The Atchison Visitor Center and Rail Museum

In November we visited Atchison.  We stopped by their Historical Society Museum and Rail Museum, located conveniently in town along with their visitor center.  The kids liked the rail museum best.  There were old train engines and cars that had been retired.  We walked along the tracks and looked at each one.  We climbed up on a flat car, looked at the controls of an engine, peeked in the window of a caboose, etc.

We learned about their mini engine and train as well.  They have a mini train engine and track that they run on summer weekends.  The kids would have loved, taking rides on the little train.  I wish we would have known they had it earlier so we could have brought them up for rides!

We also stepped inside the visitor center (the old Santa Fe Railway Station) and went through the Historical Society's museum.  We learned a little about Amelia Earhart, Atchison's most famous past resident, and more about the town and area.  The gun collection they had was pretty neat.  We also learned about a guy who had something wrong with his legs who was responsible for many of the streets in Atchison being bricked.  It's a great little stop.  If you have kids, be sure to visit on a summer weekend so they can ride the train!

Nearest City: Atchison, KS
 Location: 200 10th St, Atchison, KS
Time Needed: 30-90 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Kid Friendly: yes
Additional Info: Atchison Rail Museum and Atchison Historical Society