the different things railcars would have hauled around. The second floor was closed off, except for a play area for kids. The third floor featured several rail models of different gauges from the 1880s, I think, all the way through the modern age with 3D printing. It also featured a secondary play area featuring Thomas the Tank Engine. It had several different rail models on display, including a giant display with four larger models that move. It was a fantastic time. My family (all adults) easily dropped about 2.5 hours but then tired out and quickly walked to nearby Old Sac for lunch. I would highly recommend coming here at least once every 10 years and certainly with your little ones. TIPS: - Allot 2-3 hours to go through the museum - Keep your ticket for in-and-out privileges if you need a food break - I thought the 2nd floor was kind of skippable (but I have no children) - Take Amtrak to Sacramento, and walk the three or so blocks to the museum, for a comprehensive experience

This hidden jewel is only $12 per adult, kids are $6; customer service was great everyone was very friendly. This museum is kid friendly, is 3 story museum with a lot of history and interactive activities. I loved it so much , I didn't take that many pictures because I was actually enjoying it. If you get chance come visit, parking garage is right next door.

I've been to the B&O in Baltimore MD, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg PA and now to the California State Railroad Museum. I am uncertain which is the best though all are on the top list nationwide. CA might be the best maintained though several car interiors that are part of the tour have an off smell and the restrooms need more attention. There are significant portions of the exhibits recognizing the Chinese that built large sections of the tracks. The adult admission is worth $12. Parking is $15.

A beautifully maintained and curated museum located in the downtown Sacramento area, a true gem in the CA State Parks collection! Perfect for hosting large/corporate events - we came here for a dinner/drinks/dancing evening which was lovely and staffed perfectly. Plenty of Parks staff were available to direct traffic, point out restrooms, and ensure we were corralled in the right areas. We've also been here for an evening concert, and it's a beautiful location with amazing ambiance every time. Perfect place for taking young children as well, especially if they're interested in trains and learning. The exhibits are well designed and creative with plenty of things to read and learn about. Great for a rainy-day activity with the kiddos. Parking can be challenging, and you may need to use the city lot adjacent (which can potentially be pricey). Highly recommended to make a visit with the family!

We came here on a Saturday, we parked at the structure across the street for $15 (flat rate) and then rode the stream engine (it was about 45 minutes ride.) The trains whistle may be a little loud for small ears, but was a nice train ride alone the freeway/river. The train does not offer a restroom but has one available prior to boarding. The train leaves promptly at the scheduled time. After the train ride we went into the museum. Its a rather large museum, there is multiple train cars you can walk through, educational but fun for kids. Then the 2nd floor has a movie theater which we did not view but went to the 3rd floor for the mini trains, and they have a nice play area for kids to run around and play. Our 3 year old enjoyed a little over an hour playing and exploring, he may have enjoyed longer but it was lunchtime and there is no food or drinks in the museum. I recommend taking kids here!

It's amazing what a day here can do to you, your family and kiddos! Educational and fun...it's a must visit. I haven't been here since my son was like 3. 14 years later, it's a completely different experience. There are endless exhibits to see and read. Your younger children will get to burn their energy and they will enjoy the top floor Thomas the Train play area. Take some time to walk around in old town sac...grab a meal or dessert there.

We decided to visit the train museum as my son likes trains. The trains they had were great to see and some walk through. There is a lot of historical information to read. I think if my son was older he would have enjoyed the museum more so. With the three floors to visit, he got bored and put his attention elsewhere. A return visit will be needed when he is older.

What a family friendly museum! We were looking for a place that all ages would enjoy and this museum was perfect. A little bit of everything for everyone! It was a great learning experience and we love that it wasn't super crowded!

Located in Old Sacramento. Parking is limited to street parking or the big lot. There is always room in the lot. Street parking is hit or miss. There is a drop off spot infront of the museum if you get a ride. There is no street parking in front. The museum is huge as it houses full size trains. They have a new exhibit about women in the railroad. There are 9 stops in the museum featuring different women and their roles on the railroad. The new exhibit is very intreating and enlightening. I belive that's are 3 trains you can walk in: The mail train, the dining car, and a third one. It's fun to be able to walk into a train. Most of the trains have signs not to climb on them. It's not the most hands on museum. We used our NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum) membership to visit. You can buy a CA State Railroad Museum Membership with the NARM part to it so you can visit other local museums. If you get a membership to their other location https://www.railtown1897.org/ and you get the NARM membership you can also go to the Crocker Art Museums in Sacramento.

