aiken visitors center and train museum

The Aiken station was not the usual Southern RR station, due to the fact that New York's wealthy and elite arrived and departed there, parking their private RR cars while they visited. The replica is very nice and houses a model of the original RR line from Charleston to Hamburg, SC, which was one of the first American railroads. Aiken was one of the stops on the line served by the Best Friend, which blew up there, due to a fireman error.

It is a miniature display of a train set and both audio and visual facts and trivia about trains. The coming of the trains in Aiken made the city in the 1800's. The people in the northeast would bring their horses to Aiken to train in the winter.

We have visited the museum every time we traveled south to Aiken the staff is committed to the enjoyment of the facility by the visitors the H O model railroad depicting the different eras of the trains in south Carolina are spectacular and really deserve a look

We went on the Saturday that Santa was to visit. My kids are all too "grown" to believe in Santa anymore, but its still a fun time. My two youngest got their picture taken with Santa, as usual. The train displays were decorated for Christmas as well. Also, being the third Saturday, their bluegrass band "Depot Jam", really a group with varying members, performed. If you go, definitely schedule for the Trolley Tour of Aiken. It cost $15 per person, but is a treat.

Nice but small. Train display was nice but small. Outside display needs development. Nice landscaping. Needs more tours!

If you want to learn about the railroad and its influence on aiken, this is the place to go, They have exhibits and literture on the history of Aiken, plus some very vintage rail cars.

This building is a reproduction of the original train depot from the 1800's. The railroad played an important role in the development so this area. The highlight is the upstairs area (handicap accessible) that features a realistic model train that runs through beautifully done dioramas of all the railroad towns from Charleston to Aiken. Allow about an hour for the visit.

We took the 2 hour ride and enjoyed as it was very interesting. Kids will enjoy more when they come to the Train museum. The Aiken Visitors Center and TRAIN Museum located at 406, Park Ave. SE, Aiken is within the rebuilt Aiken Railroad Depot...The Visitors Center is located at the downstairs whereas theTRAIN Museum, is located on the second floor of the rebuilt Aiken.Railroad Depot.This Museum has nine dioramas that depict the towns along the original South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. The dioramas accurately show Charleston, Summerville, St. George, Branchville, Denmark, Blackville, Aiken’s freight station, Aiken’s passenger depot, and Hamburg, near North Augusta, as they were in the year 1916. The Two hour ride through the streets of Aiken is quite interesting for all as it depicts the history of the community.

We visited Aiken this past weekend over the 4th of July weekend, and while many shops and restaurants weren't open as usual, there was still plenty to see, places to eat, and things to do. One of things we did was take the 2 hour Tour of Aiken. It was great. Very enjoyable trolley ride and very knowledgeable lady named Peggy who guided us around the historical areas of Aiken. The train museum is a bonus (free too), but the tour is well worth it.

Very interesting 2 hour ride through the streets of Aiken. Learned a lot about the rich history of the community with railroad and horses. Tour guide included personal interest item to hold the attention of all customers on the ride.

The Train Museum is small but delightful, telling the story of the history of how & why the first train came through this area. A good place to take the kids to see the dioramas where they can search for various items in each one as the train comes through each town. It's a fun visit!

Very informative if you like trains! The volunteers that were there that day were super nice and very knowledgable about the whole experience. I will be returning in June with my 6 year grandson and 4 year old granddaughter.

Staffed by helpful, well trained volunteers and full of information, a great resource for your arrival in Aiken. Ask lots of questions to the staff as they are a rich resource!

Located just outside the downtown area, this is a reconstruction of the former rail depot (Aiken grew as a winter destination for Northeasterners coming by rail). The downstairs is an idea of how the station may have looked. Upstairs are a number of of beautiful model railroad-type scale dioramas depicting the history of railroads in Aiken and the surrounding communities. Each diorama has some sort of interactive display. Both kids and adults were loving it. Outside were several rail cars. They were not open for viewing and I was told they are being turned into dining cars that will then be rented out for events.

For train lovers, this is definitely a must see. The building is a replica of the train station from 1899 and is beautiful in architecture and detail. Inside there are dioramas and a model train that travels through each scene, there's historical information regarding the train that came through Aiken back in 1833, and there are helpful docents who can recommend eateries, motels, and things to do while in Aiken along with all sorts of pamphlets and handouts. This is a "first stop" must-do in Aiken.