MId-Continent Railway Museum (North Freedom, WI)

 

My wife's birthday was yesterday and since she loves trains, I decided to surprise her with a trip to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, WI. It wasn't the first time we've been there, but it was the first time in several years. Overall, it turned out to be a great birthday choice.

Located in a region that used to have heavy railway traffic because of iron mines, the museum now owns the local rails and makes full use of them, whether it's restoring old cars and locomotives or giving train rides to museum guests.

The museum admission is just $5, and you get quite a bit to look at, both outside on the train tracks and in two large warehouses. There's also quite a bit of history to be learned, both about trains and train travel and the local region. It took us about 45 minutes to walk through, though, if it weren't for it being a hot/humid day, we probably could have taken a bit longer and looked in more detail.

The train rides do cost extra, $24 for 16 and older (with a $2 discount for seniors) and $13 for children over the age of 3. However, the hour-long trip is worth the money, both because of the experience of traveling in vintage passenger cars while looking at some great scenery and because of the history lesson taught by a authentically dressed volunteer. 

If you are able to spend extra, you can even book a ticket to ride either in the caboose or, as I did for my wife, in the locomotive, learning how to drive a train. In her case, they even let her stay on the locomotive nearly an hour after the trip, showing her how they connect cars, etc.

North Freedom itself is pretty small and there isn't a whole lot there other than the museum. However, if you're hungry for lunch before or after visiting, I do recommend the B S Depot, located on Walnut Street near the museum entrance and its train-inspired menu. 

The food was delicious and affordable and, if you go to the museum first, you can get 10% off. It is, however, cash only, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Final Opinion: This is a bit out of the way, but worth the trip, especially if you take the train ride. I highly recommend it as a family day trip idea.

My Grade: A