My kids and I absolutely LOVED the train museum! It's so much bigger than we expected and for such a great price! You can take a guided tour (free) and the docents will show you around and tell you all these cool facts about the museum and all the railroad history. There are plenty of trains you can go inside which is so awesome! A sleeper train and kitchen train with vintage settings and vibrations - we walked through at least 3 times. Fun kids activities like a STEM room, coloring area, and play area with a toddler slide. There is also a model train area you can watch - my kids were mesmerized! Make sure you hit the gift shop on your way out - my 4 year old was in absolute HEAVEN! We will definitely be back!

If you like trains, you will love this place! The museum is an anchor in Old Sacramento and not to be missed when visiting. I have been several times, most lately for a private event in the evening. Large trains are on display with lots of historical context to browse and walk around. Great gift shop for browsing souvenirs and for your favorite train buffs! Easy parking across the street in the garage or you may get lucky enough to find street parking (not easy in Old Sac).

Possibly the best train museum I've ever been to. Lots to look at, well-kept displays and very accessible. Highly recommended.

It'd been years since hubby & I visited the museum. So long ago that we both don't have any recall of it. We decided to make this our primary focal point on our overnight stay last week during spring break. We found metered street parking by the museum. Prepaid two hours. $1.75 an hour. Made our way over and paid entrance fee. Sorry no senior discount. Highlights included- * various retired locomotives * many volunteers to answer questions * contributions of the Chinese in building the transcontinental railroad Located in old Sacramento.

Places like this make me proud to be from Sacramento. It's such a great museum full of history and best of all so kid friendly! My son had the best time with all the little kid activities and exhibits . The price is also very reasonable and there is plenty of parking nearby.

You know, I wasn't expecting to enjoy myself as much as I did coming here. Throw on some headphones and wander around for an hour or so. It's educational and it's neat to see how big the locomotives are! The model sets above the main exhibition were definitely a favorite of mine.

This museum has been an Old Sacramento main attraction for more years than I can remember! When I was a young teenager, this wasn't a place I had much interest in, so I never made the effort to check it out. My mom had a lot of good things to say, but I just took her word for it. Now, I'm sorry I never went with her back in the day... This time, I finally had the opportunity to actually go into the building! My nephew and his family were in town visiting, and invited me to join them. I'm glad I said yes! Luckily, we arrived early enough just before a long line of people started showing up. I was pretty much awestruck as soon as we entered. There is so much history to absorb. More than I had ever appreciated before! There is display after display of how trains and the railroads originated. There are many old model trains available to study, along with readable posts on the historic figures who brought to life, all that make trains one of the most important parts of how our civilization depended on them. I felt a deep appreciation for the people who brought about the ingenuity and design on how the whole train system was invented. I also had more awareness of the good and the bad that brought to light, train workers and employees that made sacrifices in keeping the railroads alive and improving. Many times with a heavy loss of life and discrimination. But that was a lifestyle and source of income for many people back then. No matter how impressive trains are, the real history behind it is also important to know! That all being said, I really enjoyed wandering around the two levels of the museum. Old trains, new trains, and what I call "steam punk" style designs of their inner workings. Plenty of interaction for children. Upstairs, seems to be a favorite place for kids and adults alike! Miniatures, scenery, real working model trains, even a repair office for the serious collector. Downstairs has a souvenir shop. But one of my favorite things to do, was to enter a real train that had a dining car, (complete with sample place settings of expensive and vintage china), food preparation kitchen, cushy seating, separate sleeping quarters, and a bathroom. All the while, you feel like you are on an actual moving train! Our whole family enjoyed the hours we spent together visiting the entire building. A few downsides were, that since my dad was in an electric wheel chair, he couldn't partake in some of the train experiences. And we also had a difficult time locating where the elevator was. Directory signs concerning said elevator, were few and far between, (or maybe we were just blind)! The children's area upstairs was somewhat cramped and extremely crowded with kids running about, making it hard for my dad to pass through. But other than those issues, I think we all had a fun and memorable time!

So much to see and learn! What a wonderful experience with knowledge staff members to answer any questions you may have!

