Museum of Transportation Tours and Activities

The sprawling Museum of Transportation is located around 26 kilometres southwest of St. Louis city centre, on 52 hectares of West St. Louis County land. Visitors come from far and wide to admire its collection of more than 70 antique trains, as well as numerous other vehicles, including cars, buses, boats, airplanes and horse-drawn carriages.

You can't really do justice to the museum in less than half a day. There's so much to explore in its expansive grounds and 10 buildings, not to mention its two man-made tunnels, six kilometres of railroad siding and comprehensive research library.

If you're a car enthusiast, you'll love the road-vehicle building, which houses more than 200 vintage automobiles. Marvel at one of only nine surviving 1901 vehicles built by the St. Louis Motor Carriage Co. Elsewhere, you'll find a rare Chrysler Turbine car: only 55 were ever made.

The huge railroad exhibit is divided into five areas: Freight Cars Passenger Cars Rail Maintenance and Test Cars Interurban and City Transit and Rail Motive Power. Prepare to be amazed at the dimensions of the largest working steam train ever manufactured. Admire the sleek lines and 50's styling of the General Motors Aerotrain or the utilitarian grandeur of a shovel-nosed 1939 Silver Charger, one of the last in existence. Indulge your inner child and play at being a train crew member aboard a traditional caboose.

From March to November a miniature train can take you around the exhibits for an extra fee. Outside these months you should wear comfortable walking shoes to explore this extensive museum, and, as many of the exhibits are located outdoors, always dress for the season.

The Museum of Transportation's daily guided tours are free and you don't need to book ahead. If you're visiting with children during the summer, come on a Tuesday or Thursday, when the museum puts on tours designed especially for kids. The museum is open all year round, but opening hours vary, so check the website before you visit. There's plenty of onsite parking and those without a car can catch a bus from the city centre.