The Galveston Railroad Museum is a railway history museum in the former Santa Fe Railroad Station in Galveston, Texas, featuring over 40 pieces of restored locomotives and rolling stock on a 5-acre railyard. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting one of the five largest railroad collections in the United States.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open daily 10:00-17:00. Closed major holidays. |
| Ticket prices | Adult (13-64) $12, Senior (65+) $9, Child (3-12) $6. Children 2 and under free. Members free. |
| Address | 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Getting there | Historic Downtown Galveston at 25th Street and Strand. 50 miles from Houston. Free on-site parking. |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2.5 hours to explore the railyard, depot and rail cars. |
Galveston Railroad Museum opening hours
The Galveston Railroad Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 year-round. The museum closes on major holidays:
- Thanksgiving Day: Closed
- Christmas Eve: Closed
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: Closed
- New Year’s Day: Closed
Harborside Express caboose rides typically operate on Saturdays from late spring through summer, weather permitting. Rides do not operate from 1 November through 1 January or during special events. Check the museum website or call ahead to confirm caboose ride availability. Opening hours and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
Galveston Railroad Museum ticket prices
Admission prices (checked and updated January 2026):
- Adult (ages 13-64): $12.00
- Senior (age 65+): $9.00
- Child (ages 3-12): $6.00
- Children 2 and under: Free
- Museum members: Free year-round
Harborside Express caboose rides cost an additional $8.00 per person on top of museum admission. Rides operate most Saturdays during late spring and summer, weather permitting.
Group rates are available for educational groups of 10 or more:
- Students (ages 4-12): $5.50
- Students (ages 13-18): $11.50
- School employees: $1.00 discount off regular price
- Parent chaperones: $11.50
Active military personnel receive free admission with valid military ID. Museum members receive unlimited admission for 12 months plus additional benefits.
Tickets can be purchased online through the museum website or at the entrance on arrival.
How to get to the Galveston Railroad Museum
The Galveston Railroad Museum is located at 2602 Santa Fe Place in Historic Downtown Galveston at the intersection of 25th Street and Strand. The museum occupies the former Santa Fe Railroad Station building and adjacent railyard.
By car from Houston, take Interstate 45 South for approximately 50 miles to Galveston Island. Exit onto Broadway Avenue (Exit 1C), continue to 25th Street and turn right. The museum is located at the corner of 25th Street and Santa Fe Place (also known as the Strand). The journey takes approximately 50-70 minutes depending on traffic.
From the Galveston cruise terminal, the museum is approximately 1 mile west. Drive or walk along Harborside Drive, turn right onto 25th Street. The museum is visible from several blocks away.
Public transport in Galveston is limited. The free Galveston Island Trolley operates along the Strand Monday-Friday 06:15-20:00 and Saturday-Sunday 08:45-18:00. The nearest trolley stop is at 25th Street and Strand, directly adjacent to the museum entrance.
Amtrak does not serve Galveston. The nearest Amtrak station is in Houston, approximately 50 miles away. Rental cars or ride-sharing services are necessary to reach Galveston from Houston.
Parking at the Galveston Railroad Museum
Free on-site parking is provided at the museum. The car park accommodates cars, vans and coaches. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The car park entrance is on Santa Fe Place.
The museum offers free 2-hour parking for visitors, which provides sufficient time to tour the museum and ride the caboose if desired. Visitors requiring longer stays (such as those using the Rail Hotel or attending events) should contact the museum for extended parking arrangements.
During special events such as RailFest (typically in April), the car park can reach capacity. Arriving early is recommended on event days.
How long to spend at the Galveston Railroad Museum
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours exploring the Galveston Railroad Museum. The 5-acre site includes the historic depot building, multiple rail cars accessible for viewing, locomotives on display and the Garden of Steam outdoor area.
A typical visit includes:
- 30-45 minutes exploring the depot building with model train displays and exhibits
- 45-60 minutes walking through accessible rail cars including passenger cars, freight cars, dining cars and cabooses
- 15-30 minutes viewing outdoor locomotives and equipment in the Garden of Steam
- 15-20 minutes for caboose rides (if operating and weather permitting)
Visitors with particular interest in railroad history or model trains may spend 3-4 hours on site. Families with young children typically spend 1.5-2 hours.
Accessibility at the Galveston Railroad Museum
The Galveston Railroad Museum has mixed accessibility. The historic depot building features ramps and level access to ground floor exhibits. Many rail cars can be entered but require climbing steps to access.
The depot building is accessible with ramps to the main floor. Exhibits on the ground level can be viewed by wheelchair users. Some upper areas may have limited accessibility.
Rail cars throughout the railyard feature original steps and entrances. Most cars require climbing 3-5 steps to enter. Wheelchair users can view the exteriors of all locomotives and rail cars but may have difficulty entering the vehicles.
The Garden of Steam outdoor area has compacted gravel paths which may be challenging for wheelchairs after rain. The site is generally level with some uneven surfaces.
Accessible parking spaces are available near the entrance. Accessible toilets are provided in the depot building.
Service animals are welcome. The museum recommends contacting them in advance to discuss specific accessibility requirements.
