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Featured Experience · Downtown Wilmington

Wilmington Railroad Museum

For over a century, Wilmington was headquarters of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad — and that story lives on inside an authentic 1883 freight warehouse at the north end of downtown. Climb aboard a real steam locomotive, walk through a life-size caboose, and lose track of time in one of the largest model train layouts on the coast. Fun for every age, rain or shine.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit Since 1979 All Ages Indoor · Rain or Shine 505 Nutt St
Hours — Summer Season
Mon – Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday1:00 – 5:00 PM
Winter (Labor Day–Memorial Day): Mon–Sat 10–4, closed Sundays. Arrive 45 min before close to see it all.
General Admission

Book Your Visit Online

Skip the line and book ahead — secure checkout, instant confirmation, and every ticket supports a local nonprofit preserving Wilmington’s railroad history.

Adult
Ages 13 and up
$12 per person
Senior & Military
With valid ID
$10 per person
Child
Ages 2–12 · Under 2 free
$8 per person

Prices include NC sales tax. Museum members receive free regular admission at the door.
Tickets also available at the door and via the museum’s website.

Inside the Museum

What You’ll Experience

🚂
Climb Aboard a 1911 Baldwin Steam Locomotive
Step into the cab of a real steam engine, ring the bell, and stand where Wilmington’s railroaders stood. Outside the museum entrance, the old locomotive is one of downtown’s most photographed landmarks.
Hands-OnPhoto Favorite
🚆
Walk Through a Life-Size Caboose
Explore an authentic caboose and see how crews lived and worked on the line — part of a collection of artifacts, photographs, and exhibits tracing the Atlantic Coast Line era and the railroad’s role in building Wilmington.
Real Rolling StockACL History
🗺️
20+ Running Model Trains
The grand finale: a 1,600-square-foot model railroad with more than twenty trains running through miniature towns and coastal scenery — with plenty of buttons for kids (and adults) to press.
1,600 Sq Ft LayoutInteractive
🧩
Scavenger Hunts & Children’s Play Area
In-museum scavenger hunts, hands-on displays, a small theater with railroad films, and a sensory-safe wooden train play area make this an easy win for families — most visits run about an hour.
Family Favorite~1 Hour Visit
By the Numbers

The Railroad Museum at a Glance

1883
authentic ACL freight warehouse home
100+
years as Atlantic Coast Line headquarters city
1979
preserving Wilmington rail history since
20+
model trains running daily
1,600
square feet of model railroad
1911
Baldwin steam locomotive to climb aboard
Museum Events

Special Events, Ticketed on ShoreList

Every museum event gets posted to ShoreList’s Wilmington events calendar with tickets available the moment it’s announced. A sample of what that looks like:

🎄
Christmas Train & Light Spectacular
Holiday Season  ·  Over 35,000 twinkling lights — a Wilmington family tradition
Tickets on ShoreList
🚃
Your Next Museum Event Here
Fundraisers, family days, after-hours events — posted & ticketed the day you announce
Tickets on ShoreList
Plan Your Visit

Getting There

📍 Location

505 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 — at the north end of downtown, an easy walk from the Riverwalk and the Cotton Exchange. (910) 763-2634.

🕑 Hours

Summer (Memorial Day–Labor Day): Mon–Sat 10–5, Sun 1–5. Winter: Mon–Sat 10–4, closed Sundays. Arrive 45 minutes before close to see everything.

🚗 Parking & Trolley

Limited free parking in designated spots in front of and behind the old locomotive, plus nearby garages and metered parking. The free downtown trolley stops right in front of the museum.

About booking

Online tickets on this page are sold by ShoreList in partnership with the Wilmington Railroad Museum, with secure Stripe checkout and instant confirmation — every ticket supports the museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tickets are also available at the museum’s front desk and through the museum’s own website. Prices are confirmed with the museum; if online booking shows “coming soon,” admission is available at the door during regular hours.