Colorado Train Museums And Hobby Shops Perfect For Thanksgiving Weekend
Somewhere in Colorado, a model railroad hides tiny moving chickens in its scenery, and a scavenger hunt helps you find the little surprises. I love that someone built farm animals small enough to miss and still made them move.
That’s just one stop on this list. Another lets you see restoration work inside an 1888 roundhouse, then hop on a vintage trolley for a short ride.
Thanksgiving weekend feels made for this kind of outing. The turkey is gone, the relatives are restless, and nobody wants another round of dishes.
A train museum gives the whole crew something to stare at besides the TV.
A few of my picks are hobby shops too, which feels like smart early holiday shopping. I can’t imagine a better excuse to get out of the house on a chilly November day.
Who’s ready to trade the couch for a caboose?
1. Colorado Railroad Museum
Over 100 historic locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses share a 15-acre railyard here. That’s a lot of steel to explore after a big turkey dinner.
The museum opened in 1958 to protect the state’s railroad heritage. It has been collecting rail treasures ever since, and the yard shows it.
Start at the main building, a replica of an 1880s-style masonry depot. Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibits and a large HO scale model railroad.
Next, wander out to the Roundhouse to see restoration work in progress. Old cars get careful attention here, which is fun to see up close.
Keep an eye out for the human-powered turntable. Workers use it to spin locomotives and rail cars toward the workshops, and it’s surprisingly clever.
The grounds also include a garden railroad display and a train ride that loops around the property. Kids usually find that loop hard to resist.
Plan your timing carefully, since the museum closes on Thanksgiving Day itself. It’s open Friday through Sunday that weekend from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Saturdays and Sundays tend to be the busiest days. Show up Friday morning if you want more elbow room near the engines.
November and December also bring The Polar Express Train Ride to the museum. Book early if your family dreams of a ticket.
Before leaving, browse the Depot Store for rail-themed gifts. It’s a handy spot to cross a Colorado train fan off your holiday list.
Address: 17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403
2. Colorado Model Railroad Museum
Tiny chickens move around somewhere inside this enormous layout. Finding them might become the most competitive part of your holiday weekend.
The museum in Greeley holds one of the biggest model railroad displays in the country. It’s a massive 3D exhibit with trains running through realistic scenes.
The detail is the real star here. Look closely and you’ll spot tiny drivers in the trains and little working lights.
A scavenger hunt helps you slow down and notice more. It turns a quick look into a full-on search mission for sharp-eyed kids.
Interactive scenes pop up throughout the layout too. Some of them reward patience, so don’t rush past the corners.
Beyond the miniature world, you can check out a real caboose. There’s also a controller booth that gives you a peek at how the operation runs.
Historical exhibits add railroad artifacts to the mix. A theater and gift shop round out the visit nicely.
Thanksgiving weekend works well with the schedule. The museum is open Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday from noon to 4 PM.
Families get a break on cost, with discounts for kids and active military. Free parking makes the arrival easy, too.
Greeley sits north of Denver, so the drive feels like a short road trip. Pack leftover pie for the ride and you’re set.
Address: 680 10th St, Greeley, CO 80631
3. Pueblo Railway Museum
Hot chocolate, cookies, and a movie on a train sounds like a holiday wish list. Pueblo’s railway museum has offered exactly that during its holiday season.
Its seasonal lineup has included a holiday train ride and a Christmas model train setup. The Polar Express has even screened right on board a train.
Check the museum’s schedule before you go, since special events change each year. The regular collection still makes the trip worthwhile on its own.
This is mostly an outdoor museum, so dress for Colorado weather. A jacket helps you linger longer beside the big engines.
A massive old steam engine is one of the headline pieces. A diesel locomotive sits nearby, giving you a nice side-by-side look at railroad eras.
Trains of many makes and models fill the grounds. Some date back to the so-called glory days of rail travel.
The museum focuses on education and family-friendly activities. Tours are available if you want the backstory behind the iron.
Timing matters here. The museum’s outdoor collection is accessible for self-guided visits during daylight hours, seven days a week, including Thanksgiving weekend.
The outdoor collection is also accessible on Sunday during daylight hours. Plan it early in the weekend instead.
On-site parking and a gift shop make the visit simple. Grab a souvenir and you’ve got bragging rights at the next family dinner.
Address: 200 W B St, Pueblo, CO 81003
4. Ridgway Railroad Museum
Ridgway is a tiny mountain town with a big railroad story. Its museum keeps that story rolling with hands-on restoration work on old railroad cars.
The town sits in Ouray County with roughly 1,000 residents. Even so, the museum packs in plenty to see.
The restored cars are the big draw. You can see how much care goes into bringing old equipment back to life.
Exhibits connect railroading to daily life in the Rockies during the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s a great way to picture how mountain towns stayed linked to the outside world.
Tours are offered, so you don’t have to guess what you’re looking at. A guide can turn a rusty part into a fascinating tale.
Here’s a Thanksgiving bonus. The museum’s outdoor railroad equipment is available for public viewing year-round, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, although staffed activities and equipment rides follow seasonal schedules.
