Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum

We were visiting Aiken to find the home my wife grew up in as a child, and decided to stop off at the visitor center to get a feel for the place. Absolutely the right choice. John and Nancy were so hospitable and knew everything about the town. The visitor center itself is an exact replica of the original train station in Aiken. Built from the plans that were discovered in the original building. I’m a train nut so the fact that the visitor center doubles as a train museum really got my interest. The second floor has phenomenal diorama’s, showing the various towns along the southern railroad at the height of it life. Really well maintained and exceptionally well done. I plan on coming back for train days. Midsomer, when train rides are available in the town celebrates the importance of the rail line that came through here. Lots of history in this town, and definitely worth stopping off at the visitor center to get a feel for what’s available from shopping to museums to nature walks.

Love the diorama's and the history. The staff was amazing. Highly recommend

The docent was very nice, once she finally came over to help. Took me calling the phone to get her to come over after she saw me standing there for several minutes. Beautiful building, and great resources. I wish they had a map and listing of the trees in the Arboretum.

We really enjoyed this cool museum of railroad history in the eyes of Aiken, SC. Learned a lot about how the railroad serviced Aiken and the CSRA. Not a big museum, but doesn't need to be. We recommend the Trolley Tour if you get tickets. Very informative from a local historian.

Loved visiting the Aiken Visitor Center & Train Museum, and had a good time talking with the workers there. Although, I almost derailed their train! 🚆😮 (they were very forgiving, though surprised it was an adult causing problems 😳😝) Turns out the motor can provide too high of power for the train to handle all the curves, so they have a little tape piece to mark how far it can go (I didn't notice at first). It's actually quite fun to make it drive around if you watch out for the speed and track line. They have a little gift shop as well, plus a balcony upstairs with miniature models of trains and such, with lots of information on trains in Aiken. Be sure to sign the guest book y'all! ✍️