National Railroad Museum: Tickets, Hours, and What to See

The museum is at 2285 South Broadway in Green Bay, about an 11-minute drive from Nuk's Executive Suites. It has its own parking lot on the grounds; parking is free during museum business hours.

The museum provides driving directions for arrivals from the north, south, and east. If you’re driving, use the directions for your approach on the museum’s contact page. The lot has five accessible stalls beside the main entrance, with more accessible parking beside the Fox River Expansion.

The collection includes more than 70 pieces of rolling stock and more than 100,000 artifacts across grounds covering 33 acres. Highlights include Union Pacific No. 4017, known as “Big Boy,” General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s World War II command train, the General Motors Aerotrain, and the Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 electric locomotive.

Locations of individual rail cars and equipment can change for special events or other reasons. Some items marked with an asterisk on the museum’s rolling-stock listings are in restoration or closed areas and aren’t available for up-close viewing, so check the current information before planning around a particular piece.

Train rides run daily from May through September 30, on weekends in October, and not from November through April. A ride lasts about 25 minutes and covers two miles, following two loops of a one-mile circuit.

Each ride costs $6 per person, in addition to paid museum admission. Departures are listed at 10:00 a.m. (not Sundays), 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.; there is also a 6:00 p.m. departure on Tuesdays only. Arrive at the Children’s Discovery Depot at least 10 minutes before departure.

Those are train ride details, not the museum’s general admission prices or opening hours. For current admission information, museum hours, and any changes to seasonal rides, check the official site before you go.

The main entrance and Fox River Expansion entrance are step-free and have push-button doors. Complimentary wheelchairs are available from the Museum Store; you can call (920) 437-7623 ahead to reserve one.

Some historic rail cars may be difficult to enter if you have limited mobility, although many have ramps or stairs to car level. The seasonal train rides are wheelchair accessible. If you need the wheelchair lift, tell Museum Store staff when you arrive.

Restrooms are near the ticket desk, at the Lenfestey Center entrance, in the Fox River Expansion, and in the Jodey Lenfestey Children’s Discovery Depot. Benches are available throughout the museum. The Fox River Expansion, Lenfestey Center, Fuller Hall, and Bauer Drumhead Gallery are temperature-controlled. Only service animals are allowed outside vehicles on museum property.

The rail collection and seasonal ride can anchor a day focused on local history and transportation. If you’re also planning a stadium visit, use this guide to visiting Lambeau Field from De Pere to plan that part of your itinerary separately.

For an adult group tour, make a reservation at least two weeks in advance. Tours aren’t offered during museum special events, so confirm availability when arranging your visit.