This museum is one of my new favorites and super cool to visit. First of all; the number of trains inside the "roundhouse" is impressive. Secondly, the sleeper car experience is really neat. You can go inside what feels like a moving train and see how folks traveled cross country back in the day in sleeper cars. If you're in the Sacramento area, definitely recommend checking it out.

I came here a lot as a kid as I was your typical boy, loving any moving vehicle/machine. Now that I have a kid, I thought it was time to introduce them to a place I loved as a kid! It's pretty awesome for kids and adults to see the trains up close and learn about the history of trains and their place in California history. They've got several engines you can look at as well as different cars as well. A favorite is being able to walk through the sleeper car as it "moves" down the track and the dining car. The 3rd floor is fun as well with a play area for kids as well as a pretty extensive exhibit on model trains. All in all, a fun and educational place to spend a couple of hours and then you can venture out into Old Sacramento!

This review is for the train ride. What a waste of money and time. The trains are old, and we expected that. What we did not expect was the terrible condition of the interiors. The inside smelled so bad, and the poor train need a restoration and lots of love. But nothing was as disappointing as the ride itself. When visiting the website, it says the ride is 50 minutes (it says 45 in a different area) and mentioned you will ride along the Sacramento River. But here is the thing, if you are sitting on the right side of the train, your view will be ONLY the highway and the hearth breaking view of the unhoused people struggling in tents around it. Our "ride" stopped 2 times, and we waited over 15 minutes to start moving back to the station again. The ride was very short, and the river was seen only for part of the ride. I expected a narrator talking about the train or area history. Instead, they had Irish music playing because it was saint Patrick's weekend. Train was slow, it smelled super bad, interiors where not maintained, the ride was short, we stopped for a while and the views were terrible. Do not waste your money. At least include an entrance to the museum with this "ride" as by itself is not worth it. When we arrived it was 40 minutes of a ride, and we stopped for a while so even less than that of active train movement. No one enjoyed it in our group. We laugh about how bad it was, but it stilled cost us money... We want to support these things but wow!!!... This has potential to be better.

My daughter loved the sleep train so much she wanted to go on it a second time. They are accommodating to special needs with sensory bags and great signage.

One could spend several hours in this museum. It is quite extensive with several real decommissioned trains in their display. The museum covers the history of the railroad in California and a few personal stories of some people of interest.

This was such a fun visit. So much history and the trains are beautiful. It's worth the drive to spend a day going through each exhibit from locomotives to toy trains to model trains. Each display carefully displayed with explanations since it is a self guided tour. And there's more! The Hardeware store outside is part of the museum and it's no extra charge and actually free if you don't want to see the trains. The Docents are eager to share their knowledge and devote as much time to you as you need. The Hardware store isn't overly large, but it's packed with so much. You'll be amazed.

The museum is spectacular so much history the size of the trains is so cool. I went for the candle light concert ADELE It was magical romantic and brilliant all wrapped up in one. I am hooked will be back. The host and the musicians amazing very clean and the staff very welcoming

We had a chance to ride on the Sacramento Southern Railroad (right next to the museum, and included in memberships?) last weekend and it was a blast! The train was super cool, and I appreciated the safety talks about the windows. One note for passengers with young kiddos, there is no food or drink allowed on the train, as it is historic. Jeff, our cars volunteer was amazing! He was so knowledgeable, and really loved his job. He had a chance to tell us all sorts of tips and tricks about the museum and other local attractions. We all loved learning about the train, as well as the states shortest highway! We look forward to riding again soon!

Such a cool place to spend some time and learn about history. We came here literally last minute just to see because I love trains and it did not disappoint! The strategically placed employees are full of knowledge about their assigned areas and really help bring the trains to life. This place is HUGE huge and beautiful!

Great place for train lovers. My son enjoyed looking at all the trains. Part of the place was close due to an event going on and we were given a discount.

This place is huge. All kinds of cool trains. A must see if you are ever in Sacramento.

This is such a fun place! Not only we learned a lot about the transcontinental rail road, but we also got to feel a sense of amazement at witnessing the evolution of California rail road system. The museum does a great job showcasing the trains! There is something here for everyone: - One of my favorite parts of this visit was seeing the china patterns of dishes served on the trains. These China patterns are exquisite! - I also enjoyed seeing the miniature train collection. They have an entire floor devoted to miniatures trains, showcased within gorgeous townscapes. . - My husband and LO liked exploring all the gigantic trains exhibited at the museum and climbing some of them too! Climbing the trains is so much fun - it's like taking a walk through time! - Another highlight listening to various volunteers explaining interesting facts of rail road history. We can't wait to be back! I highly recommend the rail road museum for visitors with families!

