New Jersey is home to a few unique museums that are perfect for families. Whether you’re into trains, aircraft or history, there’s a museum for you.
If you’re looking for a fun way to learn about New Jersey’s railroad history, check out the Whippany Railway Museum. This museum is located in Hanover Township and features the largest collection of standard gauge steam locomotives in the state. It also has two model train layouts and is a great place to take kids for an afternoon of rail fun.
The museum offers several excursions throughout the year, so you can ride a train and see what it was like to travel by train before cars became popular. If you’re interested in taking an excursion train ride, be sure to make reservations ahead of time as space is limited.
You can explore a variety of locomotives, historic coal loaders and cabin cars at the museum. They even have a large interactive model train display where you can press buttons and watch the train travel through different villages. Kids will enjoy this exhibit as it’s very hands on and interactive.
The museum is very well organized and tells the story of railroad systems, not just in New Jersey but across the country. It was so easy to navigate and the staff was very helpful when it came to answering any questions we had. Unlike some museums that have dishes, lanterns and tickets all on the same shelves, this museum took pride in how they set up their displays.
Another interesting aspect of the museum is its extensive collection of artifacts related to train passengers. There are dozens of items in this exhibit, and it’s a great way to get some history lessons for the kids. You can learn about how people dressed on the train, how they got to the museum, and more.
There are also a few special events at the museum throughout the year, such as Easter train rides with the Bunny and Santa Train Express in December. These events are a great way to get the family together and have some holiday fun.
Visiting hours for Whippany Railway Museum vary depending on the day of the week, so it’s important to plan accordingly. If you’re planning a visit, it’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes before the last train of the day.
Located in Hanover Township, the Whippany Museum is a non-profit organization that works to preserve New Jersey’s railroad history and offers educational opportunities for young rail fans. It has the largest collection of standard gauge steam locomotives and also houses two operating model train layouts. It’s a wonderful spot for train enthusiasts and is open to the public. There are even regular excursion train rides offered throughout the year, so you can hop aboard a train and experience the sights of New Jersey. Be sure to check the museum’s website for a list of excursion dates. It’s a great way to spend a day with the family and learn about New Jersey’s rich railroad history.