That flexible schedule helps if your weekend plans keep shifting. Mountain weather can change fast, so leave some wiggle room.
Kids tend to have fun exploring the neat things on display. The place has a friendly feel that suits curious young minds.
Parking is free and on-site, and restrooms are available. There’s no restaurant, so pack snacks or eat in town.
Pair the stop with a scenic drive through southwest Colorado. The surrounding peaks make the whole trip feel like a postcard.
Address: 200 N Railroad St, Ridgway, CO 81432
5. Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation
Ding the bell, grab a seat, and roll back in time. This Colorado Springs museum offers trolley rides along with guided tours.
The foundation calls an 1888 roundhouse home. That building alone feels like a history lesson.
Inside, you’ll find original Colorado Springs streetcars and other trolleys. Knowledgeable guides explain how rail and trolley service shaped the area.
It’s also a working restoration shop. Different work areas sit beside finished projects, so you can compare before and after.
Horse-drawn carriages and locomotives join the streetcars in the collection. The variety keeps the tour moving at a lively pace.
Model train fans get their own treat too. A room holds moving model train layouts, including a Polar Express display.
Little ones can ring trolley bells and play with wooden train sets. That’s a smart way to burn off pie energy.
An adjacent boxcar houses a Rock Island railroad museum. You can also watch real Joint Line train traffic from a viewing area.
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM, with the last guided tour beginning at 2 PM. Friday and Saturday are your best bets over the holiday weekend.
Arrive with time to spare since it closes mid-afternoon. A gift shop and on-site parking make the visit easy.
Address: 2333 Steel Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
6. Hobby Hut Models
Grand Junction’s hobby lovers don’t have to drive over the mountains for supplies. This Western Slope shop keeps model kits, R/C vehicles, and trains under one roof.
The selection runs wide for a local store. You can browse model kits, radio-controlled gear, and train supplies on the same trip.
That mix makes it handy for families with different interests. One kid wants a locomotive, another wants a fast R/C truck, and nobody leaves grumpy.
The staff has a reputation for being friendly and helpful. That matters when you’re new to the hobby and unsure what fits.
Thanksgiving weekend is a smart time for early holiday shopping here. The shop’s listed regular hours are Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, although Thanksgiving weekend hours should be confirmed.
Saturday afternoon tends to be the busiest stretch. Friday mornings are quieter, so that’s your window for calm browsing.
Sunday is closed, so plan around it. Missing out because of a lazy Sunday would sting.
Most visits here move quickly. Bring a wish list and you’ll be in and out with time to spare.
Shopping for a train fan can feel tricky if you don’t know scales or brands. Asking the crew for help beats guessing at the shelf.
A model kit also makes a great rainy-day project for the rest of the long weekend. Leftovers and glue might be the perfect combo.
Address: 811 N 12th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
7. Colpar’s HobbyTown – Lakewood
Trains, rockets, games, and R/C cars walk into a hobby store. That’s not a joke, it’s the lineup at this Lakewood shop.
The store carries a wide range of R/C vehicles and scale model kits. Trains share shelf space with games and rockets too.
That variety makes it a solid stop for holiday gift hunting. You can shop for the train buff and the rocket fan in one visit.
Staff members are happy to answer questions. That’s a lifesaver when you can’t tell one model scale from another.
Here’s the best part for your holiday plans. The shop’s listed regular hours are Friday from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM, although holiday hours may differ.
Sunday hours are rare among hobby shops on this list. If your family sleeps in all weekend, this one still has your back.
Saturday mornings and afternoons tend to get busy. Sunday afternoon may be an option for browsing, but check the store’s holiday hours before visiting.
The shop offers in-store pickup, which is handy during the gift rush. Order ahead and skip the shelf search.
Lakewood sits close to Golden, so you can pair this stop with a railroad museum visit. That turns one outing into a full train-themed day.
Bring the kids and let them build their own wish lists. Just be ready for that list to get very long.
Address: 3355 S Wadsworth Blvd Unit G115, Lakewood, CO 80227
8. HobbyTown USA
Glue, paint, brushes, and a locomotive or two might be the recipe for a perfect long weekend. This Aurora hobby shop stocks the whole kit.
Model trains sit alongside cars, planes, and rockets. Figures and trading card games add even more choices.
The supply side is just as strong. Paints, glues, and brushes help you actually finish that project instead of just starting it.
It’s part of the HobbyTown chain, so the layout covers many different hobbies. That makes it easy to shop for a family with mixed interests.
Got a relative who builds tiny railroads in the basement? A fresh set of brushes or paints could make their holiday.
The shop stays open through the whole Thanksgiving weekend. Hours run Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Saturday is the busiest day, especially from morning into afternoon. Friday tends to be quieter, which is great for slow browsing.
Most trips here are quick. Grab what you need and get back to the leftover sandwiches.
Aurora sits on Denver’s east side, so it’s easy to reach from much of the metro area. Pair it with another stop and make a day of it.
A new model kit can keep kids busy long after the parade ends. Your couch might finally get a break from all that lounging.
Address: 1915 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014