Took the grandkids here and had a great time. I think they've expanded since I last came several years ago. I highly recommend this museum. Been going for years and always enjoy it. Upstairs there is a play area for little kids which is always a huge hit.

This is a great collection. I am surprised how much they fit into a relatively small building. A great collection spanning several eras. The equipment was in great shape and you have great access to the inside and outside of most of the pieces. Well worth the time!

I was in town for a conference and they had a dinner event here. Wasn't sure what to expect, but I actually really enjoyed it. Interesting displays; really liked that you could walk through many of the trains, including the dining cars and sleeper cars. I also appreciated that they recognized the work of the many Chinese people who worked on the railroads and the role of women. They also have some cool "hands on" areas on the second floor that display model trains and some play areas for kids. Learned a lot about the history and development of this important railway system. Definitely worth a visit, and recommend as an event venue!

My son could practically live here. Been to this place twice now and everytime there's always a new thing to explore. The Thomas and place are now open from when they closed it during the pandemic. We could easily spend hours here and still won't be tired of it (my son I mean). The trains were awesome and the stem areas you can experience and explore was a plus. Would definitely come back here as my little one could not get enough of this place especially with all the trains he can touch and go into.

Wonderful railroad museum. The staff were very helpful at interpreting the displays. There are lots of exhibits on the history of the west, including a golden spike from the completion of the transcontinental railroad. There are some truly colossal steam locomotives. There is a large exhibit on model trains on the second floor. The Amtrak runs right past the museum, so you can see modern trains in action too. Recommended for train spotters of all ages.

A "must see" museum in Sacramento that was built and dependent on the Railroad and the River. Great place for kids 9 years of age and up. Located in Old Sacramento with off-street parking garage (choose this option!Yes, costs money to park anywhere here, but better to park in parking garage rather than feeding a meter for on the street parking and worrying about your "time left" on the meter!)

To be perfectly honest, I had no idea this place even existed, let alone how popular it is with both locals and out-of-towners alike. So, suffice to say, my expectations were pretty minimal before coming here, regardless of how nice the museum looked in the Yelp photos. However, now that I've been here? I can safely say it all makes perfect sense! Beyond the fact that offers so much to learn about the history of the railroads in California, both good and bad, nearly every aspect of it is just really well done and has something to offer for just about everyone! Now, even though the museum is definitely tilted to appeal more to children, it's certainly not a "children's museum" either. Almost immediately after walking in, you'll see the first of nearly two dozen restored locomotives and train cars from a range of eras. Honestly, as you stand right next to these giant machines, it's kind of crazy just how massive they are. Of course, it's even better that you get to walk through some of them and seeing what they were like when they were fully functional and in use (the dining car and mail car were my favorites). It's even better that there are workers/docents stationed in almost every one of them to give you even more information and answer any questions you might have. In the upper areas of the museum, you'll start to see more of the areas that are going to have increasing levels of appeal to kids, though I was pretty impressed by their collection of toy and model trains. It was pretty cool to see the different "worlds" they've created with various trains running in loops! There's also another area that looked to be set aside as a kids play area, but I can't say for certain as we didn't walk through (could be an area where they host activities too). We also didn't see any sorts of guided tours or what have you, but it's possible we just missed them given what time we arrived (got there around 3pm on a Sunday afternoon). The one thing that is less than ideal about the museum actually has less to do with the museum itself and more with where it's located. Sitting on the edge of the Old Sacramento Waterfront, you'll have to pay for parking regardless of whether it's at a parking meter or the garage across the street. The latter is probably your better bet, given that the meters are capped on time, but it's not entirely terrible. Sure, it's not ideal that they charge a flat day rate on Sundays rather than based on time, but it's reasonable if you are planning on walking around and exploring the waterfront anyways. All in all, while I don't think I would've made a point of driving up here purely to check out the museum on my own, it's worth making it part of a day trip to Sacramento if you have kids (or just love trains). The cost of admission isn't crazy ($12 for adults, $6 for most kids) and it's not a bad way to spend an afternoon, whether for your kids to run around or even on a date. I'm not sure if/when I'll ever be back again, but I'll definitely keep it in mind for the future! FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded up.