The National Railroad Museum covers 33 acres along the Fox River at 2285 S Broadway in Ashwaubenon, just south of downtown Green Bay. Founded in 1956 and marking its 70th anniversary in 2026, it ranks among the oldest and largest rail museums in the United States. Visitors come for its full-size locomotives, railcars and American railroad history (Greenbay.com).
The collection includes more than 70 pieces of rolling stock and over 100,000 artifacts, displayed on indoor and outdoor tracks (National Railroad Museum). The headline piece is Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4017, one of the heaviest steam locomotives ever built. Nearby sits the British A4 locomotive Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with cars from General Eisenhower’s World War II command train. Families can ride a separately ticketed, diesel-powered train. The 25-minute trip makes two loops of a one-mile circuit through wooded grounds and along the river (USA Train Rides).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Train rides run seasonally, so check the official hours page before planning around one, especially in autumn. Holiday events sell out early, so book ahead. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. On Packers home-game weekends, expect heavier traffic, since Lambeau Field is only a few minutes away. Allow two to three hours, and dress for the weather because much of the collection is outdoors. The museum also hosts weddings and private events.
