The town of Boothbay Harbor is a haven for all kinds of fun, family-friendly attractions. Here, families can explore nature together, go sailing, and learn about Maine’s exciting history. The Boothbay Railway Village is a local favorite for kid-approved events and educational exhibits. We compiled some of the most important things to know about this popular museum!
Before arriving in beautiful Boothbay Harbor, be sure to know which area attractions are best suited to your group. Our free Boothbay Harbor Vacation Guide can help! Request access today and we’ll send a list of the region’s most noteworthy restaurants, shops, and events! Smart travelers rely on this helpful resource for crucial local insight on attractions like the Boothbay Railway Village, so get a copy today!
Everything You Need to Know About the Boothbay Harbor Railway Village
About the Museum
The Boothbay Railway Village began with a man named George McEvoy. By 1963, he had filled his family home in Grafton, Massachusetts, with a significant collection of railroad memorabilia. It appeared the family’s summer cottage in Southport, Maine, would be next. He had to find a place to store his collection, so he purchased Freeport Station. This location would later become today’s Railway Village museum.
On Memorial Day weekend in 1965, McEvoy’s establishment opened its doors as the first public railroad museum in Maine. McEvoy and his friends spent that summer installing the tracks for the steam engine that would operate on the property. The museum enjoyed many successful years, and officially became a nonprofit organization in 1981.
What to Do and See
The Railway Village reflects McEvoy’s original reason for starting the museum: To educate the public about how the steam engine and automobile changed life in Coastal Maine. Visiting families love riding aboard the 30-acre museum’s 100-year-old steam locomotive, seeing an original Ford Model T, exploring several interactive exhibits, and even petting goats! Occasionally, the museum even offers artisan demonstrations, hands-on history lessons, and specialty tours. There truly is something for everyone at the Railway Village, and no two visits are alike!
This popular attraction is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between May and October. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children between the ages of three and 18, and free for children under three. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the grounds.
Events at the Village
The diverse events at Maine’s Boothbay Railway museum never disappoint. Each season brings a unique, family-friendly festival, workshop, or holiday celebration. In July, the Annual Books in Boothbay event hosted on the museum grounds provides visitors with a chance to meet 35 of Maine’s best writers. Then, in October, the Boothbay Railway Village’s Annual Fall Foliage Festival welcomes the season with a variety of vendors, food, and live entertainment. Whenever your family visits, there’s sure to be a fun event taking place!
Bring the Whole Family to Linekin Bay Resort This Summer
Planning a family vacation to Midcoast Maine doesn’t have to be difficult!
It’s important that everyone is comfortable lodging together, and there’s no better place to do so than Linekin Bay Resort! Located just minutes from the Boothbay Railway Village, there’s plenty of room for even the largest of families.
After taking the kids to the museum, stay in one of our 35 accommodations. We offer rustic wooded cabins and waterfront lodges that everyone will love. In addition, our resort amenities offer plenty of opportunities for entertainment. Stay during our special All-Inclusive season and receive unlimited access to our on-property kids camp, sailing instruction, fantastic dining, and much more.
Ready for an unforgettable family vacation? Check our availability today and start planning a much-needed getaway to Boothbay Harbor this summer. We can’t wait to host you!