What to see at the Galveston Railroad Museum
The historic Santa Fe Railroad Station (Union Depot) was built in 1913 and served as Galveston’s main passenger station until 1967. The restored Art Deco building houses exhibits on railroad history, model train displays, simulator experiences and museum administration.
Over 40 locomotives and rail cars are displayed throughout the 5-acre railyard. Visitors can enter and explore numerous vehicles including:
- Santa Fe Warbonnet diesel locomotives in the iconic red and silver livery
- Steam locomotives including vintage engines from the early 20th century
- Passenger cars featuring period seating and interiors
- Dining cars with restored tables and kitchen equipment
- Freight cars, refrigerated cars and tank cars
- Multiple cabooses showing living quarters for train crews
- Pullman sleeping cars with berths and compartments
The Garden of Steam is an outdoor area featuring large locomotives and equipment displays. Visitors can ring authentic train bells and examine the mechanical components of steam engines.
Model train layouts inside the depot building demonstrate railroad operations at different scales. Interactive displays include an engineer simulator allowing visitors to experience controlling a locomotive.
The “Tribute to Juneteenth” exhibit features information about Pullman Porters and their role in African American history and the labour rights movement.
Practical tips for visiting the Galveston Railroad Museum
| Tip |
|---|
| Wear comfortable walking shoes as the site covers 5 acres with uneven gravel surfaces between rail cars. |
| Bring sun protection including hats and sunscreen as much of the railyard is exposed with limited shade. |
| Caboose rides operate most Saturdays in late spring and summer, weather permitting; call ahead to confirm availability. |
| The historic depot building provides air-conditioned relief on hot Texas days; plan outdoor viewing during cooler morning hours. |
| Photography is permitted throughout the museum for personal use. Rail cars and locomotives provide excellent photo opportunities. |
| Children must be supervised when climbing steps to enter rail cars and should not run between exhibits. |
| The museum café serves light refreshments; alternatively, numerous restaurants are within walking distance on the Strand. |
Facilities at the Galveston Railroad Museum
A café in the depot building serves light meals, snacks, drinks and ice cream. The café operates during museum hours. Several restaurants and cafés are located within 1-2 blocks on the Strand.
The gift shop in the depot entrance sells railroad-themed merchandise including model trains, books about railroad history, Thomas the Tank Engine toys, apparel, Galveston souvenirs and railway memorabilia.
Toilets including accessible facilities are located in the depot building. Water fountains are available. Picnic tables are provided in shaded areas near the depot.
The museum offers wheelchair loans for visitors with mobility needs. Contact the museum in advance to reserve a wheelchair.
Frequently asked questions about the Galveston Railroad Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Galveston Railroad Museum suitable for children? | Yes. Children enjoy climbing aboard real trains, ringing bells and exploring different types of rail cars. Supervision is required when using steps to enter cars. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Galveston Railroad Museum? | Tickets can be purchased on arrival. Online booking is available but not required. Groups of 10+ should contact the museum in advance. |
| Is the Galveston Railroad Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open daily including Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00, except on major holidays. |
| Can you ride the trains at the Galveston Railroad Museum? | Caboose rides on the Harborside Express operate most Saturdays from late spring through summer, weather permitting. Tickets cost $8 per person. |
| Is the Galveston Railroad Museum a working station? | No. The museum occupies the historic former station which closed to passenger service in 1967. The museum owns 1 mile of track for caboose rides. |
| Can you stay overnight at the Galveston Railroad Museum? | Yes. The Rail Hotel offers luxury overnight stays in restored rail cars. Separate booking and pricing applies. |
Rail Hotel overnight stays
The Galveston Railroad Museum operates the Rail Hotel, one of the few rail hotels in the United States. Guests can stay overnight in restored luxury rail cars including Pullman sleeping cars and private cars with period furnishings.
Rail Hotel rooms feature air conditioning, private bathrooms, comfortable beds and authentic railroad décor. Museum admission is included for overnight guests. Bookings and pricing information are available on the museum website.
The Rail Hotel is popular for anniversary celebrations, birthdays and unique overnight experiences. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for weekends and special events.
Things to do near the Galveston Railroad Museum
The Strand Historic District (immediately adjacent) features Victorian-era buildings housing art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques along 5 blocks. The area hosts weekend markets, ghost tours and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Texas Seaport Museum and Tall Ship Elissa (800 metres) displays the 1877 Scottish barque Elissa, one of only three vessels of her kind still sailing. The museum explores Galveston’s maritime history through interactive exhibits.
Ocean Star Museum (1 kilometre) is a retired offshore drilling rig converted into a museum featuring exhibits about the oil and gas industry. The museum offers views across Galveston harbour.
Moody Mansion (1.2 kilometres) is an 1895 Victorian mansion showcasing the lifestyle of one of Galveston’s wealthiest families. Guided tours explore period rooms with original furnishings and family memorabilia. For other Broadway mansions, take a peek inside Bishop’s Palace.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (2.5 kilometres) is a seaside amusement park built over the Gulf of Mexico featuring rides, games, restaurants and shops. The pier offers fishing and Gulf views.
