The Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, will celebrate its 35th anniversary with the grand opening of its new Visitor Center at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. The community is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and enjoy free museum admission throughout the day giveaways, and the opportunity to explore the museum’s newest addition. Train rides will be available for purchase at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.
The museum’s first official Visitor Center marks a significant milestone in its history. For 35 years, the museum has preserved and shared Nevada’s rich railroad heritage, welcoming visitors through its open-air pavilion. Following more than two decades of planning, three design concepts, and legislative funding approval in 2023, the new Visitor Center expands the museum’s ability to educate, inspire, and serve the Boulder City community for generations to come.
“As we celebrate the museum’s 35th anniversary, the opening of our Visitor Center marks an exciting new chapter,” said Christopher MacMahon, Ph.D., Director of the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City. “This new space creates opportunities for lifelong learning by giving families, students, and visitors of all ages a place to explore Nevada’s railroad history together. We hope it becomes a gathering place for our community where people return again and again to learn, connect, and discover the stories that helped shape our state.”
Ground was broken on the $25 million project in December 2024. Funded through Conserve Nevada Bonds, the approximately 9,000-square-foot Visitor Center includes nearly 3,800 square feet of exhibit space exploring the vital role railroads have played throughout Nevada’s history, from supporting mining booms and the construction of Hoover Dam to operations at the Nevada Test Site and the continued impact of rail transportation today.
Additional features include a museum store offering railroad-themed merchandise, toys, and souvenirs; a research archive and reading room; a multipurpose room for educational programming, school tours, and community gatherings; a train-themed multimedia experience; a welcome plaza; expanded parking with a bus loading area; and a railroad passenger loading area for the museum’s weekend train rides. Inspired by the colors and character of historic railroads, the Visitor Center’s design blends modern amenities with tributes to Nevada’s railroading legacy.
“The opening of the Visitor Center is the culmination of more than two decades of planning, vision, and support from countless individuals who believed in this project,” MacMahon said. “We are incredibly grateful to our legislators, partners, and community members who helped bring this vision to life, and we’re excited to welcome everyone through our doors as we begin this next chapter together.”
In addition to serving as a destination for visitors, the Visitor Center was designed as a community resource. Its multipurpose spaces are designed to accommodate future educational programs, school field trips, community meetings, and special events, while a Community Connections Board will highlight local businesses and organizations. The museum will also continue expanding opportunities for research through its archives, supporting lifelong learning, and preserving Nevada’s railroad history for future generations.
Following the grand opening, guests can also enjoy the return of the museum’s popular weekend train rides, offered Saturdays and Sundays from September through June at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Seasonal favorites will also return this fall, including the Halloween Express on Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 10 through Oct. 25, with tickets on sale now, followed by the Santa Train on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 20. Santa Train tickets will go on sale Nov. 1.
The Visitor Center at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, will be located at 1000 Boulder City Parkway. Until the Visitor Center opens in September, museum operations will continue at the museum’s current location, 601 Yucca Street. The museum is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Additional information is available at boulderrailroadmuseum.org.
About Nevada State Museum, Boulder City
The Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, preserves and interprets Nevada’s railroad heritage through historic locomotives, exhibits, educational programming, and excursion experiences that connect visitors with the people, industries and innovations that helped build the Silver State. Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026, the museum continues to inspire lifelong learning while serving as a cultural and educational resource for Southern Nevada. The Visitor Center at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, will be located at 1000 Boulder City Parkway. Until the Visitor Center opens in September, museum operations will continue at the museum’s current location, 601 Yucca Street. The museum is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 702-486-5952 or visit boulderrailroadmuseum.org.